There are plenty of comings and goings ahead over in Emmerdale, with several confirmed cast changes.
While fans have recently seen the departure of Nate Robinson (Jurell Carter) and the shock comeback of Tina Dingle (Samantha Power), the village is set to welcome back and say goodbye to more faces in the coming weeks.
Here’s the lowdown on who is returning, leaving and arriving in Emmerdale…
EMMERDALE CAST RETURNS
Ross Barton
After six years away, Mike Parr is set to reprise his role as Ross Barton.
Originally appearing between 2013 and 2018, Ross left the village alongside Rebecca White for a new life in Liverpool.
However, it was confirmed back in September he would be back in a video posted by the Emmerdale X account, where Bradley Johnson – who plays Vinny Dingle – could be seen wandering around the Emmerdale building searching for a returning cast member.
It’s possible that Ross is returning as part of his aunt Moira Dingle’s (Natalie J Robb) new health storyline. The beloved character was recently told by a doctor that she has a type of brain tumour called a meningioma.
Actress Natalie J Robb recently said Ross’ return would be explosive, telling Radio Times: ‘Ross is back with a bang, of course, and is going to cause some trouble, like he always does.’
‘Well, Moira did kill his mother, remember!’, Natalie joked.
When is Ross Barton returning to Emmerdale? Late 2024
EMMERDALE CAST DEPARTURES
Leyla Harding
Leyla Harding is set to meet a dramatic end fitting for the long-standing character, after actress Roxy Shahidi decided to bid farewell to the Dales.
Leyla has been a fixture in the village since 2008, but reports suggest she will be killed off in a bombshell storyline.
Roxy is said to be thrilled to have such a powerful exit, with a soap source telling The Sun: ‘She’s really excited about her meaty exit storyline, which will see her character Leyla die on screen. She’d rather go out in a blaze of glory and be remembered.’
Recently, fans spotted a big hint to her exit in a previous episode, which gave fans a glimpse into the future with three different possible scenarios for Belle Dingle’s (Eden Taylor-Draper) future.
News of her exit also came after fans noticed they were seeing much less of Leyla on screen.
When is Leyla Harding leaving Emmerdale? Late 2024 / Early 2025
Tina Dingle
Previously played by Jacqueline Pirie, Tina Dingle hadn’t been seen in the Dales for nearly 30 years.
However, she made a shock return earlier this month for the funeral of her father Zak Dingle – with new actress Samatha Power taking over the role.
Since then, it has been revealed she is Vinny’s biological mother – something her cousin Mandy Dingle (Lisa Riley), who has raised him as her son – as desperate to keep secret.
While Tina has been causing havoc for her family since her comeback, it looks like her stay will be short-lived, as Samantha revealed the role is only temporary when she discussed her hopes to return in the future.
She said: ‘Emmerdale is an amazing place to work and Tina is just fantastic to play so I would love the opportunity to come back and cause more mischief.’
When is Tina Dingle leaving Emmerdale? Later in 2024
EMMERDALE CAST ARRIVALS
Caleb and Ruby’s daughter Steph
Ruby Fox-Miligan’s (Beth Cordingly) world was recently turned upside down when her late mother Helen’s will confirmed she was secretly in touch with Ruby and Caleb’s daughter Steph before she died.
Actor William Ash, who plays Caleb, recently teased Steph’s arrival, telling us of how Ruby is desperate to mend her relationship with her daughter, particularly now her mum is dead and their son, Nicky (Lewis Cope), has left the village.
He said: ‘Partly because they’re not seeing Nicky, the spectre of Steph has risen to the surface. We need to try and reach out to her and reconnect. I think for Ruby, having lost her mum and having realised how precious that mother/daughter relationship is, she wants that relationship with Steph.’
In fact, Steph might not be the only relative rocking up – Will Ash shared his excitement at more of the clan coming into the show, adding: ‘It’s close!’
He said: ‘It’ll be great because I think the possibility of those characters will bring so much to Emmerdale and to our family unit. It’ll explode things, I think – in a good way.’
When is Caleb and Ruby’s daughter Steph joining Emmerdale? Currently unknown
A mystery arrival
Emmerdale will see a shock arrival this Christmas (Picture: ITV/Metro)
Emmerdale bosses have teased an unexpected arrival ahead this Christmas.
The character’s identity – and even whether it is a returning character or a new face – is still top secret, but ITV’s executive producer for continuing drama Iain McLeod recently told The Sun: ‘This Christmas, there is a huge surprise arrival on Christmas Day.
‘As well as some life or death jeopardy on Christmas Day but obviously there will be festive brilliance as we do every year but I think it is one of the most exciting Christmases that I can remember on Emmerdale this year!’
When does this mystery arrival debut in Emmerdale? Christmas Day 2024
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV1 and from 7am on ITVX.
