Joe Absolom joins Emmerdale as drug-dealing Ray, an old friend of Mackenzie with dark intentions
In a dramatic twist that’s sure to thrill soap fans, EastEnders legend Joe Absolom is making a sensational return to the world of British soaps—this time as a villainous newcomer in Emmerdale.
Joe, best known for playing Matthew Rose in EastEnders from 1997 to 2000, has been snapped up by ITV to play Ray, a character with a dark underbelly lurking beneath a disarming charm. He’ll arrive in the village this summer as a seemingly friendly face with links to fan favourite Mackenzie Boyd, played by Laurence Robb.
At first, Ray claims to be a dealer in farm machinery, reconnecting with old friend Mackenzie under friendly pretences. But his true motives soon become clear. Beneath the calm, confident exterior is a dangerous drug dealer whose presence threatens to turn the quiet Yorkshire village on its head.
Discussing the role, Joe Absolom, 46, said: “Well, what an honour to join such a talented team at Emmerdale! It’s an iconic show and I’m grateful to be part of it. I can’t wait to see what’s in stock for Ray!”
Emmerdale’s executive producer, Laura Shaw, also expressed her excitement: “We are thrilled to welcome Joe Absolom to the cast. It’s fantastic to have such a high-calibre and immensely talented actor join our wonderful team to play the role of Ray.
Embed from Getty Images“Charming, charismatic, and effortlessly likeable, Ray is an extremely complex character who very quickly shows his dark and villainous side to some of our most loved villagers, leaving them in no doubt as to what he’s capable of.”
Joe’s character in EastEnders, Matthew Rose, famously endured one of the show’s most gripping plots—wrongly imprisoned for murder after being framed by club owner Steve Owen, played by Martin Kemp. The emotionally charged storyline earned Absolom widespread praise and made Matthew one of the most memorable young characters of the era.
Since then, Joe has built an impressive career across British television. He played Al Large in the long-running ITV comedy drama Doc Martin, and more recently starred in gritty crime series The Bay and Code of Silence, the latter alongside Rose Ayling-Ellis.
His shift to Emmerdale promises to inject a new wave of tension into the Dales. Ray’s connections to Mackenzie hint at a deeper backstory, one that could pull multiple villagers into his orbit. How Mack reacts to Ray’s criminal dealings—and whether he protects or exposes his old friend—could prove central to upcoming plots.
Viewers can expect fireworks as Ray settles into the village, charming the locals while pulling strings behind the scenes. With drug crime set to play a major role in his arc, Ray could become one of Emmerdale’s most dangerous antagonists in recent years.
Joe Absolom’s casting is also a boost for Emmerdale amid a period of cast shake-ups and high-profile exits. The move follows a recent shock departure of another soap legend and the rumoured return of EastEnders favourite Robert Sugden, fuelling fan speculation about future crossover possibilities in the soap universe.
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7.30 pm on ITV1 and STV, with early access episodes available from 7.00 am on ITVX and STV Player.
