Matthew Wolfenden, who portrayed David Metcalfe on Emmerdale for more than 17 years, exited the long-running soap in 2023. He has since moved to Hollyoaks, where he will appear as a member of the Keanes family. The exact date of his departure from Emmerdale has not been disclosed, nor has the precise start date for his Hollyoaks role been confirmed.
Wolfenden stands by his decision to leave Emmerdale, believing it was the right choice for him at that time. According to Daily Express - Showbiz, he described how an offer to play Buddy in Elf the Musical in the West End, an eight-week run over Christmas, reignited his passion for acting. He added that he could have easily stayed at Emmerdale but felt compelled to seize the opportunity.
This career shift led him to Hollyoaks, where he has taken on a new character named Jonah. In Hollyoaks, Jonah is a real family man who has been married to his new wife Rebecca for three years. According to Daily Express - Showbiz, Wolfenden explained that Jonah's ex-wife passed away and was friends with his new wife at school, creating a long-standing connection.
The family is blended, with Jonah having a grown-up son named Caleb and Rebecca having a younger son named Maddox. Specific twists and turns planned for Jonah and the Keanes family over the year remain undisclosed, as do details about Wolfenden's audition process compared to his post-Emmerdale experiences. Hollyoaks fans can anticipate a major stunt ahead of the Keanes' arrival, involving a huge car accident.
According to Daily Express - Showbiz, Wolfenden noted that the family enters the show with this dramatic event, which was exciting to film. Beyond his roles in Elf the Musical and Hollyoaks, it is unknown what other projects Wolfenden has pursued since leaving Emmerdale.