The new year began with a bang in Emmerdale, quite literally, as the crossover with Coronation Street led to game-changing twists and sent storylines off in directions nobody could have predicted.
So far in 2026, we’ve had three murders and a resurrection from someone who died six years ago – and we’re only days into the new year!
The Corriedale episode left us wondering whether life would ever be the same for the villagers, as they try to manoeuvre a very uncertain future.
Read on for RadioTimes.com’s epic preview of what’s coming up in Emmerdale in the next 12 months…
1. Who killed Ray Walters? Whodunnit resolved
Everyone is glad to see the back of evil Ray Walters (Joe Absolom), but who hated the crime boss enough to actually do him in?
Following the reveal of his corpse is in one of Caleb Milligan’s (Will Ash) haulage vans, news of Ray’s death spreads around the village, launching Emmerdale’s first whodunnit of 2026 – with a twist…
“Many secrets will come out as the mystery surrounding Ray’s death is finally solved later this month,” confirms Laura Shaw, executive producer of Emmerdale.
“Before the end of January, a special week will flashback to the night of the murder, revealing which of the multiple suspects is responsible for Ray's demise.”
Who’s your money on? Marlon Dingle (Mark Charnock)? Laurel Thomas (Charlotte Bellamy)? April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan)? Ross Barton (Michael Parr)?
2. Cain Dingle’s cancer hell
Fans thought Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) had copped it in Corriedale when he was shot, but even though he was saved in hospital another shock was about to be delivered that changes everything for the village hard man – scans showed he has a mass that looks very worrying to the doctors, which will soon be confirmed as cancerous…
“Cain is at the centre of a major prostate cancer storyline spanning across 2026,” reveals Shaw.
“Adding to the Dingle family’s devastation, Moira Dingle (Natalie J Robb) will be arrested for human trafficking, with her arrest timed to coincide with her husband’s diagnosis. Their complex marriage will be tested as they face dark times and there are set to be repercussions for the whole clan.”
3. Graham Foster’s shock return
Another Corriedale surprise was the return of Graham Foster (Andrew Scarborough), who apparently did not die at the hands of Pierce Harris six years ago, as we all thought. How did grim Graham survive, and where has he been?
“This is going to be a sensational comeback,” says Shaw.
“Graham’s return will have massive consequences for both ex-wife Kim Tate (Claire King), with whom he shares a complex love and hate relationship, and Rhona Goskirk (Zoe Henry), who was about to run away with him. Graham will explain exactly what happened six years ago when he was 'killed', but the question will be whether Joe Tate (Ned Porteous) can ever forgive his father figure for allowing him to believe he was dead”.
Graham had Coronation Street newcomer Jodie Ramsey (Olivia Frances Brown) bound and gagged in a van – has he been carving out a living as a hit man? And will his reappearance in the village coincide with Joe’s upcoming wedding to Dawn Fletcher (Olivia Bromley)?
Read More: Emmerdale boss teases answers for Graham Foster’s full-time return - and who may never forgive him4. Charity Dingle’s baby secret exposed
Soap pregnancies are rarely straightforward, but has there ever been a more complicated scenario than Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins) getting up the duff after a one-night stand with old flame Ross just before an embryo transfer for her to be a surrogate for granddaughter Sarah Sugden (Katie Hill)?
Charity’s husband, Mackenzie Boyd (Lawrence Robb), thinks he’s the daddy and has agreed not to tell Sarah, unaware of the Ross twist, but it won’t be long before everyone knows the full story, as Shaw divulges: “The truth surrounding Charity's pregnancy is set to blow wide open. With the baby due in spring, the birth may be the event that finally exposes all of Charity's secrets...”
5. Murder and blackmail for the Tates and Sugdens
Emmerdale’s feuding families are at it again in 2026, as the rivalry between the Sugdens and the Tates is spectacularly reignited.
Killer John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth) is dead, accidentally bumped off by little sister Victoria Sugden (Isabel Hodgins) in self-defence, who thinks she’s got away with it. But Joe Tate knows the truth and relishes having a hold over the clan and forcing Robert to do his bidding…
“The truth about John's death will be revealed, as Victoria's clever deception, making it look like suicide, will unravel,” continues Shaw.
