Emmerdale cast: who is leaving, returning to and joining the cast?

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.

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
• Georgia Jay as Steph Miligan
• 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.

LEAVING

Victoria Sugden (Isabel Hodgins)

When is Victoria Sugden leaving? TBC.

Actress Isabel Hodgins will soon be taking maternity leave from Emmerdale following the wonderful news that she is expecting a baby.

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!”

So, how will Victoria leave the village?

Well, given that Victoria is responsible for killing villainous half-brother John, we're worried!

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RETURNING

Steph Miligan (Georgia Jay)

When is Steph Miligan returning? TBC.

Ruby and Caleb's daughter, Steph Miligan, fled Emmerdale last year to start afresh and get away from her trauma and heartache.

However, actress Georgia Jay is off on her maternity leave, which means that Steph won't be away from the village permanently.

Will Steph be in a better place when she returns? And where will she stand with ex-boyfriend Ross Barton?

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)

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?

Visit our dedicated Emmerdale page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. If you’re looking for more to watch check out our TV Guide.

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