There have been plenty of comings and goings in Emmerdale recently, with several more cast changes ahead.

Last year, we said farewell to a number of villagers, including Rachael Gill-Davis, who played Gail Loman.

Another departee was Paula Lane’s Ella Forster, who left the Dales in the back of a police car after just fifteen months onscreen.

There was also the much-anticipated return of Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley), who came back to the village following a prison stint.

We even saw Bernice Blackstock (Samantha Giles) pop back to the Dales for a brief stint.

As 2026 begins, more changes are afoot… so here’s the lowdown on who is returning, leaving, and arriving in the ITV soap…

EMMERDALE CAST RETURNS

Cathy Hope

Nineteen-year-old Gabrielle Dowling has also left the soap – but she will be back.

Recent storylines have included Cathy Hope coming to terms with a PMDD diagnosis, and also dealing with the horrific death of twin brother Heath, played by Gabrielle’s brother Sebastian, who passed away following a car accident.