A familiar face joined the Emmerdale cast in the latest episode of the ITV soap which saw the return of serial killer Meena Jutla and fans were quick to recognise the actor playing the prison guard speaking in Monday night's opening scenes. After a couple of weeks off our screens, Meena was seen in her cell preparing for her upcoming court appearance.
The newcomer played by actor Dean Smith - who is perhaps best known for his role in BBC's Waterloo Road as Philip Ryan - was seen opening the door to speak to Meena before the evil character began to flirt with the officer. The seemingly new prison officer named Beeker in the soap's credits, was left uncomfortable with the interaction as Meena played by Paige Sandhu told him he was a "vast improvement on Officer Redwood" and she's "a sucker for a pretty boy".
He was flustered as he reminded her that she wasn't supposed to talk to him like that before revealing she had a visitor. The visitor was in fact Meena's barrister who had come to discuss details on the upcoming trial and was played by another familiar face, The Royal actress Amy Robbins, with some mistaking her for her sister Kate Robbins.
Prison guard Beeker was later seen in the episode pacing the corridor of the cells whilst Meena spoke with her barrister. The 32-year-old actor playing the newly introduced character has also starred in Hollyoaks, Open All Hours, Casualty, Last Tango in Halifax and Coronation Street.
Many Emmerdale fans took to Twitter and posted where they recognised the actor from and other viewers thanked them for sharing the information. "I’m sure that prison warden is an actor from Sterling a comedy drama from like 10 years ago on sky.. #Emmerdale" Mike tweeted.
"It's Philip Ryan from @WaterlooRoad. #Emmerdale" Andy Gibson tweeted. "OMG Phil from Waterloo Road in #Emmerdale" Lillie added.
"#Emmerdale I’m a bit late with this, but was that prison guard who spoke to Meena the same guy who played Phillip Ryan in Waterloo Road?" Jamie asked on Twitter and Jules responded: "Oh thank you!! I knew I knew him from somewhere - even asked the question on here - yep definitely Phillip Ryan as a prison office haha"
Emmerdale airs on ITV and ITV Hub weekdays from 7.30pm.
