Emmerdale’s stunning new vixen Anna De Souza will sweep into town this July, having traded business in Dubai for life in the Dales and determined to stake her claim on the De Souza empire.

Anna will be played by actress Emma Davies and is the beautiful, savvy and strong-willed daughter of local tycoon Donald De Souza (played by Michael Jayston). She immediately stirs the village and clears obstacles from the path of her family and fortune, with a cunning ruthlessness which belies her alluring charm.

Anna is a shrewd business-woman but also a country girl at heart.

She arrives in Emmerdale unexpectedly to attend her father’s country pursuit’s birthday party and enjoys getting stuck in to the shooting, archery and riding that has been laid-on at Home Farm. With fiery red-hair and impeccable taste, Anna will turn the women of Emmerdale green with envy with her effortless glamour.

Anna is keen to re-build her relationship with her father and put their turbulent history behind them, but with a multi-million pound business empire in the mix, plus an instant rivalry with Carl King (Tom Lister) to win her father’s respect, it seems unlikely that life in Emmerdale will be plain sailing.

Actress Emma Davies has been acting since the age of two and trained at Corona Academy Stage School in London. She has appeared in a wealth of stage and TV productions. Her television credits include Mosley (1997), Heartbeat (1998), Doctors (2002) and Cape Wrath (2007).

Emma Davies says “I’m so excited to be playing Anna and looking forward to joining the fantastic cast and getting stuck into some meaty storylines. Anna is intelligent and feisty and intends to have fun making her mark on the dales.”

Anita Turner, Emmerdale Series Producer says “Anna is a really interesting character. She seeks her father’s approval but everyone else must dance to her tune. Anna sees opportunities and goes for them. The King Brothers won’t know what’s hit them!”