9 Emmerdale characters we want to see more of in 2025 – from John Sugden to PC Swirling

A brand new year in Emmerdale is always an exciting prospect and it’s got us thinking about the characters want to see more of in 2025.

There’s a real mixture of locals on our list. Some are legacy characters who have become a little redundant in recent years and need revitilising. Others are newcomers to the village that we’re keen to get to know more. And then there’s a non-resident who we’re desperate to become a permanent fixture.

Here are our nine folk who deserve more screen time next year…

Emmerdale characters we want to see in 2025: John Sugden

John Sugden’s arrival to the village in August 2024 came with high hopes. As the long lost son of an Emmerdale icon, this was the chance to put the Sugdens back on the map. But four months on and we’re still waiting for something – anything – exciting to happen.

Right now, John isn’t bringing an awful amount to Emmerdale. We get that he’s an enigma, and self-confessed lone wolf. We don’t even mind he’s moody and defensive. But he’s just so boring. Even John’s relationship with Aaron feels like it’s going through the motions. If you compare it to the passion of Robron, there’s no energy or spark.

But there has to be more to John than what we’ve been shown so far. That explanation he gave Aaron about Aidan Moore being his lost love felt too neat for our liking. If you ask us he’s lying and we want to know why. Is this guy even John Sugden?!

We’re hoping Emmerdale are going to solve the mystery and give us a reason to invest in John as a character. Otherwise he might as well get back in that campervan and carry on driving.

Victoria Sugden

While we’re on the subject of Sugdens, isn’t it time poor Victoria had a decent storyline? She’s barely on screen these days, and when she does pop up it’s normally to interfere in other folks’ business.

If you look past her being a nosey old nag, Vic is an important character in Emmerdale’s history. She’s one of its longest-serving residents and has lived in the village since she was born.

What we’d like is 2025 is to see Victoria lighten up a bit (okay, a lot) and get a life of her own. Perhaps an exciting new career opportunity or how about bring back her ex-husband Adam Barton? They made a great couple and we think he’d be lovely with her little Harry.

Emmerdale characters we want to see in 2025: PC Swirling

Fan favourite PC Swirling has been policing the Dales on and off for 20 years. We think that kind of loyal service should be rewarded. So how about making him a permanent character? We think he would be a marvelous addition.

The local copper recently showed viewers his softer side after arresting Cain Dingle for assault. Sensing Cain was troubled, Swirling got him to open up about Moira’s brain tumour diagnosis and shared he’d been through similar heartache with his aunt. And remember how he turned up to pay his respects at Zak’s funeral? He’s clearly a good egg.

Emmerdale could make more use of Swirling by moving him into the village. He could bring Mrs Swirling with him too, if she exists. We’d also love to see him teaming up with a few of the locals, particularly Kim Tate.

Dawn Fletcher

The past 12 months have not been kind to Dawn. She’s had to cope with baby Evan’s cancer, Will and Rose’s toxic war and now her marriage to Billy is in crisis following his ongoing involvement in illegal boxing. Would a happier 2025 be too much to ask?

Ever since Dawn arrived in the Dales six years ago she’s been blighted by bad luck and misery. But we would really like the chance to see a lighter, more bubbly side to her character.

Dawn’s got all the makings to be a brilliant barmaid behind The Woolpack bar. And we’d love to see her make friends with some of the fellow mums in the village, perhaps have a long overdue girly night out?

Caleb’s character is confusing (Credit: ITV)

Emmerdale characters we want to see in 2025: Caleb Miligan

Ruby’s character development has been one of the greatest triumphs of 2024, but Caleb remains something of a frustrating mystery. One minute he’s hell bent on toppling Kim Tate’s empire. Next, it’s all been forgotten about.

Just who is the real Caleb? Is he and out and out lying cheat and scoundrel? Or does have actually have a moral compass?

Next year we might get to find out as two secrets threaten to cause carnage. The first being Ruby’s betrayal with Cain. Even though Caleb’s repeatedly cheated on her, would he forgive Ruby for sleeping with his own brother?

And then of course, there’s Anthony’s abuse of Ruby and the question of whether Caleb isn’t actually Steph’s father. This revelation is going to destroy Caleb. And we wouldn’t be surprised if Caleb tried to put Anthony in the grave before the cancer finishes him off.

Gabby Thomas

Where is Gabby these days? She’s gone completely under the radar since getting together with Vinny and we’d like her back.

The couple still appear to be in the honeymoon period and are proving the doubters wrong. But do they have what it takes to go the distance? 2025 will give us that answer.

Gabby now deserves a prominent storyline of her own. Will she end up getting drawn into the drama at Home Farm? Kim is going to need someone in her corner, and who better than her canny protegee? Gabs has learnt from the best and has the ability to take anyone on.

Emmerdale characters we want to see in 2025: Jacob Gallagher

Emmerdale has confirmed Jacob will be taking centre stage in a gripping new plot for 2025. And it’s about time too!

A special standalone episode will follow the medical student as he’s pushed to his limits during the first day working in a busy A&E department. We’ve long been fans of actor Joe Warren-Plant and think this is going to be his time to shine.

As well embarking on a tough new career, Jacob is set to start a romance with long-time friend Sarah Sugden. It’s surprising the writers have waited so long to put these two together as they really suit one another.

Also, we suspect Jacob is going to be involved in mum Leyla’s departure from the village. So it looks as if we’ll be seeing a lot of him in the next few weeks. Hurrah!

Ross Barton

Mike Parr must be one of the busiest actors in soap right now, he’s barely been off our screen. Not that we’re complaining – we’d like a little less of Ross’s predictable bad boy antics.

The moments we’ve warmed to Ross most are the scenes he’s shared with April Windsor. Because of their shared history, their bond feels genuine and we like how Ross has become a stepfather figure/confidant for the troubled teen. Plus it’s always a delight to see the brilliant Amelia Flanagan (aka April) being given a meatier storyline.

But what we’d really like in 2025 is find out more about those six years Ross spent in Liverpool with his late girlfriend Rebecca White and her son Seb. What really happened to split them up? And did Ross have anything to do with Bex’s untimely passing? Let’s fill in the gaps and delve a little deeper.

Emmerdale characters we want to see in 2025: Steph Miligan

The Miligans are the family to watch as we go into 2025, and Steph in particular.

We really like what we’ve seen of the newcomer so far. She’s calculating, uncompromising, feisty and fearless – basically her mum’s mini me. But her whole world could be about to come crashing down.

Like Caleb, Steph is still in the dark over the abuse Ruby suffered at the hands of Anthony. And we’re yet to discover whether Steph’s biological father is in fact her grandad, who she idolises. If the truth does out, everything Steph has ever known would be shattered in an instant.

Might Steph team up with Caleb to take down evil Anthony? Or exact her own revenge on the perverted OAP?

Read more: Is Steph Anthony’s daughter? 

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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