The Yorkshire Dales are set for another year of high drama and emotional upheaval as ITV's flagship soap, Emmerdale, undergoes significant cast changes in 2026. Following a turbulent period of farewells and surprise comebacks, the village is bracing for more seismic shifts that will alter relationships and uncover long-buried secrets.
Familiar Faces Making a Comeback
One of the most sensational returns confirmed for the new year is that of Graham Foster, played by Andrew Scarborough. The character, who was presumed dead for six years, made a shock reappearance in the special crossover event 'Corriedale'. Producer Laura Shaw has teased that his full-time return to the village will have 'massive repercussions', particularly for Kim Tate (Claire King) and Rhona Goskirk (Zoe Henry), who was moments from running away with him before his alleged death.
Another character set for a reappearance is Cathy Hope, portrayed by Gabrielle Dowling. The nineteen-year-old, whose recent storylines have involved a PMDD diagnosis and coping with the death of her twin brother Heath, is taking only a short break from the show. Metro understands she will return down the line, though an exact date remains unknown.
Meanwhile, Mandy Dingle, played by Lisa Riley, is expected back in the village after a temporary exit. Her departure in December, to care for Tina Dingle's children, facilitated Riley's participation in 'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!'. Her absence is anticipated to last only a few weeks.
Shocking Departures and Dramatic Exits
The new year has already seen several dramatic and permanent exits. John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth) met his end during the 'Corriedale' event. His plot to kill Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) to be with Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller) unravelled spectacularly, culminating in a car crash and his eventual death at the hands of his own sister, Victoria Sugden (Isabel Hodgins), who injected him with a fatal drug.
The villainous Celia Daniels (Jaye Griffiths) was also killed off on New Year's Day. The mastermind behind a large-scale trafficking operation was stabbed by her own son, Ray Walters (Joe Absolom), who realised he could never be free while she was alive. Ray's own fate was sealed shortly after, with his dead body discovered in the lead-up to 'Corriedale'. A series of flashback episodes airing from January 19 will reveal the mystery behind his murder.
Behind the Scenes: Budget Cuts and Future Changes
These cast movements come against a backdrop of reported cost-cutting at ITV. In July 2025, it was revealed that both Emmerdale and Coronation Street face budget reductions of £15 million. This is expected to lead to the axing of one in ten cast members from each soap and a reduction in the number of scenes per episode. Emmerdale currently has a permanent cast of 70 actors, many of whom are paid per episode.
As the village navigates grief, betrayal, and resurrection, viewers can expect 2026 to be a year where the past dramatically collides with the present. Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV1 and is available from 7am on ITVX.
