Explore Emmerdale’s characters, from iconic legends to new arrivals, with the latest stories and drama unfolding in the village.
Explore Emmerdale’s casts, from iconic legends to new arrivals, with the latest stories and drama unfolding in the village.
close
Emmerdale blasts on to our screens every evening at 7.30pm on ITV and has been doing so since 1972.
Set to the backdrop of the rolling Yorkshire Dales, life in this village is anything buy quiet! In fact, you’re pretty much risking your life if you consider moving here!
Emmerdale’s history takes us right back to 1972 after screenwriter Kevin Laffan was commissioned to write a lunchtime farming serial. But it soon became so popular it was moved to an evening slot and the drama spiced up until it embodied the show we know and love today.
Originally based on BBC Radio 4 drama The Archers, Emmerdale was called Emmerdale Farm, but nowadays we have less of the farming and animals and more of the farmers and villagers!
Emmerdale Farm launched at lunchtime on Monday October 16 1972. The drama was a hit and by 1977 it was given a primetime evening slot.
The original theme tune for Emmerdale Farm was created by renowned composer Tony Hatch. He had also written the music for Crossroads and Australian soap Neighbours.
The very first episodes were begun with a longer version of the theme tune, but it was soon switched to a shorter version after just five episodes! It was performed on an oboe with accompaniment from piano and strings.
In 1992 a new, more upbeat version arrived on screens, and by 1998 it was replaced with a grand orchestral number. The theme tune was recorded once again in 2011 with a synthesiser instead and that remains the same as today.
In the first ever episode of Emmerdale Farm we saw the funeral of Jacob Sugden and got to meet the surviving members of the Sugden family – who would then become central to the show and its plots.
Jack Sugden made an appearance for the first time, but he immediately caused a stir as he had inherited the farm. Siblings Joe and Peggy were not impressed by the news.
But the first ever person to appear in Emmerdale was Marian Wilks. She rode her horse across the Dales in what has become a much-loved and iconic scene.
The episode ended with a shot in the Woolpack. Jack Sugden caused trouble with locals Alec and Marian and they left, not wanting to drink with him.
Keith Richardson took over as producer in 1986. A conscious decision was made the shift the soap’s focus to the village rather than the farm. This brought more drama and with it a title change. Emmerdale Farm became simply Emmerdale on November 14 1989.
Arguably the Queen of Drama was Kim Tate and 1989 also signalled her arrival, along with the Tate family. They were the new owners of Home Farm.
Spicey scripts and racy storylines followed, meaning Emmerdale became a major primetime soap. The village of Beckindale was even renamed Emmerdale after the 1993 plane crash.
Emmerdale’s location scenes began being shot in the village of Arncliffe. This changed in 1976, filming was switched to the real-life village of Esholt, near Bradford. It stayed on location here until 1997, but had become such a popular tourist destination and coupled with the filming, was starting to get on the nerves of the residents who lived there.
A complete replica of Esholt was therefore built on the private Harewood Estate in Leeds. This is where Emmerdale is filmed today.
Apart from the church and the village hall, the properties are sadly not real. So the interior scenes are filmed at the ITV studios in Leeds.
It takes a village to run Emmerdale and the production team behind the camera is just as important as those on-screen. Currently in charge of Emmerdale is Iain MacLeod. The executive producer of the show helms all continuing drama at ITV, so is also in charge of Coronation Street.
It was all change at the top in 2024 when series producer Kate Brooks also left her role. She was replaced by Sophie Roper, who joined Laura Shaw as co-producer.
To date, the longest-serving executive producer of the soap was Keith Richardson. In charge of the complete revamp of Emmerdale, he joined the programme in 1986 and stayed until 2009.
Going way back to 1972, the first episode of Emmerdale was conceived and written by Kevin Laffan and script editor David Crane. David Goddard was the producer and Peter Holmans executive producer. Tristan de Vere Cole was the director.
