The Yorkshire Dales are no stranger to upheaval, but the coming months in Emmerdale are set to redefine the village’s landscape. From the departure of a 19-year veteran to the return of a sword-wielding ex-husband, the residents of the Woolpack are facing a transitional period that promises both heartbreak and high-octane drama. As the soap gears up for a series of explosive exits and chilling arrivals, the very fabric of its most prominent families—the Dingles and the Sugdens—is being pushed to the breaking point.

Perhaps the most poignant shift is the temporary departure of Isabelle Hodgkins, who has portrayed Victoria Sugden for nearly two decades. Hodgkins, a cornerstone of the show since her childhood, is taking maternity leave. For viewers, Victoria represents the moral compass and literal heart of the village; her absence will leave a palpable void in the Sugden household. While her exit is temporary, it marks a significant milestone for an actress who has quite literally grown up on screen.

However, where one light fades, several dark shadows are beginning to loom. The village is bracing for the return of Kev Townsend, the secret “prison husband” of Robert Sugden. Kev’s previous stint was defined by a terrifying medieval-style assault with a sword, and his return for a “final stand” at Christmas suggests that the hard-won peace between fan-favorite couple “Robron” (Robert and Aaron Dingle) is about to be shattered. The stakes are heightened by the revelation that Kev is the biological father of Lewis Barton, further entangling the already knotted Dingle and Barton family trees.

Adding to the sense of dread is the tightening net around the village’s current “big bad,” Celia Daniels. Portrayed by Jay Griffiths, the character’s “monstrous acts”—including the domestic enslavement of Bear Wolf and a sophisticated money-laundering frame-up of Moira Dingle—are finally catching up with her. Griffiths has confirmed her stint is finite, and with Cain and Moira Dingle now aware of her treachery, the countdown to her downfall has begun. Whether she leaves in the back of a police car or meets a more “grizzly” end typical of the Dales remains the subject of intense speculation.

The shadow of death is also being cast by the “murderous medic,” John Sugden. Currently on the run, the serial killer is rumored to be returning for an unprecedented crossover event with Coronation Street (“CoryDale”). A “wanted” poster featuring John’s face has already been spotted in Weatherfield, signaling a collision of two soap worlds. His return to Emmerdale for a final showdown promises a bloodbath that could claim more than one beloved character.

Finally, the New Year brings a “baby bombshell” for Charity Dingle. Her clandestine one-night stand with Ross Barton has resulted in a pregnancy that she is desperate to keep from her husband, Mackenzie Boyd. With the secret currently shared only with her former flame Vanessa Woodfield—who happens to be invited for a tense Christmas dinner—the “truth over the turkey” is a narrative ticking time bomb. In Emmerdale, as the revolving door spins, one thing remains certain: no one is safe, and no secret stays buried for long.