Emmerdale star Jay Kontzle is proving that his career is entering an exciting new chapter, as the actor announces a powerful new film role while continuing

to anchor some of the ITV soap’s most emotionally charged storylines. Best known to viewers as Billy Fletcher, Kontzle has spent the past several years

at the heart of Emmerdale’s evolving family drama, and now he is expanding his creative reach beyond the Yorkshire Dales with a striking new screen project.

Jay Kontzle, 35, first arrived in Emmerdale in December 2018, making an immediate impression when Billy Fletcher stormed into the village during his mother Jessie Grant’s wedding to Marlon Dingle. From the outset, Billy was positioned as a character shaped by anger, insecurity, and a longing for stability—traits that would later make his journey one of the soap’s most compelling redemption arcs. Over time, viewers watched Billy mature from a troubled newcomer into a devoted husband and father, cementing Kontzle as a firm fan favourite.

Billy’s romance with Dawn Taylor became a central emotional pillar of the show. Their relationship, initially fragile and fraught with mistrust, evolved into a love story built on shared trauma and hope for a better future. When the couple married in 2022, it felt like a triumphant moment not just for the characters, but for viewers who had followed their struggles from the very beginning. The following year, Billy’s commitment deepened further when he adopted Dawn’s son Lucas and became special guardian to Clemmie, embracing fatherhood with a tenderness that revealed just how far he had come.

In 2023, the family appeared complete with the birth of baby Evan. But Emmerdale rarely allows happiness to last, and the storyline soon took a devastating turn. When Evan was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia at just four months old, the show delivered one of its most harrowing narratives in recent years. Billy’s helplessness as a father, Dawn’s emotional breakdown, and the strain placed on their marriage resonated deeply with audiences, showcasing Jay Kontzle’s ability to deliver raw, understated performances under intense emotional pressure.

Just as the family began to find a sense of normality, further heartbreak followed. Dawn’s affair with Joe Tate in 2024 shattered the trust Billy had fought so hard to build. The betrayal triggered the collapse of their family unit and forced Billy to walk away from Home Farm, leaving behind not only his marriage but also the life he believed he had finally secured. His move to Caleb Miligan’s depot marked a symbolic reset—Billy stripped back to survival mode once again, bruised but determined to keep going.

Billy and Dawn broke up following her affair with Joe in Emmerdale

Fans grew increasingly concerned when Billy vanished from screens for several months, sparking speculation about Jay Kontzle’s future on the show. His eventual return in October 2025, prompted by Lucas’s involvement in a violent school fight, confirmed that Billy’s story was far from over. Once again, he was drawn back into the chaos of family life, facing the consequences of past decisions while trying to protect the children he still loved as his own.

While Billy Fletcher continues to navigate emotional minefields on screen, Jay Kontzle has been quietly stepping into new creative territory off screen. The actor recently confirmed his role in an upcoming short crime film titled Codec, signalling a bold expansion of his acting portfolio.

The announcement came via the film’s official Instagram account, which introduced Kontzle as DC Green, a character poised to play a significant role in the film’s intense narrative. “Entering the chat is Jay Kontzle as our DC Green,” the post read, praising the actor’s “multifaceted skillset” and hinting at a performance that will challenge both the character and the audience. Kontzle later shared the announcement on his own Instagram story, subtly confirming his excitement for the project.

Codec is described as a sharp, contemporary crime drama that explores the dark intersections between technology, trust, and justice. The story follows Sophie, a young woman who spirals after being cyber-flashed by someone she trusted. As she attempts to reclaim control through digital retaliation, the film raises uncomfortable questions about outdated laws, online accountability, and whether the justice system can truly keep pace with the digital age.

Billy Fletcher star Jay has bagged himself a role in a short movie

For Jay Kontzle, the project represents more than just another acting job—it is an opportunity to engage with socially relevant material that reflects modern anxieties. Speaking about the role, he expressed genuine enthusiasm, describing Codec as “something really special, thought-provoking and relevant to the world we are fast moving into.” His comments suggest a deliberate choice to align himself with stories that challenge audiences and spark conversation, rather than simply entertain.

The timing of the announcement is particularly striking. As Emmerdale continues to push Billy Fletcher into darker, more emotionally complex territory, Kontzle’s move into film highlights his versatility as an actor capable of balancing long-form soap storytelling with tightly structured cinematic narratives. Playing a detective in a crime film also marks a sharp contrast to Billy’s emotionally driven, family-focused arcs—offering Kontzle the chance to explore authority, moral ambiguity, and professional conflict from a new angle.

For Emmerdale fans, Kontzle’s success outside the soap is likely to be a source of pride rather than concern. His continued involvement in the ITV series suggests that Billy Fletcher remains a key figure in upcoming storylines, while his film work underscores the depth of talent the show continues to nurture.

As Jay Kontzle juggles high-stakes drama in the Dales and cutting-edge crime storytelling on the big screen, his career momentum shows no sign of slowing. Whether portraying a wounded father fighting to hold his family together or a detective navigating the blurred lines of digital justice, Kontzle is carving out a reputation as an actor unafraid to tackle difficult, emotionally resonant material.

With Codec on the horizon and Billy Fletcher’s future still uncertain, audiences can expect plenty more powerful performances from Jay Kontzle—both in Emmerdale and far beyond it.