Emmerdale star reveals huge new US TV gig with Hollywood star two years after quitting dales

AN ex-Emmerdale actress has landed a TV role alongside a Hollywood star two years after quitting the soap.

Fiona Wade, 45, exited the Dales in 2022 after 12 years playing Priya Sharma.

Since then she's taken to the stage in 2:22 A Ghost Story as leading lady Jenny, and is now joining Denis Leary and Catherine Tate in new US sitcom Going Dutch.

Leary, who has starred in The Thomas Crown Affair and voiced the character of Diego in animated smash Ice Age, plays grouch Army Colonel Patrick Quinn, who gets banished to the Netherlands after launching into an ill-thought rant.

Announcing the news on Instagram, Fiona wrote: "This was an absolute joy to be a part of.. working with these wonderful humans!

"The brand new sitcom for @foxtv ‘Going Dutch’ is out now on @comedyclubfox & @hulu."

She shared snaps of herself in character wearing full US military attire and looked to be having a blast.

Former co-star Michelle Hardwick commented: "We’ve been excited for this forever."

Natalie Anderson said: "Yes my beauty!!!"

While a fan said: "Can’t wait to watch!"

Speaking last year, Fiona reflected on leaving Emmerdale and her decision to take to the stage in 2:22.

She told : "I knew that my first job out of Emmerdale had to be the right one, and then this came up. It's honestly been the best decision ever.

"When you leave a soap, I think some people think you made the decision yesterday, but these decisions are taken over years. It was a scary decision but it was the right one."

She added: "Theatre can feel more scary and in television you're slightly protected by the fact you can do another take, and I was very comfortable in Emmerdale, but I wanted a change, I wanted to grow, and I wanted to do something that challenged me."

Upon leaving Emmerdale, Fiona had a star-studded leaving bash where she got the chance to wave goodbye to all of her co-stars.

She said: "It was one of the hardest decisions I've had to make. Leaving my Emmerdale family is a big thing and it wasn't easy filming my last scenes.

"When you've been somewhere for that long and that's your every day, it's hard and feels sad. 

“But as every actor knows, you need to challenge yourself and that's very important too."