Emmerdale is about to deliver one of its most explosive and emotionally charged weeks in recent memory, as the long-running ITV soap finally answers

the question viewers have been asking for months: who killed Ray Walters? In a dramatic twist that has rocked both the village and the cast behind the scenes,

the controversial character has been written out in a full-scale whodunnit storyline—one that actor Joe Absolom admits left him with mixed emotions, lingering sadness, and enormous pride.

Ray Walters’ death marks the end of a reign of terror in the Dales. Since his arrival, Ray has been one of Emmerdale’s most despised villains, leaving devastation in his wake. From manipulating vulnerable villagers to coercing young people into criminal activity, Ray’s actions ensured he made countless enemies—and, ultimately, sealed his own fate. But while viewers may be celebrating his downfall, the actor who brought him to life is quietly mourning the end of a chapter.

Speaking candidly about his exit, Joe Absolom revealed that agreeing to be killed off wasn’t an easy decision—despite knowing it was the right one for the story. “I’ve started thinking, why did I say ‘kill me off’?” he admitted. “That said, Ray absolutely had to get his comeuppance. I think the audience is happy. He couldn’t stay in the soap forever. There has to be a moving on.”

Ray’s murder unfolds during a specially crafted week of flashback episodes, with each instalment revisiting the days leading up to his death from a different character’s perspective. This storytelling device allows Emmerdale to peel back layers of motive, resentment, and buried secrets, building tension until the killer is finally revealed. The list of suspects is long—and deliberately unsettling.

Among those under suspicion are Laurel Thomas, Ray’s unsuspecting romantic partner who was deceived about his true identity; Rona Goskirk, who crossed paths with Ray during his criminal dealings; and Marlon Dingle, whose daughter April was directly harmed by Ray’s drug operation. Each has a powerful reason to want Ray gone, and the show makes it painfully clear that his death was not an isolated act of violence, but the inevitable consequence of sustained cruelty.

Absolom, 47, admits that filming his final scenes has left him feeling unexpectedly low. “It’s been very good, and I’ve definitely got the blues,” he said. “That’s a compliment to Emmerdale. It’s such a positive place to work, and I’m really going to miss it.”

The actor, whose impressive CV includes EastEnders, Doc Martin, The Bay, The Level, and Code of Silence, also acknowledged the harsh realities of life as a working actor. “When you’re a jobbing actor, the fear of what comes next always creeps in,” he explained. “It can be terrifying wondering where the next role will come from. But as I’ve got older, I feel like I’ve built up a bit of karma. I trust that I’ll be okay.”

As the murder investigation intensifies on screen, viewers will also be questioning whether other figures—such as Dylan, whom Ray bullied into dealing drugs, or Ross Barton, who has links to April—could have played a role in his downfall. Emmerdale carefully lays breadcrumbs for each possibility, ensuring that no suspect feels implausible.

Still, Absolom promises that the final reveal will catch audiences off guard. “It’s a great twist,” he teased. “And it’s very fitting. Ray isn’t a popular guy. It really could be one of many characters who killed him.”

Playing Ray has been a demanding but rewarding challenge for the actor. The character was unapologetically dark, manipulative, and calculating—someone who preyed on weakness and thrived on control. Ray coerced April and Dylan into selling drugs, held Bear captive, lied relentlessly to Laurel about his past, and even had blood on his hands through his involvement in Celia’s death.

“I’ve loved playing Ray,” Absolom said. “It’s actually been great when people come up to me and tell me they hated him. That’s when you know you’ve done your job right.”

He admits to having a particular fondness for villainous roles. “I tend to prefer playing horrible characters,” he laughed. “I get a bit nervous with the more straightforward love stuff. Intensity suits me.”

However, bringing such darkness to life within the relentless pace of a soap opera is no easy feat. Absolom was quick to challenge the idea that soaps are somehow easier than prime-time dramas. “There can be a real snobbery about soaps,” he said. “But the workload is intense. On a soap, you might film 25 pages of script in a day. In other dramas, you’re lucky if you do three to five.”

Despite the exhaustion, he described the Emmerdale set as one of the most supportive and energising environments he’s ever worked in. “The crew are phenomenal—young, diverse, full of energy,” he said. “I’ve worked on shows where people are bored after four weeks. That doesn’t happen here. Even when they’re standing in the rain all day, people are laughing. As a place to work, Emmerdale is unique.”

During his time on the show, Absolom formed particularly strong bonds with Charlotte Bellamy (Laurel), Mark Charnock (Marlon), and Fred Kettle (Dylan). He had especially high praise for Bellamy, calling her “a revelation.”

“She’s exceptional,” he said. “She can do absolutely any storyline. She’s been so welcoming. You sit in the canteen and think, ‘Wow, you’ve been here nearly 25 years.’ That kind of experience is incredible to be around.”

While Absolom refuses to reveal the identity of Ray’s killer, he does confirm one crucial detail: the character responsible will remain in Emmerdale, regardless of whether they’re found guilty. “My death gives other characters the chance to move on,” he joked. “I’ll be on the compost heap while they’re still eating—but giving them more story is something I’m genuinely happy about.”

After filming his exit storyline shortly before Christmas, Absolom spent the holidays in Cornwall with his three children—Laya, 18, Cass, 14, and Daisy, 12. “It was really special to be home,” he said. “I’ve been away a lot with this job, so it was nice to catch up on everything and have a proper break before figuring out what’s next.”

Already back attending auditions, Absolom revealed that he’s keen to switch sides in his next role. “I’d quite like to play a detective,” he admitted. “I enjoy villains, but detectives ask the questions, chase the truth—and they often have a dark side too. Ray’s dark side, though, was ultimately his downfall.”

As Emmerdale prepares to unmask Ray Walters’ killer, one thing is certain: his death will leave lasting scars across the village. And while Ray may be gone, the consequences of his actions—and the powerful performance that brought him to life—will not be forgotten anytime soon.