ITV's Coronation Street is to feature Daniel Brocklebank as 'Rev Billy', who joins character Emily Bishop's church; St Mary's in the fictional town of Weatherfield.
The Shakespeare in Love actor has started filming for the soap and is due on screen in the next few months.
ITV bosses say he will start a relationship with barman and Corrie favourite Sean Tully, played by Antony Cotton, after they meet on a night out.
The storyline will feature Sean's struggle to deal with playing second fiddle to Billy's job and his parishioners.
Producer Stuart Blackburn said: "We will be exploring this very modern relationship in the coming months and are delighted to have Daniel on board to play Billy."
This is thought to be the first time a storyline of this kind has featured in a UK soap.