Harry Potter star Michael Wildman joins Emmerdale as Ellis’ dad Al Chapman
FORMER Harry Potter star Michael Wildman is joining Emmerdale and says his mum is more excited about his latest job than any of his Hollywood movie roles.
The actor played a CRI agent alongside Matt Damon in The Bourne Ultimatum and appeared in the Steven Spielberg sci-fi film Ready Player One but now he is joining the ITV soap as Ellis’ dad Al.
He said: “I don’t know who’s more excited about me joining Emmerdale, myself or my Mum!
“I know it’s her, and was my late grandmother’s, favourite soap.
“I mean I’ve rubbed some serious shoulders in the business over the last 25 years, but the jump for joy from her was unmatched!”
Michael, who starred in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix as centaur Magorian, will play Al Chapman, the dad of Jessie Dingle’s son Ellis.
Jessie moved to the village as a single mum-of-two last year.
She tied the knot with chef Marlon Dingle at Christmas, so the surprise arrival of her ex-husband is set to ruffle feathers in the village.
Michael, who will be on screen from next month, said: “I’m seriously looking forward to joining the Emmerdale family.
“On paper Al Chapman will be a dream to play for any actor and with the help of the current cast I look forward to him mixing things up in the village and for myself, bringing him to life.”
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Emmerdale is not Michael’s first soap.
The actor, who lives in Oxfordshire with his actress partner Ceri Ann Gregory and their five year-old son, spent a year playing Marc Mackenzie in Family Affairs. He also appeared in Ricky Gervais’s Extras alongside Samuel L Jackson.
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