{{Short description|Fictional character from Emmerdale}} {{Use British English|date=June 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}} {{Infobox soap character|series= Emmerdale |name= Ella Hart |image= Ella Hart.jpg |portrayer= [[Corrinne Wicks]] |introducer=[[Gavin Blyth]] |first= 17 November 2010 |last= 25 August 2011 |years=2010–2011 |occupation= Businesswoman |alias = Ella Macey |daughters= [[Mia Macey]] |husband= [[Declan Macey]] (backstory) }}
'''Ella Hart''' (also '''Macey''') is a fictional character from the [[Television in the United Kingdom|British]] [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] [[soap opera]] ''[[Emmerdale]]'', played by [[Corrinne Wicks]]. She made her first on-screen appearance on 17 November 2010. Ella is a businesswoman who is described as "sexy and savvy". She is the ex-wife of [[Declan Macey]] ([[Jason Merrells]]) and mother of [[Mia Macey|Mia]] ([[Sapphire Elia]]). Wicks was written out of ''Emmerdale'' in 2011 and departed on 25 August.
==Character creation and casting== In September 2010, it was announced that a new family would be introduced to ''Emmerdale'', following the departure of the established Wylde family.<ref name="dynasty">{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s12/emmerdale/news/a279434/emmerdale-reveals-new-home-farm-dynasty.html|title='Emmerdale' reveals new Home Farm dynasty|work=[[Digital Spy]]|publisher=[[Hachette Filipacchi Médias|Hachette Filipacchi UK]]|first=Daniel|last=Kilkelly|date=29 September 2010|access-date=15 April 2011}}</ref> It was revealed that the family would be that of established character [[Declan Macey]] ([[Jason Merrells]]), who first appeared in the soap in April 2010.<ref name="dynasty"/> Former ''[[Doctors (2000 TV series)|Doctors]]'' actress [[Corrinne Wicks]] was cast in the role of Ella Hart, the ex-wife of Declan.<ref name="dynasty"/><ref name="home">{{cite news |url=http://www.itv.com/presscentre/pressreleases/programmepressreleases/maceyfamilyinemmerdale/default.html |title=New Dynasty set to reign at Home Farm in Emmerdale. |date=30 September 2010 |access-date=15 April 2011 |publisher=[[itv.com]] |work=[[Emmerdale]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101003121832/http://www.itv.com/presscentre/pressreleases/programmepressreleases/maceyfamilyinemmerdale/default.html |archive-date=3 October 2010}}</ref> [[Sapphire Elia]] was cast in the role of [[Mia Macey]], Declan and Ella's daughter, whilst [[Frank Kelly]] was cast in the role of [[Dermot Macey|Dermot]], Declan's father.<ref name="home"/> Of her casting, Wicks commented: "I'm so thrilled to be joining the fantastic cast of Emmerdale, Ella is going to be great fun. She's feisty and glamorous with a no-nonsense attitude. I can't wait to get started as the Maceys make their mark on the Dales."<ref name="home"/> Of the family, ''Emmerdale'' series producer [[Gavin Blyth]] added: "I'm so pleased to be welcoming three superb actors to our cast at this exciting time. The Maceys are glamorous and dynamic, and their move to the big house signals a new era at Home Farm which will see them firmly at the centre of some of our most compelling storylines."<ref name="home"/>
Ella is a businesswoman who runs a "lucrative" chain of nail bars in Singapore and is described as "sexy and savvy".<ref name="dynasty"/> In an interview with ''[[Sunday Mercury]]'', Wicks described Ella as "passionate, no-nonsense, funny and likeable".<ref name="mercury">{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s12/emmerdale/news/a287881/wicks-chuffed-over-emmerdale-role.html|title=Wicks "chuffed" over 'Emmerdale' role|work=[[Digital Spy]]|publisher=[[Hachette Filipacchi Médias|Hachette Filipacchi UK]]|first=Daniel|last=Kilkelly|date=15 November 2010|access-date=28 November 2010|archive-date=18 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101118021709/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s12/emmerdale/news/a287881/wicks-chuffed-over-emmerdale-role.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sundaymercury.net/entertainment-news/tv-news/2010/11/14/emmerdale-star-corrinne-wicks-on-why-she-lives-apart-from-her-husband-66331-27648888/|title=Emmerdale star Corrinne Wicks on why she lives apart from her husband|first=Roz|last=Laws|publisher=[[Sunday Mercury]]|date=14 November 2010|access-date=28 October 2010|archive-date=5 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101205061841/http://www.sundaymercury.net/entertainment-news/tv-news/2010/11/14/emmerdale-star-corrinne-wicks-on-why-she-lives-apart-from-her-husband-66331-27648888/|url-status=live}}</ref> Discussing Ella's relationship with Declan, she stated: "It is a love-hate relationship. They have stayed in constant contact, particularly because of their daughter. Declan has been over to Singapore because Mia has a motorbike accident and I think seeing each other has sparked something between them again. Ella wants to pursue it. She's going to fight for her man. There is a lot of feeling between them. There is an irresistible pull but they drive each other mad."<ref name=flirting>{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s12/emmerdale/news/a287371/emmerdale-newcomer-wants-flirty-scenes.html|title='Emmerdale' newcomer wants flirty scenes|work=[[Digital Spy]]|publisher=[[Hachette Filipacchi Médias|Hachette Filipacchi UK]]|first=Daniel|last=Kilkelly|date=11 November 2010|access-date=28 November 2010|archive-date=22 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022080601/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s12/emmerdale/news/a287371/emmerdale-newcomer-wants-flirty-scenes.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
