The wait is over for Emmerdale fans as Patsy Kensit reprises her iconic role as Sadie King, and the actress has revealed the comeback will detonate some of the most shocking secrets the soap has ever seen. Kensit, who first played the villainous businesswoman two decades ago, is back for a six-month stint that promises twists, betrayals, and a revelation so massive it will leave viewers reeling.
A hard yes for six months of chaos
Speaking exclusively about her return, Kensit admitted she had no hesitation when approached. “It was a hard yes when I was approached and I knew what they were going to do,” she said. “It’s a six month contract so I’m here ’til December and it’s going to be all fun and games and explosive!”
The actress, who turns 58 soon, described Sadie as one of her favourite roles of all time. Now, two decades after one of the most memorable exits in soap history, she is thrilled to be back. “It feels like yesterday, but it was 20 years ago!” she told Metro. “It’s just brilliant. I’m loving it. It’s very busy, very hectic, lots to do, lots of dialogue to learn but it’s great.”
The biggest secret in King family history
While plot details remain under wraps, Kensit teased that the reason for Sadie’s return is a huge shock. “There’s a huge shock of why she’s back and how Sadie is now,” she said. “I can’t give too much away so it’s frustrating because there’s so much I want to tell you, but I can promise a lot of shocks and revelations and twists and turns and betrayals and pleading for forgiveness. It’s a plethora of wonderful, wonderful stories. Everything you want from Sadie King!”
Producer Laura Shaw went even further, describing the secret as one of the biggest in the show’s history. “I think probably the most shocking thing is definitely the reason that brings her back. It’s undoubtedly one of the biggest secrets we’ve ever had within the King family and it’s going to be pretty explosive,” she explained.
Fireworks with Kim Tate
One of the most anticipated aspects of Sadie’s return is her inevitable clash with another soap legend, Kim Tate, played by Claire King. The two divas have already shared a scene, and Kensit promises it was explosive. “We had a scene the other day in the street and that was the first time we ran into each other – and it will not disappoint! We took it old school!” she exclaimed. “I’ve been slapped to sh*t!”
That confirms the cat fights fans have been hoping for, with Sadie more than capable of giving as good as she gets. Kensit confirmed her alter-ego hasn’t changed a bit, though we will also see a more vulnerable side. “She does manoeuvre and pit people against each other in possible romance situations. She tends to want to make one jealous and she is manipulative, definitely,” she admitted.
A bittersweet core
Reflecting on how the character has evolved, Kensit shared that the last two decades have changed Sadie but not her essence. “I think it’s fair to say the last 20 years has definitely changed Sadie, but let’s face it, it’s Sadie King. She’s got the same qualities running through her core, and there’s not masses going to change that,” she said. “We want to find out about the real person because, obviously, that’s really interesting for me to play and for the audience to see where she is in her life.”
The actress is particularly interested in exploring what Sadie values at this stage of her life. “I mean, like I said, it’s 20 years ago. I’m 58 now. I’m nearly 60, and, you know, what does this woman really have and what does she really value?” she asked. “She’s on her own essentially, does she have brothers? Sisters? Father or a mother? She was probably birthed by a Jekyll, she’s so awful. But I think there’s a bittersweet kind of side to her, and it would be nice that maybe that comes through. But she’s still a cow!”
Familiar faces and mix-ups
Sadie has a colourful history with many residents, including Robert Sugden, Charity Dingle, Cain Dingle, and Jimmy King. Interestingly, Robert is now played by Ryan Hawley, having been Karl Davies in Sadie’s original stint. Kensit is enjoying reconnecting with old co-stars and working with new ones. “So basically I started off with doing some stuff with Bradley Riches, he plays Lewis. There’s Robert Sugden and I, mean, we had come into cahoots and back in the day, Sadie had an affair with him, and he was in his teens, which is just awful!” she recalled.
“Karl who played him back then was just so professional and wonderful, so we kind of reconnect when I come back over some things. And Ryan’s been really funny, and Chris Coghill, he just makes me howl, he’s just so brilliant,” she added.
A producer’s dream
Laura Shaw is clearly delighted to have brought Kensit back, and she promises a return that honours the show’s history. “As you know, I’m a massive fan of the show. God help me, I’ve been here long enough to remember Sadie King the first time around!” she said. “Some of those stories from 20 years ago: the King’s house collapse, Cain going off in the seaplane with the two and a half million dollars, they’re some of the most iconic stories in Emmerdale’s history that I absolutely love. So to be able to pick up on those stories, almost where we left off, and to kind of bring it back into the present and make sure whatever we do now picks up on all that. Just for me, it’s a producer’s dream. It really is.”
With Sadie’s return set to be just as dramatic as her first arrival, fans are bracing for the fallout. As Kensit herself promises, “It’s going to be all fun and games and explosive!” The soap is clearly gearing up for a ratings-busting few months, as one of its most beloved villains wreaks havoc on the Dales once more.
