After decades on air, Emmerdale and Coronation Street have earned their status as British television institutions. Their longevity is built on iconic characters,

explosive storylines, and the ability to reinvent themselves just often enough to keep viewers hooked. But with history comes baggage. Not every character can—or should—

be carried indefinitely, and sometimes the most powerful way to refresh a soap is through a bold, emotional exit.

While many long-standing favourites still justify their place on the canvas, others have quietly drifted into narrative limbo. Their storylines have stalled, their impact has faded, and their continued presence risks holding the shows back rather than pushing them forward. With that in mind, here are seven soap characters who, from a dramatic storytelling perspective, may need to be killed off to inject urgency, consequence, and emotional weight back into the serial dramas.

7. Ken Barlow (Coronation Street)

Ken Barlow is nothing short of a television legend. Played by William Roache for more than 65 years, Ken holds the Guinness World Record as the world’s longest-serving soap character. Over the decades, he has been at the heart of some of Coronation Street’s most defining moments—romantic entanglements, moral debates, and family feuds that shaped the cobbles.

However, time catches up with everyone. At 93, Roache has more than earned a dignified farewell, and Ken’s recent storylines have understandably slowed. A carefully written death—respectful, emotional, and rooted in legacy—could be one of the most powerful moments in soap history. It would allow the show to honour its past while giving characters like Tracy, Peter, and Amy space to grieve, reflect, and evolve. Sometimes, letting go is the most meaningful tribute of all.

6. Jai Sharma (Emmerdale)

Jai Sharma arrived in Emmerdale with promise: ambition, family conflict, and a clear role within the village’s business and relationship dynamics. Chris Bisson has played the character for over 16 years, appearing in more than 1,600 episodes. Yet in recent years, Jai has drifted into the background, rarely driving plots or sparking genuine excitement.

His scenes often feel repetitive, his conflicts circular. A sudden, shocking death—perhaps tied to business rivalry or an unresolved feud—could send shockwaves through the village. It would deeply affect characters like Laurel and Rishi, while also reminding viewers that Emmerdale is still willing to take risks. In storytelling terms, Jai’s exit could achieve more in one dramatic moment than years of narrative stagnation.

5. Dawn Taylor (Emmerdale)

When Dawn Taylor first appeared, she was raw, complex, and compelling. Her backstory—marked by addiction, exploitation, and survival—gave Emmerdale a gritty edge. Her relationship with Billy Fletcher offered hope and redemption, and for a while, Dawn felt like a character with real emotional momentum.

But following the breakdown of that marriage, Dawn has struggled to find a clear purpose. Her storylines have lacked urgency, and her presence now feels disconnected from the village’s core dramas. A tragic exit could reframe her journey, transforming a fading arc into a heartbreaking cautionary tale. Done sensitively, it could also have a lasting impact on Billy and their wider circle, reigniting emotional stakes across the show.

4. Tracy Barlow (Coronation Street)

Tracy Barlow has always been one of Coronation Street’s most controversial figures. From manipulative schemer to convicted killer, Tracy once embodied chaos on the cobbles. Kate Ford’s portrayal since 2002 cemented the character as a force to be reckoned with.

Yet in recent years, Tracy has been oddly subdued. The sharp edges have dulled, and she’s rarely central to major plots. For a character once synonymous with danger, this quiet existence feels like a disservice. A dramatic death—perhaps the consequence of old enemies or long-buried sins—could restore Tracy’s legacy as a woman who lived fast and left destruction in her wake. It would also send seismic shockwaves through the Barlow family, reigniting tensions that defined the show for decades.

3. Eric Pollard (Emmerdale)

Eric Pollard has survived scandals, illness, and more enemies than most villagers combined. As Emmerdale’s quintessential survivor, he has often cheated death—sometimes literally. But that very resilience has begun to dull the impact of his storylines.

With his health issues frequently revisited, a final, definitive exit could offer emotional closure. Eric’s death would profoundly affect characters like Brenda and David, while also marking the end of an era. Importantly, it would remind viewers that survival isn’t guaranteed, even for the most indestructible residents of the Dales.

2. Dev Alahan (Coronation Street)

Dev Alahan has been a fixture on Coronation Street for years, providing comic relief, business drama, and family conflict. Yet lately, his role has felt increasingly peripheral. His scenes often exist to support others rather than advance his own story.

A shock death—perhaps tied to a sudden accident or health crisis—could breathe new life into the show’s emotional landscape. It would force characters like Aadi and Asha into powerful coming-of-age arcs and allow the series to explore grief, responsibility, and legacy in a meaningful way.

1. Mackenzie Boyd (Emmerdale)

At the top of the list is Mackenzie Boyd, a character who has divided viewers since his arrival. While initially positioned as a troublemaker with depth, his repeated betrayals, selfish decisions, and lack of lasting consequences have worn thin for many fans.

A dramatic death—particularly one linked to his own reckless behaviour—could serve as a stark reminder that actions have consequences in the Dales. It would also provide emotional fallout for Charity and others, resetting dynamics that have felt stuck in repetition.

Final Thoughts

Soap deaths should never be cheap or gratuitous. When done right, they become cultural moments—episodes viewers remember for years. Killing off long-running or stagnant characters isn’t about erasing history; it’s about using that history to fuel the future.

As Emmerdale and Coronation Street continue to evolve, bold decisions will be essential. Letting some characters go may be painful, but it could also be the key to keeping these beloved soaps vibrant, relevant, and emotionally gripping for decades to come.