Matthew Wolfenden to Star as Buddy in Elf Musical
Emmerdale actor Matthew Wolfenden has secured his first leading role following his departure from the popular ITV soap. The 43-year-old is set to star as Buddy in the musical adaptation of the beloved Christmas movie Elf.
Show Dates and Venue
Wolfenden will take the stage at the Dominion Theatre in London from November 15 to January 6, 2024.
Excitement on Instagram
Announcing the news on Instagram, the actor shared a picture of a snow globe with his face inside it, along with a quote from the 2003 Elf movie: "Santaaaaaa!! I know him." Wolfenden expressed his eagerness for the role, writing, "Can. Not. Wait!!!"
Tom Chambers to Reprise Role
Joining Wolfenden in the production is Waterloo Road actor Tom Chambers, who will reprise his role as Buddy's father, Walter Hobbs, from the play's 2022 run. Chambers has also appeared in popular TV shows such as Holby City, Father Brown, and Casualty.
Emmerdale Departure
With the Elf musical set to open in just two months, it is likely that Wolfenden will leave Emmerdale earlier than fans had anticipated in order to commence rehearsals for his new role.
Stand-Out Soap Moments
During his time on Emmerdale, Wolfenden had several memorable moments, including his character David wearing his ex-fiancée Leyla Harding's wedding dress to The Woolpack and a devastating cancer diagnosis. Reflecting on a testicular cancer storyline, the actor expressed his pride in doing justice to the role and acknowledged the inspiring people he met who had survived cancer.
Possibility of a Comeback
Although leaving the soap after two decades is nerve-wracking for Wolfenden, he revealed that there is room for his character to make a comeback. While the decision to return lies in the future, the actor reassured fans that the door has not been closed, saying, "They're not killing me off. I'm allowed to tell you that. I might be back, but we'll see."
Did you miss our previous article…
https://hellofaread.com/soap-opera/coronation-streets-tina-obrien-suffers-fashion-mishap-at-ntas/
