Emmerdale has a lot of exciting comings and goings on the horizon, with several cast changes confirmed.
Recently, viewers witnessed the exit of Nate Robinson (Jurell Carter) and the surprising return of Tina Dingle (Samantha Power). In the upcoming weeks, more familiar faces will be returning, along with some new departures.
Here’s a rundown of who will be coming back, leaving, and arriving in Emmerdale…
EMMERDALE CAST RETURNS
After six years away, Mike Parr is set to reprise his role as Ross Barton.
Ross originally appeared in Emmerdale from 2013 to 2018 before leaving the village with Rebecca White for a fresh start in Liverpool.
His return was confirmed in September through a video on the Emmerdale X account, where Bradley Johnson, who plays Vinny Dingle, was seen searching for a cast member in the Emmerdale building.
Ross’s comeback may tie into his aunt Moira Dingle’s (Natalie J Robb) new health storyline, as she was recently diagnosed with a type of brain tumor called meningioma.
Natalie J Robb hinted at an explosive return for Ross, stating in an interview with Radio Times, “Ross is back with a bang, of course, and is going to cause some trouble, like he always does.” She humorously added, “Well, Moira did kill his mother, remember!”
EMMERDALE CAST DEPARTURES
Leyla Harding
Leyla Harding is poised for a dramatic exit that befits her long-standing character, as actress Roxy Shahidi has chosen to leave the Dales.
Since joining the village in 2008, Leyla has been a prominent figure, but reports indicate she will be killed off in a shocking storyline.
Roxy is reportedly excited about her impactful farewell, with a soap insider telling The Sun, “She’s really looking forward to her meaty exit storyline, which will see Leyla die on screen. She prefers to go out in a blaze of glory and be remembered.”
Recently, fans noticed a significant hint about her departure in a previous episode, which showcased three potential futures for Belle Dingle (Eden Taylor-Draper). Additionally, viewers observed that Leyla has been appearing less frequently on screen.
Tina Dingle
Tina Dingle, previously portrayed by Jacqueline Pirie, had been absent from the Dales for nearly 30 years. However, she made a surprising return earlier this month for her father Zak Dingle’s funeral, with Samantha Power now taking over the role.
Since her comeback, it has come to light that Tina is Vinny’s biological mother—a fact that her cousin Mandy Dingle (Lisa Riley), who has raised Vinny as her own, is desperate to keep secret.
While Tina has been stirring up trouble for her family since her return, it appears her time in the village will be brief. Samantha has indicated that her role is only temporary but expressed her desire to return in the future. She stated, “Emmerdale is an amazing place to work, and Tina is just fantastic to play, so I would love the opportunity to come back and cause more mischief.”
EMMERDALE CAST ARRIVALS
Caleb and Ruby’s daughter Steph
Ruby Fox-Miligan’s (Beth Cordingly) life was recently upended when her late mother Helen’s will revealed she had been secretly in contact with Ruby and Caleb’s daughter, Steph, before her passing.
William Ash, who plays Caleb, hinted at Steph’s upcoming arrival, noting Ruby’s urgent desire to repair her relationship with her daughter, especially now that her mother is gone and their son, Nicky (Lewis Cope), has left the village.
He explained, “Partly because they’re not seeing Nicky, the spectre of Steph has risen to the surface. We need to try and reach out to her and reconnect. For Ruby, having lost her mum and realizing how precious that mother/daughter bond is, she wants to establish that relationship with Steph.”
Additionally, it seems Steph might not be the only relative making an appearance. Will Ash expressed excitement about more family members joining the show, stating, “It’s close!” He added, “It’ll be great because I think the introduction of those characters will bring so much to Emmerdale and our family unit. It’ll explode things, I think—in a good way.”
A mystery arrival
The identity of the upcoming character remains a closely guarded secret, including whether they are a returning character or a newcomer. However, ITV’s executive producer for continuing drama, Iain McLeod, recently revealed to The Sun, “This Christmas, there is a huge surprise arrival on Christmas Day.
“In addition to some life-or-death drama, we will also have the festive brilliance that we deliver every year. I believe this will be one of the most exciting Christmases I can remember for Emmerdale this year!”
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