Soap’s big shocks feel all too real to Emmerdale’s Anthony Quinlan

EMMERDALE star Anthony Quinlan says real-life emotions mirrored the on-screen turmoil his character Pete faces this week.

Viewers are still reeling from the dramatic developments of last week when Pete’s mum Emma Barton (Gillian Kearney) and brother Finn (Joe Gill) both perished.

Emma, who had previously killed fiancé James, plunged to her death, but not before discharging a shotgun. The blast caught Finn, who lay dying undiscovered in the woods.

And on top of it all Moira Barton – played by Scot Natalie J Robb – has had a baby that might just be Pete’s.

“It’s a crazy week,” admits Anthony as he speaks to iN10 from the set of the Leeds-based soap.

“There’s such a mixed bag of emotions that Pete’s all over the place. There’s shock after shock after shock.

“It was amazing to play out, but if it was real life then you’d be struggling to deal with it.

“Although being given these challenges is great, it’s mentally draining. There were so many emotional scenes to film over several weeks.”

While viewers were seeing the last of Emma and Finn, it was saying farewell to Gillian and Joe that struck home to Anthony and the rest of the cast and crew.

“They’ve been such a big part of the Barton family,” says Anthony. “I think Gillian has been here for two-and-a-half years and Joe for about four years.

“It’s really sad to see them go and when you’re playing out these emotional scenes it helps a bit that there is a genuine sadness.

“Our little Barton clique got on so well and we threw a massive party for Gillian and Joe at the end of it all. It was a lovely send off. But before that there was a last goodbye scene with Joe in the hospital and it was absolutely heart-wrenching.

“It really got me going. You can’t help but get caught up in the emotions sometimes.

“I don’t plan to lose touch with either Gillian or Joe. They’ve become such good friends.”

Anthony says it’s “super soap week” with their big rivals Coronation Street and EastEnders also rolling out the big guns when it comes to tension-packed storylines.

“We always try and give 100% anyway, but in these weeks in particular the drama’s heightened. We’ve had stunt teams on board and everyone has to bring their A game.

“While it’s brilliant while you’re doing it, it’s kind of a relief when you’ve got it all done.”

Anthony is a well-known face to soap fans, having spent nearly seven years with Hollyoaks before the past four at Emmerdale.

He reckons he’s well suited to the quick turnover, pointing out the hefty volume of work produced.

“We make the equivalent of two feature films a week. It’s amazing how we manage to get six episodes out every week.

“The work ethic and production values are so high considering we get such little time.

“With a 90-minute feature film you’ll get three months to do it, maybe even longer. We’re turning that around in a week.

“It’s crazily fast-paced but I do enjoy it. It doesn’t give you much time to think and dwell. You just have to feel it and run with it.”

Anthony played Gilly Roach in Hollyoaks, earning a Best Serial Drama Performance nomination at the National Television Awards and a Best Actor nomination at the British Soap Awards.

But, as a mad keen Manchester United supporter, there was one aspect of the role that wasn’t to his taste.

“I’m still a big fan but at the time I was going to away games as well as home,” he adds.

“I played a Manchester City fan and I used to get so much stick from United fans asking how I could do it.

“When I joined Emmerdale there was a scene where Pete was getting football tickets for his birthday and they wanted to make him a Leeds United fan.

“But I couldn’t have that again. I’ve kept my Manchester accent in the show so I managed to get it altered so he’s a United fan, which I’m much happier about.”

Emmerdale, Monday to Friday, ITV