The Emmerdale cast is undergoing significant changes in 2026, with several returns, exits, and a new arrival. Three of the village's most evil residents—John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth), Celia Daniels (Jaye Griffiths), and Ray Walters (Joe Absolom)—have been killed off in horrific murders. Victoria Sugden (Isabel Hodgins) and Tracy Shankley (Amy Walsh) have temporarily left on maternity leave. Departures are imminent for Dawn Taylor (Olivia Bromley), Jimmy King (Nick Miles), Vinny Dingle (Bradley Johnson), and Dr Caitlin Todd (Caroline Harker), while returns are set for Kev Townsend (Chris Coghill) and Sadie King (Patsy Kensit), and newcomer Serena Sugden (Casey Al-Shaqsy) will debut soon.
New Arrival: Serena Sugden
Producer Laura Shaw promised new arrivals to strengthen the Sugden clan, and Serena Sugden arrives as a previously unknown branch of the family tree. Actress Casey Al-Shaqsy described Serena as someone who 'puts her foot in her mouth quite a lot,' adding, 'She's quite loud and a little bit outspoken. I do think there's elements of both good and bad in her. She's come into a lovely family situation. Or is it lovely? You'll see.' Serena's debut airs this week.
Returns: Sadie King and Others
Sadie King, the former queen bee of Home Farm, returns to the village. Producer Laura Shaw said, 'We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Patsy Kensit back to the cast and crucially to see the iconic Sadie King storm back into the village. Her return will be explosive and guaranteed to shock.' The date is unknown.
Cathy Hope (Gabrielle Dowling) is on a short break after storylines involving PMDD and the death of twin brother Heath; she will return later. Victoria Sugden left for Portugal in February for Isabel Hodgins' maternity leave, having given birth to daughter Georgie Grace; she plans to return. Tracy Shankley (Amy Walsh) also left for maternity leave after giving birth to her second child; she will return when her leave ends.
Departures: Dawn Taylor, Jimmy King, Vinny Dingle, Dr Caitlin Todd
Dawn Taylor (Olivia Bromley) is leaving after eight years, reportedly due to ITV cost-cutting. A final explosive summer storyline with Joe Tate (Ned Porteous) is planned; she leaves later this year.
Jimmy King, a 22-year veteran, exits in autumn. Ex-wife Sadie's return plays into his departure, with a source saying, 'The scenes promise to be spectacular but the outcome will leave many fans shocked. It may prove controversial but the jaw-dropping storyline will set in motion some massive consequences for many months to follow.'
Vinny Dingle leaves after seven years, another casualty of ITV cost-cutting. His storylines included abuse by step-dad Paul Ashdale, losing wife Liv Flaherty, and struggling with sexuality. He departs later this year.
Dr Caitlin Todd (Caroline Harker) exits after a dark plot involving blackmail and sexual assault on Charity Dingle. A source told The Sun: 'Caroline has loved her time at Emmerdale but it's time to move on. She always knew playing such an evil character came with a shelf life but she's leaving with many fond memories.' Her exit date is unknown.
Current Full Cast
The regular cast includes Ryan Hawley as Robert Sugden, Claire King as Kim Tate, Isabel Hodgins as Victoria Sugden, James Hooton as Sam Dingle, Ned Porteous as Joe Tate, Lisa Riley as Mandy Dingle, Mark Charnock as Marlon Dingle, Dominic Brunt as Paddy Kirk, Eden Taylor-Draper as Belle Dingle, Emma Atkins as Charity Dingle, Jeff Hordley as Cain Dingle, Tony Audenshaw as Bob Hope, Patrick Mower as Rodney Blackstock, Nicola Wheeler as Nicola King, Zoe Henry as Rhona Goskirk, Rosie Bentham as Gabby Thomas, Charlotte Bellamy as Laurel Thomas, Lucy Pargeter as Chas Dingle, Danny Miller as Aaron Dingle, Nick Miles as Jimmy King, Jack Downham as Noah Dingle, Katie Hill as Sarah Sugden, Gabrielle Dowling as Cathy Hope, Alfie Clarke as Arthur Thomas, Natalie J. Robb as Moira Dingle, Ash Palmisciano as Matty Barton, Chris Bisson as Jai Sharma, Joe-Warren Plant as Jacob Gallagher, Laura Norton as Kerry Wyatt, Michelle Hardwick as Vanessa Woodfield, Michael Parr as Ross Barton, Jonny McPherson as Liam Cavanagh, Amelia Flanagan as April Windsor, Amy Walsh as Tracy Shankley, Karen Blick as Lydia Dingle, Andrew Scarborough as Graham Foster, Olivia Bromley as Dawn Taylor, James Moore as Ryan Stocks, Rebecca Sarker as Manpreet Sharma, Jay Kontzle as Billy Fletcher, Bradley Johnson as Vinny Dingle, Joshua Richards as Bear Wolf, Lawrence Robb as Mackenzie Boyd, Kevin Mathurin as Charles Anderson, Louise Jameson as Mary Goskirk, William Ash as Caleb Milligan, Flo Wilson as Claudette Anderson, Beth Cordingly as Ruby Fox-Milligan, Caroline Harker as Caitlin Todd, Fred Kettle as Dylan Penders, Shebz Miah as Kammy Hadiq, Bradley Riches as Lewis Barton, Chris Coghill as Kev Townsend, and Caroline Harker as Dr Caitlin Todd. Recurring cast includes Andy Moore as Mike Swirling, Harvey Rogerson as Leo Goskirk, Huey Quinn as Kyle Winchester, and others.
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 8:00pm on ITV1 and from 7am on ITVX.
