Hollis will play Ali, the sister of character Rachel Breckle
(Gemma Oaten), who is starting a new life with her children after
leaving her husband. Eyo will then join the family as Ali's lover,
Ruby.
Hollis, who is best known for playing Yvonne Karib in Channel 4's
Shameless, told The Sun: "Getting a role as a new regular character
for Emmerdale is a dream come true."
Eyo, who has appeared in Bad Girls, Silent Witness and Waterloo
Road, added: "Being part of a show I've grown up watching is
amazing and Ruby is going to be a lot of fun to play."
ITV has recently faced criticism for having a disproportionate
number of gay characters in Coronation Street; the total now being
five. Emmerdale has just one gay character currently, Aaron Livesy
played by Danny Miller.
Stuart Blackburn defended the decision, saying: "Ali and Ruby are
down-to-earth, gritty, funny and likeable and after leaving her
husband of 15 years, Ali has a lot riding on making her new life in
Emmerdale work."
The couple will be appearing in the show from October.
