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.
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 2026
The full present regular cast for Emmerdale can be found below.
Ryan Hawley as Robert SugdenChris Chittell as Eric PollardClaire King as Kim TateIsabel Hodgins as Victoria SugdenJames Hooton as Sam DingleNed Porteous as Joe TateLisa Riley as Mandy DingleMark Charnock as Marlon DingleDominic Brunt as Paddy KirkEden Taylor-Draper as Belle DingleEmma Atkins as Charity DingleJeff Hordley as Cain DingleTony Audenshaw as Bob HopePatrick Mower as Rodney BlackstockNicola Wheeler as Nicola KingZoe Henry as Rhona GoskirkRosie Bentham as Gabby ThomasCharlotte Bellamy as Laurel ThomasLucy Pargeter as Chastity "Chas" DingleDanny Miller as Aaron DingleNick Miles as Jimmy KingJack Downham as Noah DingleKatie Hill as Sarah SugdenGabrielle Dowling as Cathy HopeAlfie Clarke as Arthur ThomasNatalie J. Robb as Moira DingleAsh Palmisciano as Matty BartonRebecca Bakes as Angelica KingChris Bisson as Jai SharmaJoe-Warren Plant as Jacob GallagherLuca Hoyle as Elliot WindsorHarvey Rogerson as Leo GoskirkHuey Quinn as Kyle WinchesterKai Assi as Archie BreckleLaura Norton as Kerry WyattMichelle Hardwick as Vanessa WoodfieldMike Parr as Ross BartonJonny McPherson as Dr Liam CavanaghAmelia Flanagan as April WindsorAmy Walsh as Tracy RobinsonCharlie Munro Joyce as Carl HollidayArthur Cockroft as Moses DingleJack Jennings as Johnny WoodfieldTilly-Rue Foster as Dotty ThomasKaren Blick as Lydia DingleBobby Dunsmoir as Isaac DingleOlivia Bromley as Dawn FletcherJames Moore as Ryan StocksRebecca Sarker as Dr Manpreet SharmaJay Kontzle as Billy FletcherBradley Johnson as Vinnie DingleJoshua Richards as Bear WolfNoah Ryan Aspinall as Lucas TaylorBella James as Eve DingleLawrence Robb as Mackenzie BoydKevin Mathurin as Charles AndersonLouise Jameson as Mary GoskirkWilliam Ash as Caleb MiliganFlo Wilson as Claudette AndersonBeth Cordingly as Ruby MiliganOliver Farnworth as John SugdenGeorgia Jay as Steph MiliganFred Kettle as Dylan PendersShebz Miah as Kammy HadiqBradley Riches as Lewis BartonJoe Absolom as Ray WaltersHere are the following changes ahead of the regular cast.
Ray Walters (Joe Absolom)
When is Ray Walters leaving? Early 2025.
Emmerdale villain Ray Walters has been revealed to be leaving the soap, with actor Joe Absolom having already filmed his final scenes, according to The Sun.
An Emmerdale source told the paper: "Bosses knew they only ever had Joe for a certain amount of time, but they’ve definitely made the most of having someone of his calibre in the village.
"He filmed his final scenes back in November."
Ray has been the villain at the heart of the county lines storyline that has unfolded in recent months, manipulating Dylan Penders (Fred Kettle) and April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan), with the storyline taking an even darker turn as Ray forced April into sex work.
Having struck up a romance with Laurel Thomas and clearly conflicted about his mother's schemes, will Ray find a way to do some good before he departs?
Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on GoogleJohn Sugden (Oliver Farnworth)
When is John Sugden reportedly leaving? TBC.
It has been reported that killer John Sugden himself will also be leaving the soap when his storyline comes to an end, which is hardly a surprise.
The Sun reports a source as saying: "It’s the beginning of the end for John. He’s got away with so much but he’s about to make a fatal mistake that sees him exposed for what he is.
“Obviously Oliver knew that a character like John had a shelf life and that’s rapidly approaching."
ITV declined to comment when approached by Radio Times.
The character is back in the village, plotting once more and will be a key part of the epic crossover event with Coronation Street, Corriedale.
Will this be John's final stand?
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?
Steph Miligan (Georgia Jay)
When is Steph Miligan returning? TBC.
Ruby and Caleb's daughter, Steph Miligan, recently fled Emmerdale 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?
Who has left Emmerdale in 2026?
The following characters departed in 2026.
Kev TownsendCelia DanielsWho has left Emmerdale in 2025?
The following characters departed in 2025.
Wendy PosnerAnthony FoxTom King (Guest)Suzy MertonAmy WyattLeyla HardingDylan (Guest)Ella ForsterBrenda WalkerCathy HopeNate Robinson (Guest)Gail LomanCara Robinson (Guest)Bernice Blackstock (Guest)Faith Dingle (Guest)Who has left Emmerdale in 2024?
The following characters departed in 2024.
Heath HopeLisa Dingle (Guest, voice)Damon "Harry" Harris (Guest)Amit SharmaGus MalcolmsEthan AndersonNicky MiliganSuni SharmaJosh Cope (guest)Samson DingleEmma Barton (Guest)Nate RobinsonHelen Fox (Guest)Tom KingAmelia SpencerEsther SpencerDaz Spencer (Guest)Will TaylorJade Garrick (Guest)Who has left Emmerdale in 2023?
The following characters departed Emmerdale in 2023.
Priya SharmaAmba MetcalfeMarcus DeanAllyNaomi WaltersMarshall HamstonRishi SharmaGeorgia SharmaColin HamstonDan SpencerVictor AndersonCraig ReedBernice BlackstockDavid MetcalfeTheo MetcalfeDamon "Harry" Harris Chloe HarrisReuben HarrisZak DingleWho left Emmerdale in 2022?
The following characters have departed Emmerdale in 2022.
GavinEllis ChapmanDS RogersCarol ButlerMeena JutlaJason DenshawAlex MooreKitSandra FlahertyFaith DinglePC Harriet FinchLiv DingleDiane SugdenAl ChapmanWho else will be in the village by the end of the year?
View Riddle on the source websiteVisit 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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