We’ve finally arrived at 2026 in Emmerdale – and there have been some big changes.
The year has started with a bang with the departure of Kev Townsend (Chris Coghill), while Ray Walters (Joe Absolom) stabbed his evil adopted mother, Celia Daniels (Jaye Griffiths), to death to end her cycle of abuse, before being murdered himself by a mystery assailant.
However, there will be more changes in the village in 2026.
Read on for your essential guide from RadioTimes.com to the latest Emmerdale cast news that you absolutely need to know.
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Emmerdale cast: Who is leaving, returning to and joining the cast?
Emmerdale cast 2026
The full present regular cast for Emmerdale can be found below.
- 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 Chastity “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
- Rebecca Bakes as Angelica King
- Chris Bisson as Jai Sharma
- Joe-Warren Plant as Jacob Sugden
- Luca Hoyle as Elliot Windsor
- Harvey Rogerson as Leo Goskirk
- Huey Quinn as Kyle Winchester
- Kai Assi as Archie Breckle
- Laura Norton as Kerry Wyatt
- Michelle Hardwick as Vanessa Woodfield
- Mike Parr as Ross Barton
- Jonny McPherson as Dr Liam Cavanagh
- Amelia Flanagan as April Windsor
- Amy Walsh as Tracy Robinson
- Charlie Munro Joyce as Carl Holliday
- Arthur Cockroft as Moses Dingle
- Jack Jennings as Johnny Woodfield
- Tilly-Rue Foster as Dotty Thomas
- Karen Blick as Lydia Dingle
- Andrew Scarborough as Graham Foster
- Bobby Dunsmoir as Isaac Dingle
- Olivia Bromley as Dawn Fletcher
- James Moore as Ryan Stocks
- Rebecca Sarker as Dr Manpreet Sharma
- Jay Kontzle as Billy Fletcher
- Bradley Johnson as Vinnie Dingle
- Joshua Richards as Bear Wolf
- Noah Ryan Aspinall as Lucas Taylor
- Bella James as Eve Dingle
- Lawrence Robb as Mackenzie Boyd
- Kevin Mathurin as Charles Anderson
- Louise Jameson as Mary Goskirk
- William Ash as Caleb Miligan
- Flo Wilson as Claudette Anderson
- Beth Cordingly as Ruby Miligan
- Caroline Harker as Dr Caitlin Todd
- Fred Kettle as Dylan Penders
- Shebz Miah as Kammy Hadiq
- Bradley Riches as Lewis Barton
Here are the following changes ahead of the regular cast.
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REPORTEDLY LEAVING
Dawn Fletcher (Olivia Bromley)
When is Dawn Fletcher reportedly leaving? 2026.
Actress Olivia Bromley is reportedly set to leave Emmerdale later this year after bosses apparently decided to write out the long-suffering character Dawn Fletcher.
A source told The Sun: “Olivia is adored by everyone at Emmerdale so the decision to axe her has not gone down well at all.
“She’s a popular member of the cast and if they can get rid of Olivia, then the feeling is virtually no-one is safe.”
The source added that Bromley was understanding of the decision that had been made and is preparing to film her exit in a couple of months.
ITV declined to comment when approached by Radio Times.
Dawn is presently engaged to the villainous Joe Tate (Ned Porteous) after ending her marriage with Billy Fletcher (Jay Kontzle) by having an affair with Joe. However, now convinced of Joe’s evil at last, will Dawn wreak vengeance on him?
Plus, how will mum-of-three Dawn leave the village?
RETURNING
Kev Townsend (Chris Coghill)
When is Kev Townsend returning? Summer 2026.
Robert Sugden’s estranged prison husband and Lewis Barton’s secret biological father, Kev Townsend, is to return to Emmerdale as actor Chris Coghill reprises his role.
Kev fled the village after placing Robert and Aaron in danger, escaping the clutches of John Sugden, and deciding Lewis was better off without him.
Emmerdale producer Laura Shaw said in a statement that “Chris is most definitely back by popular demand”.
