'Zoe Tate' lands 'Royal Today' role

Former Emmerdale actress Leah Bracknell has joined the cast of new ITV Daytime drama, The Royal Today.

Leah – who played the Dale's Zoe Tate for nearly 16 years – will star as glamorous matron, Jenny Carrington.

Her character causes a stir from the beginning as she successfully lands the job that popular charge nurse Adam (Jack Ryder) wanted, while she also suffers appendicitis on her first day and ends up in a hospital bed as a patient.

Speaking of her new role, the 42-year-old actress said: "I’m really excited about The Royal Today and can’t wait to play matron. Jenny is a great character who’s both mysterious and intriguing. She will definitely keep people guessing."

She added: "I’m really looking forward to working back in Yorkshire with familiar faces."

Meanwhile, Executive Producer Keith Richardson commented: "Jenny is very different to the matron that viewers will know from The Royal. The modern-day role is very much a managerial position and Jenny struggles to implement strategies without putting people’s noses out of joint.

"We’re thrilled to have Leah on board, and look forward to seeing her in a role that is so far removed from Zoe Tate."

Former EastEnders actor Jack Ryder and Broadway name Paul Nicholas have also landed parts in the drama.

The Royal Today has been commissioned for 50x30-minute episodes and will begin filming next month, with an as-yet unconfirmed transmission date.