Priya Kotecha (also Sharma) is a fictional character from the British television soap opera Emmerdale, played by Fiona Wade. The character was introduced along with her brothers Jai (Chris Bisson) and Nikhil (Rik Makarem) by series producer, Gavin Blyth, as part of an ongoing overhaul of the show. Blyth described the characters as young, contemporary and living independent of their parents. Priya was originally played by Effie Woods from her introduction on 14 September 2009 until 1 March 2010. Wade took over the role in 2011.
Before her arrival on-screen, Woods described Priya as being fun-loving. She called her a flirtatious party girl and said she can be manipulative. She tends to charm her way out of any situation. Priya is closer to her elder brother Jai and often clashes with Nikhil. After the character was recast, Wade stated that Priya is confident and lives her life how she wants. Priya's storylines have seen her embark on a casual fling with Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) and start a relationship with David Metcalfe (Matthew Wolfenden), her feud with Alicia Gallagher (Natalie Anderson), a battle with anorexia, a marriage to Rakesh Kotecha (Pasha Bocarie), and an affair with Pete Barton (Anthony Quinlan), the fiancé of her best friend Leyla Harding (Roxy Shahidi). In October 2022, it was announced that Wade was set to leave Emmerdale after 11 years and her final scenes aired on 27 January 2023.
Casting
On 21 July 2009, Kris Green from Digital Spy reported Emmerdale new series producer, Gavin Blyth, would be introducing a new family called the Sharmas part of an ongoing overhaul of the show. The family, which consisted of three siblings, arrived in the village to manage a new confectionery factory. Of the siblings, Blyth said "The Sharmas are a young, contemporary family independent of their parents and will bring the factory into the heart of the village community. They will add real vitality to life in Emmerdale." Chris Bisson was cast as eldest sibling Jai Sharma, and Rik Makarem was cast as Nikhil Sharma. Effie Woods received the role of their younger sister, Priya. Woods was working in a call centre when her agent called to tell her she had won the part. Woods commented "I just ran down the corridor screaming – it was so amazing! It's a big show with such a history and such weight to it."
In September 2011, it was announced Priya would be returning to Emmerdale, with Wade taking over the role from Woods. The actress told a writer from What's on TV, "I feel very happy and excited about this new venture and I'm delighted to be joining Emmerdale." On 6 May 2012, it was revealed that Wade had signed a new contract keeping her with the show for another year. She told Susan Hill from the Daily Star, "I've just signed a one-year contract, which I'm absolutely delighted about. It means they can plan lots of things for me, which is very exciting."
Development
Characterisation
Shortly before arrival on-screen, Woods called Priya a "fun-loving and fancy-free" character and said she would give her brothers a few headaches. Priya is a flirtatious, party girl who struggles with authority. Woods revealed the character's backstory, saying "Prior to arriving in the village, she went to fashion college but ended up dropping out, then she tried to set up her own business which could have done well, but she was bad at managing her money and spent it all. She ended up broke and had to get her family to bail her out." The actress believed that despite her tough exterior, Priya was ashamed of her business failing. Woods explained that the role of Priya appealed to her because she is a free spirit. She continued "She's a likeable person, a little bit manipulative but she's very upfront with it and charms her way out of any situation, so people tend to take to her." Priya is closer to Jai as he is relaxed, where as she clashes with Nikhil, who is more work orientated and dislikes her "sponging off them".
Following the recast, Wade called Priya a sexy, pretty and classy girl. She explained "She's very confident and outspoken. Some of the things she comes out with, I think I wish I could say that. And, of course, she does love a bad boy." Priya finds employment at the local pub, The Woolpack, which Wade dubbed "an institution". She was honoured to be given the chance to play the new barmaid, despite being teetotal in real life. She believed Priya would bring something different to the Woolpack and revealed that regulars would not be sure how to take her. The actress teased more drama with between Priya and her brothers and said she was looking forward to it. She added that Priya "lives her life exactly how she wants" and Jai and Nikhil cannot control what she does.