Emmerdale has always thrived on change. From shocking exits to triumphant comebacks and the arrival of mysterious new faces, the heartbeat of the Dales lies not just in its landscapes,

but in the ever-shifting lives of its villagers. In 2025, the ITV soap is gearing up for one of its most dramatic years yet. With explosive departures, long-awaited returns,

and newcomers set to shake the village to its core, here’s your definitive guide to who’s leaving, who’s coming back, and who’s about to step foot in Emmerdale.

Exits in 2025

John Sugden: The Villain’s Final Curtain?

It has been a storyline years in the making, but the downfall of John Sugden has reached a terrifying crescendo. Once welcomed as a Sugden, John has become one of the soap’s darkest figures, leaving devastation in his wake. From allegedly killing McKenzie to drugging his own husband after discovering his betrayal with Robert, John’s crimes have mounted to the point of no return.

September 8 delivered the shocking moment fans had long suspected: John threw himself from a cliff, dragging Aaron down with him. The two lay motionless at the bottom as Robert looked on in horror from above. Has John finally met his end? Or will Emmerdale twist fate once more?

Actor Oliver Farnworth has kept quiet on whether his run is truly over, but given the trail of destruction John has left — killing Nate, drugging Chas, framing Ella, covering up Anthony Fox’s death, and even striking Liam with a bat — his days seem numbered. Soap villains rarely get clean exits, and whether by death or prison, John’s reign of terror looks destined to end in 2025.

Aaron Dingle: Danny Miller’s Future Uncertain

Aaron’s fate is equally precarious. Pushed off the cliff alongside John, Aaron lay still as credits rolled. While no official statement has confirmed Danny Miller’s departure, the actor recently welcomed his third child, making a temporary absence for paternity leave highly likely.

Fans speculated Aaron’s leave would come during his cabin storyline with John, but Emmerdale shocked viewers by ramping up the drama instead. Will this near-death plunge provide an in-story explanation for Miller’s time away? For now, Aaron’s fate hangs by a thread.

Steph Milligan: A Temporary Farewell

Georgia J has bid a temporary farewell to Emmerdale as Steph Milligan. Her exit, fueled by mistrust in Ross following his lies, sees Steph leave the village in dramatic style. But this isn’t the end. Georgia is pregnant with her first child and has taken maternity leave, with plans to return. Given Steph’s unresolved ties — and Anthony’s body still unaccounted for — her comeback promises fireworks.

Gail Loman: A Definitive Goodbye

Rachel Gill-Davis’s Gail Loman recently departed after realizing she and Ryan wanted different futures. Choosing a new path, Gail left for Devon to run a B&B with a friend. Unlike Steph’s temporary exit, this one appears final. Producers admitted Gail’s character never quite integrated into village life, but Rachel’s departure was amicable, and the door remains slightly ajar for a future return.

Returns in 2025

Kathy Hope: Back After Exams

Gabrielle Dowling, who has portrayed Kathy Hope since childhood, stepped away from Emmerdale temporarily to focus on her A-level exams. Her absence was written in as Kathy embarking on a round-the-world cruise with Brenda Walker. While Brenda is staying away for good, Kathy will return later this year. For fans, it’s simply a matter of waiting for the next chapter in Kathy’s journey.

New Arrivals in 2025

Kev: A Dark Horse with Ties to the Village

Perhaps the most intriguing addition to Emmerdale’s 2025 cast is Kev, played by Chris Coghill. Best known to soap fans for his chilling role as Tony King in EastEnders, Coghill’s new Emmerdale character promises to stir the pot in dramatic fashion.

Arriving in late September, Kev enters the village seemingly innocuous — asking for directions. But his real mission soon becomes clear: he has a hidden connection to a villager, and his presence is set to unleash shockwaves across the Dales.

Producer Laura Shaw teased:

“Kev has a strong connection to one of our characters, and it’s safe to say his arrival will be a massive surprise that has major repercussions.”

Fans can expect intrigue, tension, and the kind of unsettling presence that only a seasoned soap villain actor like Coghill can deliver.

Celia: The Farmer with Secrets

Another new face is Celia, played by The Bill star Jay Griffiths. First appearing in June, Celia struck up business with Moira over farmland and had a run-in with Paddy after her dog attacked him. Though she disappeared from screens temporarily, Celia will be back — and with plenty more to reveal.

Described as tough, respectable, and deeply mysterious, Celia’s past remains a blank canvas. Griffiths herself hinted at a meaty role ahead:

“She is very different to anyone I have played before. I can’t wait to really get into the heart of her storyline.”

Producers promise Celia’s true colors will surface soon, adding another unpredictable layer to the Emmerdale landscape.

Why These Changes Matter

Emmerdale has always been about community — a delicate web where every arrival, departure, and secret alters the balance of village life. John Sugden’s downfall is more than just a villain’s end; it’s the conclusion of years of manipulation that will reverberate through the Sugden, Dingle, and extended village families. Aaron’s uncertain fate could devastate Chas and reshape the Dingle clan yet again. Steph’s absence leaves Ross vulnerable, while Gail’s exit alters Ryan’s path.

Meanwhile, Kev’s arrival threatens to dig up the past and create fractures in the present, while Celia’s enigmatic presence hints at untold stories yet to unravel. And with Kathy’s return later this year, fresh energy will once again flow through the younger generation of the village.

Final Thoughts

2025 is shaping up to be a monumental year for Emmerdale. With villains toppling, beloved characters facing life-and-death stakes, and fresh arrivals carrying secrets, the Dales are bracing for some of their most gripping storylines yet.

Change is the lifeblood of a soap, and Emmerdale is proving once again why it remains a cornerstone of British television drama. Every exit, return, and arrival carries not just plot twists, but emotional depth — pulling fans deeper into the lives of the villagers they’ve loved for decades.

As the year unfolds, one thing is certain: no one in Emmerdale will escape the ripple effects of these seismic cast shifts.