Emmerdale viewers have been left stunned after recognising DS Walsh actress Amanda Ryan from her previous role in the Channel 4 series Shameless. The 54-year-old star made her debut on the ITV soap in 2025 as the detective investigating Ray Walters' murder.
Amanda Ryan previously played Carrie Rogers in Shameless from 2007 to 2009, a role that earned her recognition among fans. She also appeared in EastEnders as Verity, sister of Mad May, in 2007, and has guest-starred in Casualty as Scarlet Wren and later as Carrie Melanie Sinclair in 2024.
In recent Emmerdale episodes, DS Walsh has been probing the death of villain Ray, who was killed by Bear Wolf in a violent confrontation. Bear, who had been presumed dead, returned to the village and fatally struck Ray while trying to protect his son Paddy and Dylan Penders.
Fans took to social media to express their surprise at recognising Ryan. One baffled viewer asked, 'Can someone tell me where I've seen the actress who plays DS Walsh please?' Another declared, 'I thought that's where I recognised her from!'
As the storyline continues, DS Walsh is expected to feature prominently in upcoming episodes, investigating not only Ray's murder but also the farm trafficking operation run by Ray and his mother Celia.
