There have been plenty of comings and goings in Emmerdale recently, with several more cast changes ahead.
In recent months we’ve bid farewell to Rachael Gill-Davis, who played Gail Loman.
Another departee was Paula Lane’s Ella Forster, who left the Dales in the back of a police car after just fifteen months onscreen.
There was also the much anticipated return of Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) who came back to the village following a prison stint and is now warring with his evil brother John (Oliver Farnworth).
In the coming months, more changes are afoot… so here’s the lowdown on who is returning, leaving and arriving in the ITV soap…
Bernice Blackstock
Bernice Blackstock is reportedly returning to Emmerdale, two years on from her departure.
Samantha Giles has played Bernice on and off from 1998. The character is the biological mother of Gabby Thomas (Rosie Bentham), and was often involved in light-hearted storylines to contrast the ongoing drama in the village.
Bernice Blackstock has returned to the Dales for her daughter’s wedding.
Cathy Hope
19-year old Gabrielle Dowling has also left the soap – but she will be back.
Recent storylines have included Cathy coming to terms with a PMDD diagnosis, and also dealing with the horrific death of twin brother Heath, played by Gabrielle’s brother Sebastian, who passed away following a car accident.
Who is in the Emmerdale 2025 cast?
The present regular cast of Emmerdale is made up of:
- 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
- Lisa Riley as Mandy Dingle
- Mark Charnock as Marlon Dingle
- Dominic Brunt as Paddy Kirk
- Eden Taylor-Draper as Belle King
- 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
- 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
- Lesley Dunlop as Brenda Walker
- 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 Gallagher
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Paula Lane as Ella Forster
- Beth Cordingly as Ruby Fox-Miligan
- Oliver Farnworth as John Sugden
- Georgia Jay as Steph Miligan
- Michael Parr as Ross Barton
- Ned Porteous as Joe Tate
- Shebz Miah as Kammy Hadiq
- Bradley Riches as Lewis Barton
- Jaye Griffiths as Celia Daniels
- Fred Kettle as Dylan Penders
- Joe Absolom as Ray Walters
EMMERDALE CAST DEPARTURES
Steph Miligan – August 2025
Steph Miligan’s (Georgia Jay) journey has come to an emotional end after a whirlwind year filled with trauma, secrets, and heartbreak.
After reconciling with Ross Barton (Mike Parr), thanks to some matchmaking by his brother Lewis (Bradley Riches), Steph finally felt ready to move forward. But her fragile hope was shattered when Manpreet Sharma (Rebecca Sarker) casually revealed that she had slept with Ross, exposing his lies right in front of her.
For Steph—already reeling from the truth about her abusive biological father Anthony, her mother Ruby’s crime, and her struggles with self-image—the betrayal was the final straw. Despite Ross admitting he still loved her, Steph walked away, devastated and unwilling to risk being hurt again.
Behind the scenes, the exit comes as actress Georgia Jay prepares to welcome her first child. For now, it’s unclear if Steph will ever return to the Dales, but fans are already speculating about a comeback once Georgia is ready to step back into the role.
Victoria Sugden – Early 2026 (Maternity Leave)
Another shocking departure comes from Victoria Sugden, who will step away in early 2026 as actress Isabel Hodgins takes maternity leave. Victoria has been central to many high-profile storylines, and fans will no doubt miss her presence in the village during her break.
Tracy Robinson – Spring 2026 (Maternity Leave)
Amy Walsh’s Tracy Robinson will also be temporarily leaving the Dales next spring. Like Victoria, her absence is due to maternity leave, meaning her exit is only temporary. Still, her departure leaves the Dingle family facing yet another shake-up.
John Sugden – Autumn 2025
John’s long-awaited downfall comes as Cain Dingle tracks him down. But in true Emmerdale fashion, there’s a surprising twist. Cain’s own brother, Caleb Milligan, betrays him, beats Cain with a shovel, and helps John escape the country.
John has fled to Rotterdam, so is he truly gone for good—or will he sneak back into the village when they least expect it? But whether he’s gone or back, John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth) is destined to be gone.
EMMERDALE CAST ARRIVALS
The actor, best known to soap fans as evil paedophile Tony King, will become a permanent fixture in the Yorkshire Dales from September.
Chris Coghill has joined Emmerdale as Kev, a mysterious new character whose ties to Robert Sugden have left fans stunned. Kev isn’t just a fresh face in the Dales—he’s Robert’s prison husband.
While their marriage was reportedly unofficial, their relationship was forged in secrecy while Robert was behind bars. His arrival raises more questions than answers, especially with Aaron Dingle now back in the mix. With Coghill confirmed as a permanent cast member, his storyline is expected to ignite across the autumn and beyond.
