Emmerdale fans do double take at returning character as 'new look' sparks recast claims

The latest episode of Emmerdale has left viewers confused, albeit not for the reasons the ITV soap might have anticipated.

Archie Breckle, son of Jai Sharma, made a comeback on Monday's episode (November 3) after a noticeable absence from the screen. However, his 'new look' during the scenes had fans doing a double-take.

This led some viewers to speculate that the role had been secretly recast with a new actor. However, this is not the case as young actor Kai Assi, who has portrayed Archie since 2019, is definitely still in the role.

The credits confirm this, and it's clear in the scenes that it's him. Nonetheless, this didn't stop some viewers from questioning why Archie looked so different, suggesting he'd undergone a transformation and was somewhat unrecognisable.

As is common with most young actors on the show, they often take a break for studies as they enter their teenage years. Regardless of whether there's an on-screen absence or not, as younger cast members mature before our eyes, they are naturally going to look different, reports the Mirror.

Archie and actor Kai are no exception, with Kai, believed to be around 15 years old, simply growing up as teenagers do.

Despite this, fans continue to believe that the soap has aged the character up and that someone older has taken on the role, simply because he appeared much younger when he was last seen onscreen.

Fans flocked to social media, utterly astonished and struggling to recognise him, scarcely able to comprehend how much he's matured since his previous appearance on the programme. One viewer remarked: "When did Archie age about 5 years?"

Another questioned: "How old is Archie?! Has he come home from university?", whilst a third commented: "I see Archie's grown five years overnight."

A subsequent remark stated: "When did Archie grow up?" whilst another wrote: "Since when did Archie get soo grown up."

This prompted viewers to wonder whether a different actor had taken on the part. One message queried: "Is this a new Archie with a new head or as he grown up?". Another concurred: "Has Archie been recast and aged up?"

An additional fan wrote: "I was wondering who the hell that was, the last time I saw Archie he was about 5," whilst one declared: "That's not Archie!" Another message questioned: "Is that a new Archie? Or the same one?"

The comments continued flooding in with viewers uncertain whether it was the original Archie. A fan observed: "Oh look Archie has a new face and finally aged," whilst another enquired: "A new Archie?".

Emmerdale airs weekdays on ITV and ITVX