Ela-May Demircan, the actress who portrayed Leah Barnes in the long-running Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks for fourteen years, has publicly addressed her departure from the role following the announcement of her replacement. The news broke on Tuesday, March 24, confirming that former Coronation Street star Charlotte Riley will assume the character of Ste Hay's daughter upon her return to the fictional village in upcoming episodes.
A Fourteen-Year Tenure Comes to an End
Demircan first took on the role of Leah Barnes in 2011, succeeding previous actors Magic Hurst and Jessica Croft-Lane. She remained a fixture on the show until her last appearance in 2024, becoming a fan favourite during her extensive tenure. The character is set to reappear in forthcoming storylines, romantically involved with Imran Maalik, portrayed by Ijaz Rana, who is reprising his role after a three-year absence.
Gratitude and Grace in Departure
In a social media statement, Demircan expressed profound gratitude to her supporters and reflected on her time with the series. "Hi everyone! I wanted to come on here and thank you all for your support these last 14 years," she wrote. "Bringing Leah to life for so many years was an honour and she will always be a part of me."
She acknowledged the creative decision behind the recast, stating, "Whilst I would have loved to have returned to the show, Hannah saw Leah's character going in a different direction but I will also be incredibly grateful to Brian Kirkwood for casting me as Leah in the first place." Demircan also urged kindness, emphasising, "Can we also remember there are real people behind the screens and be kind to one another. I don't want anyone receiving hate."
Welcoming the Newcomer
Extending warm wishes to her successor, Demircan added, "I hope Charlotte will love Leah just as much as I do but again thank you so much for your support I see it all. I can't wait to see what our Leah gets up to from the other side of the screen."
Charlotte Riley Embraces the Role
Charlotte Riley, known for her brief appearance as a younger Lou Michaelis in Coronation Street flashbacks, shared her excitement about joining the Hollyoaks cast. "It feels like a dream to be joining Hollyoaks," she remarked. "I'm looking forward to viewers seeing a new side to Leah Barnes."
Recent Casting Changes in Hollyoaks
This recast announcement follows closely on the heels of another casting update for the soap. Just days prior, Naledi Rapotu was confirmed to take over the role of teenager Kathleen-Angel McQueen from Kiara Mellor, who had played the character since 2021. These changes signal a period of transition and refreshment for the series as it continues to evolve its narrative arcs.
Hollyoaks continues to air its episodes from Monday to Wednesday on E4 at 7pm, with first-look screenings available for streaming on Channel 4 from 7am each day.
