Emmerdale star confirms Serena and Robert future as another problematic lie is added

Emmerdale’s slippery Serena Sugden (Casey Al-Shaqsy) has been around for a short while now, and there’s still far more questions than answers surrounding her.

She emerged at Charity Dingle’s (Emma Atkins) time of need, as she suffocated under the weight of her own emotion following her vile rape, perpetrated by Dr Todd (Caroline Harker).

She treated her with empathy and kindness as she unburdened herself about the rape and the blackmail she’d endured, also spilling the secret behind baby Leyla’s parentage.

Under the impression they’d never see each other again, Charity had no idea that Serena was a relative of Sarah and Robert Sugden (Katie Hill and Ryan Hawley).

Moving into the village, Serena immediately got Robert’s fiancé, Aaron Dingle’s (Danny Miller) back up, following his previous experience with long-lost Sugdens, namely, unhinged John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth).

‘She tries so hard; she’s always trying to be mates with him, and every time she stands up, it’s like he kicks her down,’ Casey said of Serena’s relationship with Aaron.

When Robert and Aaron discovered that Serena had seen John much more recently than she’d previously said, she was almost banished, but managed to maintain her newly acquired foothold in their lives.

‘She loves Robert very dearly, so she wants Aaron to like her. She won’t stop trying. She’s like an annoying little spot that keeps coming back! Or an annoying rash. She’s like, “I’m not going anywhere. Get used to me!”’

Serena’s bond with cousin Robert is something she’s desperate to protect, and Casey is aware that fans are enjoying their relationship.

‘I’ve seen on Twitter, “It’s like they’ve always been family!” and I’m like, “Yeah!” I think the bond that you’re seeing right now is pretty much the same as what you’ll see.

‘I think there may be eventual growth, but we’re both happy to see each other.

‘We both love each other very much. I think what a lot of people can relate to is having a family member whom you haven’t seen in 15 years, but they’re still your blood.

‘I think, regardless of what happens, he loves me.

‘Obviously, if I did anything truly nuts, I’m sure there’d be consequences, but with what’s going on right now, you’re seeing a very familial bond that a lot of people can relate to.

‘It’s a family member you don’t see very often, but the love is always there. I think that translates on screen, which is why people keep saying it’s like she never left. It doesn’t matter how long it’s been; when you see them again, it’s like they never left because they are your family.’

A big question mark hanging over Serena’s head is what she’s looking for up at Home Farm.

While a previously stolen USB stick proved useless to her, Serena remains undeterred and breaks into Emmerdale’s poshest gaff again, this time, coming face to face with fellow robber, Kev Townsend’s (Chris Coghill) old friend, Steve (Jason Done).

According to Casey, Serena isn’t scared of getting caught, nor of Home Farm’s reigning Queen, Kim Tate (Claire King).

‘I don’t think she’s scared of anybody,’ she mused.

‘She has quite an aggressive background in the police force; you know, she talks to Robert and others about some of her famous fighting stories.

‘As a person, I actually do kickboxing as well, so I relate to her in that way! But I don’t think she’s afraid of anyone.’

How does she deal with crossing Steve?

‘Well, obviously, she tries to cover it up, saying, “I live here,” all while wearing her gloves. The minute I noticed that, I realised I’d put my hands directly behind my back – like, “don’t look at the fact that I have gloves on!”

‘Also, she saw the door was broken into, so I think she was already prepared to see someone who’d forced their way in. She was wary of the fact that someone could have been there.

‘But as a person, after he hits Ross, she has this moment of conflict, which you’ll see. She’s thinking, “Do I help Ross, or do I make a run for it?” In that split second, she’s considering the fallout if she gets caught.

‘Like I said, regarding my family finding out, she doesn’t want the spotlight on her again or to be asked questions. She’s already squashed all that.

‘I think in that moment, she selfishly chooses herself and tries to make a run for it. Obviously, she wants to distance herself from him, like, “I don’t know who this guy is, I’ve never seen him before in my life!”