Emmerdale star Jurell Carter, 32, has announced his next move after leaving the ITV soap in September.
The talented soap star – who played Nate Robinson on Emmerdale – will say goodbye to TV and hello to the stage, touring in a major adaptation of the BBC series Boys from the Blackstuff, playing Loggo. The tour will kick off at the end of January next year, and take the cast all over the UK.
A description for the play reads: “80s Liverpool. Chrissie, Loggo, George, Dixie and Yosser are used to hard work and providing for their families. But there is no work and there is no money. What are they supposed to do? Work harder, work longer, buy cheaper, spend less? They just need a chance. Life is tough but the lads can play the game. Find jobs, avoid the ‘sniffers’ and see if you can have a laugh along the way.”
Jurell left fans on tenterhooks after his character suddenly left in a devastating twist. Nate had been offered a job in Shetland, and planned to move away with wife Tracy Metcalfe after their reunion, as well as their daughter Frankie.
Jurell will take to the stage as Loggo in Boys from the Blackstuff, an adaptation of the BBC’s hit 80s TV series ( Image: PR Handout)
But a misunderstanding saw Nate accused of having an affair again with his stepmother Moira Dingle, five years after their fling. Nate protested his innocence but no one believed him, including Tracy and his father Cain Dingle. Cain violently attacked Nate and disowned him, only to find out on Friday his son had done nothing wrong. It was too late for anyone to reconcile though, as it was revealed Nate had packed his bags and fled the village for good.
Viewers voiced confusion over his exit, with fans sure he’d been killed off and others not sure why his exit was so abrupt. However, Jurell soon clarified why he’d decided to step back from the show. He told the Mirror : “It’s always been in the back of my head. My agent was itching for me to go probably a few years ago, but I said to him that it doesn’t feel like the right time, I’m in the right place and I’d know when the time is right. It never felt like the right time.
“But I feel like I’ve reached the point where it’s now or never, in a sense that if I don’t do it now I’ll… not live to regret it, but always be wondering ‘what if?’ I just didn’t want that feeling. I feel like five years is the perfect time for me as an actor to try and move onto something else.”
The actor continued: “It’s just been massive for me as well. The character of Nate and myself share a mindset of wanting to go onto a next chapter, but also just being emotional and sad over leaving everything behind. That’s how I feel as an actor, in terms of leaving a show that I love.
“I would speak to some of my colleagues and say it’s a weird one, because it’s not like I hate my job, it’s not like I hate my surroundings or the people that I’m working with. I love everyone and I love the job. I’m excited for my future but I’m also sad to be leaving behind such a beautiful show and beautiful people.”
