Holly Barton is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Emmerdale, played by Sophie Powles. She made her first on-screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 17 July 2009. Holly was introduced to the soap as part of the Bartons, a new farming family who took over the running of Butler's Farm. Holly was joined by her mother, father and two siblings. The family were described as being "sexy, modern and contemporary" by the show's series producer, Gavin Blyth. Holly departed on 20 June 2012, but Powles later reprised her role and Holly returned on 24 March 2016 for a six-month stint. The character was killed off on 29 September 2016. Powles reprised her role on 20 November 2024 when she appeared in Moira's dream sequence whilst undergoing surgery.

In May 2009, it was announced that Emmerdale's new series producer, Gavin Blyth, would introduce The Bartons, a new farming family, as part of an ongoing overhaul of the show. The family, which comprises five members - mother, father, two daughters and a son - took over the running of Butler's Farm. Of the family, Blyth said "I don't want to make Emmerdale a show about teenagers and young people, it's about family values. The Bartons are sexy, modern and contemporary. They're almost happy - and in soapland that's quite strange!" Natalie J. Robb and James Thornton were cast in the roles of parents, John and Moira. Adam Thomas and Grace Cassidy were cast as their children Adam and Hannah.

Former Britannia High actress Sophie Powles was cast in the role of eldest daughter Holly. Powles received a call from her agent telling her about an audition for Emmerdale, which she thought was a great opportunity. Following the audition, Powles attended the subsequent recalls, before getting down to the final four. After a screen test with Robb and Thornton, Powles was given the role. Paula Lane, who would later be cast on the soap as Ella Forster, also auditioned for the role. Shortly before filming her first scenes, Powles had to go shopping for Holly's costumes and had her hair dyed brown for the part. Of her casting, Powles said "I always wanted to act and especially because it's a northern show and my family live just down the road in Otley, so I've got a strong Yorkshire connection. I did my first scene in the Woolpack and I was just amazed at how real it was and I feel so lucky to be doing a job I enjoy on a show that I love. It's really cool."

"When she arrived in Emmerdale Holly seemed just like any other teenage girl, but her growing dependence on drugs changed her personality dramatically and led her to lie and steal from her family. The old Holly was considerate and caring, but the drug-dependent Holly is more of an unknown... That makes her unpredictable."

— itv.com on Holly

Holly is described as being a "free spirit with a sense of adventure." Powles opined Holly is "the kind of girl who will get on with anybody." She becomes friends with the people she meets and does not judge a book by its cover. Holly is loyal to her family and close to her mother, who she shares a strong bond with. Holly and her brother, Adam, have grown up together and there is only a year between them. Adam is quite protective of his sister. Holly loves Hannah to bits and they enjoy teasing each other. Holly does not spend her time reading fashion magazines and she wears whatever she is comfortable in. Powles told the Liverpool Daily Post Holly "loves who she is and she's really happy. She's not image conscious and doesn't waste time thinking 'I'm too fat' or 'I'm too thin'." Upon her entrance to the show, Holly had not had a boyfriend before. Susan Griffin of the Liverpool Daily Post said she would not go short of an admirer or two, and Powles added "Holly wouldn't go for someone who was typically good-looking. She doesn't go for the obvious." The actress thought Holly may have some unexpected friendships and relationships, which would work.

When Powles was asked if she was anything like Holly in real life, she told Inside Soap, "I used to be quite similar to her when she got on well with her family and was bubbly - but now she's very moody and stroppy, I'm nothing like her!" Holly's descent into drugs changed her personality and Steve Hendry of the Daily Record noted Holly was once a girl from a good family with a cheeky twinkle in her eye and she had become a "desperate soul who is dragging her family down into the gutter along with her." Hendry pointed out Holly had acted out of character and Powles agreed, saying "When I came into Emmerdale Holly was a very bubbly character, obviously a bit cheeky and a bit naughty but never would you think she'd do drugs. That's why they picked her, to show there is no stereotype of the kind of person who gets into drugs." Powles said Holly had turned into a "nasty creature" because of the drugs. The actress believed Holly has always been fiery, but when she gets intimidated that turns into aggression, which worries her family.

Holly's first love interest was Aaron Livesy (Danny Miller). Aaron took an interest in Holly shortly after she arrived and he often came to the farm to see her. In August 2009, Aaron almost sets fire to a barn and he is locked up by John. Aaron has John arrested and his mother tells the Bartons that she cannot get him to drop the charges, so Holly "decides to take more direct action" by seducing him into dropping the case. However, Aaron realises what her plan is and he calls her bluff by telling her that he will drop the charges if she has sex with him. A writer for the Sunday Mail said Aaron's offer leads "a disgusted Holly to storm out", leaving him feeling guilty. A Daily Record reporter stated that Aaron appeared to have destroyed any chance he had with Holly, but she showed "incredibly bad taste in the opposite sex" by choosing to date him. Aaron later tries to kiss Holly's brother, Adam, and he struggles with his sexuality. When he asks Holly out, Adam warns his sister that she can do much better, but she does not listen and spends the evening with Aaron. During an interview with a What's on TV writer, Miller explained that Aaron uses Holly to convince people that he is not gay. When asked if Aaron fancies Holly or if he is just using her, Miller said "He does genuinely like Holly but he is sexually confused and constantly questioning himself 'Am I gay? Am I not gay? Do I want Holly? Or Adam?' It's a love triangle in the most confusing sense for Aaron. He wants to convince everyone, including himself, he isn't gay." Adam later tells Holly that Aaron tried to kiss him, but she does not believe him. Holly breaks up with Aaron when she tires of their relationship.