Emmerdale's William Ash, who portrays Caleb on the popular ITV soap, has hinted at the dark past of the character Steph as we anticipate further insights into the intricate Milligan family dynamics.
In a dramatic encounter set to unfold in the village, Ruby, played by Beth Cordingly, and her spouse Caleb, are slated for an unexpected reunion with their long-lost daughter Stephanie (portrayed by Georgia Jay) after many years apart.
Following the passing of her grandmother Helen Fox, portrayed by Sharon Maughan, Steph makes her entrance into the storyline, not alone but accompanied by Ruby's father Anthony, enacted by Nicholas Day, setting the stage for a turbulent family gathering.
Steph, now in her 30s, is described as self-reliant and recklessly impulsive and has spent over a decade disconnected from both parents, creating an intriguing mystery around her prolonged absence.
Her characteristics evidently reflect those of Caleb and Ruby, pairing unchecked ambition with their self-absorbed traits. But what could have driven such a divide between Steph and her parents?
In conversation with the Daily Record, the actor behind Caleb, William Ash divulged details about Steph's rebellious adolescence which culminated in her being sent away - a decision that heavily strained the parental bond, reports Leicestershire Live.
William, 43, revealed a significant plot detail: "The story is, we sent Steph away basically that is what happened."
He further unveiled: "She was a really difficult child when she was 13/14, so we sent her off to boarding school to straighten her our almost, it was quite a brutal thing to do.
"Steph felt really torn from them, she felt abandoned as well. Quite interestingly Nicky didn't go off to boarding school, but she was getting in a lot of trouble."
William revealed: "She had stolen a car, and was just really difficult. Ruby and Steph were clashing and it was Ruby that instigated it."
Georgia Jay, the actress portraying Steph, shed light on her character's complex feelings towards her family.
The fresh face to the cast shared: "When she does come back it's that feeling of resentment for the abandonment. She never felt loved, so she feels hurt and she's not prepared to let that go.
"You can see she was more of a daddy's girl anyway, growing up being quite similar to Ruby the clash was there."
She continued: "Naturally, Caleb and Steph had a good relationship, I think when she went to boarding school it was more a decision for Ruby."
As to whether Caleb and Steph can mend their relationship after so much time has passed remains to be seen, leaving Emmerdale viewers in anticipation.
Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV1 and ITVX at 7.30pm.
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