Lewis Cope has officially turned the page on his Strictly Come Dancing journey — and he’s doing it with an exciting new career move that has fans eager for what comes next.
The Emmerdale actor, 30, was dramatically voted out of the BBC dance competition alongside professional partner Katya Jones after a tense quarter-final dance-off against Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin. Despite consistently strong performances and sitting high on the leaderboard during Musicals Week, Lewis’s unexpected exit stunned viewers and sparked outrage across social media.
Many fans believed Lewis had what it took to lift the Glitterball Trophy, but while his time in the ballroom may have ended sooner than expected, it’s clear his momentum hasn’t slowed.
Just days after leaving the show, Lewis teased a major new chapter in his career. Taking to Instagram Stories, he revealed that he’s set to begin work on a new acting project with American production company FilmNation — a studio known for acclaimed films such as Promising Young Woman and Maria, starring Angelina Jolie. While Lewis kept the details firmly under wraps, the announcement alone was enough to send fans buzzing.
Lewis, who played Nicky Milligan on Emmerdale from 2022 until his character’s departure in July 2024, appears to be moving confidently into high-profile projects beyond British television — signaling a bold step forward in his acting career.
And for fans who aren’t ready to say goodbye to his Strictly partnership just yet, there’s more good news. Lewis and Katya recently revealed they’ll be reuniting on the dance floor for a special one-off workshop in his hometown of Hartlepool.
In a joint social media video, Lewis explained: “So many people have been messaging us saying they want to dance with us.” Katya quickly added: “So we decided that we want to dance with you.”
The exclusive workshop, taking place on Sunday, February 22, will give fans the chance to dance alongside the pair, ask questions, and relive some of the magic that made their Strictly partnership so popular.
Although the judges ultimately chose to send Amber and Nikita through to the semi-finals after a casting vote from Motsi Mabuse, fan reaction made one thing clear: Lewis and Katya left a lasting impression.
From a controversial Strictly exit to a promising new acting venture, Lewis Cope’s next chapter is already shaping up to be an exciting one. As he hinted himself, this really is “on to something new.” ✨
