From Hollyoaks to Hollywood: The Chester soap stars who've made it big time
If you’re a British actress/actor trying to make it Stateside, Hollyoaks seems to be the hot bit of experience to have on your CV.
Over the past few years, the Liverpool-based soap opera has become the UK's answer to Neighbours with many ex-stars going on to do bigger and better things in Hollywood.
From Game of Thrones girls Nathalie Emmanuel and Roxanne Mckee to American Gods star Ricky Whittle and even A-list funny man James Corden, we've sussed out all the stars who used Hollyoaks as a stepping stone for international success.
Getty ImagesRicky Whittle - Hollyoaks
Character: Calvin Valentine
Years on Hollyoaks: 2006- 2011
Rex FeaturesRicky Whittle - Hollywood
Where he is now: The Hollyoaks hunk was crowned runner-up in the 2009 series of Strictly Come Dancing. Since then, he’s headed Stateside to star in a number of American TV shows including Single Ladies, NCIS, The 100 and Mistresses. But it’s his lead role in brand new fantasy-mythology hybrid American Gods which has everyone talking.
Rex FeaturesNathalie Emmanuel - Hollyoaks
Character: Sasha Valentine
Years on Hollyoaks: 2007-2010
Getty ImagesNathalie Emmanuel - Hollywood
Where she is now: Following her class performance as a teenage drug addict in Hollyoaks, it’s no surprise that Nathalie has hit the big time. After leaving the show, she went on to land her role as Missandei in Game Of Thrones and starred in huge blockbuster franchises Fast and Furious 7 & 8 alongside Hollywood hunks Vin Diesel and The Rock.
Getty ImagesBarry Sloane - Hollyoaks
Character: Niall Rafferty
Years on Hollyoaks: 2007-2008
Getty ImagesBarry Sloane - Hollywood
Where is he now: Barry went from playing a psychotic serial killer in Hollyoaks to starring in hit ABC series Revenge as protagonist Emily’s ex, Aiden Mathis. He also appeared in Darren Aronofsky’s movie Noah, alongside Russell Crowe and Emma Watson and starred in sci-fi series The Whisper.
Getty ImagesEmmett J. Scanlan - Hollyoaks
Character: Brendan Brady
Years on Hollyoaks: 2010-2013
Rex FeaturesEmmett J. Scanlan - Hollywood
Where he is now: Following his departure from Hollyoaks, the Irish actor starred in NBC shows Constantine and AD. He also made his blockbuster debut after being featured as the Head Riot Guard in the first Guardians Of The Galaxy movie - did you spot him?
Rex FeaturesJames Corden - Hollyoaks
Character: Wayne the College caretaker
Years on Hollywood: 2001
Rex FeaturesJames Corden - Hollywood
Where is he now: This isn’t a case of ‘where he is now’ (we all know that) but rather, when was he there? Believe it or not, before carpooling with A-listers , attending Met Galas and EVEN before his days on Gavin & Stacey, James Corden had a small role in Hollyoaks playing the role of a caretaker at the local College. Who would have thought? Here are 18 more facts about James Corden.
Rex FeaturesRoxanne Mckee - Hollyoaks
Character: Louise Summers
Years on Hollyoaks: 2005-2008
Rex FeaturesRoxanne Mckee - Hollywood
Where she is now: After her character was killed off on her wedding day (by her husband, no less) in classic soap style, Roxanne kept a low profile on the TV front (although she did star in Taio Cruz’s Like A Star video, remember?), before returning to the public eye with a role in Game Of Thrones as Doreah, alongside fellow Hollyoaks girl Nathalie Emmanuel.
Getty ImagesEmma Rigby - Hollyoaks
Character: Hannah Ashworth
Years on Hollyoaks: 2007-2010
Getty ImagesEmma Rigby - Hollywood
Where she is now: After her award-winning performance as anorexic student Hannah Ashworth, Emma left Hollyoaks and headed for the Hollywood hills where she ended up rubbing shoulders with the likes of Penelope Cruz, Michael Fassbender and Cameron Diaz when she starred alongside them in 2013 movie, The Counselor. Since then, she’s featured in ABC series Once Upon A Time In Wonderland as the Red Queen and made a number of guest appearances in other TV shows.
