Emmerdale spoilers follow from Thursday night's double bill (February 3).
Emmerdale has revealed who the new owners of The Woolpack will be.
Thursday night's double bill confirmed that Ryan Stocks and Charity Dingle had put in a joint £325,000 bid for the iconic pub, beating off competition from the brewery.
In the coming weeks, viewers will see a newly-refurbished Woolpack rise from the ashes after the Christmas Day fire and explosion.
James Moore and Emma Atkins, who play Ryan and Charity, reveal all in this new Q&A.
Were you excited when you heard you would both become the new owners?
James: "I was excited to hear Ryan would be one of the new owners of the pub. It's a big step for him as a character, especially after losing his mother, and cements his part in Emmerdale history."
Emma: "It's a great dynamic having mother and son save the pub to keep The Woolpack in the family. Also, knowing I'd be reunited with Chas again, I was over the moon. Getting back behind the bar will be so exciting. And knowing they're going to put Charity and Chas together again, it's just a dream come true."
Will they want to make any radical changes?
James: "I think Ryan may want to modernise The Woolpack and create more of a youthful vibe to the pub. As we know, he is a computer whiz and I expect he will have good ideas for promoting the pub on social media. The pub is undergoing a large refurbishment at the moment and I can't wait to see the changes they make."
Emma: "The refurb is brilliant and well thought out. They manage to maintain that country pub style, with a modern twist, using a really vibrant velvet upholstery in wonderful autumnal colours. The new snug area is my favourite.
"During the design process, Ryan rightly points out the pub is also in need of wheelchair access and suggests one section of the bar be lowered in order to cater for everyone."
Will The Woolpack remain as a regular pub serving food, or do you think there will be a new idea?
James: "I think the pub will operate as normal to begin with, but I imagine Ryan would have some very good ideas about changing the vibe and energy in the pub and bring a modern touch to the space."
Emma: "I think it's going to be a good old fashioned regular pub, with the potential for one-off events to jazz it up a little."
Will your characters both be working behind the bar?
James: "I think Ryan is taking over more of the behind-the-scenes management in The Woolpack, but I imagine he might come out to pour a pint from time to time!"
Emma: "There was a mention in a previous script that Charity's role will be more managerial, hands on. Ryan, being a computer wizard, will be behind all the admin, marketing and financial stuff.
"Charity, Mackenzie, Marlon and Ryan all want to have their say on the way it should be run. Marlon suggests bringing a modern twist to his menu, Mac fancies DJ events and Ryan is busy helping re-design the pub."
Are you looking forward to filming big Woolpack days when everybody is in?
James: "It will be great to film in the new pub and there is definitely an electrifying buzz when everybody is in the room together. It feels like a long time since I have done a scene in The Woolpack so it's going to be very exciting to be back."
Emma: "I cannot wait to get back behind the bar. I love the atmosphere. It's always the central hub of the village where the audience witness all sorts of drama, revelation, gossip and conflict. It's the best place for all those memorable one-liners between the punters and bar staff."
Who is your all-time favourite owner or staff member from The Woolpack?
James: "I always loved Marlon as a team member in The Woolpack, and I think it's safe to say at this point he is integral to the pub. I can't imagine the place without him so I hope he is involved in the upcoming storylines with Charity and I."
Emma: "I loved Diane when she was at the helm. And of course Chas."
Have you been monitoring all of the recent audience speculation over The Woolpack's new buyers?
James: "I have seen on Twitter the speculation from the fans, and I have seen some people guessing correctly! I am very much looking forward to seeing the audience's reaction.
"I am very honoured to be included in this way, and to be so involved in such a big part of Emmerdale history!"
Emma: "No I wasn't aware! That's brilliant news. I've been off social media for a while so it's wonderful to hear there has been excitement and speculation. Let's hope they're happy when they find out."
Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 7pm on ITV, with an extra episode at 8pm on Thursdays.
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Daniel has been writing about soaps on Digital Spy since 2004 and took over as Soaps Editor in 2010.
He has interviewed hundreds of soap stars over the years, from Bill Roache to Lacey Turner, and regularly visits the sets of Coronation Street, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks for behind-the-scenes trips and press events.
He has served as an awards judge on numerous occasions for the likes of the BAFTA TV Awards, RTS Programme Awards and British Soap Awards. In 2020, he was Highly Commended for Best Section Editor at the BSME Awards.
