Emmerdale is set to showcase what it does best in coming months, with three special episodes announced that will explode secrets, explore pasts and deliver raw developments in some of their most powerful storylines.
The ITV soap has enjoyed a thrilling few months as of late, with the John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth) saga reaching a dramatic peak while fears over Mackenzie Boyd’s (Lawrence Robb) fate had everyone talking.
The introduction of newcomer Celia Daniels (Jaye Griffiths) and the return of popular character Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) have also gone down well with viewers.
And as we move closer to Christmas, Emmerdale is showing no signs of slowing down, with three very special episodes on the horizon that will focus on three of the show’s biggest stories.
Robert, April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan) and Bear Wolf (Joshua Richards) will take centre stage during the episodes in question – and here’s everything we know about what viewers can expect.
Robert Sugden’s special episode
Robert’s return has been a huge success, with fans loving having the deeply complex character back, but what of his time in prison? It’s something that fans have been demanding be explored – and fans won’t be disappointed.
How did he cope in there? How did he cross paths and become entwined with Kev (Chris Coghill)? And how did the experience shape him moving forwards?
As we rewind and visit his prison ordeal, an Emmerdale spokesperson has teased the drama we are in for, saying: ‘We will take a reflective look behind the bars of Robert’s recent incarceration.
‘What did happen when he got sent down for six years? And has it changed this man forever?’
Bear Wolf’s special episode
We have all been anticipating the reveal of where troubled Bear Wolf has been, after numerous hints from stars including Lisa Riley that it’s going to be a big shock.
Bear disappeared from the village after being unable to cope and hitting what felt like rock bottom.
However, things are now much, much worse than feared, with the beloved character embroiled in a terrible situation that may be inescapable.
Emmerdale will explore a deeply topical storyline that has not been addressed by soap in this way before, and it’s set to make our hearts ache for Bear.
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The standalone episode will explore what the past months have held for Bear, and how he has found himself trapped in his dire predicament.
The spokesperson continued: ‘When Paddy (Dominic Brunt) and Bear found life under the same roof difficult, Bear decided to leave for another life in Ireland.
‘Paddy believed his estranged father was safe with friends in Ireland, but when it becomes apparent he never made the journey across the Irish Sea, where did Bear disappear to?
‘A special standalone episode will explore the hundred missing days of Bear’s life and we’ll learn that he is sadly trapped in an all too common situation for a forgotten generation.’
April Windsor’s special episode
Speaking of being trapped in common but horrible situations, April’s grooming into the world of county lines drugs and sex trafficking will reach a heart-wrenching peak as Marlon Dingle (Mark Charnock) feels he is losing his daughter.
With Celia and Ray Walters (Joe Absolom) turning the screws and showing their truly evil sides, it seems that April has no escape.
But can Marlon discover the truth and save April? Or is he about to lose her forever to the grips of the drugs ring led by wicked Celia?
Said the Dales spokesperson: ‘With April at the mercy of the merciless drug dealers, we hope that her ever present and worried father Marlon can get through to her.
‘A special episode will explore this fragile and possibly broken relationship between a father and his daughter as she slips further from his grasp.’
These episodes will play out across autumn and winter, and kick off the next stages in the storylines that will have huge impacts for the characters involved and those around them.
Emmerdale airs Mondays to Fridays at 7:30pm on ITV1 or stream from 7am on ITVX and YouTube.
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