Amelia Flanagan, the talented actress behind Emmerdale’s beloved April Windsor, has opened up about the unique challenges of growing up in a family of actors—especially with two siblings who star in the rival ITV soap Coronation Street. Fans of Amelia, who has been captivating viewers on Emmerdale since 2014, may be surprised to learn that her younger siblings, Isabella and William Flanagan, also work in the world of soaps, but on Corrie.

Amelia has earned multiple accolades for her portrayal of April, with her emotional performances earning her a dedicated fan base. But upcoming episodes are set to put her character through even more drama, as April finds herself in grave danger. She’ll soon become the target of Jade’s ruthless friends, and a tense scene sees April held perilously close to the edge of a car park, with Ross Barton (played by Mike Parr) rushing to her rescue. This thrilling moment will air on Thursday, December 5.

Off-screen, however, Amelia’s life is intertwined with her siblings’ success in Coronation Street. Isabella plays Hope Stape, the daughter of Fiz Brown, while William portrays Joseph Brown, Chesney’s son and Hope’s cousin. The three young actors often receive praise for their on-screen portrayals, and their shared passion for acting makes for a fascinating family dynamic.

In an interesting turn of events, at the 2022 Inside Soap Awards, Amelia found herself in competition with Isabella for the prestigious Best Young Performer award. Despite her best efforts, Isabella took home the trophy that night, marking a bittersweet moment in their sibling rivalry. Reflecting on their competitive yet loving family dynamic, Isabella shared with Inside Soap that award season can lead to some heated debates at home. “Me and my brother are Team Coronation Street and my sister is obviously Team Emmerdale,” she admitted. “So it does get a bit heated sometimes.”

For Amelia, who is fiercely loyal to Emmerdale, it’s clear that the rivalry never goes beyond good-natured fun. She recalled, “It’s never really competitive, though. We help each other out all the time.” Amelia fondly remembers running lines with Isabella, where she would pretend to be a Coronation Street character while Isabella practiced her lines as Hope. “It’s fun,” she said, describing how they support each other’s careers despite the soap rivalry.

Despite the competitive nature of their work, the Flanagan siblings remain close-knit. Amelia was even seen visiting the Coronation Street set alongside Isabella and William, showing a united front as a family. The siblings were spotted with Coronation Street star Jude Reuben Sam, who plays the character of Sam in the series. The trio’s appearance on set served as a reminder that, despite their characters’ rivalries on screen, family ties are what truly matter off-screen.

Isabella has openly expressed her admiration for her older sister, publicly acknowledging Amelia’s influence on her acting career. She told The Mirror, “I’ve wanted to be on TV for a long time. My sister has been in Emmerdale since she was five, and I love watching her.” Isabella went on to explain that her audition for Coronation Street felt like a natural progression for her, and she was thrilled when the casting agency called with the good news.

Despite the sibling rivalry and the competitive nature of their respective soaps, the Flanagan family continues to support one another, showing that even in the high-stakes world of British television drama, family comes first. Fans of Emmerdale and Coronation Street alike will be keeping a close eye on these three young stars as they continue to rise in the world of soap operas—proof that even the fiercest rivals can share a bond that’s stronger than any onscreen drama.