Hollyoaks actor shares real-life bond with co-star 'we've got good chemistry'

Hollyoaks fans will welcome Imran Maalik back in the village after a three-year stint in London pursuing cooking to shield his eating-disorder recovery. He returns with Leah Barnes, played by Charlotte Riley, whose tech success helps make them a formidable power couple. The pair arrives as a dynamic duo, and the on-screen chemistry between them translates to engaging storytelling. Ijaz Rana says their relationship works on screen and in real life. It’s also confirmed that Leah buys a riverside home as part of their return. Spoilers for Monday’s episode show Gemma Johnson reacting when a car blocks ambulance access at the hospital. Leah and Imran arrive hand in hand, revealing they have moved back to the village and purchased a riverside property. She confesses she hid money and the romance from Ste Hay, creating tensions around trust. As Leah navigates fame and partnership, Vicky Grant considers a new project inspired by the couple’s success. Hollyoaks airs Monday to Wednesday on Channel 4, with early looks on 7am Channel 4 streaming.