Emmerdale is set to begin 2026 with a literal bang as John Sugden's (Oliver Farnworth) terrifying revenge plan against his brother Robert (Ryan Hawley) is fully revealed. The deranged medic, who fled the village last autumn after his crimes were exposed, made a dramatic return on Christmas Day, more determined than ever to destroy Robert's life.
A Sinister Scheme Takes Shape
In a chilling turn of events, John has not returned alone. He is now holding Robert's former prison husband, Kev Townsend (Chris Coghill), hostage as part of his elaborate scheme. The plot thickened in the episode aired on December 29, 2025, where John was seen secretly observing Robert and Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller) from the shadows of the village, his rage simmering as he watched them live the life he covets.
Earlier, in a disturbing encounter, John revealed a glimpse of his twisted vision to his young nephew, Harry. He told the boy that he would soon be back with him, Aaron, and Victoria Sugden (Isabel Hodgins), and that Robert's impending departure would be "better for everyone." Harry, unaware of the danger, did not mention the meeting to his mother Victoria.
An Explosive New Year's Plan
The true horror of John's intentions came to light in an abandoned hideout. He confessed to a horrified Kev that he had been researching how to build an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) on his phone. His goal is to detonate the bomb with Robert nearby, and he is meticulously framing Kev to take the blame for the aftermath.
"John hopes that his plan will mean 2026 'begins with a bang'," a source close to the show revealed, highlighting the character's unhinged state. Even the volatile Kev was left deeply unsettled by the cold-blooded nature of the plan.
Setting the Stage for Corriedale
This high-stakes storyline is poised to lay the groundwork for the upcoming historic 'Corriedale' crossover event between Emmerdale and Coronation Street, scheduled to air the following Monday. Reflecting on the peril facing 'Robron', actor Ryan Hawley told Metro: "It starts off full throttle! The events of it afterwards are going to change both shows forever. It's high stakes. It's a big spectacle and very exciting."
Co-star Oliver Farnworth teased the complicated dynamics, stating: "With the introduction of Kev, it's gone from a love triangle to a love square! You've got so much jeopardy involved, everyone wants their own individual selfish thing from that square. It's a messy situation."
Both actors hailed the crossover as an "iconic mash up" and a "one off occasion that'll never happen again," promising a spectacular celebration of British soap opera that will leave a permanent mark on both serials.
