Before joining Emmerdale as Bear Wolf, actor Joshua Richards appeared alongside Brad Pitt.
Bear Wolf made his debut in Emmerdale in 2019 as Paddy Kirk’s long-lost father. The former wrestler, known for his big heart, quickly became a fan favourite among viewers.
However, the beloved character, played by Joshua Richards, has been absent from the village after being last seen three months ago driving away in a hire car.
In recent episodes, it was revealed that Bear was not safe in Ireland as his son Paddy Kirk, played by Dominic Brunt, had believed. A worried Paddy has yet to learn that his father has fallen victim to modern slavery.
On Monday (November 10), Emmerdale aired a special episode focusing on Bear’s ordeal, finally revealing what happened to him during his 100-day disappearance.
In recent months, Ray Walters (Joe Absolom) and his adoptive mother Celia Daniels (Jaye Griffiths) have been taking advantage of teenagers April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan) and Dylan Penders (Fred Kettle).
The pair have been coerced into repaying an endless debt after misplacing a batch of drugs, with April also being drawn into the disturbing world of sexual exploitation.
Monday’s emotional episode begins to uncover the full extent of Ray and Celia’s cruelty, as the ITV soap sheds light on the serious issue of modern slavery.
Speaking about the upcoming storyline, Joshua opened up about the modern slavery plot, saying: “I actually found it quite unsettling. It was a bit frightening, and I wondered what personal experience I could draw on for it.”
He continued: “At first, it felt a little confusing, but I realised it could be fascinating to explore, especially since Bear has been struggling with feelings of depression and uncertainty.”
“Perhaps it’s powerful to show a big, strong man in such a vulnerable and exploited position,” he added. “As an actor, you think, ‘Great — this is meaty stuff,’ and you can’t wait to roll up your sleeves and dive in.”
How old is Emmerdale star Joshua Richards?
While Bear is now a fixture in the village, little is known about his past, aside from having had an affair with Paddy’s mother in the 1960s. The character is believed to have been born in 1945, which would make him 80 years old.
Off-screen, Joshua Richards is reportedly around 65, according to Emmerdale Insider.
A year before landing his role on Emmerdale, Joshua’s mother, Jean, sadly passed away at the age of 80. Being a devoted soap fan, her death left Joshua heartbroken that she never got to see him appear on screen.
He told The Mirror: “My mum Jean was a huge fan. We used to watch it back when it was called Emmerdale Farm, and she would have been thrilled that I was part of it.
“But we lost her last year. It’s really heartbreaking that she never got the chance to see me on the show. She didn’t know I had landed the role. I just kept thinking, ‘If only my mum were here to see this.’”
What other projects has Joshua Richards appeared in?
While Emmerdale marked Joshua’s first role in a soap opera, the seasoned actor has an impressive career, beginning with the Royal Shakespeare Company before moving on to numerous Hollywood films.
Prior to joining Emmerdale, Joshua appeared alongside Brad Pitt in the 2004 epic Troy and starred with Hugh Grant in Amazon Prime’s A Very English Scandal.
However, it’s his role in the popular 1990s series Heartbeat that has generated significant attention among fans. In 1999, Joshua played DI Haggarty on the ITV show for several months.
He has also appeared in a range of other TV shows and films, including Downton Abbey, King Arthur: Excalibur Rising, The Adventures of Robin Hood, A Viking Saga: The Darkest Day, and Panic Button.
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