Emmerdale Star Emily Head Reflects on Iconic Role and Life Beyond the Dales
Emily Head made her unforgettable debut on Emmerdale in 2016 as Rebecca White, captivating fans with her involvement in some of the soap’s most dramatic storylines. Her two-year journey as Rebecca saw her tangled in high-stakes plots, including an affair with her sister’s partner, a near-fatal car accident caused by her murderous nephew Lachlan White (Thomas Atkinson), and a harrowing stint in captivity. The car crash also led to the tragic deaths of Rebecca’s father, Lawrence White, and half-sister, Chrissie White, according to the Manchester Evening News.
In 2018, Rebecca left Emmerdale to start anew in Liverpool with her boyfriend Ross and their son Seb. Yet, recent episodes delivered unexpected sorrow, revealing Rebecca’s tragic off-screen death during surgery, leaving fans and characters mourning the once-beloved resident of the Dales.
Outside Emmerdale, Emily Head has a diverse acting career. Before her stint on the show, she gained popularity as Carli D’Amato in Channel 4’s The Inbetweeners (2008-2010) and appeared in The Inbetweeners Movie (2011). Emily’s versatility shone in other projects, such as portraying an “evil genius” in M.I. High and playing Liz Wates in a one-off role on Doctors. Her other television credits include Bravo’s drama Rita (2013), where she played the main character’s daughter, and her 2014 role as Angela “Ange” in a stage production of Abigail’s Party at Leicester’s Curve Theatre.
By 2021, Emily was impressing audiences again as Colette Andrews in BBC’s The Syndicate, alongside stars like Taj Atwal, Kym Marsh, Gaynor Faye, and Joe Sugg.
Off-screen, Emily is the daughter of renowned actor Anthony Head, known for his iconic role as Rupert Giles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and his appearances in the Gold Blend coffee adverts. Reflecting on her father’s fame, Emily shared, “Because I’d grown up watching my dad on TV, it never really occurred to me that he was or wasn’t [famous]. Buffy elevated his level of recognisability, but that happened in America before it came to England.”
Although her father was initially hesitant about her acting career, Emily has proven herself, crafting a successful path in British television. In a 2022 interview with Express, Emily didn’t rule out a return to Emmerdale, expressing fond memories of her time as Rebecca White: “I like the idea of Rebecca living her best life in Liverpool with Ross and baby Seb… If there was ever a particular reason why she needed to come back to the village and if it fitted in with what I wanted to do that year, then sure, why not?”
Emily Head’s journey from The Inbetweeners to Emmerdale and beyond continues to showcase her talent, keeping audiences eager for her next role.