Caroline Harker is set to depart Emmerdale later this year, it has been reported.
The actress, who has played Dr Caitlin Todd in the ITV soap since January last year, will bow out at the end of her current storyline, according to The Sun.
Since February, the fictional surgeon has manipulated and bullied Jacob Sugden (Joe-Warren Plant). She then discovered a damning secret about Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins), which she’s used as leverage in her scheming.
As viewers know, while trying to act as surrogate for Jacob and his wife Sarah (Katie Hill), Charity actually fell pregnant with Ross Barton’s (Michael Parr) daughter instead.
Todd initially wanted Jacob to stop filing a HR complaint against her in exchange for silence over the matter, but later demanded £10k from Charity, which soon increased to £100k.
Desperate for money, Charity tried to sell The Woolpack to Kim Tate (Claire King), though when she dropped out of the sale, was forced to steal equipment from Caleb Miligan’s (William Ash) depot.
It was revealed yesterday that, in harrowing scenes to air later this week, Todd will sexually assault Charity.
Emmerdale producer Sophie Roper said of the plot: “Charity’s storyline will explore the impact of sexual violence, and though this heinous act is fundamentally about power, we’ll explore the complexities of how Charity processes her trauma when the perpetrator is a woman.
“With little conversation surrounding female-on-female assault, we’ll explore the overwhelming feelings of isolation many survivors experience and will examine the disparity between the legal term sexual assault and the fact that many women in Charity’s position feel this minimises what’s happened to them, because they feel like they’ve been raped.
“Though difficult viewing at times, Charity’s resilience will inspire hope as she confronts what has happened to her.”
ITV declined to comment on Harker’s exit when approached by Radio Times, but it should be noted that such characters often have a certain lifespan as a result of their storylines.
Harker’s exit comes at a time of great turnover for the Emmerdale cast – Olivia Bromley and Bradley Johnson are also expected to exit as Dawn Fletcher and Vinny Dingle in the coming months, alongside Nick Miles, who is leaving his Jimmy King role after over two decades.
It has been confirmed that Patsy Kensit will return as Sadie King to coincide with the latter’s departure.
Read more:
- Emmerdale boss confirms heartbreaking new storyline turn for Charity Dingle amid Dr Caitlin Todd torment
- 5 Emmerdale spoilers for next week: Dr Caitlin Todd leaves Charity Dingle in danger plus worrying turn for Gabby Thomas
- Emmerdale arsonist Kyle Winchester caught out in explosive early ITVX release
- 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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