{"id":419710,"date":"2026-04-04T09:03:19","date_gmt":"2026-04-04T09:03:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/419710\/"},"modified":"2026-04-04T09:03:19","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T09:03:19","slug":"all-the-emmerdale-cast-returns-exits-and-new-arrivals-in-2026-soaps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/419710\/","title":{"rendered":"All the Emmerdale cast returns, exits and new arrivals in 2026 | Soaps"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\"A
\n\t\tSoap shake ups! (Picture: ITV\/Metro)<\/p>\n

The departures and returns are continuing in Emmerdale<\/a> as 2026 races by.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been quite the start to the year for the ITV soap. Some characters have departed for new lives elsewhere, while John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth)<\/a>, Celia Daniels (Jaye Griffiths)<\/a> and Ray Walters (Joe Absolom)<\/a> all faced their ends via horrific murders.<\/p>\n

Last year, we said farewell to a number of villagers, including Rachael Gill-Davis, who played Gail Loman<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Another departee was Paula Lane\u2019s\u00a0Ella Forster<\/a>, who\u00a0left the Dales in the back of a police car after just fifteen months onscreen.<\/p>\n

There was also the much-anticipated return of Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley)<\/a>, who came back to the village following a prison stint.<\/p>\n

We even saw Bernice Blackstock (Samantha Giles) pop back to the Dales<\/a> for a brief stint.<\/p>\n

More changes are afoot this year, so here\u2019s the lowdown on who is returning, leaving, and arriving in the ITV soap\u2026<\/p>\n

Emmerdale cast returns
\nKev Townsend<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Kev
\n\t\tKev\u2019s coming back \u2018by popular\u2019 demand (Picture: ITV)<\/p>\n

Robert\u2019s psychopathic but oddly-endearing ex-prison husband, Kev Townsend<\/a> will be returning to the village, with Chris Coghill<\/a> reprising the role \u2018by popular demand\u2019.<\/p>\n

Discussing the return, producer of the show Laura Shaw said: \u2018Both Chris and the character of Kev made a massive impact on the show last year, so Chris is most definitely back by popular demand\u2019<\/p>\n

Kev will have to deal with being in such close proximity to his ex-husband and ex-love rival, Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller), while deciding whether or not to tell\u00a0Lewis Barton (Bradley Riches) that he is his biological father<\/a>.<\/p>\n

When is Kev Townsend returning to Emmerdale? <\/strong>Currently unknown.<\/p>\n

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Cathy Hope<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Brenda
\n\t\tCathy departed with Brenda (Picture: ITV\/Mark Bruce\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\n

Nineteen-year-old Gabrielle Dowling<\/a> has also left the soap \u2013 but she will be back.<\/p>\n

Recent storylines have included Cathy Hope<\/a> coming to terms with\u00a0a PMDD diagnosis<\/a>, and also dealing with the horrific death of twin brother\u00a0Heath, played by Gabrielle\u2019s brother Sebastian<\/a>, who passed away following a car accident.<\/p>\n

Metro<\/strong>\u00a0understands that the star is just taking a short break and will return down the line.<\/p>\n

When is Cathy Hope returning to Emmerdale? <\/strong>Currently unknown.<\/p>\n

Victoria Sugden<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Isabel
\n\t\tIsabel gave birth to her first baby last month (Picture: Jonathan Hordle\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\n

Victoria Sugden<\/a> left the Emmerdale village in February to tie in with Isabel Hodgins<\/a>\u2019 maternity leave.<\/p>\n

The actress announced on her Instagram last month that she has given birth to her first baby, called Georgie Grace<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Vic\u2019s exit saw her leave for a new life in Portugal. She told Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) that she would return, though when exactly this will be remains to be seen.<\/p>\n

When is Victoria returning?<\/strong> Currently unknown.<\/p>\n

Tracy Shankley<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Tracy
\n\t\tTracy will leave the village soon (Picture: ITV)<\/p>\n

Amy Walsh<\/a> recently left her role<\/a> as Tracy Shankley<\/a>, with the exit story will facilitating Amy\u2019s maternity leave. <\/p>\n

The star, who is married to Toby-Alexander Smith<\/a>, recently gave birth to her second child<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Tracy moved out of the village following a difficult year adjusting to life as a single mum, but she will return when her maternity leave comes to an end.<\/p>\n

When is Tracy leaving Emmerdale? <\/strong>Currently unknown.<\/p>\n

Emmerdale cast departures
\nDawn Taylor<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Dawn
\n\t\tDawn has recently been axed (Picture: ITV\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\n

It was recently revealed that Olivia Bromley<\/a>\u00a0will be departing from her role<\/a> as Dawn Taylor<\/a> after 8 years.<\/p>\n

Her axing is believed to be a result of ITV\u2019s cost-cutting measures, with both Emmerdale and Coronation Street\u00a0reducing the amount of screen time some actors have<\/a> and losing others.<\/p>\n

Dawn\u2019s life is set to spectacularly fall apart in upcoming scenes when she reveals the true extent of boyfriend, Joe Tate\u2019s (Ned Porteous) cruelty.<\/p>\n

Metro\u00a0<\/strong>understands that a final explosive story will play out for Dawn in the summer, with Olivia still currently filming.<\/p>\n

When is Olivia leaving Emmerdale? <\/strong>Later this year.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tWho is in the Emmerdale 2026 cast?\t\t\t<\/p>\n

The present cast of Emmerdale is made up of:<\/p>\n

Regular cast<\/strong>:<\/p>\n