It was a big week for Emmerdale coverage on Digital Spy, as we went live with an exclusive behind-the-scenes video that we recorded at an exciting Inside Soap photoshoot featuring Emma Atkins (Charity), Lucy Pargeter (Chas) and Lawrence Robb (Mackenzie).
We headed to Leeds for exclusive video access to the shoot and recorded chats with all three cast members on the day, hearing their thoughts on future storylines.
If you missed our trio of articles earlier in the week, Emma predicted a huge backlash for Tom King when the Dingles inevitably find out about his abuse of Belle. The popular star said that she expects “extreme anger and upset – and support for Belle, because the Dingles always come together to rally round to support whoever’s in need”.
Meanwhile, Lucy shared her thoughts on the ongoing Chas/Liam/Ella love triangle, confirming that she still thinks Chas and Liam could ultimately make a good match.
Lawrence also spoke about the possibility of Jessie Elland making a return as Chloe Harris – and it sounds like the door is still left wide open for a future comeback.
The full photoshoot, which has a fun disco theme, can be found in the current issue of Inside Soap.
Emmerdale’s special episode
Emmerdale‘s format-breaking “special episodes” can sometimes be divisive among fans but it sounds like the next one – focusing on Tom, Belle, Rhona and Marlon – will be worth the risk of tinkering with the usual style.
Show bosses had previously teased a dramatic dinner party featuring the two couples. Following on from this, Mark Charnock and Zoe Henry – who play Marlon and Rhona – were on hand to share some early gossip this week.
Zoe told us: “Rhona’s disgraceful during the dinner party! All I will say is we get very drunk. You know that saying, ‘Sober man’s mind, drunken man’s tongue’. It’s awful.
“We shot the whole episode in two days and it was like filming a play. There are only eight characters in the episode and it’s just great. But Rhona and Marlon are disgusting that day!”
Mark added: “All I can say about it is I’ve never done anything like that episode before. It has a very unusual structure and it was a fantastic couple of days filming it. There’s a lot going on in that episode.”
Fans had initially expected Tom and Belle’s story to be the main one taking centre stage in the episode. However, as we’ve since learned that there’s a big twist coming at Gus Malcolms’ court hearing next week, it sounds like there’s high drama on the way for Marlon and Rhona’s marriage too as they navigate the fallout.
Emmerdale’s Samson tipped for exit
Emmerdale has also hit the headlines this weekend with news that Sam Hall could be bowing out as Samson Dingle after 15 years.
Reports have claimed that Samson will be killed off in a shocking new storyline, although the ITV soap declined to comment or confirm the rumours when approached by Digital Spy.