Who’s leaving Emmerdale in 2025? A complete guide to departures, returns and new arrivals in the Dales

We’re all excited to see what’s in store for the locals of Emmerdale in 2025, but who’s leaving this year? There have already been huge changes to the Emmerdale cast with four deaths.

And there have been several reported exits upcoming. The latest sees Gabrielle Dowling step away from the show she has starred on since she was born – but is she going for good?

It isn’t all about the goodbyes, however. The next 12 months will mark the arrival of exciting new faces to the Dales, including newcomer Kammy who’s just landed on screen and Heartstopper actor Bradley Riches. There will quite possibility the return of a few old faces too, following the exciting comeback of Joe Tate!

Here is the lowdown on who’s coming and going in 2025.

Who’s leaving Emmerdale in 2025?

Cathy Hope

Actress Gabrielle Dowling, who plays Cathy Hope, is set to step away from Emmerdale for a break, according to reports. 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.”

Cathy has had quite the turbulent time in the Dales. The daughter of Viv and Bob Hope, Cathy and twin brother Heath lost their mum at an early age when Viv died in a fire.

Cathy has since been through teen troubles that included her bullying niece April Windsor as well as suffering from PMDD. Then on New Year’s Eve 2023 she lost brother Heath after they went joyriding. Although Cathy insisted she wasn’t driving, everyone thought she was lying until Angelica King finally confessed she was responsible.

Gail Loman

It has been reported that Rachael Gill-Davis has become the latest person to quit Emmerdale. She has been in the soap for two years, but first appeared six years ago.

Gail is the girlfriend of Ryan Stocks and after a brief appearance in 2019, made a full-time comeback in 2023. Her biggest storyline was the secret son she shared with Ryan – who largely seems to have been forgotten about now!

According to The Sun Rachael agree to leave the soap later this year after her character failed to integrate into village life. The source said: “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.”

Emmerdale declined to comment on the report.

Who else is leaving Emmerdale?

Ella Forster

According to reports, actress Paula Lane is bidding farewell to Emmerdale after only a year on screen. Her character, Ella Forster arrived in the village in January 2024, but isn’t long for the exit door.

News of Ella’s imminent departure was revealed on Paula’s talent Spotlight page, which is linked to the star’s Instagram bio. It states that Paula is set to wrap filming on Emmerdale in February 2025. This means that Ella is likely to bow out some time in the spring. Emmerdale Insider contacted Emmerdale, who told us they do not comment on cast member’s contracts.

Ella’s been an interesting addition to the village and has definitely brought the drama. Fans were excited to have former Corrie star Paula Lane back on our screens, and she hasn’t disappointed.

The past 12 months have seen Ella find a new bestie in Mandy Dingle and start a romance with dishy doc Liam Cavanagh. But then came the shock revelation that Ella was a killer and took the life of her childhood best friend when she was just 11 years old. Ella was briefly ostracised by the locals, but hoped she could make a fresh start after discovering she was pregnant with Liam’s baby. Sadly, her dream of a happy family was dashed when Ella suffered a miscarriage and Liam rekindled his relationship with Chas Dingle.

Since losing Liam to Chas, Ella has gone all creepy stalker on us. Her psycho behaviour has led fans to suggest she may even return to the dark side. Will Ella commit her second murder and end up in prison?

Brenda Walker

After 16 years in Emmerdale, 2025 is reported to be Lesley Dunlop’s last on the Yorkshire-based soap.

Although yet to be formally announced, Lesley’s departure was revealed via a recent article in The Mirror.

A source told the publication: “There have been so many exits recently and the talk is of more. With people like Lesley and Roxy potentially in the mix, nobody feels safe.”

“The show has grown a lot bigger in recent years but soaps are expensive to make. It’s inevitable saving money means losing people.”

Emmerdale declined to comment when contacted about Lesley’s rumoured exit, and there are no further details on how her character might be written out.

Brenda has been part of village life since April 2008 and has featured in nearly 1500 episodes. As the co-owner of Cafe Main Street, she’s one of the most loved locals. After a disastrous short-lived marriage to Bob Hope, Brenda found happiness with Eric Pollard. Emmerdale’s longest standing character is played by actor Chris Chittell, who’s actually Lesley’s real-life husband.

Brenda has been Eric’s rock as he’s come to terms with his Parkinson’s diagnosis and was overjoyed when he popped the question. But their relationship and upcoming wedding ended after Brenda discovered Eric had squandered her life savings to invest in a cryptocurrency scam. But with no money left, what will prompt her to depart the Dales?

Who’s leaving Emmerdale – recent departures

Amy Barton

In tragic scenes that aired in February, Amy Barton was killed off following the lake limo crash. In a week that had already seen the deaths of Suzy Merton and Leyla Harding it was something of a surprise when Amy died too.

