Christmas Day in Emmerdale will be glistening with glamour this year, when sexy new couple Natasha and Mark Wylde arrive in the village, played by acclaimed actress Amanda Donohoe and actor Maxwell Caulfield.

The aspirational, wealthy and dynamic Wylde family decide to live the dream by retiring to the country, but will the idyllic rural life they covet so much prove to be everything they are hoping for?

Despite an initially warm welcome from the locals, can ball-breaking Natasha and smooth entrepreneur Mark fit in with Emmerdale life, or is it a matter of time before the dream comes crashing down around them?

Amanda Donohoe has appeared in a wealth of TV, film and stage productions. Her film credits include Castaway (1987), The Madness of King George (1995) and Liar, Liar (1997). In 1992 Amanda won a Golden Globe for her role in LA Law and she has since starred in Frazier, Murder City and Bad Girls in addition to a stint on stage as Mrs Robinson in The Graduate in 2001.

Amanda says ‘’I was very flattered when series producer Anita Turner and executive producer Keith Richardson first approached me with the idea, so I’m now very excited about joining one of Britain’s best loved Soaps. I’m hoping the next few months will deliver some intriguing new story lines and I’m looking forward to galloping across the beautiful Yorkshire Dales and of course a pint(of Champagne) at the Woolie!’’

Maxwell Caulfield’s first major film role was the lead in the motion picture Grease 2 opposite Michelle Pfeiffer. His early TV credits include Dynasty, Beverley Hills 90210 and All My Children. More recently Maxwell starred as Dr Jim Brodie in Casualty for two years and in 2007 he took to the West End stage as Billy Flynn in Chicago.

Maxwell says “This role was just too tempting to turn down and I can’t wait to start filming in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside. Mark’s complexities will be an interesting addition to life in Emmerdale.”

Anita Turner, Series Producer says “I’m thrilled to be welcoming two actors of such high calibre to the cast. Amanda and Maxwell will be at the centre of some of our most gripping storylines next year and will be bringing some compelling drama to the Dales.”