Ela-May Demircan

Elá-May Melek Demircan (born 2006) is a British actress. She began portraying Leah Barnes on the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks in 2011 when she was four years old. She has been nominated for several awards for the role, including at the British Soap Awards and the Inside Soap Awards. In 2024, it was reported that she would depart the soap to explore other acting roles.

Life and career Elá-May Melek Demircan was born in 2006 in Crewe, Cheshire. She is of Turkish descent. Demircan trained at the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy. During busy periods of filming, Demircan was schooled on set. The actress also revealed that she wanted to carry on acting. Her mother told Crewe Chronicle that Demircan had found that she was nominated on her birthday and that it was the best day of her life, adding, "She cried when the producer told her. It meant everything to her as she puts her heart and soul into it. She’s really looking forward to the awards night and has had her dress made especially by a friend of mine who is a fashion designer". The following year, she was shortlisted for "Best Young Actor" at the 2018 British Soap Awards. In 2022, Demircan told Inside Soap that she was enjoying exploring more mature themes and found it exciting, explaining, "I've grown up alongside Leah, and getting to act out this new, rebellious side of her is so much fun. I'm excited every time I read the scripts". In 2023, she was longlisted for "Best Young Performer" at the 2023 Inside Soap Awards for her Hollyoaks role. The following year, she was nominated for the same award at the first Radio Times Soap Awards. That same year, when Good Morning Britain presenter Katy Rickitt guest-starred on the soap, she praised Demircan, calling her "nothing short of a little diamond" and "real pro who's submerged herself in her role since practically the moment she was born. I was learning from the best".

In August 2024, it was reported that Demircan would leave her role as Leah in Hollyoaks after 13 years. It was reported that Demircan was looking to move on and play other roles, although the actress did not confirm the news. In 2026, it was announced that Leah would be returning to Hollyoaks, with the role now being played by Charlotte Riley; in response to the recast, Demircan said that Leah would "always be a part" of her, adding, "While I would have loved to have returned to the show, Hannah [Cheers, executive producer] saw Leah's character going in a different direction – but I will always be incredibly grateful to Bryan Kirkwood for casting me as Leah in the first place". Of the recast, Daniel Kilkelly from Digital Spy wrote, "We're sure there's a bright future ahead for Ela-May after her impressive performances over the years".

Awards and nominations + List of acting awards and nominations Year Award Category Title Result 2017 British Soap Awards Best Young Actor Hollyoaks 2017 Inside Soap Awards Best Young Actor Hollyoaks 2018 British Soap Awards Best Young Actor Hollyoaks 2023 Inside Soap Awards Best Young Performer Hollyoaks 2024 Radio Times Soap Awards Best Young Performer Hollyoaks