Matthew James-Bailey

{{Infobox person

| name = Matthew James-Bailey

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1995|4|13}}

| birth_place = London, England

| occupation = Actor

| years active = 2015–present

| television = Hollyoaks (2021–2024)

| height = 5 ft 11 in

}}

Matthew James-Bailey (born 13 April 1995) is a British actor. He is most known for portraying the role of Ethan Williams in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks (2021–2024).

Life and career

Matthew James-Bailey was born on 13 April 1995 London, England. In 2015, James-Bailey was cast as Tomasz in the series Cucumber which was James-Bailey's first role.{{cite web|title=Tomasz|url=https://www.tvmaze.com/characters/120548/cucumber-tomasz |website=tvmaze|access-date=23 November 2024}} In 2016, James-Bailey portrayed the role of Nico in Soy Luna in one episode. In 2016, James-Bailey also appeared in one episode in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks as Jake who was a man who went on a date with John Paul McQueen (James Sutton).{{cite web|last1=Anderton |first1=Joe |title=Hollyoaks star Matthew James-Bailey reflects on playing a different character in the soap |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a44088929/hollyoaks-matthew-james-bailey-different-character/ |website=Digital spy |publisher=Hearst Communications |access-date=23 November 2024 |date=5 June 2023}}

In 2021, James-Bailey was cast as Ethan Williams in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks as the kidnapper of Darren Osborne (Ashley Taylor Dawson).{{cite web|last1=Harp |first1=Justin |title=Hollyoaks reveals Darren Osborne's kidnapper |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a38191051/hollyoaks-darren-osborne-kidnapper-revealed/ |website=Digital spy |publisher=Hearst Communications |access-date=24 November 2024 |date=8 November 2021}} James-Bailey spoke out on his character and said that his first scenes as Ethan was "incredibly fun" to film. He also said "I won't give too much away, but Ethan is here to shake things up and bring a new, albeit 'manic', energy to the village – unfortunately so for Darren," he teased. And he won't be the last to have the displeasure of meeting Ethan... Ethan's definitely coming in with a bang."{{cite web|last1=Houghton |first1=Rianne |title=Hollyoaks reveals five new characters in winter trailer |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a38320855/hollyoaks-winter-trailer-new-characters/ |website=Digital spy |publisher=Hearst Communications |access-date=24 November 2024 |date=22 November 2021}} His storylines during his time on the show have involved kidnapping Darren, accidentally murdering his girlfriend Maya Harkwell (Ky Discala),{{cite web|last1=Harp |first1=Justin |title=Hollyoaks teases gunshot twist for Ethan and Maya |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a38697432/hollyoaks-spoilers-maya-ethan-gunshot-twist/ |website=Digital spy |publisher=Hearst Communications |access-date=24 November 2024 |date=7 January 2022}} relationships with Sienna Blake (Anna Passey) and Vicky Grant (Anya Lawrence), reconciling his relationship with Sienna and getting married.{{cite web|last1=Anderton |first1=Joe |title=Hollyoaks confirms Vicky drama ahead of Ethan and Sienna's wedding |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a62417502/hollyoaks-vicky-drama-ethan-sienna-wedding/ |website=Digital spy |publisher=Hearst Communications |access-date=24 November 2024 |date=28 September 2024}} In 2022, James-Bailey was shortlisted for "best newcomer" for his portrayal of Ethan, but he lost out to Heather Peace who plays Eve Unwin in EastEnders.{{cite web|last1=Harp |first1=Justin |title=Inside Soap Awards announces nominations and new category for 2022 event |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a40642854/inside-soap-awards-2022-nominees-icon/ |website=Digital spy |publisher=Hearst Communications |access-date=24 November 2024 |date=19 July 2022}} In 2023, James-Bailey was shortlisted for "best partnership" shared with Anna Passey who plays Sienna, but they lost out to Dominic Brunt and Mark Charnock who portrays Paddy Kirk and Marlon Dingle in Emmerdale.{{cite web|last1=Lewis |first1=George |title=EastEnders wins big at the Inside Soap Awards 2023 |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a45304167/inside-soap-awards-2023-eastenders-wins-big/ |website=Digital spy |publisher=Hearst Communications |access-date=24 November 2024 |date=25 September 2023}}

In 2024, James-Bailey announced that he had been axed from Hollyoaks due to the show moving to a three-week episodes in September.{{cite web|last1=Anderton |first1=Joe |title=Popular Hollyoaks star set to leave show amid string of cast exits |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a61174043/hollyoaks-ethan-matthew-james-bailey-exit/ |website=Digital spy |publisher=Hearst Communications |access-date=24 November 2024 |date=19 June 2024}} In October 2024, Ethan was killed off on his wedding day to Sienna, as he fell from a balcony after an explosive row with Sienna. James-Bailey spoke out on his departure and described it as "bittersweet". James-Bailey said "It's come to an end a lot sooner than I would have liked. In previous interviews, I've said that I'd happily stay at Hollyoaks forever. It wasn't my choice to leave, but that's just the way that the game works, unfortunately! It's hard to say goodbye to the fans and all of the people there that I love. But you have to look at it as new beginnings, take the bull by the reins, get back on and do it."{{cite web|last1=Anderton |first1=Joe |title=Hollyoaks star Matthew James-Bailey responds to Ethan's dramatic exit |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a62530684/hollyoaks-spoilers-matthew-james-bailey-ethan-exit-interview/ |website=Digital spy |publisher=Hearst Communications |access-date=24 November 2024 |date=7 October 2024}}