Overview

• Bradley Riches, known for Netflix's Heartstopper, has been cast as Lewis Barton in Emmerdale, marking the soap's first openly neurodivergent character.
• Riches and his character are both autistic, with the production working closely with him to ensure an authentic portrayal.
• Lewis Barton is the younger brother of Ross, Pete, and the late Finn Barton, expanding the long-standing Barton family storyline.
• Riches began filming in early March, and his character is set to appear on-screen later in the spring.
• This casting reflects a broader trend of actors transitioning from streaming platforms to legacy television dramas.