Paul Copley has joined 'Emmerdale' as Charity Dingle's dad.
Paul Copley
The 'Downton Abbey' actor - who played Mr. Mason in the period drama - will make his debut as Obadiah Dingle next week when Charity (Emma Atkins) goes on a "drunken mission" to find her father after she overhears her ex Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) slamming her.
Emma said: "She goes in search of her dad. She doesn't intend to do it but she gets extremely drunk after the Dingles hold a court.
"She can't bear it, she overhears Cain saying to everyone, 'She's a loser, she always will be. She's never going to get herself right because she's damaged goods.' "
Charity is a "loose cannon" after DI Bails was found guilty of rape, wrongful imprisonment and prostitution last week and sentenced to 30 years in prison, following his horrific crimes against her during her youth.
And she will seek out more life answers from her father next week.
Emma added: "She goes with anticipation, but she's more or less sure she's going to get what she got many years ago, a cantankerous kind of guy who has no patience for her.
"But she wants answers and she's determined to get them.
"She knows how to handle him and what to expect."
The 43-year-old actress recently admitted Charity's court case was the most "terrifying" thing she's ever had to endure.
She said: "It's the most terrifying thing she's had to go through. Charity has to rake up this ordeal in front of strangers and she knows it's going to feel unpleasant.
"It's everything you don't want to say out loud - all the nitty gritty about her dark past. She knows what she's got to do, but deep down there's a lot fear, anticipation and worry."
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