Former Emmerdale actress Emma Grace Arends has joined the cast of Coronation Street as part of Sarah Platt's prison storyline, with insiders warning that things are set to "get much darker" for the character.
Sarah (Tina O'Brien) has endured a turbulent few weeks on the cobbles. Last month, she was taken into custody for the murder of villainous Theo Silverton (James Cartwright), who had subjected her best friend Todd Grimshaw (Gareth Pierce) to abuse for more than a year.
Sarah's arrest and imprisonment
Sarah had killed Theo in April after striking him with a metal pole atop scaffolding, sending him plummeting over the edge to the ground below. She then sought the assistance of former lover and ally Gary Windass (Mikey North) to conceal the crime.
Despite her police officer boyfriend Kit Green (Jacob Roberts) doing his utmost to help her evade justice, Sarah was arrested on suspicion of Theo's killing. Initially maintaining her innocence, the mounting evidence proved overwhelming.
DS Lisa Connor-Swain (Vicky Myers) declared she had little option but to charge Sarah with Theo's murder, resulting in her being remanded to prison. During her incarceration, Sarah suffered an assault at the hands of a fellow inmate.
Blackmail and assault in prison
Matters deteriorated further when Sarah found herself being blackmailed by another prisoner, Kacey (Emma Matthews), who demanded Sarah persuade Kit to clear her son's name in connection with an alleged armed robbery. When Sarah informed Kacey there was nothing she could do, Kacey launched a vicious assault on Sarah in her cell.
Now, it has emerged that Emma Grace Arends is joining the cobbles cast, taking on the role of Lottie. The star posted pictures on her social media accounts documenting her time on the programme.
New character and warnings of darker times
A source told The Sun: "Things are only going to get worse for Sarah as she faces years in prison for what she's done. It's going to get much darker."
Emma made two appearances on rival soap Emmerdale. Her debut came when she portrayed a crisis worker in 2021, supporting Tracy Metcalfe (Amy Walsh) as she battled postnatal depression. She subsequently returned to the Yorkshire-based soap in 2023, this time portraying an unnamed nurse who cared for Chloe Harris (Jessie Elland) after her son was rushed to hospital with bacterial meningitis.
Emma's additional acting credits include roles in productions such as Peppa Pig: My First Cinema Experience and crime drama Longtails. Reach has contacted Coronation Street for comment.
