![\"Joe](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/EMBARGO_EMMERDALE_JOE_01-5406.jpg\")
\n\t\tJoe Absolom has joined the cast of Emmerdale in a big role (Picture: ITV)<\/p>\n
\t\t
\n\t\tJoe Absolom has joined the cast of Emmerdale in a big role (Picture: ITV)<\/p>\n
Former EastEnders<\/a> star Joe Absolom has joined the cast of Emmerdale <\/a>as part of a dark new storyline involving Mackenzie Boyd<\/a> (Lawrence Robb<\/a>). <\/p>\n Joe, who rose to fame as Matthew Rose <\/a>in the BBC<\/a> One soap during the 90s, will play a former contact of Mack\u2019s named Ray. <\/p>\n Ray arrives in the village in upcoming scenes with a calm and collected exterior, claiming to be selling farm machinery, but it\u2019s not long before his drug dealing ways come to light \u2013 and a menacing streak surfaces.<\/p>\n Discussing his casting, Joe said: \u2018Well what an honour to join such a talented team at Emmerdale! It\u2019s an iconic show and I\u2019m grateful to be part of it. I can\u2019t wait to see what\u2019s in stock for Ray!\u2019 <\/p>\n Emmerdale boss Laura Shaw added: \u2018We are thrilled to welcome Joe Absolom to the cast. \u2018It\u2019s fantastic to have such a high calibre and immensely talented actor join our wonderful team to play the role of Ray.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u2018Charming, charismatic and effortlessly likeable, Ray is an extremely complex character who very quickly shows his dark and villainous side to some of our most loved villagers, leaving them in no doubt as to what he\u2019s capable of.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t Consider us intrigued. <\/p>\n Mackenzie isn\u2019t exactly having the best year after he was accused of causing the slurry leak<\/a> which led to Harry\u2019s hospitalisation, not to mention Claudette and Charles Anderson suffering a spell of sickness in the aftermath due to the contaminated water supply. <\/p>\n \t\t \t\t He was also the subject of a flash-forward<\/a> that we still know little about as he was seemingly chased through the woods \u2013 or at the very least was seen running away from something. <\/p>\n To top it all off, Mack was also trapped in Lewis Barton<\/a>\u2019s (Bradley Riches<\/a>) loft this week when he and Ross (Michael Parr) concocted a scheme to try take the newcomer\u2019s cannibis plants<\/a>. <\/p>\n But just what trouble will Ray bring to his door? <\/p>\n \t\t Actor Joe is best known for his time in Walford between 1997 and 2000 as Matthew Rose, who was famously framed for the murder of Saskia Duncan (Deborah Sheridan-Taylor), who had actually been killed by club owner Steve Owen (Martin Kemp).<\/p>\n Since leaving EastEnders, he has went on to land roles in The Bill, New Tricks, Doc Martin,\u00a0Death in Paradise<\/a>\u00a0and A Confession \u2013 and recently appeared in Silent Witness<\/a>. <\/p>\n Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 or stream first from 7am in ITVX. <\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019ve got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us\u00a0soaps@metro.co.uk<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 we\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/strong><\/p>\n Join the community by leaving a comment below and\u00a0stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n Arrow Arrow![\"Joe](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/EMBARGO_EMMERDALE_JOE_02-374e.jpg\")
\n\t\tJoe\u2019s character Ray is a blast from the past for Mackenzie (Picture: ITV)<\/p>\n![\"TELEVISION](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IP_634691-b30e.jpg\")
\n\t\tJoe played Matthew Rose in EastEnders (Picture: BBC)<\/p>\n![\"Television](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IP_702977-2c45.jpg\")
\n\t\tMatthew was involved in one of the biggest soap stories of the 90s as he was framed for Saskia\u2019s murder (Picture: BBC)<\/p>\n![\"John](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1748665270_624_19_05_emm_john_mack_01-bef1.jpg\")
\n\t\tIt\u2019s been a tough year already for Mack \u2013 largely because of killer John\u2019s antics (Picture: ITV)<\/p>\n
\nMORE: Emmerdale confirms who sets in motion John\u2019s downfall \u2013 and it\u2019s the most unexpected of characters<\/a><\/p>\n
\nMORE: Mack left trapped in Emmerdale as Lewis Barton takes revenge over crime plot<\/a><\/p>\n