Emmerdale’s Paula Lane has revealed she tried out for three different roles in the ITV soap before finally being cast as Ella Forster.

The actress actually found fame in rival soap Coronation Street, playing Kylie Platt from 2010 until 2016. But before that she had her sights firmly set on the Dales.

She told the Mirror that she wrote to Emmerdale bosses while she was still at drama school to make it clear she was after a role, but lost out on three parts – Gennie Dingle, Holly Barton and the role of a lawyer. But despite being passed over three times, this year Paula was cast as Ella, a GP receptionist who viewers are convinced is hiding a big secret. It feels like it was meant to be,” said the 38-year-old TV beauty. Paula explained that her very first audition in 2008 was for the role of Gennie, a part she felt would have been a “dream”.

However, she lost out to Sian Reese-Williams. The following year she got really close to bagging the part of Holly Barton. But actress Sophie Powles ended up being cast as the troubled Dales character, who battled drug addiction and eventually died of an overdose.

“I auditioned to play Gennie and, unfortunately, I didn’t get the part, but then later I went up for a few more roles,” Paula said. “I was up for Holly Barton – I was screen-tested for that and got down to the last four – and I then auditioned for another part as a lawyer.”  After getting knocked back from Emmerdale, Paula headed to Weatherfield and went on to enjoy success on the cobbles as Kylie, who became a favourite with viewers. However, she didn’t give up on her dream to be in Emmerdale and when she was in a play last year she invited soap bosses to go along to see that she had what it took.

“Afterwards they got in touch to say they wanted to meet me for the part of Ella,” said the TV star. “I was extremely flattered. Now, when I’m there filming in the village, I think, ‘Oh my gosh, this is just the right fit for me’.”

It was announced in late 2023 that Paula was joining Emmerdale, with the actress saying in a statement at the time: “I’m so excited to be joining the cast of Emmerdale. Everyone has been so welcoming and I can’t wait to start a new chapter playing the role of Ella. I’ve already heard there are big plans for her and I can’t wait to see her navigate a new life in the village and hopefully make some friends!”