Emmerdale has won many awards, but it did start slowly. They have made up for it in recent years. They have won the BAFTA award for Best Soap and Continuing Drama three times, in 2001, 2017 and 2020.
The show has also won the British Soap Awards Best Soap gong three times, most recently in 2022.
2017 was the biggest award winning year for Emmerdale. It won a BAFTA and it also won Best Soap at the British Soap Awards, and the Inside Soap Awards. It scooped Best Serial Drama at the National Television Awards, and won the RTS award for Best Soap and Continuing Drama and Best Soap at the TV Quick and TV Choice Awards.
Danny Miller is the most decorated actor, having be awarded the leading actor gong three times.
When it first began, Emmerdale aired weekday afternoons. In 1977, it was moved to Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 7pm. A third episode was added in 1997 on a Wednesday. By 2000 show bosses decided to go five nights a week, adding Monday and Friday episodes to the mix. A Sunday ep was also scheduled in in 2004. This was scrapped in 2008.
Emmerdale now airs Monday to Friday at 7.30pm on ITV, with an hour-long episode on Thursdays. In addition die-hard fans can watch Classic Emmerdale episodes every weekday on ITV3 at 1.40pm and 2.10pm.
If you want to take a walk around the iconic village, you can. The Emmerdale Tour is an experience for lucky fans to visit the outdoor set.
It operates on select weekends and Bank Holidays and as well as the standard tour, you can go on a Star Tour and meet a member of the cast.
You’ll be guided around the set by an expert tour guide and have 90 minutes to take pictures in front of The Woolpack or the Emmerdale sign. During the Star Tour an actor will greet you on the set, but you have no idea who it is until the arrive!
Prices vary but star at £35 per person and gift vouchers are available!
There is of course much debate surrounding what have been the biggest and best storylines of a soap that has aired for over 50 years. In 2022, Entertainment Daily! ran a poll to find out fans’ favourite ever plot and it was won by murderous Meena Jutla. Her reign of terror killing various village members, including Dr Liam’s daughter Leanna Cavanagh lasted for over a year before she was caught and sentenced to the rest of her life behind bars.
Others in the top 10 included Faith Dingle’s tragic cancer battle, screened just before the 50th anniversary that had viewers in tears. Tricia’s death when the Woolpack chimney fell on her during a storm in 2003, came in third. It was followed by Marlon’s stroke in 2022 and Ashley’s dementia battle from 2015 to 2017.
Deaths have made a big impact in Emmerdale with Kim watching Frank die, Chris Tate’s death and Moira’s grief over Holly’s death, also huge Dales’ stories.
The soap has a history of tackling big issues too. Aaron’s historical sexual abuse by his dad, Gordon, was thoughtfully handled. Charity’s rape by DI Bails received much praise. Pierce and Rhona’s controlling marriage and both Victoria Sugden and Lisa Dingle’s rape were treated with respect.
Of course, Emmerdale loves a stunt too. The Woolpack siege by Cameron Murray in 2013, the 1993 plane crash and the helicopter crash of 2015 which killed Val Pollard were all triumphant hits.
There is no-one remaining in the cast who starred in the first episode of Emmerdale. However, Chris Chittell is the longest-serving cast member who is still appearing on screen. He plays Eric Pollard and has been in the soap for almost 38 years, having joined on September 30 1986. And he’s still a huge part of the show, with his recent Parkinson’s diagnosis putting him at the forefront once again.
Original cast member Sheila Mercer who played Annie Sugden appeared for 36 years and four months in total, bringing her in at just behind Chris. She starred in the first episode and her last appearance was in February 2009. giving her a tenure of 36 years and four months.
Jack Sugden, is the third longest-running character at 35 years and five months. He was played by two different actors in Emmerdale – Andrew Burt (1972-1976) and the late Clive Hornby (1980-2008).
Kim Tate actress Claire King, despite an absence of many years, has served almost 35 years as the Queen of Emmerdale.
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.