She added: “With Kev’s son, Lewis, in the village still unaware of who his father is, it’s safe to say that there’s a lot of unfinished business and drama ahead.”
Coghill, who’s also known for his appearances in EastEnders, Shameless and Slow Horses, added: “I’m really pleased to be returning to Emmerdale, I had a brilliant time last year. Kev is a complex character that I love playing.”
He continued: “He has psychopathic tendencies but also an energy and vulnerability that I think makes him pretty unique. I’m properly looking forward to getting back at it.”
Sadie King (Patsy Kensit)
When is Sadie King returning? 2026.
Iconic Emmerdale villainess Sadie King is to return later this year as Patsy Kensit is to reprise her role for a new storyline.
ITV confirmed initial reports from The Sun earlier this year.
Speaking of the character’s return Emmerdale 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. Sadie’s seductive demeanor, combined with her utterly ruthless nature, are set to deliver a spectacular and highly dramatic touch of class to the Yorkshire Dales.”
Kensit added: “I am really excited to return to Emmerdale. I treasure the years I was here before. Sadie King is a character that I really loved playing.
“The cast and crew are absolutely brilliant and I am so grateful for the chance to return to the show, it’s absolutely amazing.”
Victoria Sugden (Isabel Hodgins)
When is Victoria Sugden returning? TBC.
Actress Isabel Hodgins has taken maternity leave from Emmerdale.
Isabel revealed to The Mirror: “I will miss it. I love the people there, but I’ve worked there for 19 years, so I feel like I’ve done what I’ve wanted to do and been selfish with my career.
“Now, it’s time to devote my life to being a mum, that feels right to me. But there’s still FaceTime, so they won’t forget me!”
The character left the village to stay with stepmother Diane Sugden to escape her guilt for killing half-brother John Sugden in self-defence.
Will Victoria feel more at peace when she eventually returns?
Who has left Emmerdale in 2026?
The following characters departed in 2026.
- Kev Townsend
- Celia Daniels
- John Sugden
- Ray Walters
Who has left Emmerdale in 2025?
The following characters departed in 2025.
- Wendy Posner
- Anthony Fox
- Tom King (Guest)
- Suzy Merton
- Amy Wyatt
- Leyla Harding
- Dylan (Guest)
- Ella Forster
- Brenda Walker
- Cathy Hope
- Nate Robinson (Guest)
- Gail Loman
- Cara Robinson (Guest)
- Bernice Blackstock (Guest)
- Faith Dingle (Guest)
- Steph Miligan
Who has left Emmerdale in 2024?
The following characters departed in 2024.
- Heath Hope
- Lisa Dingle (Guest, voice)
- Damon “Harry” Harris (Guest)
- Amit Sharma
- Gus Malcolms
- Ethan Anderson
- Nicky Miligan
- Suni Sharma
- Josh Cope (guest)
- Samson Dingle
- Emma Barton (Guest)
- Nate Robinson
- Helen Fox (Guest)
- Tom King
- Amelia Spencer
- Esther Spencer
- Daz Spencer (Guest)
- Will Taylor
- Jade Garrick (Guest)
Who has left Emmerdale in 2023?
The following characters departed Emmerdale in 2023.
- Priya Sharma
- Amba Metcalfe
- Marcus Dean
- Ally
- Naomi Walters
- Marshall Hamston
- Rishi Sharma
- Georgia Sharma
- Colin Hamston
- Dan Spencer
- Victor Anderson
- Craig Reed
- Bernice Blackstock
- David Metcalfe
- Theo Metcalfe
- Damon “Harry” Harris
- Chloe Harris
- Reuben Harris
- Zak Dingle
Who left Emmerdale in 2022?
The following characters have departed Emmerdale in 2022.
- Gavin
- Ellis Chapman
- DS Rogers
- Carol Butler
- Meena Jutla
- Jason Denshaw
- Alex Moore
- Kit
- Sandra Flaherty
- Faith Dingle
- PC Harriet Finch
- Liv Dingle
- Diane Sugden
- Al Chapman
Who else will be in the village by the end of the year?
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