An iconic Emmerdale star is set to depart the show after 16 years, triggering concerns among the cast that further exits could follow in a major cull.
Lesley Dunlop, 68, who has portrayed Brenda Walker since 2008, is expected to leave in the coming months. Her exit comes shortly after the announcement that Roxy Shahidi, who plays Leyla Harding, will also be leaving, with her character likely to be written out in a dramatic way.
The departure of these two high-profile characters has caused unease within the Emmerdale cast, with many wondering who could be next, especially as there are rumors that ITV executives plan to reduce the show’s cast by 10%.
A source shared, “There have been so many exits recently, and more are expected. With stars like Lesley and Roxy potentially leaving, nobody feels secure.”
The source continued: “The show has expanded significantly over the years, but soaps are costly to produce. It’s expected that cost-cutting will lead to losing people, which is unfortunate for those involved, as well as their colleagues and friends.”
Currently, there are 60 regular cast members on Emmerdale, but the show’s bosses are reportedly exploring ways to reduce costs.
Many long-time cast members, especially those who have been with the show for years, are worried about the future of their roles, with one insider revealing, “For many, their job security is crucial, and it’s a very unsettling time.”
MailOnline has reached out to ITV for comment.
Roxy Shahidi’s departure was confirmed a few weeks ago following a gripping storyline where her character, Leyla, was stalked and kidnapped. It’s now believed that Leyla will be killed off in an upcoming plot.
A source explained: “Roxy has loved her time on the soap and has created so many cherished memories since joining at the age of 17.
The cast has become like family to her, and she’s grown so much as an actress. However, she now feels it’s the right time to explore new opportunities.”
The insider added, “Roxy is really looking forward to her dramatic exit, where Leyla will die on-screen. She’d rather leave in a big way and be remembered for her final storyline.”
Over the years, Roxy’s character has had several key storylines, including a past as a pole dancer and her current career as an events planner. She has also struggled with drug addiction and survived a shooting by the villainous Meena Jutla (Paige Sandhu).
Leyla was married to Liam Cavanagh (Jonny McPherson) from 2021 until their split in 2023 after his affair. She is also the biological mother of Jacob Gallagher (Joe-Warren Plant), a plot point revealed in 2010 after Jacob had been adopted.
Emmerdale continues to draw around four million viewers per episode, with many more watching on catch-up. The show’s largest-ever audience came in 1993 when 18 million viewers tuned in to witness a dramatic plane crash in the village.
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