Emmerdale 2026 preview: 10 spoilers for the year ahead from Ray Walters death mystery and Graham Foster return

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The new year started with dramatic events in Emmerdale, thanks to a special crossover with Coronation Street. This led to surprising plot twists and completely changed the course of several storylines.

Wow, can you believe it? It’s only been a few days into 2026, and already we’ve got three murders and someone coming back to life after being gone for six years! As a film buff, I’m thinking this year is going to be seriously wild – it feels like the plot of a movie already!

The events in Corriedale made us question what the future held for the villagers, as they faced a lot of uncertainty.

Emmerdale 2026 preview: 10 spoilers for the year ahead from Ray Walters death mystery and Graham Foster return

1. Who killed Ray Walters? Whodunnit resolved

Now that the villainous Ray Walters is gone, everyone’s wondering who finally decided to take him out.

Emmerdale’s executive producer, Laura Shaw, says the truth about Ray’s death will be revealed later this month, uncovering many long-held secrets.

Sometime before the end of January, a week of episodes will show events leading up to Ray’s murder, ultimately revealing who killed him from among the list of suspects.

Who are you betting on? Are you rooting for Marlon Dingle, played by Mark Charnock? Or perhaps Laurel Thomas, played by Charlotte Bellamy? What about April Windsor, played by Amelia Flanagan, or Ross Barton, played by Michael Parr?

2. Cain Dingle’s cancer hell

“Cain is at the centre of a major prostate cancer storyline spanning across 2026,” reveals Shaw.

Moira Dingle (Natalie J Robb) will face a devastating blow when she’s arrested for human trafficking, adding to the family’s troubles as it happens around the same time her husband receives a difficult diagnosis. This will put a huge strain on their already complicated marriage, and the entire Dingle family will feel the consequences.

3. Graham Foster’s shock return

A surprising twist in Corriedale revealed that Graham Foster (Andrew Scarborough) is actually alive! Everyone believed he died six years ago, killed by Pierce Harris, but that wasn’t the case. Now, fans are wondering how he managed to survive and where he’s been all this time.

“This is going to be a sensational comeback,” says Shaw.

Graham’s return will cause major drama for both his former wife, Kim Tate, with whom he has a complicated history, and Rhona Goskirk, who was planning to leave with him. He’ll finally reveal the truth about what happened six years ago when everyone thought he died, but it remains to be seen if Joe Tate can forgive him for letting him believe he was gone.

Graham recently kidnapped Jodie Ramsey, a new character on Coronation Street, tying her up and silencing her in a van. This has led viewers to wonder if he’s secretly a hired killer. Meanwhile, his return to the neighborhood is happening just before Joe’s wedding to Dawn Fletcher, raising questions about his motives.

4. Charity Dingle’s baby secret exposed

I have to say, Charity Dingle’s current situation is unbelievably complicated! It’s already a dramatic storyline with her acting as a surrogate for her granddaughter, Sarah, but to then find out she’s pregnant after a night with Ross… it’s just a lot! I can’t think of a more tangled web in any soap opera, honestly. It’s rarely simple when it comes to soap pregnancies, but this one takes the cake.

I’m completely hooked on what’s happening with Charity! Her husband, Mackenzie, is convinced he’s the father and they’ve made a pact to keep it from Sarah, but he has no idea about the real connection to Ross. It’s only a matter of time before everything comes out, and honestly, I can’t wait! Apparently, the truth about who the father really is is going to explode, and with the baby due in the spring, the birth itself might be what finally reveals all of Charity’s secrets. It’s going to be huge!

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5. Murder and blackmail for the Tates and Sugdens

The long-running conflict between the Sugden and Tate families will flare up again in Emmerdale in 2026, promising dramatic scenes.

According to Shaw, the real story behind John’s death will come out, because Victoria’s plan to disguise it as a suicide is falling apart.

Evil Joe has a damaging video and intends to use it to manipulate the Sugdens, possibly seizing control of Butler’s Farm. Meanwhile, Robert is desperately trying to help Victoria by secretly planting false evidence.

Hodgins will be taking maternity leave in 2026, but the storyline will see her character leave the village – what motivates this dramatic exit?

6. Another Robron wedding

Robert and Aaron Dingle (played by Danny Miller) are currently focused on concealing Vic’s wrongdoing, but it’s easy to forget they recently got engaged after sharing a meaningful conversation by the side of the road following the car accident.

Robron’s wedding plans haven’t always gone smoothly – their first try in 2017 was famously disrupted when Aaron’s grandmother, Faith Dingle, was arrested by the police.

Their relationship has been a dramatic up-and-down, and they’re planning their third wedding for 2026. But will it actually happen? They’re also facing legal trouble for keeping secrets about John’s death, and there’s a chance a former partner could reappear and cause more problems.

7. Kev Townsend returns?

Many viewers are hoping to see more of the character Kev Townsend, played by Chris Coghill, after his time in prison.

Robert’s partner in prison was a memorable character. Though he could be violent and had a quick temper, he was also a kind person with a surprising talent – he was a great karaoke singer, and once performed a heartfelt Daniel Bedingfield song for Robert.

8. Romance blossoms for Vinny Dingle

Lewis is facing a major surprise regarding his child’s parentage, and a slow-burn romance is also starting to develop.

After recently coming to terms with his feelings about his sexuality, Vinny Dingle (Bradley Johnson) is now developing feelings for the person he lives with.

Around the end of 2025, the boys started a back-and-forth dynamic that’s likely to become public knowledge in 2026.

Kammy Hadiq is very protective of his friend Vinny. How will he react when Vinny starts dating someone for the first time?

Could Kammy be jealous that he’s no longer the object of Vin’s affections?

9. Paddy Dingle’s nightmare over Bear Wolf

As a fan, I was absolutely devastated to see Bear Wolf go through that terrible ordeal with people trafficking. It was truly shocking and upsetting. Even now, in 2026, we’re all still reeling from the realization that something so awful was happening right here, and it’s going to take a long time for our community to fully process it.

Paddy Dingle is frantic about his father’s disappearance, and unfortunately, things aren’t getting any better.

Shaw sadly reveals that Bear has been killed by the villain Celia, and Paddy is still searching, unaware of the tragic news.

This upsetting search and its sad outcome will likely worsen Paddy’s existing mental health issues.

10. Eric Pollard dies in prison?

The Christmas Eve wedding of Eric Pollard and Kerry Wyatt was a huge surprise, maybe even one of the biggest in years! But with their marriage built on lies, what’s next for the couple?

Pollard is seriously ill and only married Kerry for practical reasons – to secure his grandson Jacob’s inheritance. However, Jai is jealous of Kerry and has threatened to reveal the marriage isn’t genuine.

Could the couple end up behind bars? Might Pollard die in prison?

Laura Norton, who plays the new Mrs. P, says Kerry is beginning to think her plan was a bit impulsive.

She really cares for Eric – they’re both charming and a little mischievous. It feels significant because he previously helped with her daughter, Amy, and she’d want someone to do the same for him. As for Jai, Kerry didn’t seem to realize how strongly he felt about her. It’s hard to say what will happen now.

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 8pm on ITV1. Stream on ITVX.

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2026-01-11 11:37