Anthony Quinlan, best known for his role as Pete Barton on the long-running ITV soap Emmerdale, has addressed the possibility of returning to the fictional Yorkshire village after a six-year hiatus. The actor, who portrayed the character from 2013 to 2020, admitted that while a comeback is not currently in the works, he would not rule it out entirely.
Pete Barton's Departure and Recent Mentions
Quinlan's character left the Dales in 2020 to start a new life in Liverpool, allowing the actor to pursue other acting opportunities and focus on his personal training business. However, last year, a rare mention of Pete on the show—when his brother Ross Barton, played by Michael Parr, received a concerning phone call about Pete being hospitalised after an attack—sparked fan speculation about a potential return.
Speaking exclusively to Freebets.com, Quinlan stated: "Never say never, but it's not on the cards at present and nothing has formally been approached. I am aware of the interest in the character and mentions on screen. People have reached out online and fellow peers have asked would I go back, but there are a few things on the horizon."
He added: "A return to Emmerdale is definitely something worth seriously considering if it was ever properly presented, but right now I want to keep building on the momentum of the last year or so. Things are picking up and moving in the right direction."
New Role in BBC's Time
Quinlan has landed a role in the third series of the BBC anthology crime drama Time, which is set in a prison. The first series aired in 2021 starring Sean Bean and Stephen Graham, while the second series in 2023 featured Jodie Whittaker and Bella Ramsey. The actor expressed excitement about this new opportunity, noting it aligns with his desire to explore more dramatic roles.
Discussing the differences between working on a soap opera and a drama, Quinlan explained: "The turnover in soap is so, so fast. You're filming the equivalent of about two movies a week, producing around three hours of television content weekly. The screen-to-filming time ratio is literally seconds to hours. A 90-second scene might take 90 minutes to two hours to film. With a cast that large, you've got maybe four different crews working in different locations simultaneously."
He continued: "On a drama, there's just one crew, one director, you become familiar with everyone, it's a slightly slower process, a bit more time for rehearsals. Still highly pressured, but a very different rhythm. Dramas also tend to have more budget to play with. Both are amazing experiences, but the drama experience is definitely one I want to embark on more. There are a few things potentially in the pipeline."
Looking Ahead
While Quinlan remains open to an Emmerdale return, his focus is currently on building his career momentum. Fans will have to wait and see if Pete Barton ever makes a comeback to the village.
Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV1 at 8pm and is available to stream from 7am on ITVX.
