5:48pm Thursday 9th July 2009
Susan Griffin meets the latest Emmerdale family, the Bartons, who promise to be more than a match for the Dingles in future.
A NEW farming dynasty by the name of Barton descends on the Dales this month.
John and Moira Barton, along with their three teenage children, Hannah, Adam and Holly will take up residence in Butler’s Farm and become a large part of Emmerdale life in future.
But don’t let the pictureperfect family deceive you, for they’re about to cause a huge stir in soapland.
So here’s what to expect:
John Barton (James Thornton)
BRADFORD-born Thornton says the Emmerdale audition was the most frightening he’s ever done.
“I’ve grown up with the show because I was brought up 20 minutes from where we film, so it’s been a part of my life since childhood,” he says.
“I was brought up for 18 years of my life in an old farmhouse and we had a farm about 500 yards away from us, so I used to help them with the harvest every year. I’ve had to have a tractor lesson though because I’ve never driven one before.”
Although James describes his character as a “laid-back family man”, he says viewers can still expect fireworks and feuds.
“There are definitely going to be confrontations with the Dingles,” he says. “John will enjoy that battle and give as good as he gets.”
Moira Barton (Natalie J Robb)
“I’M looking forward to getting behind the bar and pulling a few pints,” says Robb, who plays Emmerdale’s newest barmaid.
“My mum and dad were publicans so I’ve had a bit of practice.”
Fun-loving and feisty, Moira is guaranteed to cause a stir with the locals down at the Woolpack although the most volatile relationship will be with hapless chef Marlon.
“Moira generally gets on with everybody,” says Natalie.
“However, you’ll see her and Marlon develop a love-hate relationship, which will be interesting.”
Previously seen in The Bill and EastEnders, it was during a stint in Waterloo Road that she first met Adam Thomas, who’s now playing her son. “It was only last year so I was chuffed to bits when I heard he’d got the part,” she says.
Holly Barton (Sophie Powles)
The eldest Barton child may be recognised by some as from ITV’s ill-fated Britannia High, and the young actress can’t believe her luck. “I know what a big deal it is, so I’m not taking it for granted. I’m going to work hard,” she says. “When I was younger, I used to watch Emmerdale all the time. I remember thinking it was so cool and really wanted to be a part of it, especially because it’s a northern show and my family live just down the road in Otley, so I’ve got a strong Yorkshire connection.”
Now Powles’ relaxed into the busy filming schedule, she says she can’t wait to get her teeth into some really juicy storylines. “I don’t really know what she’s going to be getting up to yet, but I hope she has a lot of fun doing it!”
Adam Barton (Adam Thomas)
THOMAS is all set for some soap rivalry with his real-life brother Ryan, who plays Coronation Street’s Jason Grimshaw. “Hopefully we might be up against each other for the sexiest male award at the Soap Awards – that would be funny,”
he says.
“Ryan was even happier than I was when I got the part in Emmerdale. And mum’s over the moon having both her boys in soaps.”
Describing his character as “stubborn but very deadpan,”
Adam’s looking forward to some great lines in the future.
“School’s not for him. He’s keen to emulate his father’s success and work on the farm,” he says.
Hannah Barton (Grace Cassidy)
THE actress playing the’ youngest family member, says she nearly failed an exam after being told she’d got the part.
“I was revising chemistry for my GCSE exams when my agent called to say I’d got the part,”
Cassidy says. “For the rest of the night I was so happy that I couldn’t concentrate, so I didn’t get much work done.”
“Hannah’s willing to try anything new and welcomes the opportunity to make new friends,” says Cassidy. As for who’s she’s looking forward to on-screen time with, she says it has to be Victoria Sugden.
“They might get up to a bit of mischief. It will be interesting to see if they become friends or enemies.”
She’s also interested to see what dramas are in store for the family. “At the moment it seems like a really happy family unit,”
she says. “But nothing seems to run smoothly for long in Emmerdale, so we’ll have to wait and see if it stays that way.”
■ The Barton family arrive in Emmerdale on ITV1 tomorrow at 7pm
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