Who’s leaving Emmerdale in 2026? A complete guide to departures, returns and new arrivals in the Dales
Last year was quite the year of comings and goings for the locals of Emmerdale and now we’re well into 2026 we’ve already seen some big exits and one HUMONGOUS return (we’re looking at you, Graham). So what else do we know about who’s leaving and joining this year?
There were huge changes to the Emmerdale cast in 2025 with four deaths and plenty of other exits, plus some exciting returns in the shape of Robert Sugden.
Here is the lowdown on who’s coming and going in 2026.
Who’s leaving Emmerdale in 2026?
Dawn Fletcher
It has been reported that Emmerdale has ‘axed’ Olivia Bromley as Dawn Fletcher after eight years in the soap. And it’s fair to say fans are not happy at all.
She is said to be filming her exit scenes in the coming months and “understood” the soap’s decision.
A source told The Sun: “Olivia is adored by everyone at Emmerdale so the decision to axe her has not gone down well at all.
“She’s a popular member of the cast and if they can get rid of Olivia then the feeling is virtually no-one is safe.
“Olivia understood their decision and is preparing to film her exit in the coming months.”
The news of Olivia’s exit is said to have gone down badly with other members of the cast. Olivia’s set to film her leaving scenes later this year, however the exact date of her departure is unknown, but is likely to be around the summer time. No details of her end storyline have been given either.
Fears over who else is leaving Emmerdale
Dylan Penders
On Thursday March 19 Dylan decides to falsely confess to Ray’s murder to try and save Paddy and Bear from prison. Then he leaves the village with the intention of disappearing.
It has led to much speculation that Fred Kettle who plays Dylan is leaving the soap.
Emmerdale is staying tight-lipped over what the future holds for Dylan and whether this is the last we’ll see of him. But Fred has posted images from the Emmerdale set that suggest he is still filming, so we don’t think this is the end for Dylan just yet.
Paddy Dingle and Bear Wolf
Bear killed Ray Walters in self-defence and then broke his bail conditions so is currently on remand in prison. Meanwhile, Paddy has been charged with perverting the course of justice over the murder cover-up.
Both men are looking at a minimum term of life if found guilty.
No word has been given on whether Joshua Richards (Bear) or Dominic Brunt (Paddy) will leave the soap. But they both need new evidence to come to light fast if they are going to escape prison.
Moira Dingle
As Moira Dingle finds herself charged with double murder, plus human trafficking and drug dealing, there are serious fears actress Natalie J Robb is leaving Emmerdale.
There seems to be little hope she can get off with the evidence stacking up against her (despite multiple flaws!)
However, in a recent interview with Metro, Natalie revealed she has actually just signed a brand-new contract. So, luckily for fans, Moira Dingle doesn’t appear to be going anywhere.
She told the outlet: “I think that would be the first thing they would say to you ‘this is going to be it’. I’ve been lucky enough just to get another contract. So I think they would obviously say ‘sorry you’re going to be leaving but this is going be your out’.
“So when they just told me about the story I didn’t think that. I just didn’t really know how long I was going to be in for. And how serious the allegations were going to be at that point.”
Cain Dingle
Show legend Cain was recently given a cancer diagnosis. He is awaiting an operation to remove his prostate and hopefully cure him.
But nothing is certain and there are fears he is exiting the show for good.
Cain’s future on the soap has not yet been made clear. We do not know whether he will survive this diagnosis.
Actor Jeff Hordley teased to The Mirror: “I think he’s faced with his own mortality here and he knows this is something that could finish him off. He’s lost his mother to cancer so he’s all too aware of what can happen…”
Although that doesn’t give us many clues, it does suggest there’s a chance he could die. But Cain is a fighter and we wouldn’t write him off just yet. As he fights to launch Dingle Farm, there’s definitely life in him yet.
Who has left Emmerdale in 2026?
Already this year some big exits have aired:
- Celia Daniels
- Ray Walters
- John Sugden
Who left Emmerdale in 2025?
