# Matthew James-Bailey
**Matthew James-Bailey** (born 1995) is an English actor best known for playing Ethan Williams in the [Channel 4](https://www.edgepedia.org/channel-4) soap opera *Hollyoaks* from 2021 to 2024 and, since 2026, Detective Constable Craig Ingram in the BBC soap *EastEnders*.[1](https://tv.apple.com/us/person/matthew-james-bailey/umc.cpc.2lnnx45u8li6e3knwzipqh1pp) He made his television debut as Tomasz in [Russell T Davies](https://www.edgepedia.org/russell-t-davies)'s critically acclaimed drama *Cucumber* in 2015.[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7079619/)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1995, London, England[3](https://www.famousbirthdays.com/people/matthew-james-bailey.html) |
| Signature role | Ethan Williams in *Hollyoaks*, November 2021 to October 2024[4](https://hollyoaks.fandom.com/wiki/Matthew_James-Bailey) |
| Earlier *Hollyoaks* role | Jake, a conman who stole computers from Hollyoaks High School, March 2016[4](https://hollyoaks.fandom.com/wiki/Matthew_James-Bailey) |
| Debut | Tomasz in *Cucumber* (2015), five episodes[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7079619/) |
| Current role | DC Craig Ingram in *EastEnders*, from summer 2026[5](https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2026/0713/1583140-eastenders-brings-a-new-detective-to-albert-square/) |
| Award nominations | Inside Soap Awards: Best Newcomer (2022), Best Partnership (2023)[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7079619/) |
## Early life and training
Bailey was born in London to an English mother and an American father, and has four siblings.[3](https://www.famousbirthdays.com/people/matthew-james-bailey.html) He first studied government and politics with the intention of pursuing a career in politics and involvement in his local community, then changed direction and enrolled in a two-year performing arts course at Harlow College in Essex.[3](https://www.famousbirthdays.com/people/matthew-james-bailey.html) • [6](https://www.aol.ca/articles/eastenders-dc-craig-ingram-stars-110252000.html)
## Cucumber and early roles
His first screen role came in *Cucumber*, the 2015 Channel 4 drama created by former *Doctor Who* showrunner Russell T Davies, in which he played the recurring character Tomasz across five episodes.[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7079619/) • [7](https://www.expressandstar.com/whats-on/showbiz/soap-star-matthew-james-bailey-joins-eastenders-cast-a-dream-come-true-8791383) In 2016 he appeared in a single episode of the Disney series *[Soy Luna](https://www.edgepedia.org/soy-luna)* as Nico, uncredited.[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7079619/)
## Hollyoaks: Ethan Williams
In November 2021 Bailey joined *Hollyoaks* as Ethan Williams, introduced as one of the villains behind the abduction of Darren Osborne.[4](https://hollyoaks.fandom.com/wiki/Matthew_James-Bailey) • [6](https://www.aol.ca/articles/eastenders-dc-craig-ingram-stars-110252000.html) Over three years the character moved through storylines involving kidnapping, money laundering, and accidental murder, shifting from a man plotting to kill Sienna Blake to being in a relationship with her.[6](https://www.aol.ca/articles/eastenders-dc-craig-ingram-stars-110252000.html) • [8](https://www.aol.co.uk/hollyoaks-star-reflects-playing-different-074100281.html) Bailey had earlier appeared in the soap in a different part, playing Jake, a conman who stole computers from Hollyoaks High School in March 2016.[4](https://hollyoaks.fandom.com/wiki/Matthew_James-Bailey)
The role brought him two Inside Soap Awards nominations, for Best Newcomer in 2022 and Best Partnership the following year.[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7079619/)
**Exit from the show.** Ethan was killed off in October 2024, dying on his wedding day after being pushed from a balcony during a furious row with his bride Sienna Blake.[6](https://www.aol.ca/articles/eastenders-dc-craig-ingram-stars-110252000.html) The departure came as Channel 4 bosses cut the cast in a significant reduction coinciding with the show's move to three episodes per week; Bailey told *Digital Spy* that leaving was not his choice and that the ending came sooner than he would have liked.[6](https://www.aol.ca/articles/eastenders-dc-craig-ingram-stars-110252000.html)
## EastEnders: DC Craig Ingram
In July 2026 [EastEnders](https://www.edgepedia.org/eastenders) announced that Bailey had joined the cast as Detective Constable Craig Ingram, introduced as part of a major storyline unfolding over the coming months.[5](https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2026/0713/1583140-eastenders-brings-a-new-detective-to-albert-square/) Craig is a younger colleague of Detective Inspector Jack Branning ([Scott Maslen](https://www.edgepedia.org/scott-maslen)), brought in to take over his workload when Jack's boss suspects he cannot balance police work with supporting his wife [Denise Fox](https://www.edgepedia.org/denise-fox) (Diane Parish) through treatment for acute myeloid leukemia.[5](https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2026/0713/1583140-eastenders-brings-a-new-detective-to-albert-square/) Executive producer Ben Wadey said Craig's presence in Walford forms part of a storyline involving the Branning family.[5](https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2026/0713/1583140-eastenders-brings-a-new-detective-to-albert-square/)
Bailey described the casting as a dream come true, saying the soap had been the soundtrack of his childhood and that playing even a small part in such an iconic piece of British television felt surreal.[5](https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2026/0713/1583140-eastenders-brings-a-new-detective-to-albert-square/) In later 2026 episodes, Craig investigates the violent attack on Joel Marshall and grows suspiciously close to Jack's teenage daughter Amy Mitchell, overstepping professional boundaries.[6](https://www.aol.ca/articles/eastenders-dc-craig-ingram-stars-110252000.html)
## Other work
Bailey is also a singer and has shared covers on social media, including [Post Malone](https://www.edgepedia.org/post-malone)'s "I Had Some Help" performed with Oakley Orchard.[6](https://www.aol.ca/articles/eastenders-dc-craig-ingram-stars-110252000.html) He keeps his romantic life private.[6](https://www.aol.ca/articles/eastenders-dc-craig-ingram-stars-110252000.html)
## References
1. [Matthew James-Bailey, Apple TV](https://tv.apple.com/us/person/matthew-james-bailey/umc.cpc.2lnnx45u8li6e3knwzipqh1pp)
2. [Matthew James-Bailey, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7079619/)
3. [Matthew James-Bailey, Famous Birthdays](https://www.famousbirthdays.com/people/matthew-james-bailey.html)
4. [Matthew James-Bailey, Hollyoaks Wiki](https://hollyoaks.fandom.com/wiki/Matthew_James-Bailey)
5. [EastEnders brings a new detective to Albert Square, RTÉ](https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2026/0713/1583140-eastenders-brings-a-new-detective-to-albert-square/)
6. [EastEnders' DC Craig Ingram star's real life from Hollyoaks axing to secret talent, AOL](https://www.aol.ca/articles/eastenders-dc-craig-ingram-stars-110252000.html)
7. [Soap star Matthew James-Bailey joins EastEnders cast, Express & Star](https://www.expressandstar.com/whats-on/showbiz/soap-star-matthew-james-bailey-joins-eastenders-cast-a-dream-come-true-8791383)
8. [Hollyoaks star reflects on playing a different character in the soap, AOL](https://www.aol.co.uk/hollyoaks-star-reflects-playing-different-074100281.html)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Screen people and creators › Screen actors of the Anglosphere and Europe › English actors: 2000s onward › Surnames I to K*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 19, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license