Having joined the cast of long-running soap opera Emmerdale in 2022, last year, Lewis Cope left his regular role of Nicky Miligan, working closely with William Ash (father Caleb), Beth Cordingly (mother Ruby), Brahmdeo Shannon Ramana (partner Suni) and Rosie Bentham (Gabby), and for his portrayal of Nicky, he was nominated for Rising Star at the 2023 National Television Awards and Best Newcomer in the same year for the Inside Soap Awards. Amongst his further screen work, Lewis had guest roles in Mrs Sidhu Investigates, Vera, and he had a guest lead role of Wilfred in the CBBC adaptation of Jacqueline Wilson’s Hetty Feather. As a theatre actor, Lewis played Brom ‘Bones’ Van Brunt in the National Tour of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow alongside a cast including Wendi Peters and Bill Ward, Leonard Vole in the Olivier Award-nominated Agatha Christie play Witness for the Prosecution in 2019 with Carolin Stoltz as his wife Romaine Vole at London County Hall, and made his West End debut at the Victoria Palace Theatre playing Michael in Billy Elliot. In 2013, Lewis reached the final of Got to Dance with his dance group Ruff Diamond, and throughout his career so far, he has filmed commercials such as for David Beckham’s fragrance. We found out from Lewis about his time as Nicky Miligan in Emmerdale, touring in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, starring as Leonard Vole in Witness for the Prosecution at the County Hall in London and playing Michael in Billy Elliot for his West End debut.

Last year, you left your regular role of Nicky Miligan in Emmerdale, what did you enjoy most about working on Emmerdale and being part of a long-running soap opera?

I feel very lucky to have been a part of Emmerdale. The people are the best part about the show, cast and crew! It’s such a special place to work!

Can you tell us about Nicky and how was it reading the scripts for your storylines for the first time?

I was super blessed with my storylines, Nicky had scenario after scenario of interesting topics. I loved it all.

What was Nicky like to play and how was it developing the character during your contract?

I actually didn’t know Nicky was gay when I auditioned, I thought he was in love with Gabby. This really helped me as I could play my first love storyline with Gabby as truth which eventually made Nicky look calculated and me a better actor, haha.

How did you find the experience filming with the rest of the cast, which included William Ash and Beth Cordingly as Nicky’s father Caleb and mother Ruby, Brahmdeo Shannon Ramana as Suni Sharma and Rosie Bentham as Gabby Thomas?

Filming with these was just amazing! It never felt like work. I love them all.

How did you feel finding out you’d be joining the cast of Emmerdale as a new regular character in 2022 and what do you remember from your first day on set?

To be a part of such a well-established show was a privilege. My first day on set was at Home Farm, I was being interviewed by about six characters. I was super nervous but once I got on set they all made me feel so welcome and relaxed that the nerves just disappeared.

What was it like being nominated for Rising Star at the 2023 National Television Awards and Best Newcomer at the 2023 Inside Soap Awards, and how was it seeing the viewers’ response to Nicky and your storylines?

The viewers seemed to really like Nicky, I appreciate all of the votes that got me nominated for the awards! Without the viewers there is no show, so thank you to them!

You played guest character Lenny Lowe in Mrs Sidhu Investigates, what was your episode like to film?

Filming as Lenny Lowe in Mrs Sidhu Investigates was so fun. Most of my brothers do boxing so for me to play a boxer was super cool.

How was your time filming for an episode of Vera as Marcus Hyde?

Vera is my nana’s favourite show, so this was so special because of her. I learned a lot filming Vera, Brenda Blethyn and Kenny Doughty really looked after me. We filmed around COVID time and they are such lovely people.

What was it like being involved with the CBBC adaptation of Jacqueline Wilson’s Hetty Feather as guest lead Wilfred?

Hetty Feather was great, my nieces and nephews love CBBC so it was nice for them to see me on it.

As a stage actor, you played Brom ‘Bones’ Van Brunt in the National Tour of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, what was it like touring with the production and how was it getting into character?

Being on tour is very unique, it’s a lifestyle. I made good friends with Sam Jackson on that job and the director Jake Smith is just amazing! Playing Brom was fun, he had lots of different layers, which was interesting to play.

How was it taking on the starring role of Leonard Vole in the London production of Witness for the Prosecution and performing in an Agatha Christie play in the West End?

Performing in London County Hall six nights a week was unbelievable. When auditioning for this job, I read the script and I thought if I don’t get this I am still going to watch it. The play is genius and everyone should go watch!

How familiar were you with the stories of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Witness for the Prosecution before auditioning, and was there anything that drew you to both projects?

I didn’t know either of the stories. Obviously I knew Agatha Christie but I wasn’t familiar with Witness. With any job, for me, it’s the story and the involvement my character has within the story.

What are some of your favourite memories from playing Michael in Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace Theatre for your West End debut?

Playing Michael in Billy Elliot changed my life. If I hadn’t have done that show when I was 11, I wouldn’t be an actor now. It opened my eyes. It will always have a special place in my heart. My grandad was a miner so the story is very close to home. Loved it!

We understand you were part of dance group Ruff Diamond, and reached the final of Got to Dance in 2013, do you have any stand-out highlights from your time in the group?

Ruff Diamond, what a time! We were chancers and it worked (not without hard work). Ruff Diamond was my teenage life and I thank Zac Healey for that!

Can you tell us about working on the commercial for David Beckham’s fragrance – Bold Instinct?

I was lucky enough to be selected for David Beckham’s fragrance campaign Bold Instinct, he thought I had made a bold choice by choosing to dance when my brothers did boxing. He is a really lovely man!

How did you get into acting and was it always something you wanted to do professionally?

The first time I acted was in Billy Elliot. I am a people watcher and I love figuring out situations, I think ultimately that’s what draws me to acting.

What do you enjoy about working in the acting industry and how different do you find stage work to filming for screen?

I love that I get to meet new people and be in new places all the time. Variety is the spice of life. I am loving doing screen work, there is less pressure. If it goes wrong you can just do it again. There is, however, nothing more electric than a full live audience. I look forward to doing more of that in the future!

Do you have any favourite films, TV and theatre shows to watch, and how do you like to spend your free time?

I love anything Robin Williams! In my free time, I love working out, walking and renovating. If I wasn’t an actor, I would definitely be in the trade business.

What are you hoping this year brings for your career, and do you have any projects coming up that you can talk about?

I am enjoying the ride, things seem to be working out nicely and I’m excited to see what comes next.

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