The real reason Dr Todd is targeting Jacob figured out by fans and it's all down to evil Maya
Dr Todd has shades of Maya Stepney about herJacob Sugden is at crisis point in Emmerdale after months of bullying by his tough boss Dr Todd, but fans have a theory that there is a reason for Todd’s behaviour and it’s all about one Maya Stepney.
The storyline is exploring workplace bullying as Todd increasingly puts the pressure on Jacob to perform. However, viewers are sure there must be more to the reason Todd has singled out Jacob and can think of only one thing.
Jacob and Dr Todd in Emmerdale
When Dr Todd first began mentoring Jacob in January 2025 it was clear she was a firm but fair type. She was tough with him when it needed it – for example when he told Marlon and Rhona April was dead when it wasn’t actually her – but also compassionate when his mum died on his shift.
However that now seems to have changed and Dr Todd is clearly singling out Jacob. She is laying into him one minute and all smiles the next.
Jacob is struggling with her treatment of him and now she’s put him on her mentor programme it means double the amount of work and double the amount of time spent with her. She is encouraging him that it’s all because he shows such potential. But her manner and her attitude towards him is stressing him out big time.
Jacob makes huge mistakes
This week has seen Jacob hit breaking point. Faced with Dr Todd’s dad going into cardiac arrest, Jacob performed CPR despite him having a DNR.
Jacob knew he was in a situation where whatever he did would be wrong and it turned out he was right. Todd accused him of assault and sent him home. She forcefully told him she had been mistaken championing him because he was useless and would never become a doctor.
Jacob was near-hysterical as he drove away and so out of control he knocked over Cain Dingle. This has thrown him into even more of a spin and as he tried to explain to Sarah the pressure Todd was putting him under, she wasn’t interested.
Kerry has noticed something is going on and has confronted Todd. But she was given short shrift as the doctor just reeled off Jacob’s mistakes. And now Jacob is fuming with Kerry.
Why is Dr Todd being so harsh?
As the bullying intensifies, many have started to question why Dr Todd is being so nasty to Jacob. Fans are sure there must be a reason he is being singled out.
Some think Dr Todd isn’t just mean, but actually wants more from Jacob. They are comparing her to his teacher Maya Stepney who groomed him when he was just a teenager.
“Dr creepy is either trying to get Jacob trouserless, trying to overload him to get him to quit or she’ll turn out to be his real mum and Leyla didn’t actually have Jacob after all,” one fan shared on social media.
“Is that Dr after Jacob??” questioned a second. A third quipped: “I think Dr Todd wants Jacob to do more than a little research for her!”
“His boss is harder on him than on the other student,” mused another. “I’m getting Maya vibes – he’s obviously older now, but to me he’s still young.”
We know that next week Todd starts compiling a file accusing Jacob of being obsessed with her. But it’s clearly the other way round…
A connection between Dr Todd and Maya in Emmerdale?
Some viewers have gone a step further in their theories. They are starting to think Todd and Maya are connected.
“What if Dr Todd’s wife is Maya who groomed Jacob and Dr Todd is jealous or blaming Jacob for Maya’s life now being a shambles?” queried one on social media.
“She’s Maya’s wife,” many others agreed.
Some thought she was related to Maya in another way: “She could be related to Maya and is getting her revenge for her, probably her sister?” someone suggested.
“Bet she’s Maya’s sister,” added another. A third said: “I reckon that woman knows Maya and she’s sniffing around Jakey to get him hooked in again.”
“Maya’s sister here for revenge,” a fourth agreed.
Michael Rapaport
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