On 22 May 2011, it was announced that Wicks was to leave ''Emmerdale'' at the end of her contract.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s12/emmerdale/news/a320826/corrinne-wicks-to-leave-emmerdale.html|title=Corrinne Wicks to leave 'Emmerdale'|last=Kilkelly|first=Daniel|date=22 May 2011|work=[[Digital Spy]]|publisher=[[Hachette Filipacchi UK]]|access-date=22 May 2011|archive-date=24 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524045600/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s12/emmerdale/news/a320826/corrinne-wicks-to-leave-emmerdale.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The decision to axe the character was made by freshly appointed executive producer Stuart Blackburn. Wicks was upset by the decision but was glad to know the door had been left open for her return.<ref name="Axed">{{cite news |last1=Fulton |first1=Rick |title=Emmerdale star Corrinne Wicks: I had a spring in my step playing a woman having an affair with younger man |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/celebrity/emmerdale-star-corrinne-wicks-i-had-a-spring-1106297 |access-date=25 July 2023 |work=[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]] |date=1 July 2012 |archive-date=25 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725180850/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/celebrity/emmerdale-star-corrinne-wicks-i-had-a-spring-1106297 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Storylines== Ella arrives in the village to view Home Farm, half of which is for sale. After viewing the house, she offers [[Nathan Wylde]] a reduced price but he declines and Ella leaves. However, Nathan's sister, [[Maisie Wylde|Maisie]] tells him to accept so they can leave as soon as possible. The following day, Ella returns and Nathan accepts her offer. She reveals to Nathan and [[Nicola King]] ([[Nicola Wheeler]]) that she is Declan's ex-wife. She tries to seduce Declan, but he rejects her telling her that they are better as friends. She then signs Home Farm over to Declan and returns to Singapore. Ella returns to the village and goes to Home Farm with daughter [[Mia Macey|Mia]].<ref name="staying">{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s12/emmerdale/spoilers/a289199/ella-announces-shes-staying-for-good.html|title=Ella announces she's staying for good|work=[[Digital Spy]]|publisher=[[Hachette Filipacchi Médias|Hachette Filipacchi UK]]|first=Daniel|last=Kilkelly|date=29 November 2010|access-date=29 November 2010}}</ref> She sees Declan kissing [[Alicia Gallagher]] ([[Natalie Anderson (actress)|Natalie Anderson]]) and insults her. Ella then tells Declan that she and Mia are moving into Home Farm.
Ella and Declan rekindle their marriage and she makes friends with Nicola, encouraging her to keep fighting for her family. As before, Declan's business eventually takes priority and Ella feels neglected and in April 2011, a chance encounter with Mia's boyfriend, Adam Barton, leads to an affair. After Adam's mother Moira, demands that they end the affair, Ella reveals their affair to Declan when drunk. Disgusted that Ella could do that to their daughter, he sacks Adam and throws Ella out. She moves into Holdgate Farm with Jai and uses Mia to try and wreck his budding relationship with Katie Sugden but Declan warns her that if she doesn't leave Katie alone, he'll tell Mia about Ella and Adam's affair. Angry that Ella is still in the village, Declan buys her a plane ticket to Singapore and her affair with Adam is eventually revealed to the village. Realising Mia would never forgive her, she leaves the village for [[Singapore]].
In November 2011, Mia dies in a car accident and she returns for the funeral off screen. She becomes hostile to Declan and Katie and leaves to Singapore, asking Declan to scatter Mia's ashes. When Megan returns, she tells Declan that Ella is now engaged and is still not coping with Mia's death.
==Reception== Laura Morgan writing for ''[[All About Soap]]'' said she had her fingers crossed that "saucy Ella" would lead Adam very astray.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Morgan|first=Laura|title=Mailbox|date=16–27 May 2011|journal=[[All About Soap]]|issue=244|pages=62|publisher=[[Hachette Filipacchi Médias|Hachette Filipacchi UK]]}}</ref> Sarah Ellis writing for ''[[Inside Soap]]'' said that Ella had no morals and her affair with Adam had "disaster written all over it".<ref>{{cite journal|last=Ellis|first=Sarah|title=Soapbox|journal=[[Inside Soap]]|date=21–27 May 2011|issue=20|pages=96|publisher=[[Hachette Filipacchi UK]]}}</ref> Jon Horsley from [[Yahoo!]] said Ella was a "dose of mischief" in ''Emmerdale'' and Wicks had played her "like a younger, naughtier [[Joan Collins]]."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.tv.yahoo.com/soaps/article/22428/soap-departures-and-arrivals.html|title=Soap departures and arrivals|last=Horsley|first=Jon|date=28 July 2011|publisher=[[Yahoo!]]|access-date=28 July 2011}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [https://web.archive.org/web/20110205021401/http://www.itv.com/soaps/emmerdale/castandcharactersatoe/ellamacey/ Character profile] at [[itv.com]]
{{Emmerdale characters|past}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hart, Ella}} [[Category:Emmerdale characters]] [[Category:Television characters introduced in 2010]] [[Category:Fictional businesspeople in soap operas]] [[Category:British female characters in soap operas]] [[Category:English female characters in television]]