Michael Wildman has joined ‘Emmerdale’ as Asan N’Jie’s on-screen dad.
The actor – who played centaur Magorian in ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’ – will portray Al Chapman, the dad of Asan’s alter-ego Ellis Chapman, in the ITV soap.
Michael said: "I’m seriously looking forward to joining the ‘Emmerdale’ family.
"On paper Al Chapman will be a dream to play for any actor and with the help of the current cast I look forward to him mixing things up in the village and for myself, bringing him to life."
Michael has starred in Steven Spielberg’s ‘Ready Player One’ alongside Simon Pegg and he was an agent in 2007’s ‘The Bourne Ultimatum’ – which featured Matt Damon and Julia Stiles – but admits his mum was more delighted when she heard he was joining ‘Emmerdale’.
He added to The Sun Online: "I don’t know who’s more excited about me joining Emmerdale, myself or my mum.
"I know it’s her, and was my late grandmother’s, favourite soap.
"I mean I’ve rubbed some serious shoulders in the business over the last 25 years, but the jump for joy from her was unmatched."
Asan made his debut as Ellis in September last year, and has since admitted he hates watching himself on TV, but finds it useful so he can make "adjustments" to his acting.
He said: "I cringe. I hate it. I don’t think I’ll ever like watching myself on screen but I still always do it.
"I’m like, ‘No I’m not going to watch.’ Then I’m there with my mum down watching the telly.
"It’s good for an actor sometimes to just reflect on what they are doing I suppose.
"If you are on set, and you ask for a playback sometimes that is good as well so you can make slight adjustments.
"But then, it’s also good to not watch yourself so you are not in your head and feeling too self-conscious.
"So, it depends on the individual and how you feel on that moment really."
Michael Wildman joins Emmerdale
