All the Emmerdale cast returns, exits and new arrivals in 2026

The changes aren’t over yet (Picture: ITV/Metro) As we enter the final couple of months of 2026, the Emmerdale departures and arrivals are continuing. We’ve said tear-jerking ‘see ya’s’ to Jimmy King (Nick Miles) and Dawn Taylor (Olivia Bromley), who died in a tragic car wreck, while Vinny Dingle (Bradley Johnson) was sent to prison for causing it and it was confirmed that Cathy Hope (Gabrielle Dowling) won’t be returning. We bid 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 farewells to Victoria Sugden (Isabel Hodgins) and Tracy Shankley (Amy Walsh), as both actors headed off on maternity leave. With loss comes gain, though, as we’ve welcomed both Serena Sugden (Casey Al-Shaqsy) and DS Thea Ramsden (Chelsea Edge) to the village, plus the vile Tom King (James Chase). With plenty of changes afoot, here’s the lowdown on who is returning, leaving, and arriving in the ITV soap… Emmerdale cast returns Steve Marchant We now know that Paul Opacic is reprising his role as Steve Marchant, Kim Tate’s (Claire King) ex. After the discovery that Thea is her daughter, Kim shared the news that Steve is her father, and Thea wasted no time in trying to get into contact with him. Paul discussed Steve’s return with us and said: ‘Things were left rather bitter between Kim and Steve, so he’s very surprised when a solicitor contacts him out of the blue. He guesses something is afoot when Kim starts brandishing notes to keep him away. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. ‘With the sniff of more cash to be made, Steve wonders what is going on. And soon Thea leaves him a jaw-dropping voicemail.’ When is Steve returning to Emmerdale? Soon. Tom King Tom King will be back (Picture: Mark Bruce/ITV) Tom King will return to the village when he’s released from prison after his vile campaign of abuse against ex-wife, Belle Dingle (Eden Taylor-Draper). However, at the start of November, his returning scenes aired while he was still in prison. Emmerdale producer Laura Shaw said of this story: ‘James’ return isn’t just about bringing back a familiar face; it’s about reigniting a complex and challenging story. When Belle gets the news that Tom is up for parole she’s forced to confront a trauma she battled hard to overcome. ‘With her family and new partner Kammy Hadiq (Shebz Miah) by her side, we explore the lasting impact of Tom’s abusive actions on Belle as she fights to keep Tom away from the village.’ When did Tom King return to Emmerdale? His returning scenes aired on November 5, 2026. Victoria Sugden Isabel Hodgins is on maternity leave (Picture: SYSTEM/ITV) Victoria Sugden left the Emmerdale village in February to tie in with Isabel Hodgins’ maternity leave. The actress announced on her Instagram 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 Tracy will leave the village soon (Picture: ITV) 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 Lewis Barton Lewis won’t be away for long (Picture: ITV) With Bradley Riches taking part in panto this year, Lewis Barton will temporarily leave the village. ‘That’s a wrap on filming at Emmerdale for a bit, before some time off and then straight into Pantoland!’, Bradley wrote on his social media. ‘I’m so excited to see what’s ahead for Lewis in 2027 and to see where his story takes him next. I feel incredibly lucky to do a job I love, surrounded by such brilliant people. Feeling very grateful, as always. ‘For now, a little break before being back on your screens soon.’ When will Lewis’ exit scenes air? Currently unknown. Cathy Hope Cathy departed with Brenda (Picture: ITV/Mark Bruce/Shutterstock) When Gabrielle Dowling left the soap, we initially believed it was for an extended break – but it’s since been confirmed on the October 14 episode that she won’t be returning. Having joined step mum Brenda Walker (Lesley Dunlop) on a world cruise after the devastating death of her twin brother Heath Hope (Sebastian Dowling). Her dad, Bob Hope (Tony Audenshaw), confirmed that Cathy had decided to stay in Canada in a chat with Nicola King (Nicola Wheeler). When did Cathy Hope leave Emmerdale? Confirmed to have left permanently last month. Sadie King Sadie’s return was always finite (Picture: Mark Bruce/ITV) Former Queen bee of Home Farm Sadie King has returned to the village she previously ran roughshod over, though it’s been confirmed to be a finite return. ‘We are building to the end point and a big denouement for that character,’ Emmerdale producer Sophie Roper said in regard to Sadie’s upcoming exit. ‘Sadie’s momentum, and the impact she’s going to have on our villagers, is only going to grow. There will be some incredible, exciting twists and turns, and a lot of unexpected revelations.’ When is Sadie King leaving Emmerdale? Next year. Who is in the Emmerdale 2026 cast? The present cast of Emmerdale is made up of: Regular cast: Ryan Hawley as Robert Sugden Chris Chittell as Eric Pollard 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 Patsy Kensit as Sadie King Katie Hill as Sarah Sugden 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 James Moore as Ryan Stocks Rebecca Sarker as Manpreet Sharma Jay Kontzle as Billy Fletcher 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 Fred Kettle as Dylan Penders Shebz Miah as Kammy Hadiq Bradley Riches as Lewis Barton Chris Coghill as Kev Townsend Chelsea Edge as Thea Ramsden Recurring cast: Andy Moore as Mike Swirling Harvey Rogerson as Leo Goskirk Huey Quinn as Kyle Winchester Kai Assi as Archie Breckle Charlie Munro Joyce as Carl Holliday Arthur Cockroft as Moses Dingle Jack Jennings as Johnny Woodfield Tilly-Rue Foster as Dotty Thomas Bobby Dunsmoir as Isaac Dingle Noah Ryan Aspinall as Lucas Taylor Bella James as Eve Dingle Adam Pryor as Harry Sugden Eden Ratcliffe-Knights as Frankie Robinson Bertie Brotherton as Thomas Tate Mabel Addison as Clemmie Reed Alice Mauve as Ivy Malcoms Malachi McKenzie as Evan Fletcher This article was first published on October 25, 2024 and has since been updated. 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