There plenty of departures last year. The following have left the Emmerdale in 2025:
- Wendy Posner
- Ella Forster
- Leyla Harding
- Amy Barton
- Suzy Merton
- Anthony Fox
- Brenda Walker
- Aidan Moore
- Gail Loman
- Kev Townsend
Who’s returning to Emmerdale in 2026?
Steph Miligan
Actress Georiga Jay recently left the soap. But Steph’s exit isn’t be permanent – she was pregnant with her first child. So Georgia has headed off on maternity leave – but she will be back soon!
Steph and Ross had just restarted their romance when she discovered he lied to her about not being with anybody else since they split.
Not being able to cope with everything, and no longer trusting the man she loves, Steph decided to leave the village.
Georgia announced her pregnancy in June in a social media video with co-stars Beth Cordingly (Ruby) and Bradley Riches (Lewis).
A source told The Sun: “Everyone’s thrilled for Georgia and can’t wait to see her back when she’s ready.
“Steph’s exit will happen in the next few weeks and see her flee abroad in typically dramatic fashion.
“But with Anthony’s body still out there, there’s a huge storyline still to be wrapped up for when she returns.”
Georgia gave birth in June to a little girl. She has hinted she is already back filming with some behind-the-scenes shots of her script and her on what looked like the Emmerdale set. However no exact return date has been confirmed.
Victoria Sugden
We have recently said goodbye to the iconic Victoria Sugden. But in happier news, it’s because actress Isabel Hodgins has had her first baby!
Isabel recently got married and she joins the many Emmerdale stars having babies recently.
Isabel revealed to The Mirror: “I will miss it. I love the people there, but I’ve worked there for 19 years, so I feel like I’ve done what I’ve wanted to do and been selfish with my career.
“Now, it’s time to devote my life to being a mum, that feels right to me. But there’s still FaceTime, so they won’t forget me!”
Victoria left after the guilt of framing Moira Dingle in order to keep her own secret that she killed John Sugden got too much for her. She has gone to stay with Diane in Portugal.
Isabel gave birth in February to little girl Georgie Gracie Whitehead.
Cathy Hope
Actress Gabrielle Dowling, who plays Cathy Hope, has stepped away from Emmerdale for a break. A source revealed to The Sun that the actress was taking time off to focus on her exams.
“Gabrielle has been working solidly on the show for her entire life but with her A levels coming up thought it was best to take a break to focus on them,” they said.
“She will be gone for a matter of months and will return later in the year once exam season is over.
“Her exit storyline is being kept quiet until it plays out on screen but it’s only going to be a temporary one.”
The exit then saw Cathy head off on a round-the-world cruise with stepmum Brenda Walker. But although Brenda is staying away for good, Cathy will return.
Kev Townsend
This might just be wishful thinking, but there are multiple calls for Kev Townsend to return to the soap – and they are surely getting too loud for Emmerdale to ignore!
After being held hostage by John, Kev got away and returned to the village to tip Aaron off about John and then went to see Lewis. Nicola intercepted him and told him to leave.
She gave Kev an ultimatum: tell Lewis the truth about being his dad and then stick around and actually be a dad to him. Or leave for good.
Kev was seen walking away, and Chris Coghill who plays Kev has now confirmed that was the last we are set to see of him. He wrote on his Instagram: “Right. In a bit Emmerdale. Been an absolute joy. Thanks for all the love for Kev.”
Fans are gutted to see him go and there is hope for a return. But that’s it for now.
Tracy Robinson
Amy Walsh has given birth to her second baby with ex-EastEnders star husband Toby-Alexander Smith. The couple already share daughter, Bonnie, three.
It has meant she’s left Emmerdale for the time being. Tracy decided to depart to stay with Cara – the late Nate Robinson’s mum. She has a house and job ready for her there and Tracy needs a fresh start.
Nothing has been said about when Amy will return to Emmerdale, but it’s likely she’ll take a year off as she did with her first child.
