ITV viewers are in for a treat as Oliver Farnworth, a familiar face to soap fans, makes a dramatic return to the genre. He has officially joined the cast of Emmerdale as John Sugden, the enigmatic half-brother of Victoria Sugden. Farnworth describes his new character as something of a “lone wolf,” a man who has spent years building emotional walls as a method of self-preservation. It appears John is openly gay and possesses a military background, details that only scratch the surface of his complex persona. Speaking on his arrival in the Yorkshire Dales, Farnworth noted he has been “here, there and everywhere” on set, getting stuck into driving vans and causing mischief, adding that the cast has offered him a brilliant welcome.
Echoes of a Dark Departure
Long-time viewers will remember Farnworth’s gripping stint on Coronation Street, where he played Andy Carver, a character whose storyline was steeped in deception and tragedy. Andy arrived in Weatherfield pretending to be Gavin Rodwell—his flatmate—as part of a prank, but inadvertently formed a genuine father-son bond with Michael Rodwell, played by Les Dennis. When the truth of his identity eventually surfaced in 2015, the relationship survived, but peace was short-lived. Following Michael’s death from a heart attack, Andy rightly suspected the involvement of notorious serial killer Pat Phelan. His attempt to expose Phelan backfired spectacularly, leading to Andy being abducted and held captive in a basement. In a gruesome twist of fate, Phelan forced Andy to kill Vinny Ashford with the promise of freedom, only to double-cross him. Andy was shot dead, marking a definitive and bloody exit for Farnworth from the cobbles.
Statham Takes Shelter in Scotland
While Farnworth explores the rural mysteries of the Dales, another British heavyweight is tackling a different kind of isolation in the Scottish Highlands. The official trailer for Shelter, the latest action-thriller starring Jason Statham, has just dropped, promising a gritty ride. The film centres on a recluse living on a remote Scottish island whose quiet existence is shattered when he rescues a young girl from the ocean. This act of heroism triggers a dangerous chain reaction, culminating in a violent assault on his home and forcing him to confront a turbulent past he thought he had left behind.
A Veteran Team Reunited
The project is helmed by Ric Roman Waugh, a filmmaker who cut his teeth as a stuntman and stunt coordinator before moving into the director’s chair. Waugh has developed a strong rapport with Gerard Butler in recent years, directing action-heavy titles such as Angel Has Fallen, Greenland, and Kandahar, as well as the upcoming Greenland 2: Migration. For Shelter, he has assembled a stellar cast alongside Statham, including national treasure Bill Nighy, Naomi Ackie, Daniel Mays, and Bodhi Rae Breathnach. While the film has yet to receive an official age rating, the trailer suggests it will deliver the intense, high-stakes drama genre fans have come to expect.