Emmerdale cast: who is leaving, returning to and joining the cast?
All the comings and goings in the lively village in 2025.
It's a dramatic time in Emmerdale at the moment, but then again, when isn't it?
Following the end of last year which saw the shock return of Joe Tate (Ned Porteous), we have entered 2025 with a series of changes on the way for the cast of the ITV soap.
In fact, some flash-forwards on New Year's Eve even teased some brutal exits to come for our favourite villagers - with some already coming to pass.
So, who currently stars in the Emmerdale cast?
Read on for your essential guide from RadioTimes.com to the latest Emmerdale cast news that you absolutely need to know.
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Emmerdale cast: Who is leaving, returning to and joining the cast?
Emmerdale cast 2025
The full present regular cast for Emmerdale can be found below.
- Chris Chittell as Eric Pollard
- Claire King as Kim Tate
- Isabel Hodgins as Victoria Sugden
- James Hooton as Sam Dingle
- Ned Porteous as Joe Tate
- Lisa Riley as Mandy Dingle
- Mark Charnock as Marlon Dingle
- Dominic Brunt as Paddy Kirk
- Eden Taylor-Draper as Belle King
- Emma Atkins as Charity Dingle
- Jeff Hordley as Cain Dingle
- Tony Audenshaw as Bob Hope
- Patrick Mower as Rodney Blackstock
- Nicola Wheeler as Nicola King
- Zoe Henry as Rhona Goskirk
- Rosie Bentham as Gabby Thomas
- Charlotte Bellamy as Laurel Thomas
- Lucy Pargeter as Chastity "Chas" Dingle
- Danny Miller as Aaron Dingle
- Nick Miles as Jimmy King
- Jack Downham as Noah Dingle
- Katie Hill as Sarah Sugden
- Gabrielle Dowling as Cathy Hope
- Alfie Clarke as Arthur Thomas
- Lesley Dunlop as Brenda Walker
- Natalie J. Robb as Moira Dingle
- Ash Palmisciano as Matty Barton
- Rebecca Bakes as Angelica King
- Chris Bisson as Jai Sharma
- Joe-Warren Plant as Jacob Gallagher
- Luca Hoyle as Elliot Windsor
- Harvey Rogerson as Leo Goskirk
- Huey Quinn as Kyle Winchester
- Kai Assi as Archie Breckle
- Laura Norton as Kerry Wyatt
- Michelle Hardwick as Vanessa Woodfield
- Mike Parr as Ross Barton
- Jonny McPherson as Dr Liam Cavanagh
- Amelia Flanagan as April Windsor
- Amy Walsh as Tracy Robinson
- Charlie Munro Joyce as Carl Holliday
- Arthur Cockroft as Moses Dingle
- Jack Jennings as Johnny Woodfield
- Tilly-Rue Foster as Dotty Thomas
- Karen Blick as Lydia Dingle
- Bobby Dunsmoir as Isaac Dingle
- Olivia Bromley as Dawn Fletcher
- James Moore as Ryan Stocks
- Rebecca Sarker as Dr Manpreet Sharma
- Jay Kontzle as Billy Fletcher
- Bradley Johnson as Vinnie Dingle
- Joshua Richards as Bear Wolf
- Rachael Gill-Davis as Gail Loman
- Noah Ryan Aspinall as Lucas Taylor
- Bella James as Eve Dingle
- Lawrence Robb as Mackenzie Boyd
- Kevin Mathurin as Charles Anderson
- Louise Jameson as Mary Goskirk
- William Ash as Caleb Miligan
- Flo Wilson as Claudette Anderson
- Paula Lane as Ella Forster
- Beth Cordingly as Ruby Fox-Miligan
- Oliver Farnworth as John Sugden
- Georgia Jay as Steph Miligan
- Shebz Miah as Kammy Hadiq
Here are the following changes ahead to the regular cast.
DEPARTING
Cathy Hope (Gabrielle Dowling)
When is Cathy Hope leaving? 2025.
Actress Gabrielle Dowling is reportedly taking a break from Emmerdale later this year as Cathy Hope steps away from the village.
The Sun reports that Dowling was taking time out from the soap for educational reasons so Cathy will leave the soap for a time.
ITV declined to comment regarding Cathy's screen break, but RadioTimes.com understands that the actress's time away from Emmerdale will be temporary.
Will Cathy's departure be connected to the exit of her adopted mother Brenda?
Brenda Walker (Lesley Dunlop)
When is Brenda Walker leaving? Spring 2025.
After 16 years in the soap, Brenda Walker is reportedly being written out by show bosses in the coming weeks on Emmerdale.
Actress Lesley Dunlop was reported by The Mirror to be one of the actors to be departing the show soon, alongside Roxy Shahidi's Leyla Harding.
The character was first introduced in 2008 as the adopted mother of Genesis Walker and went on to stay long after Gennie was killed off. Brenda later had hard-hitting stories, including battling cancer and coping with the death of her adopted son Heath Hope.