“Evil Joe has damning video evidence, which he plans to use to get what he wants from the Sugdens, potentially taking control of Butler's Farm. Robert (Ryan Hawley) is also in the thick of it, trying to save Victoria by planting evidence.”
Hodgins is set to go on maternity leave at some point in 2026, but what drives her killer character to vanish from the village?
6. Another Robron wedding
Robert and Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller) may be caught up in trying to cover up Vic’s crime, but let’s not forget the boys are newly-engaged after a heart-to-heart on the roadside of the Corriedale car crash.
Robron weddings have a history of being dramatic – their first attempt at tying the knot back in 2017 was interrupted by police showing up to arrest Aaron’s granny, Faith Dingle.
Their roller coaster of a romance is hurtling towards wedding number three in 2026, but will they get a happy ending? Can they avoid prison for hiding the truth about John’s demise? Or could another crazy ex show up to ruin everything?
7. Kev Townsend returns?
Talking of which, fans are keeping their fingers crossed we haven’t seen the last of ex-con Kev Townsend (Chris Coghill).
Robert’s prison husband made a big impression, and despite his violent streak and unpredictable temper, the misguided guy has a big heart – and a talent for karaoke, as witnessed in his unforgettable serenading of his soul mate with a Daniel Bedingfield ballad.
There’s plenty more to explore with Kev, not least Lewis Barton (Bradley Riches) learning he’s his long-lost dad. Actor Coghill’s social media post confirming he’d finished filming generated countless comments praying for his return, so watch this space…
8. Romance blossoms for Vinny Dingle
As well as a paternity bomb waiting to go off, Lewis also has a potential love story simmering away on a low heat.
Now Vinny Dingle (Bradley Johnson) has confronted his sexuality wobbles, he’s found himself attracted to his housemate.
The boys began a game of ‘will they?/won’t they?’ towards the end of 2025, that’s bound to be picked up in 2026.
How will overprotective Kammy Hadiq (Shebz Miah) feel about his best pal Vinny finding romance with a fella for the first time?
Could Kammy be jealous that he’s no longer the object of Vin’s affections?
9. Paddy Dingle’s nightmare over Bear Wolf
Bear Wolf (Joshua Richardson) being dragged into people trafficking and modern slavery was one of the most unsettling storylines of 2025, and in 2026, the shockwaves will continue to be felt as the community comes to terms with what was going on right under their noses.
Paddy Dingle (Dominic Brunt) is desperate to find his missing father, but the nightmare is far from over.
“While Paddy is still out searching, the bleak truth is that Bear has been killed by the villainous Celia,” explains Shaw.
“This emotional search and tragic discovery will bring Paddy's mental health problems back to the forefront.”
The last time Paddy was gripped by depression, he came close to taking his own life…
10. Eric Pollard dies in prison?
Eric Pollard (Chris Chittell) and Kerry Wyatt’s (Laura Norton) Christmas Eve wedding was one of the most unexpected moments of the year, or possibly the decade, but what does the future hold for this fraudulent marriage?
Terminally ill Pollard has only tied the knot with the gobby Geordie for financial reasons - to protect grandson Jacob Gallagher’s (Joe-Warren Plant) inheritance - but jealous Jai Sharma (Chris Bisson) still fancies Kerry and has threatened to expose the sham union.
Could the couple end up behind bars? Might Pollard die in prison?
“Kerry starts to realise this whole idea was a bit rash,” comments Laura Norton, who plays the new Mrs P.
“She genuinely cares about Eric, they’re both loveable rogues. It’s a full circle moment because he looked after her daughter, Amy, and she feels she’d want Kerry to do this for him. As for Jai, I don’t think Kerry realised how much he actually cared for her. Who knows what might happen next?”
Read more:
Emmerdale cast: who is leaving, returning to and joining the cast?Emmerdale reveals John Sugden murder twist as major character witnesses death in ITVX release5 Emmerdale spoilers next week: Moira Dingle arrested for human trafficking in Celia Daniels death twistEmmerdale airs weeknights at 8pm on ITV1. Stream on ITVX.
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