For years, Nicola King, played brilliantly by Nicola Wheeler, has been one of the most fiery, complex, and outspoken figures on Emmerdale. But recently, her character has found herself at the heart of

one of the soap’s most devastating and emotionally charged storylines — one that has exposed painful family secrets, a shocking crime, and the sudden absence of two of her children that fans can’t stop talking about.

During a heartfelt appearance on ITV’s This Morning on Wednesday, Nicola Wheeler addressed the mystery that’s been puzzling fans: where are Nicola and Jimmy King’s other children,

Angelica and Elliot? While Nicola’s adopted son Carl Holliday has taken center stage in the show’s current storyline, the other King kids seem to have vanished from the screen — sparking confusion among loyal viewers.

“The kids, of course — you don’t see the kids!” Wheeler joked, referencing Emmerdale’s long-running tradition of characters disappearing upstairs or off-screen for years at a time. “Is it like Tracy Barlow who went upstairs for seventeen years?” she quipped, drawing laughter from the audience. “You don’t see them apart from Charlie [Joyce], who plays Carl.”

Her comment immediately caught fans’ attention. Many longtime Emmerdale viewers took to social media, echoing her sentiments and wondering why Angelica and Elliot have been written out of the latest emotional family drama. After all, the King family has always been central to the village’s storylines, with Nicola and Jimmy enduring everything from business troubles to devastating family conflicts.

 Nicola’s Devastating New Storyline

In recent episodes, Emmerdale has launched one of its most intense and morally complex plots in months — and Nicola King is right at the center of it. The story begins when her adopted son Carl Holliday (played by young star Charlie Joyce) becomes embroiled in a scandal that sends shockwaves through the village.

Carl is accused of sharing an indecent image of Clemmy Reed, the daughter of Dawn Fletcher, a revelation that not only humiliates the families involved but also forces Nicola to confront some dark truths about her own parenting.

During her interview, Wheeler revealed that she was stunned by how the story unfolds. “When I was talking with the producer about this storyline, I had no idea that a child sending those kinds of images was actually committing a crime,” she confessed. The storyline sheds light on the serious issue of digital behavior among teenagers — and the devastating consequences of one impulsive decision.

As the police get involved, the King family faces intense scrutiny. Nicola’s initial reaction is one of complete denial. She refuses to believe her son could have done something so cruel or reckless. But as the investigation progresses, she’s forced to face the painful reality.

“Eventually, Nicola has to admit that what Carl did was horrendous and totally unfair to Clemmy,” Wheeler explained. “It’s a complete breach of her privacy.”

This revelation not only destroys Nicola’s confidence as a mother but also strains her relationship with Jimmy, as the couple struggles to protect their family while dealing with the shame and judgment of the village.

 The Kings vs. The Tates — A Feud Rekindled

The fallout from Carl’s actions doesn’t just stop within the King household. Emmerdale has reignited one of its most legendary feuds — the long-standing tension between the King and Tate families. With Clemmy’s mother Dawn and her husband Billy fiercely defending their daughter, emotions run high, and lines are drawn.

The storyline dives deep into how a single mistake can ripple across generations, exposing old rivalries and moral divides. Nicola finds herself caught between protecting her son and confronting the harsh truth of what he’s done. It’s a dilemma that showcases Wheeler’s phenomenal acting range — from fierce defiance to heartbreaking vulnerability.

 The Mystery Deepens — Who Told the School?

Adding another layer of intrigue, Nicola’s anguish grows when she learns that the school knew about Carl’s actions before she did. Outraged, she demands answers — who betrayed her trust and exposed her family’s darkest secret?

Wheeler teased that this mystery will lead to a shocking revelation. “It turns out to be somebody you don’t expect,” she revealed, hinting that the twist could shake the King family even further. Fans are already speculating online, with theories ranging from one of Nicola’s closest friends to a member of the Tate family taking matters into their own hands.

The reveal promises to bring more heartbreak and emotional intensity in the weeks ahead, as Nicola must face not only her son’s actions but also the betrayal of someone she thought she could trust.

 A Missing Family and a Changing Village

While the focus has shifted to Carl, the absence of Angelica and Elliot hasn’t gone unnoticed — and Wheeler’s comments have sparked renewed discussion about how soaps handle child characters as their stories evolve.

“Of course, it’s always great fun being on set and working with certain co-stars,” Wheeler admitted. “But not all storylines are light-hearted. Sometimes, they’re heavy — like this one — and you have to focus on the emotional truth of the moment.”

Her acknowledgment reflects how Emmerdale continues to balance its sprawling ensemble cast with deep, character-driven plots. While fans may miss the presence of the other King children, it’s clear that the show is zeroing in on one of its most challenging and socially relevant arcs in recent memory.

 Nicola Wheeler’s Emotional Journey

Nicola Wheeler has portrayed the fiery, outspoken Nicola King since 2001 — a role that has made her one of the soap’s longest-serving and most beloved stars. Over the years, she’s faced everything from comedic mishaps to gut-wrenching drama, always delivering powerhouse performances that capture both the strength and fragility of her character.

This latest storyline, however, may be one of her most emotionally demanding yet. “It’s about shame, denial, and acceptance,” she shared. “Nicola has to face not just what Carl did, but what it means for her as a mother and as a person.”

The plot promises to lead to a major turning point for the King family, and Wheeler’s nuanced portrayal ensures that Nicola’s pain — and resilience — will continue to captivate audiences.

As Emmerdale heads into this new chapter, the disappearance of certain family members, the shock of Carl’s actions, and the mystery of who exposed the truth all combine to create a storyline that’s both heartbreaking and thought-provoking.

With Wheeler at the helm, fans can expect plenty of emotional turmoil, moral questions, and unexpected twists — proving once again that Emmerdale remains one of television’s most powerful portrayals of real-life drama within a fictional world.