She had been stuck under the ice and although Tracy pulled her out, Amy had severe hypothermia. Even though it looked like she was recovering, she sadly lost her life.

Actress Natalie Ann Jamieson posted on her Instagram after the heartbreaking episode aired, thanking fans for their support over the years.

She wrote: “Goodbye Amy. I have had the best six years of my life playing this gobby Geordie with a heart of gold!

“What a way to go – so so proud of the cast and crew who achieved all of this in these last few eps!”

Suzy Merton

In dramatic scenes in February 2025, Suzy Merton was killed off. She was travelling in a limo for a girls’ night out with various other villagers and it crashed. Driver Charity Dingle had swerved to avoid hitting Noah who had stumbled dazed and confused into the road. The limo then skidded onto an iced over lake and gradually began falling through the ice.

Sadly, Suzy was killed immediately on impact. She was left in the limo as it sunk to the bottom of the lake.

Martelle Edinborough, who played Suzy, confirmed she has left the soap with a message to followers on social media platform, X.

“And just like that….Suzy is no more and a new chapter begins!! What an ep!

“It’s been such a blessing to have been a part of such an iconic show that I grew up on and loved by so many!!”

Leyla Harding

Reports first surfaced back in October that actress Roxy Shahidi had decided not to renew her contract.

And now that has come to pass. After the lake limo crash, Leyla was impaled with glass in her side and slowly bleeding out. By the time she got out of the limo she was barely conscious and Kerry and Vanessa had to drag her to safety.

She was taken in an ambulance, however she was sadly declared dead on arrival at the hospital. She had lost too much blood to survive.

Leyla first arrived in Emmerdale in 2008 before leaving in 2011. She returned for a brief spell in 2014 before reprising her role permanently later that year. She was involved in several big storylines, including her romances with David Metcalfe and Liam Cavanagh and the revelation she was Jacob Gallagher’s birth mum.

After her exit scenes aired, Roxy revealed the news Leyla was going to be killed off came as a ‘shock’.

She told Loose Women: “To have been in a show like that for 16 years is such a blessing, it’s something you can’t take for granted. We’re always aware each year, most of us are on yearly contracts so you never know.

“To have done 16 years, I am so grateful, but when I got that call because I kind of knew something was happening… it was a shock.

“When it’s such an epic story, you know it’s going to happen and I think your job is just to process that, do the best you can, and just keep going.”

Who’s joining Emmerdale in 2025?

Bradley Riches

Heartstopper star Bradley Riches is joining the soap as a new regular character. However the show is keeping details of exactly who Bradley will play under wraps.

Fans will recognise the actor for playing the role of James McEwan in the hit Netflix series. And, Bradley has also appeared on Celebrity Big Brother as a housemate in 2024.

Bradley has just started filming on the ITV Yorkshire based soap and his first scenes will be airing on screen in May this year.

Excited to join the much-loved British soap, Bradley 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 also then teased: “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.”

Kammy

There’s trouble ahead for Ross Barton and Sarah Sugden as Shebz Miah joins Emmerdale as new village bad boy Kammy. His first scenes aired this week as he stole a quad bike, got acquainted with Sarah and rubbed Ross up the wrong way.

Speaking about his exciting new role in the soap, actor Shebz Miah, said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining the cast of Emmerdale. Everyone has been so welcoming and I already feel like a part of the family.”

He continued: “I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better job – the character is such an exciting one to play and Kammy will definitely ruffle a few feathers, but he does have the gift of the gab so although he causes a lot of mischief, I think it will be hard not to like him!”

Emmerdale producer Laura Shaw added: “We are delighted to be welcoming Shebz to Emmerdale as cheeky charmer Kammy. Charismatic, with a very playful spirit, but ultimately kind at heart, Yorkshire lad Kammy promises to bring both excitement and danger to the village.”

Who’s returning to Emmerdale in 2025?

The rumour mill has been in overdrive with fans speculating which former faces might make a comeback in 2025.

Pete Barton is top of the list, and it would be perfect timing given his brother Ross’s recent return to the village. The Barton brothers were caught up in a toxic love triangle with Debbie Dingle. However, they made up and when Pete left the Dales in 2020 he went to join Ross in Liverpool. Are they about to reunited again?

And then there’s the comeback that all Robron fans are holding out for – Aaron’s soulmate, Robert Sugden. There’s some serious unfinished business between these two and we’d love to see Robert and half-brother John go toe to toe for the man they love.

Read more: Complete Emmerdale cast list for 2025

Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm, with an early release on ITVX at 7am.

Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.

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*This article is updated regularly to reflect the ongoing changes within the Emmerdale cast.