Emmerdale star Joshua Richards has called for an end to his character Bear Wolf's harrowing storyline, admitting the experience has been emotionally draining. Bear, a beloved father of Paddy Dingle, has endured a year-long nightmare involving depression, manipulation into modern slavery, and imprisonment after killing his captor Ray Walters.
Court Trial Approaches
As Bear prepares to stand trial for murder next week, Richards confessed he is eager for the plot to conclude. He said, "I'm over the moon. Don't get me wrong, I've really enjoyed doing it, but it's quite difficult to switch off. You get home and you've got to learn the lines for the following day. You just think, 'God, I hope this ends soon, because this is killing me.'"
The trial will see testimonies from characters like April Windsor and Dylan Penders, but Simo, another victim of exploitation on Celia Daniels' farm, gives evidence that harms Bear's case. Richards explained, "Simo's got an axe to grind because he perceived Bear had preferential treatment. Of course, he didn't; he was being groomed. So, it blows up in their faces."
Bear's Mental State
Richards believes Bear is prepared for prison, saying, "He doesn't think he's got a chance, and he's got a misplaced sense of guilt that this is what he deserves because he has killed somebody." However, he added that Bear's resilience might help him cope: "He's been on his own for most of his life, and he can cope with that. He's not afraid of anybody."
Personal Connection
The actor drew on his own father's struggle with depression to portray Bear's turmoil. "My father had a kind of depression in his later years. My sister found it unbearable watching because it was like watching our father again. I understood it firsthand," Richards shared. "My father was hospitalised and never the same again. That fuelled and informed my performance."
Despite the challenges, Richards appreciates the storyline's impact. "Any bad experience either makes you or breaks you. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I hope Bear can move forward and maybe find love, but there's something nice about him being on his own."
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
