Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins) has opened up about her ordeal at the hands of Dr Caitlin Todd (Caroline Harker) in Emmerdale.
However, she was completely oblivious to the fact that the person she confided in was none other than Sarah Sugden’s (Katie Hill) distant cousin, Serena (Casey Al-Shaqsy).
It was announced earlier this month that the Sugden dynasty was expanding, and that Serena would find herself thrown straight into the drama by navigating someone else’s traumatic situation. We now know this to be Charity, who was blackmailed and sexually assaulted by Dr Todd.
Speaking of the new addition, producer Laura Shaw, said: “The Sugdens are a core part of the Emmerdale fabric, and we are thrilled to welcome Casey to the family.
“Her character will be at the heart of some extremely gripping and unexpected storylines, forcing her to make difficult choices that will have dramatic consequences for some of the village’s biggest names.”
In today’s episode, Charity had driven off to a remote lakeside, troubled by the fact she’d allowed her family to believe she was suffering with postnatal depression. She ignored calls from husband Mackenzie Boyd (Lawrence Robb), who was frantically trying to track her down.
She stood gazing into the water, but was spooked by the noise of a woman approaching from the trees – it was Serena.
The newcomer explained that she’d needed the toilet while on her travels, and had to park up on the roadside. Serena noticed that Charity was shivering, and handed her a coat to keep warm. She also held out her hand to reassure her that everything would be ok, but Charity jumped and lashed out at her.
After apologising, Charity revealed that she’d had a horrific few months, which began when she was asked to be surrogate for granddaughter Sarah. She subsequently fell pregnant herself, allowed Sarah and husband Jacob (Joe-Warren Plant) to raise the child, and this information was uncovered by Todd.
For the first time, the weight seemed to be lifted off Charity’s shoulders. She listened to Serena’s advice about what to do next, and began to contemplate whether to tell the police about the blackmail.
Serena asserted that, if authorities found a paper trail of evidence, it might undermine Todd’s claim that they had consensual sex.
The women parted ways, and Charity thanked the stranger for her kindness. Little did she realise, Serena’s car GPS was earmarked for Emmerdale village.
Could she reveal everything to relative Sarah?
When Charity arrived home, she told Mack that the time had come for her to reveal something that would “blow their world apart.”
Is this the end of Charity’s torment?
Read more:
- 5 Emmerdale spoilers for next week: Flash-forward mystery, Robert Sugden confronts Kev, and Charity Dingle reports Dr Caitlin Todd blackmail
- Emmerdale confirms major village arrival as new Sugden joins cast and brings “unexpected storylines”
- Emmerdale exit revealed for long-running character after over 20 years in popular role
- Emmerdale star teases “complex year” ahead for Charity Dingle after nightmare labour in early ITVX release
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and from 7am on ITVX.
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