The departures and returns are continuing in ITV soap Emmerdale as 2026 races by.
We’ve said tear-jerking ‘see ya’s’ to Jimmy King (Nick Miles), with less-emotional goodbyes to four of the village’s most evil residents; John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth), Celia Daniels (Jaye Griffiths), Ray Walters (Joe Absolom) and Dr Caitlin Todd (Caroline Harker).
We’ve also said temporary goodbyes to Victoria Sugden (Isabel Hodgins) and Tracy Shankley (Amy Walsh), with both actors heading off on maternity leave. We’re also waiting for Vinny Dingle’s (Bradley Johnson) final scenes to air.
It’s not all goodbyes though, as Sadie King’s (Patsy Kensit) return is looming.
With plenty of changes afoot, here’s the lowdown on who is returning, leaving, and arriving in the ITV soap…
Emmerdale cast arrivals
Thea Ramsden
DS Thea Ramsden, played by Chelsea Edge, arrived in the Emmerdale village to investigate Dr Todd’s death.
It’s now been revealed that Thea is best mates with Serena Sugden (Casey Al-Shaqsy) and also has some sort of connection to the Tates.
Emmerdale cast returns
Sadie King
Former Queen bee of Home Farm Sadie King will be returning to the village she previously ran roughshod over.
While we’re unsure how or why Sadie is coming back, producer Laura Shaw has confirmed that much drama will follow: ‘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.’
When is Sadie King returning to Emmerdale? Currently unknown.
Cathy Hope
Gabrielle Dowling has also left the soap – but she will be back.
Recent storylines have included Cathy Hope coming to terms with a PMDD diagnosis, and also dealing with the horrific death of twin brother Heath, played by Gabrielle’s brother Sebastian, who passed away following a car accident.
Metro understands that the star is just taking a short break and will return down the line.
When is Cathy Hope returning to Emmerdale? Currently unknown.
Victoria Sugden
Victoria Sugden left the Emmerdale village in February to tie in with Isabel Hodgins’ maternity leave.
The actress announced on her Instagram last month that she has given birth to her first baby, called Georgie Grace.
Vic’s exit saw her leave for a new life in Portugal. She told Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) that she would return, though when exactly this will be remains to be seen.
When is Victoria Sugden returning to Emmerdale? Currently unknown.
Tracy Shankley
Amy Walsh recently left her role as Tracy Shankley, with the exit story facilitating Amy’s maternity leave.
The star, who is married to Toby-Alexander Smith, recently gave birth to her second child.
Tracy moved out of the village following a difficult year adjusting to life as a single mum, but she will return when her maternity leave comes to an end.
When is Tracy Shankley returning to Emmerdale? Currently unknown.
Emmerdale cast departures
Dawn Taylor
It was recently revealed that Olivia Bromley will be departing from her role as Dawn Taylor after 8 years.
The character’s final scenes aired in the episode of Emmerdale dated August 30. After surviving the wedding marquee explosion, Dawn gave birth to a baby boy in hospital, but died shortly after.
When did Dawn Taylor leave Emmerdale? At the end of August.
Jimmy King
Jimmy King, an undisputed Emmerdale legend and the last-standing member of the ruthless King dynasty, died during the soap’s huge wedding week.
Jimmy crashed his car into the marquee where Dawn and Joe were supposed to get married. He died after it became clear that his injuries were too severe.
When did Jimmy leave Emmerdale? At the end of August.
Vinny Dingle
After a seven year stint in the Yorkshire Dales, Vinny will be departing the village.
Emerging as the son of Mandy Dingle (Lisa Riley) and becoming central to various hard-hitting plotlines, including being abused by his step-dad Paul Ashdale (Reece Dinsdale), losing his wife Liv Flaherty (Isobel Steele), struggling with his sexuality and an ill-fated marriage to Gabby Thomas (Rosie Bentham).
Vinny’s axing is understood to be another casualty of ITV’s cost-cutting measures.
When is Vinny Dingle leaving Emmerdale? Later this year.