Brenda is currently in a relationship with Eric Pollard, played by Dunlop's real-life husband Chris Chittell, but it seems the pair will soon face heartache...
RadioTimes.com has reached out to ITV for comment.
Ella Forster (Paula Lane)
When is Ella Forster leaving? Spring 2025.
Paula Lane looks set to depart her role as troubled Ella Forster in Emmerdale next year.
Ella Forster was introduced as a feisty receptionist and soon became friends with Mandy Dingle (Lisa Reilly) and a love interest for Dr Liam Cavanagh (Jonny McPherson).
The character's shocking backstory was later explored when she was revealed to have killed a friend of hers during her childhood and had since struggled to fit back into society without judgment. Lane revealed at the time that she had signed a further contract with the soap too.
Now, it has been revealed on a talent Spotlight page shared by Lane herself on via Instagram bio that she will cease filming with Emmerdale in February 2025.
This suggests that the character will depart the ITV soap on-screen in Spring 2025.
ITV declined to comment when approached by RadioTimes.com.
Gail Loman (Rachael Gill-Davis)
When is Gail Loman leaving? Spring 2025.
The Woolpack barmaid Gail Loman is set to depart the ITV soap after bosses and the actress Rachael Gill-Davis reached a mutual decision for her to go.
The character first appeared as a guest spot in 2019 before making a full-time return in 2023 as Ryan Stocks's girlfriend and later had a storyline surrounding their secret child from years prior.
A source told The Sun: "Rachael has loved her time on the show but it’s time to go.
"Bosses felt the character wasn’t inspiring much story and so it was all very amicable. The door has been left open but it’s a definite goodbye for now.
"Rachael is looking forward to spreading her wings and showing off her talents on other shows."
ITV declined to comment on the report when approached by RadioTimes.com.
JOINING
Lewis (Bradley Riches)
When is Lewis arriving? 2025.
Heartstopper actor Bradley Riches has been confirmed to be joining the cast of Emmerdale as a mystery character, later revealed on social media to be named Lewis.
Speaking of his new role, Riches said: "I’m beyond excited to be joining Emmerdale! It’s a real bucket list moment for me, especially since it was my grandad’s favourite soap, I just know he’d be over the moon.
"Everyone has been so lovely and welcoming, and the village is even more amazing in real life. I absolutely love my character (though I can’t spill too much just yet!), and I’m just so grateful for this opportunity. I can’t wait for everyone to see what’s in store…"
Emmerdale producer Laura Shaw added: "We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Bradley to the Emmerdale family. Bradley brings a wealth of talent and his warmth, wit and charisma makes him perfect for this new Emmerdale role.
"We have some wonderful stories for him to play and we can't wait for the audience to see Bradley bring his new character bursting into life on screen."
The soap's social media video hinted that he would be related to at least another villager, so let the speculation commence...
Who has left Emmerdale in 2025?
The following characters departed in 2025.
- Wendy Posner
- Anthony Fox
- Tom King (Guest)
- Suzy Merton
- Amy Wyatt
- Leyla Harding
- Dylan (Guest)
Who has left Emmerdale in 2024?
The following characters departed in 2024.
- Heath Hope
- Lisa Dingle (guest, voice)
- Damon "Harry" Harris (guest)
- Amit Sharma
- Gus Malcolms
- Ethan Anderson
- Nicky Miligan
- Suni Sharma
- Josh Cope (guest)
- Samson Dingle
- Emma Barton (guest)
- Nate Robinson
- Helen Fox (guest)
- Tom King
- Amelia Spencer
- Esther Spencer
- Daz Spencer (Guest)
- Will Taylor
- Jade Garrick (Guest)
Who has left Emmerdale in 2023?
The following characters departed Emmerdale in 2023.
- Priya Sharma
- Amba Metcalfe
- Marcus Dean
- Ally
- Naomi Walters
- Marshall Hamston
- Rishi Sharma
- Georgia Sharma
- Colin Hamston
- Dan Spencer
- Victor Anderson
- Craig Reed
- Bernice Blackstock
- David Metcalfe
- Theo Metcalfe
- Damon "Harry" Harris
- Chloe Harris
- Reuben Harris
- Zak Dingle
Who left Emmerdale in 2022?
The following characters have departed Emmerdale in 2022.
- Gavin
- Ellis Chapman
- DS Rogers
- Carol Butler
- Meena Jutla
- Jason Denshaw
- Alex Moore
- Kit
- Sandra Flaherty
- Faith Dingle
- PC Harriet Finch
- Liv Dingle
- Diane Sugden
- Al Chapman
Who else will be in the village by the end of the year?
Visit our dedicated Emmerdale page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. If you’re looking for more to watch check out our TV Guide.
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Authors
Lewis Knight is the Trends Editor for Radio Times, covering trending titles from TV, Film and more. He previously worked at The Mirror in TV, Film, and Showbiz coverage alongside work on SEO. Alongside his past work in advertising, he possesses a BSc in Psychology and an MA in Film Studies.
