Brookside star Jennifer Ellison lands next role

jennifer ellison red carpet appearance, smiling, wearing black outfit with cutout detail
Brookside star Jennifer Ellison lands next roleDominic Lipinski - Getty Images

Brookside star Jennifer Ellison has landed her next role, joining the cast for Greatest Days on the stage.

The musical, which serves as the official musical for boyband Take That, was recently adapted into a feature film, and will continue its successful stage run throughout the year.

Ellison, who played Emily Shadwick on the soap, will join the cast as Rachel from August 21, making her debut at the King's Theatre in Glasgow. She will be joined by Olivia Hallett, who will play the younger version of her character.

alice lowe, jayde adams, aisling bea, amaka okafor, greatest days
Rob Baker Ashton/ Elysian Film Group

Related: Robbie Williams reunites with Take That bandmate Mark Owen in sweet video

Greatest Days follows “a group of five best friends in the 1990’s who are obsessed with their favourite boy band. The girls reunite more than 20 years later with a plan to see their heartthrobs one last time in what could be the Greatest Days of their lives.”

The production, which was written by Tim Firth, features over 15 songs from Take That alongside a “heart-warming and hilarious story of love, loss and laughter.” The film adaptation, which was directed by Coky Giedroyc, starred Aisling Bea, Jayde Adams, Alice Lowe and Amaka Okafor.

Ellison played Emily on Brookside for five years before its conclusion in 2003, and the Channel 4 soap has gained a new lease of life this year following its acquisition by streaming service STV Player.

Despite the success of the reruns, creator Phil Redmond revealed he was initially sceptical about the prospect about the show’s “chaotic” early episodes being brought back to screen.

brookside
Lime Pictures/STV Player

Related: Brookside reruns help STV Player to achieve another impressive record

“There was an understanding with me and Channel 4 that we wouldn't show these early episodes ever again because they were so chaotic,” he said. “The first 20 or so [episodes] weren't that great technically and didn't do a service to ourselves or the channel.

“They said it would just be great to see them alive again,” he added. “A lot of young people who took part in those early days, it would be nice for their families to see what they did and I just decided I would no longer let my sensibilities get in the way of allowing people to enjoy that nostalgia.”

Tickets for Greatest Days can be bought here.

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