Emmerdale’s Ray Walters (Joe Absolom) has demonstrated he has a trait that is incredibly dangerous in his world. It could even get him killed – he has a heart.
While on the one hand, he appears to be a heartless, ruthless, criminal devoid of emotion. On the other, there’s a little bit of warmth and a bit of humanity and the actual capability to love.
Yes, he may have deliberately hit Dylan Penders (Fred Kettle) with the car in an attempt to kill him after he grassed, but we can overlook that given that the power of his mother Celia Daniels (Jaye Griffiths) drove him to it, pardon the pun.
One could argue that he himself has been trafficked, having been picked up as a homeless lad at a young age by Celia, groomed, and forced into slave labour by his new adoptive mother. So, it’s not just April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan), Dylan, and Bear Wolf (Joshua Richards) who needs saving, it’s Ray too.
Over recent weeks he has become close with Bear. Friends, almost. After the travesty that was the death of Anya, Ray realised that if he completely listens to his mother, he’ll be responsible for more unnecessary deaths.
And when Bear went on to get his own nasty injury, Ray was torn by wanting to avoid the wrath of Celia and wanting to keep Bear alive. Bear has also been having a bit of special treatment from Ray, who has recognised he is frailer than the rest. So, there’s somewhat of a connection there.
Another part to Ray’s softer side is his blossoming relationship with Laurel Thomas (Charlotte Bellamy). He’s been enjoying her company and been able to live like a normal person in their moments together, though Celia has done her damnedest to ruin it.
But now, with things having escalated for the modern slavery racket – April told Marlon Dingle (Mark Charnock) and Rhona Goskirk (Zoe Henry) everything, leaving the drugs bosses in a pickle – there’s even talk of Ray and Celia having to skip town.
Bear is terrified of being left behind, but Ray reassures him he won’t be. In turn, Bear can see Ray’s anguish at having to leave Laurel. Bear steps in and appeals to Ray’s good side that his relationship with Laurel is worth fighting for.
Dylan tried this approach in trying to turn Ray, and he took a car bonnet to the torso for his troubles – but Bear seems to have a bit more sway over Ray. He seems to be listening.
Ray decides to meet Laurel for lunch and have their own ‘fake Christmas’. Laurel is smitten, especially now he’s had the green light from Nicola King (Nicola Wheeler). Ray begins to dream that maybe he and Laurel really do have a future together and the hint of a normal life.
Could Bear’s perspective be the push he needs to defy Celia and go after what he wants? Could Laurel be the one to save Ray from his dark life?
‘Oh, my God, she’s going to get heartbroken, but he’s going to get his heart broken too. I think I’m excited about them finding out and seeing the other side of the monster that they think is Ray’, star Charlotte Bellamy said as she discussed the inevitable moment that will see Laurel learn about Ray’s many secrets.
‘That is the clever bit of this story. It is that you hate his character because he’s so awful, but then the more you find out about him, you realise that he is actually just a product of being groomed himself and that he has never seen any other way.
‘And so suddenly this woman has opened up his heart and he’s actually falling in love and he’s never had that before. He’s always had just maybe a bit of skirt, which he says in one of the episodes. He’s never had a problem in getting women, but he’s never been emotionally involved or connected with them. And suddenly the goodness of Laurel is magnetic.’
