'Cape Wrath' actress joins 'Emmerdale'

Former Cape Wrath actress Emma Davies has joined the cast of Emmerdale as the show's new super-bitch.

The 38-year-old, who played the role of Abigail York in the now-axed Channel 4 show, will descend on the Dales in July as the savvy and strong-willed red-head Anna De Souza, daughter of local entrepreneur Donald De Souza (Michael Jayston).

With a cunning ruthlessness, Anna arrives in the village for her father's birthday and immediately clears the hurdles which face her family and their fortune. She's a country girl through and through, evidenced in her love of shooting, archery and horse riding.

Anna's turbulent history with her father is apparent from the start, but she is determined to put their past behind them. However, she instantly finds a rival in Carl King (Tom Lister) in her bid to win Donald's respect.

Speaking of her casting, Emma said: "I'm so excited to be playing Anna and looking forward to joining the fantastic cast and getting stuck into some meaty storylines. Anna is intelligent and feisty and intends to have fun making her mark on the Dales."

Emmerdale's series producer Anita Turner explained: "Anna is a really interesting character. She seeks her father’s approval but everyone else must dance to her tune. Anna sees opportunities and goes for them. The King Brothers won't know what’s hit them!"

She told DS: "She's very much harping back to the history of the show… she has hidden depths – it's all about the complexities."

Emma began filming at the Yorkshire-based soap last week and will first appear on screen next month.

> Click here for our full interview with Anita Turner