Inside EastEnders star Zack Hudson actor’s life away from soap – from famous wife to link with Nicole Kidman
Zack Hudson's fate in Walford has been revealed tonight, but what does actor James Farrar have going on in his personal life when he's not filming in Albert Square?
EastEnders fans were left reeling this week as Zack Hudson’s fate was thrown into question after a dramatic car crash resulted in him vanishing beneath the surface of a lake. But while his friends and family in Walford may be in mourning, what do we know about the man behind the character, and the life he leads when he is not in Albert Square?
James Farrar, 37, joined EastEnders in 2021 as Zack Hudson, who quickly became a central figure in the soap. Zack has had no shortage of dramatic storylines, including a recent one where it was revealed that he is the secret father of Barney Mitchell.
Now, after this week’s shock crash, viewers are wondering if the actor’s time on the soap has come to an end. Tuesday night’s (May 27) episode of EastEnders left fans stunned as they watched Teddy and Zack’s car plunge into a lake after Teddy lost control of the vehicle.
The tension has only built in Wednesday’s (28 May) follow-up, as Zack has not been found and characters on-screen think he is d.e.a.d. While the show has not yet officially confirmed Zack’s demise, fans have been speculating that this Farrar has appeared on the soap for the last time, especially after a comment the actor made during a recent interview on This Morning. When asked if he would survive the crash, he simply shrugged and said, “We’ll see.”
He previously told the Mirror: “There is something really exciting coming up next year that nobody really knows about yet. It keeps me going into work every day going…. I’m buzzing for it to start. It is just starting around now.”
Before starring in EastEnders the actor was a model(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Away from the high-stakes drama of EastEnders, James Farrar has a fulfilling life that extends far beyond the world of Walford. Farrar was born in Greenwich, London, and studied drama and media at the University of Portsmouth before attending the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in 2010.
Before becoming an actor, James had a successful career as a model. He fronted campaigns for major fashion houses such as Jimmy Choo and Dolce & Gabbana, and even shared the spotlight with well-known figures like Nicole Kidman and Kate Moss.
However, he eventually took a step back from that glamorous lifestyle because of a very personal reason. He previously told TV Mag: “One of the reasons I joined EastEnders was because of my mum, who has cancer.
“It meant that if these are my last days with her, we spent them together rather than me travelling the world.” His mother has since undergone chemotherapy and, according to James, is “smashing it” with the “grit of a warrior”.
In 2017, James married wellness expert Ali Roff Farrar, the Wellness Director for Psychologies Magazine and co-founder of luxury retreat brand We Are Remedy. The couple welcomed their daughter Summer in 2021 and now live together in Blackheath, London.
Outside of acting, James is also a certified personal trainer and vegan chef. This is a lifestyle he shares with his wife. They have hosted wellness retreats together for people looking to recharge, and they both champion looking after your physical and mental wellbeing.