Former Brookside star Nicola Stephenson has joined the cast of Emmerdale as teaching assistant Tess and will begin filming next month.
ITV has said that Tess is a "warm, assured person with great heart" and her storyline will involve vet Paddy Kirk (Dominic Brunt).
The soap's producer, Kate Oates, said: "We are keeping the exact details of Tess's storyline under wraps but it is safe to say she will mix things up in the village."
Stephenson, whose other credits include Waterloo Road, The Chase, Clocking Off and Safe House, will be seen on screens in the autumn.
