Soaps are a staple of the entertainment industry in the UK, with many actors vying for a coveted role on the likes of EastEnders and Coronation Street to get their big break.
A number of former soap stars have gone on to pursue careers stateside, including Alex Ferns - who played villainous Trevor Morgan on EastEnders from 2000 to 2002.
The actor looks unrecognisable now in his latest role as commissioner Pete Savage in the film the Batman (2022), which will be released in UK cinemas later this week.
And so whilst some soap actors may be mocked for their ambitions beyond the confines of Walford or Weatherfield, there are success stories.We've taken a look at ten former soap stars who have made a name for themselves stateside. Some have been in box-office hits, whilst others are TV favourites.
Rachel Shenton
Rachel Shenton, 34, is best known for playing fame-obsessed Mitzeee Minniver on Hollyoaks. She appeared on the Channel 4 soap for the years from 2010 until 2013.
Following her departure, she was in three seasons of US teen drama Switched at Birth. Her biggest career success however came in 2017 with the release of a short film.
She starred in, and wrote, the Silent Child - which tells the story of a young deaf girl who lives a silent life until she is taught to communicate through sign language.
The short film received much acclaim following its release and won Shenton a number of awards. This included getting an Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film in 2018.
Sean Maguire
Sean Maguire, 45, played Aidan Brosnan on BBC soap EastEnders in 1993. The character had a high-profile storyline which involved homelessness and drug-abuse.
Around 23 million people are said to have tuned in on Christmas Day that year for an episode in which Aidan tried to take his own life. He left Walford in the next episode.
The actor later pursued a career stateside, playing the lead in Meet the Spartans (2008). His other credits have included roles in shows such as the 100, Timeless and CSI: NY.
His biggest role since EastEnders however has been playing Robin Hood in the hugely-successful Once Upon a Time. He appeared on the ABC fantasy show from 2013 to 2018.
Nathalie Emmanuel
Nathalie Emmanuel, 33, launched her on-screen career as Sasha Valentine on Hollyoaks. She played the character from 2006 to 2010, before pursing other TV roles.
She notably portrayed handmaiden Missandei in Games of Thrones between 2013 and 2019. The character was introduced during its third season and remained until its last.
And the actor plays Megan Ramsey in the Fast & Furious franchise. She has appeared in three instalments since 2015, with her set to reprise her role in a further two films.
Her other credits have included two films in the Maze Runner franchise, heist comedy Army of Thieves (2021) and the TV adaption of Four Weddings and a Funeral (2019).
Patsy Palmer
Patsy Palmer, 49, has played one of EastEnders' most iconic characters; Bianca Jackson. She was introduced in 1993 and is often quoted over screaming "Ricky."
The actor initially appeared on the BBC soap during the 1990s, before reprising the role between 2008 and 2014. She later made a brief return to Albert Square in 2019.
She however now lives near Los Angeles, where she runs haircare business Good & Proper and is understood to be the wellness editor at lifestyle magazine Cali Mag.
And she has made a career for herself as a DJ. She's said to have played at various "high-profile events," with it reported that she has appeared alongside singer Macy Grey, 54.
Michelle Ryan
Michelle Ryan, 37, contributed to an unforgettable soap moment when her character Zoe Slater discovered that Kat Slater ( Jessie Wallace, 50) was her mother - not her sister.
The actor was in EastEnders from 2000 to 2005, before pursing other projects. This included starring alongside Carmen Electra, 49, in the comedy film I Want Candy.
She later embarked on a career stateside and landed the lead role in the short-lived series Bionic Woman - which was a re-imagining of the 1970s series of the same name.
Eight episodes aired in 2007 but it was later cancelled. Michelle appeared in five episodes of US action series Covert Affairs in 2013 and has been in several films.
Ricky Whittle
Ricky Whittle, 40, played Calvin Valentine on Hollyoaks between 2006 and 2011. The character was involved in a number of storylines prior to being killed off in 2010.
The actor went on to land roles in several projects stateside, including in the US adaption of Mistresses. He was also a series regular in post-apocalyptic series the 100.
His most prominent role of recent years however has been as Shadow Moon in fantasy series American Gods. He played the lead role from 2017 until 2021.
The former soap actor hasn't appeared in many films, though his credits include roles in romantic comedy Austenland (2013) and the Netflix original Nappily Ever After (2018).
Anna Friel
Anna Friel, 45, rose to fame through her portrayal of Beth Jordache on Brookside from 1993 to 1995. Her character was involved in a historic same-sex kiss on the Channel 4 soap.
Following her departure, she appeared in numerous projects but it was as Charlotte "Chuck" Charles in comedy series Pushing Daisies that she achieved international recognition.
She was part of its main cast during its run from 2007 until 2009, with her later appearing in US shows such as American Odyssey (2015) and the Girlfriend Experience (2017).
Over the years, her film credits have included thriller Limitless (2011) fantasy comedy The Cleanse (2016) and more recently a leading role in Charming the Hearts of Men (2021).
Lucien Laviscount
Lucien Laviscount, 29, played teenager Ben Richardson in Coronation Street in 2009, shortly before the actor landed the role of Jonah Kirby in Waterloo Road.
More recently, he has made a name for himself with US audiences, having appeared as Earl Grey in Scream Queens in 2015 and Alexander Cabot in Katy Keene in 2020.
One of his biggest roles to date however was in the second season of Netflix comedy-drama series Emily in Paris earlier this year. He played the lead's love interest Alfie.
His other credits have included horror film The Bye Bye Man (2017), romantic drama Trust (2021) and a main role in the TV adaption of Snatch, which ran from 2017 to 2018.
Himesh Patel
Himesh Patel, 31, is best known for having played Tamwar Masood on EastEnders for almost a decade. The character was introduced in 2007 and departed the soap in 2016.
The actor later led the cast of musical comedy Yesterday (2019), in which he played a man who convinces the world that he wrote the Beatles' songs.
More recently, he's had roles in the science-fiction film Tenet (2020) and apocalyptic comedy Don't Look Up (2021), in which he played the boyfriend of Jennifer Lawrence's character.
His other credits include roles in drama miniseries The Luminaries (2020), science-fiction comedy Avenue 5 (2020) and post-apocalyptic series Station Eleven (2021).
Ben Hardy
Ben Hardy, 31, was the sixth actor to play Peter Beale on EastEnders. He took over the role in 2013 and remained on the show for a few years until 2015.
Following his departure, the actor landed the role of Archangel in superhero film X-Men: Apocalypse (2016) and portrayed writer John William Polidori in Mary Shelley (2017).
His biggest success however came in biopic Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) in which he portrayed Queen drummer Roger Taylor. The film and its cast won a number of awards.
The actor's other credits have included action thriller 6 Underground (2019), comedy film Pixie (2020) and more recently a role in erotic thriller The Voyeurs (2021).
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