The departures and returns are continuing in Emmerdale as 2026 races by.
It’s been quite the start to the year for the ITV soap, as three of the village’s most evil residents; John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth), Celia Daniels (Jaye Griffiths) and Ray Walters (Joe Absolom) all faced their ends via horrific murders.
We also said temporary goodbyes to Victoria Sugden (Isabel Hodgins) and Tracy Shankley (Amy Walsh), with both actors heading off on maternity leave.
While the departure of Dawn Taylor (Olivia Bromley) is imminent, also are the returns of bonkers baddie, Kev Townsend (Chris Coghill) and femme fatale Sadie King (Patsy Kensit).
With plenty of changes afoot, here’s the lowdown on who is returning, leaving, and arriving in the ITV soap…
Emmerdale cast returns
Sadie King
Former queen bee of home farm and a character who’d easily give Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins) and Kim Tate (Claire King) a run for their money in the ‘baddest bitch of the Yorkshire Dales’ stakes, 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.
Kev Townsend
Robert’s psychopathic but oddly-endearing ex-prison husband, Kev Townsend will be returning to the village, with Chris Coghill reprising the role ‘by popular demand’.
Discussing the return, producer of the show Laura Shaw said: ‘Both Chris and the character of Kev made a massive impact on the show last year, so Chris is most definitely back by popular demand’
Kev will have to deal with being in such close proximity to his ex-husband and ex-love rival, Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller), while deciding whether or not to tell Lewis Barton (Bradley Riches) that he is his biological father.
When is Kev Townsend 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.
Her axing is believed to be a result of ITV’s cost-cutting measures, with both Emmerdale and Coronation Street reducing the amount of screen time some actors have and losing others.
Dawn’s life is set to spectacularly fall apart in upcoming scenes when she reveals the true extent of boyfriend, Joe Tate’s (Ned Porteous) cruelty.
Understands that a final explosive story will play out for Dawn in the summer, with Olivia still currently filming.
When is Olivia leaving Emmerdale? Later this year.
