Paul Opacic returns to Emmerdale as Steve Marchant after 28 years

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 2 Nov, 20:50 · Archive

Paul Opacic has returned to Emmerdale nearly 30 years after his character Steve Marchant left the show in 1999.

Paul Opacic is reprising his role as Steve Marchant on Emmerdale, nearly 28 years after the character left the village. Opacic's original run saw him debut in March 1996 and last appear on screen in January 1999, when Steve had been framed by Kim Tate and sentenced to prison for attempted murder.

Steve's return is driven by Kim's daughter Thea Ramsden, a detective, who has recently arrived in the village. In Monday night's episode, Kim reveals to Thea that Steve Marchant is her biological father and that the two were married. Determined to uncover the truth, Thea begins searching for him and devises a plan to meet him.

Thea poses as a solicitor in her initial contact with Steve, according to ITV. Paul Opacic told reporters: 'Things were left rather bitter between Kim and Steve, so he's very surprised when a solicitor contacts him out of the blue. He guesses something is afoot when Kim starts brandishing notes to keep him away.'

ITV has said that a romantic reunion between Steve and Kim is out of the question given that she previously had him imprisoned. However, whether Steve can build a relationship with his daughter Thea remains to be seen. The Metro reports that Steve has a secret that will affect Kim's life.

How it is being reported

• Paul Opacic returns to Emmerdale as Steve Marchant after nearly 30 yearsThe actor made his debut as the character in March 1996, before his final on-screen appearance in January 1999.Evening Standard · 2 Nov, 20:30
• Emmerdale confirms return for Steve Marchant after 28 years – and he has a huge shock for Kim TateAfter almost three decades, he stages a dramatic returnMetro · 2 Nov, 20:30

In this story: Paul Opacic · Steve Marchant · Kim Tate · Claire King · Thea Ramsden · Chelsea Edge · Emmerdale · ITV

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log