9 soap characters that have been played by multiple actors – from EastEnders’ Michelle Fowler to Emmerdale’s Robert Sugden
SOAP plotlines are notoriously barmy – characters frequently leave with no explanation or come back from the dead.
And because soap producers can be fickle about whether characters are staying or going, sometimes it falls to more than one actor to play our favourite characters.
Some of these cast changes are for quite sensible reasons – like child actors growing up, and not being interested in acting any more.
Others have seen old series regulars like Michelle Fowler return after not being seen for 20 years. While other actors have got themselves into trouble and been kicked out unceremoniously.
Here are some of the most notable switcheroos in soap history.
Sam Mitchell – EastEnders
The first actress to play EastEnders‘ Sam Mitchell was Danniella Westbrook, on and off between 1990-2000, notably taking the lead in a love triangle storyline between Sam, Ricky Butcher and Bianca Jackson.
However Danniella’s time on the show was marred by her well-documented drug problem.
In 1999, Danniella’s cast mates told the press they were concerned about her addiction. And as her cocaine use had completely eroded her nasal septum by this point, she could only be filmed from certain angles that would not show this.
She was written out in 2000, and when the character was reintroduced in 2002 the part went to newcomer Kim Medcalf.
Kim was involved in perhaps Sam’s most important storyline to date, as part of the “Three Witches of Walford” who killed Dirty Den Watts.
Kim departed in 2005, and Danniella returned again – first for a few months in 2010, and then for Peggy Mitchell’s funeral in 2016.
Ben Mitchell – EastEnders
As child actors grow up, they often want to go off and do new things. As we’ve known Ben Mitchell since he was born, there have been a lot of changes, and the character has been played by FIVE different actors.
Baby Ben was played by Matthew Silver, while as a toddler he was portrayed by Morgan Whittle.
But it really gets interesting when Charlie Jones steps in, playing Ben at around 10 years old as he returns to Walford after mum Kathy Beale is killed in a car crash.
But Jones’ Ben was repeatedly slammed by critics – albeit more for the never-ending trials put before the character than for his performance – and he was replaced by Joshua Pascoe.
Pascoe played a much tougher Ben, bearing very little resemblance to the original character, and was written out in 2012 after murdering Heather Trott.
Ben as we know him today is played by Harry Reid and was re-introduced in 2014.
David Platt – Coronation Street
Troubled Coronation Street regular David Platt seems to have been on our screens forever.
Current David actor Jack P Shepherd has played the role since April 2000, when the actor was just 12 years old.
But before he came on the scene, little David was played by Thomas Ormson for four months fro December 1990 – March 2000.
He said he was leaving the soap to pursue other interests – but it’s not clear what he’s doing now.
Robert Sugden – Emmerdale
Ryan Hawley may be the face of Robert Sugden today – and the character is more popular than ever as one half of beloved couple #Robron.
But he’s actually the fourth actor to play the role. While Robert has been in the soap since 1986, he has only been played by Hawley since 2014.
The first actor to play the role was Richard Smith, from 1986-1989.
Christopher Smith then took over for 12 years until 2001, when he was sacked as producers wanted an older actor, so they could involve the character in more “adult” storylines.
Karl Davies then took over until 2005, when Robert was written out after killing Max King, and deciding to go on the run rather than face justice.
Davies said in 2014 he would like to return – but producers cast Hawley instead. Ouch.
Michelle Fowler – EastEnders
Michelle Fowler is currently played by Jenna Russell, who joined the soap in 2016.
But the character was part of the first ever episode of EastEnders, played by Susan Tully until 1995, when her character was written out to go and live in America.
Michelle was absent from the soap for 20 years but was often mentioned by Sharon Mitchell, Martin Fowler and Ian Beale.
Now played by Jenna, Michelle has returned to Albert Square as she needed to flee America as she was having an affair with a 17-year-old boy.
She has caused quite a stir since her comeback – including crashing her car into the chippy and nearly killing Kathy and Kush.
Harry Thompson – Hollyoaks
Harry Thompson, the secret son of Tony Hutchinson and Tessie Thompson, originally came into Hollyoaks as an on-and-off guest role.
He was played by Daniel Seymour from 2007-09, with one guest appearance each year. But Seymour was then replaced by Harrison George Rhodes in 2009 for a series of Hollyoaks Later.
The role was recast to current Harry actor Parry Glasspool in 2013, for another series of Hollyoaks Later.
Harry became a Hollyoaks regular in 2015, striking up a romantic relationship with Ste Hay.
Daniel Osbourne – Coronation Street
Stray Barlow offspring Daniel was the result of Ken’s affair with Denise Osbourne in 1994.
As a toddler he was played by Lewis Harney from 1995-97 but left the cobbles to move to Scotland and had a long distance relationship with dad Ken.
Daniel returned to the Street in 2007, played by Dominic Holmes, when his mum got back in touch with Ken. But he was only around for a few weeks before being whisked off again.
Dan made a comeback in 2017, in the form of new actor Rob Mallard.
And he quickly got stuck into the family drama as he tried to kill his dad in March 2017 by pushing him down the stairs – leading to a huge whodunnit.
Steven Beale – EastEnders
Steven Beale is another character who’s grown up on screen, having been in the soap since 1989.
Edward Farrell played the role from 1989-90, and was then replaced by Stuart Stevens from 1992-96 while Steven’s main storylines concerned Cindy and Ian’s battle for custody of their children.
Edward Savage was then recast in the role from 1997-2002, showing a darker side to the character as he sent threatening letters to his Walford neighbours.
Aaron Sidwell has played the role since 2007. The character was written out in 2008 after trying to murder Pat Butcher, but was reintroduced in 2016.
His storylines are now focused on his toxic relationship with Lauren Branning, his affair with Abi Branning, and his relationship with stepdad Ian Beale.
Clare Devine – Hollyoaks
When she was first introduced as a likeable events supervisor at The Loft bar, Clare Devine was played by Samantha Rowley.
Rowley played the role from 2005-06 before Gemma Bissix took over and becoming the show’s villain, marrying Max Cunningham for his money and attempting to murder Warren Fox.
Gemma won “Villain of the Year” at the 2007 British Soap Awards, and was also awarded “Best Exit” the following year.
Clare was killed off in 2013 as Hollyoaks becan to focus on developing new villains – like Cameron Campbell and Silas Blissett.
