Cast Update: Who Is Leaving & Returning? | Emmerdale
Cast Update: Who Is Leaving & Returning? | Emmerdale
If there’s one thing Emmerdale does better than almost any other soap, it’s keeping viewers on edge—not just with explosive storylines, but with constant shifts behind the scenes. Right now, the village is in a state of near-permanent upheaval. Villains are plotting their exits, beloved characters are stepping away, and dangerous figures from the past are preparing dramatic returns. As the Woolpack’s revolving door spins faster than ever, fans are asking the same urgent questions: who’s leaving, who’s returning, and how will these cast changes reshape life in the Dales?
Here’s a comprehensive look at the latest cast movements—and why they matter more than ever.
Celia Daniels: A Villain’s Exit Looms
One departure that has been confirmed is Celia Daniels, portrayed with chilling precision by Jay Griffiths. From the moment Celia arrived, she embedded herself into the village like a toxin, leaving devastation in her wake. Fraud, manipulation, intimidation—Celia has crossed every line imaginable, particularly in her ruthless dealings with Moira and Cain Dingle.
Griffiths has openly acknowledged that Celia was always intended as a finite character, describing the role as a “strong arc” rather than a long-term fixture. While some fans may lament losing such a compelling antagonist, few would argue that Celia deserves a peaceful exit. The real question isn’t whether she’ll leave—but how.
Will justice finally catch up with her? Prison seems a logical outcome, yet Emmerdale rarely opts for the predictable. With Celia openly discussing fleeing the village and framing Moira for money laundering, her exit could come with one final act of destruction. If she does leave in a hurry, she may leave behind chaos that echoes long after she’s gone.
Victoria Sugden: A Temporary Goodbye
In a far gentler departure, Isabelle Hodgins is set to take maternity leave, meaning Victoria Sugden will temporarily step away from the village. After nearly two decades on the show, Victoria has become one of Emmerdale’s emotional anchors—offering warmth, reason, and those legendary flapjacks whenever the village needs grounding.
Hodgins has spoken fondly about her time on the soap, admitting she’ll miss the cast deeply despite welcoming this new chapter in her life. Victoria’s absence will be keenly felt. With so many dangerous storylines unfolding, losing one of the show’s most compassionate voices leaves a noticeable gap. The good news? This is not a permanent exit. Victoria will return—and when she does, the village may need her more than ever.
Kev Townsend: A Christmas Return with Revenge in Mind
Fans of Aaron Dingle and Robert Sugden barely had time to process the shock of Kev Townsend’s arrival before he vanished again. Played by Chris Coghill, Kev’s role as Robert’s secret prison husband sent shockwaves through the fandom. His obsession, volatility, and eventual sword attack cemented him as one of the show’s most unhinged threats.
Although Kev initially fled the village, reports confirm his story is far from over. He is expected to return around Christmas, vowing revenge on the couple he believes destroyed his life. With festive episodes traditionally packed with drama, Kev’s reappearance could spell real danger. Aaron and Robert’s hard-won happiness may be shattered once again—just when they thought the worst was behind them.
John Sugden: The Beginning of the End
Another major figure reportedly heading toward an exit is John Sugden, portrayed by Oliver Farnworth. The so-called “murderous medic” has terrorized viewers with his twisted hero complex, leaving a trail of victims and near-misses in his wake. But sources suggest John’s reign of terror is approaching its final chapter.
Currently on the run, John is rumored to return for the highly anticipated Emmerdale/Coronation Street crossover event. Eagle-eyed fans have already spotted clues hinting at his involvement, sparking speculation that his downfall will unfold on a much larger stage. Whether he meets justice, death, or both, one thing is certain: John Sugden’s story is racing toward a fatal conclusion—and the collateral damage could be immense.
Steph Milligan: A Future Return Promised
Steph Milligan, daughter of Ruby and Caleb, has recently exited the village, but her departure isn’t permanent. Actress Georgia Jay is on maternity leave, and producers have confirmed Steph’s story is very much unfinished.
Given her family’s endless drama, Steph’s absence may offer her character some breathing room—but fans know better than to expect peace when she returns. In Emmerdale, family ties are never simple, and Steph is bound to be pulled back into the chaos sooner rather than later.
Moira and Cain: Fallout That Could Change Everything
While cast exits dominate headlines, the storylines driving them are equally seismic. Moira and Cain Dingle’s confrontation with Celia Daniels has escalated into a high-stakes power struggle. After discovering Celia forged Moira’s signature in a money laundering scheme, the couple faced an impossible choice: go to the police and risk incriminating Moira—or confront Celia directly.
Their showdown was explosive. Celia attempted to bribe them, even transferring dirty money into Moira’s account in a calculated attempt to frame her. Moira’s refusal to take the cash was a defining moment, but Celia’s ominous words about leaving the village “long gone” suggest a dangerous endgame is coming. If Celia runs, Moira could be left holding the evidence—and the blame.
The Bigger Picture: Death, Danger, and New Year Reckonings
These cast changes feed directly into Emmerdale’s looming New Year storylines, which promise deadly consequences. Aaron and Robert face threats from multiple directions, Charity Dingle’s baby secret threatens to implode her marriage, and Celia and Ray Walters’ criminal partnership is fracturing under pressure.
Every exit and return raises the stakes. Each departure removes a piece from the chessboard, while every return threatens to tip the balance toward disaster. The village feels more volatile than ever—and that’s no accident.
What It All Means for the Dales
As Emmerdale heads into a new year, the cast reshuffle reflects a show in full dramatic stride. Villains are burning bright before falling, beloved characters are stepping back only to return stronger, and unresolved conflicts are building toward explosive conclusions.
For viewers, it’s an emotional rollercoaster. Saying goodbye is never easy, but each exit makes room for new stories, new dangers, and new heartbreaks. And in true Emmerdale fashion, the consequences of these cast changes won’t fade quietly—they’ll ripple through the village long after the taxis pull away.
One thing is certain: whether characters are leaving, returning, or plotting revenge, Emmerdale is entering a period of high drama where no one is truly safe—and no goodbye is ever simple.