Junade Khan as Idris Nazir on Emmerdale / ITV
Coronation Street newcomer Junade Khan has described his character Idris Nazir as “the black sheep of the family”.
First appearing in Weatherfield on Tuesday, Idris is the cousin of Alya Nazir (Sair Khan) and is also known to Leanne (Jane Danson), who used to date Alya’s late father Kal.
“They actually recognise each other from a family wedding where they sat at the same table,” explained Khan. “The connection is instant. He likes Leanne because she’s ‘real.’ He’s used to flashy people, but when he sees Leanne fending off a group of guys who aren’t paying their bill, he sees a strength in her that he admires.
“It reminds him of his own mother, who raised him as a single parent. He sees a strength in Leanne that he probably wishes he’d had in his own life. Working with Jane Danson has been amazing; even on her day off, she came in to meet me. She’s really made this experience special.”
Describing Idris’s nature, he continued: “He’s multi-layered and incredibly ambitious. As a child, he suffered a lot of hardship and neglect, so he’s had to overcome those obstacles entirely on his own. He’s a lone wolf – the black sheep of the family who has made a name for himself.
“He’s addicted to success and the finer things in life, but there’s a real vulnerability there, too. It’s the first time I’ve played a character where I can show that side, which is a great gift for an actor.”
Idris’s arrival causes a stir among some residents – particularly the Barlow men, including Alya’s boyfriend Adam (Sam Robertson).
“Oh, he definitely butts heads with the other men!” Khan revealed. “He has a run-in with Adam Barlow almost immediately. Because Adam is a solicitor and Idris is in property – and maybe doing some ‘unethical’ things – they don’t see eye-to-eye. He takes a dig at Adam for not stepping in during that Bistro trouble, and it just continues from there.
“Idris is a bit ‘Marmite’ – you’re either going to love him or hate him. He’s not a villain, but there are definitely flashes of darkness.”
Watch a trailer for Idris’s debut scenes below:
