The soaps are famous for their complex storylines, and while it was once a rarity, it looks like there’s another mystery lurking on the horizon in Emmerdale.
Next week, the series will once again challenge linear storytelling and take us to a crime scene. When the camera photographs the victim, we briefly learn his identity. Does anyone have blood on their hands?
The next day, police swarmed the area, wanting to talk to Mackenzie Boyd (Lawrence Robb). This comes after Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins) decides to talk to the police about blackmailing Dr Caitlin Todd (Caroline Harker).
Elsewhere, Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) has questions about son Kyle Winchester’s (Hughie Quinn) relationship with Graham Foster (Andrew Scarborough), while Serena Sugden (Casey Al-Shaxi) has questions about her murderous cousin John (Oliver Farnworth).
Meanwhile, Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) returns from Portugal and comes face to face with returnee ex-husband Kev Townsend (Chris Coghill).
5 spoilers for next week’s Emmerdale
1Police photograph victim as new mystery begins
There’s still a tantalizing glimpse of drama ahead as viewers are transported to the scene of a major crime.
Amidst the chaos, a forensic flash illuminates the area and for a split second the identity of the victim is revealed.
Did someone suffer a grim fate and what shocking chain of events led to the devastating discovery? Could another murder mystery be brewing?
2. The Dingle charity reported to the police that Dr Caitlin Todd was being blackmailed.
Emma Atkins as Charity Dingle and Laurence Robb as Mackenzie Boyd. ITV
Charity takes an important step when she tells the police that Todd was blackmailing her. Although Sergeant Reid (Angela Lonsdale) agrees to record a statement regarding the serious allegations, she makes it clear that the matter will be investigated separately from the sexual assault case.
The news hits hard for Charity, who is crushed by the possibility that its revelation may have little effect on the outcome she desperately desires. Convinced that she has failed Sarah (Katie Hill) and fearing that Todd may still get away with sexual assault, she wonders if telling the truth was the right decision.
Lawrence Robb as Mackenzie Boyd. ITV
Deciding not to show her problems, she insists on acting as normal and plans to attend Leila’s christening. However, Mac is far from convinced of her bravery and worries that she is struggling far more than she is willing to admit.
3. Serena Sugden has questions about Cousin John.
Katie Hill and Casey Al-Shaxi as Sarah and Serena Sugden. ITV
Sarah’s suspicions increase when Serena accidentally reveals that she knows about John Sugden. This revelation immediately raises questions, causing her to wonder how old her cousin is Really knows.
Despite her misgivings, Sarah’s compassion prevails when she discovers Serena has been sleeping in her car. Unable to ignore her situation, she offers Serena a roof over her head for the night, even though inviting her closer might be risky.
4. Robert Sugden clashes with Kev Townsend
Chris Coghill as Kev Townsend. ITV
Claudette Anderson (Flo Wilson) is delighted when Kev comes to the village again and wastes no time in offering him somewhere to stay in Woodbine. When they catch up, Kev tells her and Charles (Kevin Maturin) about a painful chapter in his life, explaining that Lewis Barton (Bradley Riches) wants nothing to do with him after he revealed all about his paternity.
When Kev starts talking about walking away from the situation altogether, Claudette doesn’t let him give up. Insisting that he is a decent man who deserves the opportunity to reunite with his family, she encourages him to continue to fight for his relationship with Lewis.
Nicola Wheeler as Nicola King. ITV
Later, Robert is delighted when Kev offers to finally move forward with the divorce proceedings, giving hope that one long-standing problem can be resolved.
However, he soon finds himself making enemies in other parts of the village. Tempers flare in the cafe when Nicola King (Nicola Wheeler) catches him filling a bucket in the toilet to clean his trailer.
Shocked by his behavior, she decides she’s had enough and decides to banish him from the village once and for all.
5. Cain Dingle doesn’t understand Kyle Winchester’s relationship with Graham Foster
Geoff Hordley and Natalie J. Robb as Cain and Moira Dingle, and Hughie Quinn as Kyle Winchester. ITV
A seemingly innocent discovery soon raises serious questions for Cain when Lydia (Karen Blick) tells him that Kyle has Graham’s watch. Wondering how his son came to this, he begins to search for answers.
Things take a dramatic turn when Graham reveals a startling secret, claiming Kyle was responsible for the Emmerdale Farm fires.
Cain is shocked by the accusation and becomes even angrier when he realizes that Kyle chose to trust Graham rather than him. Desperate to know if there is any truth to this claim, Cain confronts his son directly and demands answers.
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Emmerdale airs weekdays at 8pm on ITV1 and from 7am on ITVX.
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