Joshua Richards, the actor behind Bear Wolf in ITV’s Emmerdale, has opened up about the precarious state of his character amid one of the soap’s most harrowing plotlines. As Bear becomes increasingly entangled in a modern slavery storyline, Richards hinted that Bear might be “too far gone”—raising concerns about his future on the show.
Bear has been subjected to manipulation and exploitation by the sinister duo Ray Walters and Celia Daniels. The tension escalates dramatically in upcoming episodes when Anya, a young woman close to Bear who is also trapped, tragically dies. Bear is left devastated after discovering her body discarded in a feed shed.
Reflecting on the heartbreaking moment, Richards shared, “He’s absolutely horrified. He was told by Ray, who he trusts with his life, that everything is fine. At first, he’s angry, disappointed, and saddened, but because he’s been manipulated heavily by Ray, he almost forgives him.”
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Following the grim discovery, Bear is forced to dig Anya’s grave and hold a makeshift funeral. Richards explained, “Bear is determined to make it the best he can possibly make it. It’s a very poignant and difficult moment for him. He wanted to do right by her and show some kind of respect. He even sings the song he used to comfort her — it’s almost as if he’s singing it for himself too.”
However, despite this emotional moment, Bear’s liberation seems uncertain. According to Richards, Bear’s mental and emotional state is fragile: “He’s going through a very difficult time, possibly confused, drug-addled, and lost. He’s decided in his mind that he’s walked out the door and he’s never coming back.”
When asked if Bear might seize an opportunity to escape his tormentors, Richards offered an intriguing insight. “I don’t think Bear wants to leave. He doesn’t want to upset anybody. He’s lost and adrift, and apart from maybe Ray, he’s not really part of anyone’s team.”
Bear’s complicated relationship with Ray is central to his current turmoil. Richards elaborated, “Deep down, Bear feels rejected and strangely sees Ray as a surrogate son. Bear believes there’s some good inside Ray, even though Ray himself is a victim of manipulation.”
Though these developments suggest a dark path, Richards assured fans that Bear’s story is far from over. “He will be back because it’s a soap,” he said with a smile. “He’ll bounce back.”
The actor also touched on how Bear’s father Paddy might react to the situation. “Paddy would be absolutely horrified if he knew the circumstances Bear was in. It’s not really about guilt because it’s Bear’s choices, but seeing Bear’s predicament would deeply affect him.”
As Emmerdale continues to explore this gripping storyline, viewers remain on edge, wondering if Bear Wolf can find his way back from the shadows.