Emmerdale star Bradley Riches share big Netflix news: ‘Dream come true’

Emmerdale fan favourite and much-loved social media sensation, Bradley Riches, has had a hell of a year.

His on-screen alter ego, Lewis Barton has become one of the brightest and most beloved characters on the show as he’s found himself the centre of his own love story with Vinny Dingle (Bradley Johnson).

Off-screen, Bradley finally became a married man, when he exchanged vows with Scott Johnston after a two year engagement in a beautiful, star-studded ceremony.

Now, he’s spoken out about returning to the role which saw him explode into stardom: James McEwan on the Netflix romantic drama, Heartstopper, the graphic novel-turned-TV phenomenon, focussed on a group of teens as they get to grips with their sexualities, identities and navigating the world in the face of impending adulthood, running for three seasons.

All good things must come to an end, however, with Netflix confiming that a feature-length film will wrap up the story. The film, entitled Heartstopper Forever, will premiere on July 17th this year, and will see Bradley step into James’ shoes for a final time.

Taking to his Instagram to reveal the films release date, Bradley shared a picture of the shows cast, with the caption: ‘Heartstopper Forever – Out July 17th

‘This show means so much to me, from the first season 4 years ago to the last one coming soon, it’s been a dream come true.’

Alice Oseman, who created the original graphic novel and has written every episode of the TV show said of the upcoming film: ‘The movie will be an exploration of time, memory, love, pain, the changing of the seasons, endings and beginnings, and the core element of Heartstopper: the ordinary magic of our everyday lives.’

Bradley’s wedding

Bradley recently married his partner, Scott, with whom he got engaged to in early 2024, shortly after Bradley competed in Celebrity Big Brother, on which he placed 6th.

In a heart breaking turn of events, Bradley’s great nan passed away just weeks before his big day.

Uploading an adorable picture of his younger self with his nanny, he captioned the post: ‘Never did I think I would be saying goodbye to my Gt. Nanny just days before my wedding.

‘Before my she passed, she told me she’d be with me on my big day… and I know she will be. She loved Scott so much – never questioned us, just loved us fully. I will miss you every day.’

Bradley had previously spoken out about his A-list wedding guest roster.

‘So obviously we’ve got my new friends from Emmerdale, a couple of them are coming, Heartstopper, some of them. The Big Brother lot, I think all of the Big Brother lot are actually coming’ he told The Mail.

‘Like David [Potts], Colson [Smith], Nikita [Kuzmin], Sharon [Osbourne], Levi [Roots], Zeze [Millz], Marisha [Wallace], Ekin-Su [Cülcüloğlu], and other people I’ve met along the way, like Arlene Phillips, Tasha [Ghouri] from Love Island.

‘Just lots of people I’ve met through the industry and ones I’ve shared big moments in my career with. It’s going to be really nice.

It comes less than a year into his time in the soap as Lewis Barton

Emmerdale star Bradley Riches has said his younger self would be ‘in tears’ as he was given a major boost, less than a year into his time on the long-running show.

The Netflix star rose to fame thanks to his role in Heartstopper, followed by a stint in the 2024 series of Celebrity Big Brother, where he was evicted in sixth place.

It was then in May last year that he made his Emmerdale debut in the role of Lewis Barton, the previously unknown brother of Ross Barton, played by Mike Parr, who returned to the village himself the previous year.

Fans saw Lewis reach out to “the family of Emma Barton” to learn more about his biological mother. Having been adopted at a young age, Lewis was keen to learn more about what Emma was really like

But there was many who would have rather seen that information hidden, as viewers will recall that Emma died after Moira pushed her off a viaduct, and with brother Finn dead and Pete elsewhere, Ross has been riding solo ever since. When Ross first met with his half-brother, he was determined to protect Moira and not tell Lewis the truth about their shared mother but he soon found out about Moira’s involvement in her death, almost scuppering a relationship with his half-sibling.

Time has since passed and Lewis has been building his own life in the Dales, even coming close to discovering his real father with the arrival of Kev Townsend. But away from what’s happening on-screen, Bradley has been given a major boost as he was named the winner of the ‘best soap newcomer’ gong at the TV Choice Awards 2026 on Monday (February 2) night.

Reacting to the news, Bradley shared on Instagram: “So proud of our little farm soap. Wow – thank you so much for the Best Newcomer award at the @tvchoicemagazine Awards! Thank you to everyone who voted, and to the amazing cast, crew, production team, makeup and costume at Emmerdale. Huge thanks to the writers, producers, and @itv and to @emmerdale.”

He added: “Playing Emmerdale’s first autistic character is truly a dream come true. Little Bradley is in tears. Congratulations to all the other nominees especially the wickedly talented @1shebz @ameliaflanagan08, and to @danny_b_miller -well-deserved win for Best Performance!”

And he was quickly flooded with messages of love and support from his Emmerdale co-stars. Katie Hill, who plays Sarah Sugden, said: “So proud, well deserved.” Ruby Milligan actress Beth Cordingly gushed: “Gorgeous boy. You look AMAZING. We all love you so much. You are truly inspirational and one of the loveliest people out there. You deserved this. Brilliant. So proud of you.”

Fellow award winner Danny Miller, who plays Aaron Dingle, commented: “Well done again mate! Pleasure to share the silverware with you and the team! Truly deserved! Beautiful boy.” Matty Barton actor Ash Palmisciano shared: “Go on mate! well done buddie very well deserved.” Isabel Hodgins, who plays Victoria Sugden, added: “Amazing.”