Ross Kirk
Encyclopedia
Ross Kirk is a fictional character
in the British
soap opera
Emmerdale
played by Samuel Anderson
. He appeared from 2007 to 2009. A cousin of Paddy Kirk
, Ross is a police officer and during his 15 months in the village he has an affair with Donna Windsor-Dingle
, and is imprisoned after being charged with murder. After his release, he leaves the village.
said that Anderson was "a fantastic addition to the cast", and commented on the instant chemistry between Ross and Donna.
, the village vet, who he soon moves in with. From the start he gets on well with his colleague and Emmerdale resident Donna Windsor-Dingle
, and her husband becomes suspicious. In November 2007, he dumps his girlfriend Kirsty Rayfield - who left her husband for him. In January 2008 he begins dating Lexi Nicholls
and Chas Dingle
, although they soon find out he has been cheating on them and get their own back by taking photographs of him handcuffed to a bed. On 1 April 2008, a hung-over Ross accidentally brushes against a motorcyclist - who turned out to be Gennie Walker
- whilst driving with Paddy. Worried about losing a job if he failed a breathalyzer test, Ross convinces Paddy to say he was driving. When Gennie then goes to intensive care, Paddy tells Ross he must tell the truth. However, PC Shane Doyle tells Paddy that he should keep quiet in return for a light sentence. In return, Shane asks Ross to persuade Donna not to file a complaint against him for sexual harassment. Donna goes ahead and files the complaint anyway, but Ross is deliberatlety vague about what he saw. This makes both Paddy and Donna shun him, and feeling guilty Ross agrees to get involved in the Dingles
attempts to punish Shane for his actions, although Donna later stops this.
Ross and Donna continue as partners at work, and on a stakeout Ross tells Donna he loves her. She rebuffs him but seems to doubt her feelings. At a police comedy night, Marlon is asked to leave after a fight with a comedian and Ross and Donna spend the night together. However, Marlon and Donna soon go on holiday and return announcing they want to have children. However, tries to convince this is not a good idea and while they are both a training course in London
they start their affair. On their return to the village, she says she will leave Marlon so she and Ross can be together. Paddy later catches them kissing. He punches Ross and tells Donna not to ruin her marriage with Marlon. Despite his love for her, he tells Donna it is probably best that Marlon never found out and they end their affair.
Shane is also blackmailing the two after finding out about their affair. Paddy tells Ross that he wants him to leave, and Ross agrees, and transfers to Newcastle
. Donna spots him leaving and they have a heart-to-heart before he leaves the village. A while after Ross has left Emmerdale, Shane’s body is found in a nearby lake and Ross has to return to the village. Marlon – who Donna told about their affair following Shane’s body being found – tells the police he believes Ross killed Shane, as they were spotted arguing. The police soon suspect Ross and he is arrest and charged with Shane’s murder, and is remanded in custody. Donna – although reconciled with Marlon - continues to believe he is innocent, and visits him in prison. When Marlon finds out about this he ends his relationship with Donna saying he wants a divorce. Donna has suspicions that Eli Dingle
is Shane’s murderer, and after she reports her suspicions to DS Williams and DC Henshall, Eli is arrested and later charged with murder when DNA evidence links him to the murder. Days later Ross is released, and tries to reconcile with Donna. However, she says still loves Marlon and that their relationship would never work. That night he leaves the village for a job transfer to Newcastle.
Character (arts)
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
in the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
Emmerdale
Emmerdale
Emmerdale, is a long-running British soap opera set in Emmerdale , a fictional village in the Yorkshire Dales. Created by Kevin Laffan, Emmerdale was first broadcast on 16 October 1972...
played by Samuel Anderson
Samuel Anderson (actor)
Samuel Anderson is an English actor. He played the role of police officer Ross Kirk in Emmerdale up until early 2009.He originated the role of Crowther in the 2004 National Theatre production of Alan Bennett's play The History Boys and subsequently performed the same role in the Broadway, Sydney,...
. He appeared from 2007 to 2009. A cousin of Paddy Kirk
Paddy Kirk
Patrick Frederick "Paddy" Kirk is a fictional character in the British soap opera Emmerdale played by Dominic Brunt. Paddy demonstrates the dedication of the soap's writers towards maintaining a comedic tone in plotlines. While he has appeared at the centre of some grave storylines, Paddy is often...
, Ross is a police officer and during his 15 months in the village he has an affair with Donna Windsor-Dingle
Donna Windsor-Dingle
Donna Windsor Dingle is a fictional character that appeared in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale. She was originally played by Sophie Jeffery, and later replaced by Verity Rushworth in 1998. Donna was the third longest running character on Emmerdale at the time of her departure. She made her first...
, and is imprisoned after being charged with murder. After his release, he leaves the village.
