From Emmerdale to Joan of Arc and now it's back to school for Rachael

Rachael Gill-Davis has spent the summer taking on one of the most demanding roles in theatre.

- by Harriet Sutton

Rachael Gill-Davis seen directing MetFilm School students.

Playing Joan of Arc was, in her words, “an experience” that left her exhausted but proud.

To millions of television viewers she is also familiar as Gail Loman from ITV's Emmerdale, a part she played until earlier this year. Now, as the new academic year kicks off, she is turning her attention back to her students at MetFilm School Leeds.

Rachael, who grew up in Lytham St Annes near Blackpool, has been tutoring at the school's Leeds campus since shortly after it opened at Prime Studios in 2022. She teaches acting, but her focus goes far beyond performance.