For Emmerdale fans, the mere mention of Meena Jutla is enough to send a chill down the spine—and now, the village’s most infamous villain is once again dominating headlines.

In a moment that has reignited speculation and excitement in equal measure, Paige Sandhu, the actress behind the chillingly charismatic killer, has hinted that Meena’s story may not be over.

And if she does return, she already knows exactly who she would target first. Meena Jutla’s reign of terror may have officially ended with her incarceration, but her shadow still looms large over the Yorkshire Dales.

Few soap villains in recent history have left such an indelible mark, and fewer still have inspired the kind of passionate fan response Meena continues to command. From her calculated manipulation to her unapologetic brutality, Meena was not just a villain—she was a phenomenon.

A Surprise Appearance Sparks Old Fears

The renewed buzz surrounding Meena began with Paige Sandhu’s surprise appearance on ITV’s The Big Quiz, where stars from Emmerdale and Coronation Street faced off in a lighthearted competition. During a nostalgic segment celebrating iconic past characters, Meena’s name—and face—took center stage once again.

The reaction was instant. Social media lit up as fans revisited clips of Meena at her most unhinged, reliving moments that defined one of Emmerdale’s darkest eras. What started as a trip down memory lane quickly became something more when Paige herself was asked about her time on the show—and whether a return could ever be possible.

“It was so fulfilling, so fun,” Paige told presenter Stephen Mulhern, carefully choosing her words. “Working with these guys was amazing. That’s all I can say.” The ambiguity was unmistakable, and fans wasted no time reading between the lines.

Cast Support Fuels Comeback Hopes

Adding fuel to the fire was Lucy Pargeter, who plays Chas Dingle, and who openly championed the idea of Meena’s return. Watching the clips, Lucy didn’t hesitate to share her enthusiasm. “She was absolutely amazing,” she said. “Seeing those clips there—she needs to come back.”

That endorsement from within the Emmerdale cast only strengthened the belief that Meena’s chapter may not be fully closed. In soap land, after all, prison bars are rarely permanent, and redemption—or further destruction—is always just one plot twist away.

A Villain Like No Other

Meena Jutla is remembered not just for the body count she left behind, but for how she did it. Over the course of her storyline, Meena murdered Leanna Cavanagh, Andrea Tate, Ben Tucker, her own father, and a friend named Nadine. She also attempted to kill her sister Manpreet Sharma, as well as Liam Cavanagh, Vinny Dingle, Victoria Sugden, Dawn Taylor, and Billy Fletcher. Leyla Harding narrowly survived being shot by her.

What made Meena so compelling—and so terrifying—was her ability to blend charm with menace. One moment she was smiling sweetly; the next, she was calmly plotting another death. Paige Sandhu’s performance earned widespread critical acclaim, elevating Meena from standard soap villain to something far more iconic.

The Target That Shocked No One

Perhaps the most jaw-dropping moment of Paige’s recent appearance came when she was asked the inevitable question: if Meena were to return, who would be her next victim?

Paige didn’t hesitate.

“Manpreet,” she said. “Straight for Manpreet.”

For longtime viewers, the answer made perfect sense. Meena’s relationship with her sister Manpreet was one of the most psychologically disturbing aspects of her storyline. Years of manipulation, emotional abuse, and near-fatal encounters left Manpreet deeply scarred. The idea that Meena would pick up exactly where she left off only reinforces how unfinished their story still feels.

The revelation sent fans into a frenzy, with many praising the honesty—and audacity—of the suggestion.

Fans Declare Meena ‘Untoppable’

Reaction online was swift and overwhelmingly enthusiastic. One fan wrote on X, “Meena was an iconic villain. Becky Swain, take note!” Another added, “Meena is my fave soap villain ever—unbelievably camp, I bloody loved her!” A third summed up the general mood: “She was an amazing psycho villain. I don’t think she can ever be topped.”

This level of affection for a serial killer speaks volumes about the power of the character and the performance behind it. Meena wasn’t just hated—she was loved for how brilliantly she embodied evil.

The Impact of a Possible Return

If Meena were to return to Emmerdale, the consequences would be seismic. Her presence would immediately reignite trauma for multiple characters, particularly Manpreet, Liam, and the Dingle clan. It would also force the village to confront a painful truth: some scars never truly heal.

Narratively, Meena’s comeback would open the door to exploring long-term psychological fallout, unresolved guilt, and the lingering fear that justice, once delivered, can still feel incomplete. It would also challenge the idea of safety in the village once more—something Emmerdale has never shied away from.

A Soap World on the Brink of Chaos

Adding to the heightened drama across ITV’s soap universe is the announcement of a major Coronation Street and Emmerdale crossover event. A catastrophic pile-up is set to unite the two worlds, with lives hanging in the balance and familiar faces placed in grave danger.

Confirmed characters include Coronation Street’s Lisa Swain, Abi and Kevin Webster, Carla Connor, Kit Green, and Asha Alahan, with Debbie Webster rumored to be at risk. From Emmerdale, viewers can expect to see Charity Dingle, Cain Dingle, Jacob Gallagher, Robert Sugden, and Joe Tate.

The scale of the event promises high drama—and in that context, the idea of Meena’s return feels less like fantasy and more like a tantalizing possibility.

Is Meena’s Story Really Over?

Officially, Meena Jutla remains behind bars. But in the world of soaps, “official” is rarely the final word. Paige Sandhu’s carefully worded comments, combined with cast support and overwhelming fan demand, suggest that the door has been left deliberately ajar.

Whether Meena returns to wreak havoc once more or remains a terrifying chapter in Emmerdale history, her impact is undeniable. She redefined what a soap villain could be—bold, theatrical, horrifying, and unforgettable.