Emmerdale looks to be set for 2023 just as memorable as the previous 12 months with some major storylines coming.
There’s no doubt 2022 will live long in the memory with Emmerdale celebrating its 50th anniversary through some major storylines and shock exits while soap villain Meena Jutla, played by Paige Sandhu, finally got her comeuppance. So, how can the soap top all that in the upcoming 12 months?
Well, speaking at an Emmerdale press event, the soap’s executive producer Jane Hudson has offered fans a few hints of how 2023 is shaping up. By all accounts, it looks like being an up-and-down time for the Dingle Clan.
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Christmas 2022 saw the arrival of Cain Dingle's estranged brother Caleb Milligan - played by Will Ash. Just what Cain needed while he was stuck behind bars accused of killing Al Chapman.
Elsewhere, Chas Dingle's affair has understandably caused a major strain between her and husband Paddy. You can see how all this is likely to impact Emmerdale in 2023, and many other soap spoilers, by scrolling below to find out what Emmerdale boss Jane Hudson told us to prepare for in the next 12 months.
Dingles drama
Discussing the Dingle situation, Jane said: "I would say the start of 2023 is explosive for the Dingles. We have got Cain at the heart of what is happening in our village we’ve got Paddy and Chas at the heart of what is happening as well as Charity and Mackenzie. So, the Dingles are really kicking off 2023 with a bang."
Love triangle
Potentially coming to a head in 2023 is a love triangle. It involves Charity Dingle, Mackenzie Boyd and Chloe Harris. Of course, Charity and Mackenzie are due to marry during the next 12 months while Chloe is expecting a baby which Mackenzie is father to. Jane explained: “We have got the Charity and Mackenzie wedding on the cards which will be happening next year.
"I think we all know weddings don’t go very smoothly. Chloe’s baby will be due around the time of the wedding - I think you can put the pieces together. It will be explosive for Charity and Mackenzie.”
New set
Emmerdale will soon have a new set with the village’s B&B coming under the hands of new owners. Jane Hudson wouldn’t reveal who is at the helm but didn’t offer viewers a little hint.
She said: “I’m not going to tell you who the new owners are but let’s just say it is very boutique and very glamorous. It has got an absolute touch of class and it is just on the right side of not being cheesy. So, there’s your clues. It is going to be two owners who are not a couple.”
Young stars getting a chance to shine
Emmerdale boss Jane Hudson said 2023 will be a coming of age time for the soap's younger cast members. Jane explained: "A lot of our youngsters have got stories coming up. You get to an age with our young cast where you suddenly realise they are growing up. They’ve been off-screen for a few weeks and then they reappear a foot taller and their voice is deeper. Then you are left going ‘oh my gosh, we need to start growing them up in the show’. I think for Rosie (Bentham), who plays Gabby, we kept her at 15 for about three years and then she eventually went ‘you do know my character is 18?’
“You’ll see a really big storyline for Cathy, Bob’s daughter, which is really emotional. It is her first big story really, a challenging one which I think a lot of parents will connect with. It is one I haven’t seen a soap do before either.”
More baby drama
Jane explained: “Noah and Amelia have got their story going on where Amelia has had her baby and Noah has been something of a surrogate father. Samson is going to be more devious than usual in terms of looking after himself - it will cause big arguments with his father.”
Marlon's stroke recovery
One of 2022's most heart-breaking storyline was Marlon Dingle's stroke. It saw Mark Charnock, who plays Marlon, and Amelia Flanagan, who plays the character's daughter April, receive lots of praise. Emmerdale boss Jane Hudson said: “We’ve got April’s story as she navigates her world with her dad (Marlon) as he recovers from his stroke."
Summer spectacular
Emmerdale boss Jane has set the aim of having a major Emmerdale summer plot to bring fans. She said: “I’m storylining June at the minute so my head is there. I couldn’t tell you anything anyway but we are busy working on summer storylines at the moment as I always like to have a little bit of a summer spectacular so if I say that I have to come up with something now.”
Chas righting wrongs...or at least attempting to
As Emmerdale fans know, Chas Dingle did the unthinkable and cheated on husband Paddy with Al Chapman. Emmerdale executive producer Jane said: “What one person will forgive another viewer might not. The viewers will always find it difficult to forgive for breaking Paddy’s heart but I think what we will start to see is Chas doing her absolute best to right her wrongs and put other people first - acknowledging what she did.”
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A returning cast member?
Finally, the Emmerdale boss couldn’t be probed without a question regarding any former favourites returning. Remaining rather coy, she said: “I can’t tell you because I’m still checking. We are doing June storylines and I had an idea the other day and thought ‘ahhhhh, our viewers would love that’.”
Before exiting, Jane joked: “Let me go, let me go.” She has given Emmerdale fans more than enough to mull over in the coming weeks and months.
As ever, we'll continue to bring you the big Emmerdale news about what is happening in the village. You can visit our Emmerdale homepage to find the latest gossip about the soap and its stars.
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