Character creation and development
Ross's arrival in the village was announced in September 2007 and Samuel Anderson said it was "great" to be joining "such a successful show". The series producer Kathleen BeedlesKathleen Beedles
Kathleen Beedles originates from Rogart in Sutherland. She attended Golspie High School where she did some acting in a film with Tom Hanks. She is a former Series Producer of British television soap opera Emmerdale. She took over from Steve Frost during 2005. Kathleen was producer and series editor...
said that Anderson was "a fantastic addition to the cast", and commented on the instant chemistry between Ross and Donna.
Character history
Ross arrives in the village in 2007 after being transferred to Hotten Police Station. He is the cousin of Paddy KirkPaddy Kirk
Patrick Frederick "Paddy" Kirk is a fictional character in the British soap opera Emmerdale played by Dominic Brunt. Paddy demonstrates the dedication of the soap's writers towards maintaining a comedic tone in plotlines. While he has appeared at the centre of some grave storylines, Paddy is often...
, the village vet, who he soon moves in with. From the start he gets on well with his colleague and Emmerdale resident Donna Windsor-Dingle
Donna Windsor-Dingle
Donna Windsor Dingle is a fictional character that appeared in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale. She was originally played by Sophie Jeffery, and later replaced by Verity Rushworth in 1998. Donna was the third longest running character on Emmerdale at the time of her departure. She made her first...
, and her husband becomes suspicious. In November 2007, he dumps his girlfriend Kirsty Rayfield - who left her husband for him. In January 2008 he begins dating Lexi Nicholls
Lexi Nicholls
Alexandra "Lexi" Claire King is a fictional character in the British soap opera Emmerdale played by Sally Oliver. She appeared from 2007 to 2009.-Character's history:...
and Chas Dingle
Chas Dingle
Chastity "Chas" Dingle is a fictional character in the British ITV soap opera Emmerdale, played by Lucy Pargeter.-Storylines:...
, although they soon find out he has been cheating on them and get their own back by taking photographs of him handcuffed to a bed. On 1 April 2008, a hung-over Ross accidentally brushes against a motorcyclist - who turned out to be Gennie Walker
Genesis Walker
Genesis "Gennie" Walker is a fictional character from the British soap opera Emmerdale played by Sian Reese-Williams. She made her first appearance on 1 April 2008.-Character creation and development:...
- whilst driving with Paddy. Worried about losing a job if he failed a breathalyzer test, Ross convinces Paddy to say he was driving. When Gennie then goes to intensive care, Paddy tells Ross he must tell the truth. However, PC Shane Doyle tells Paddy that he should keep quiet in return for a light sentence. In return, Shane asks Ross to persuade Donna not to file a complaint against him for sexual harassment. Donna goes ahead and files the complaint anyway, but Ross is deliberatlety vague about what he saw. This makes both Paddy and Donna shun him, and feeling guilty Ross agrees to get involved in the Dingles
Dingle family
The Dingles are a family in the British soap Emmerdale. They all seem to have Biblical names, and get into trouble with the law.The current family consists of:* Zak Dingle* Lisa Dingle * Belle Dingle* Sam Dingle* Samson Dingle...
attempts to punish Shane for his actions, although Donna later stops this.
Ross and Donna continue as partners at work, and on a stakeout Ross tells Donna he loves her. She rebuffs him but seems to doubt her feelings. At a police comedy night, Marlon is asked to leave after a fight with a comedian and Ross and Donna spend the night together. However, Marlon and Donna soon go on holiday and return announcing they want to have children. However, tries to convince this is not a good idea and while they are both a training course in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
they start their affair. On their return to the village, she says she will leave Marlon so she and Ross can be together. Paddy later catches them kissing. He punches Ross and tells Donna not to ruin her marriage with Marlon. Despite his love for her, he tells Donna it is probably best that Marlon never found out and they end their affair.
Shane is also blackmailing the two after finding out about their affair. Paddy tells Ross that he wants him to leave, and Ross agrees, and transfers to Newcastle
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
. Donna spots him leaving and they have a heart-to-heart before he leaves the village. A while after Ross has left Emmerdale, Shane’s body is found in a nearby lake and Ross has to return to the village. Marlon – who Donna told about their affair following Shane’s body being found – tells the police he believes Ross killed Shane, as they were spotted arguing. The police soon suspect Ross and he is arrest and charged with Shane’s murder, and is remanded in custody. Donna – although reconciled with Marlon - continues to believe he is innocent, and visits him in prison. When Marlon finds out about this he ends his relationship with Donna saying he wants a divorce. Donna has suspicions that Eli Dingle
Eli Dingle
Eli Dingle is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Emmerdale, played by Joseph Gilgun. He first appeared on screen in the episode which aired on 13 July 2006 and made his last appearance on 30 April 2010.-Casting:...
is Shane’s murderer, and after she reports her suspicions to DS Williams and DC Henshall, Eli is arrested and later charged with murder when DNA evidence links him to the murder. Days later Ross is released, and tries to reconcile with Donna. However, she says still loves Marlon and that their relationship would never work. That night he leaves the village for a job transfer to Newcastle.