Following the sudden departure of Amelia Spencer (Daisy Campbell) and the shock d.e.a.t.h of Will Taylor (Dean Andrews), fans were thrilled to welcome back Joe Tate (Ned Porteous) to Home Farm.
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 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
April Windsor
April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan) has been missing since Christmas Day, and her family have been in pieces ever since.
As the village rallied round to try and track down the missing teen, viewers saw April get into a mysterious car before being driven away.
With everyone determined to bring April home, we’re hoping that she will make a safe return to the Dales – though nothing has been confirmed as of yet.
When is April Windsor returning to Emmerdale? Currently unknown (when or if!)
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, it was revealed that Leyla’s exit would involve a car crashing into a frozen lake – and she may not be the only one involved…
When is Leyla Harding leaving Emmerdale? Early 2025
Wendy Posner
Wendy Posner (Susan Cookson) is also set to leave the village, with the actress having already filmed her final scenes.
Susan previously had roles in Casualty, Doctors and Coronation Street – and is said to be ‘devastated’ by soap bosses’ decision to let her go.
‘She loves the show and loves being part of it’ a source told The Sun.
‘She’s really well liked in the cast but unfortunately budget cuts mean hard decisions need to be made and that resulted in Susan being one of a number of cast leaving.
‘ITV is going through a cash crisis with the soaps and the money just isn’t there to pay for everyone anymore.
They continued: ‘Ultimately if the character isn’t inspiring a lot of story from producers then there’s no space for them in the show anymore.
‘There’s certainly a worry on set about who will be next to go.
‘The door is very much being left open for Susan in future and it’s hoped that one day she could return to see her grandson Harry.’
Brenda Walker
Joining the list of exits is Brenda Walker (Lesley Dunlop), who is leaving the show after 16 years.
There has been speculation that she may also be involved in the car a.c.c.i.d.e.n.t that is set to k.i.l.l Leyla, though nothing has been confirmed as of yet.
Will her exit see her walk away from the village unscathed, or could she too be set to meet her maker?
When is Brenda Walker leaving Emmerdale? Early 2025
Ella Forster
Paula Lane recently announced her exit from her role as Ella Forster in the ITV soap on her Spotlight page, after just a year on the show.
Part of the description on the page reads: ‘Currently appearing as series regular Ella in Emmerdale ITV filming until February 2025.’
This means that her exit from the show will likely air in Spring 2025, though the circumstances surrounding it are as yet unknown.
