Emmerdale reveals child killer Ella twist amid stabbing as evil Tom gets worse in spring spoiler preview

2024 is shaping up to be another dramatic year in Emmerdale village, with tensions bubbling beneath the surface of several key families that are on the brink of erupting – and this spring that’s set to continue!

Since her arrival in the ITV soap, Ruby Fox-Miligan (Beth Cordingly) has managed to make an enemy of just about everyone she’s crossed!

This week, we saw her kill Ethan Anderson (Emile John) in a dramatic hit and run, how will she worm her way out of this one?!

After the arrival of Dawn’s (Olivia Bromley) mum Rose, we’ve seen her clash with Kim Tate (Claire King) whilst the family deal with baby Evan’s heartbreaking diagnosis, and of course she has a plan up her sleeve!

Plus, as Tom King’s (James Chase) abusive and manipulative behaviour towards wife Belle Dingle (Eden Taylor-Draper) continues, we wouldn’t want to be in his shoes when her brother Cain (Jeff Hordley) finds out!

So from incoming special episodes to a devastating accident that will divide the village, here’s a look at what you can expect in the coming months.

Belle is caught in a trap with Tom

Emmerdale hit the headlines this week after over 300 viewers complained to broadcasting regulator Ofcom about scenes that showed Tom abuse beloved pooch Piper.

Speaking during an episode of This Morning, actor James Chase said: ‘Certain scenes like syringing the dog was not…I really didn’t like it, which is a good sign.’

The backlash also prompted the soap’s official social media account to post a video of the scene, assuring that little Minnie – the dog’s real name – was okay.

‘These scenes can be distressing to watch, but we want to remind you that Minnie (AKA Piper) is a very good actor and is always living her best life on set!’ they said.

Boss Laura Shaw told us: ‘The real life stories that we’ve been given access to and the information and time we’ve spent with charities like Refuge have shown how quickly these relationships can turn physical so that’s what we’ll see happen next with those two.’

Will Tom finally get what’s coming to him?

Families at war following Ethan’s death

It’s been a dramatic week for the Miligan and Anderson families.

As Ethan and dad Charles (Kevin Mathurin) prepared to go to court, where Ethan was due to be sentenced for driving offences that led to Nicky Miligan (Lewis Cope) being seriously injured, he collapsed and died.

It was of course Nicky’s mum Ruby who was responsible, as took revenge for what happened to her son by running Ethan over and then driving away from the scene.

She then visited him at his home where she showed no remorse for her actions, which had led to him being battered and bruised. In fact, she warned him that if Nicky didn’t pull through she would ‘Finish the job.’

In the wake of Ethan’s death it was his grieving father Charles’ turn to issue threats, as he pledged ‘by almighty God’ that whoever had committed the hit and run would be made to pay for their actions. Charles was convinced that Ethan must have sustained hidden injuries during that incident that then led to his death.

‘Ripples and repercussions from that accident will be very long lasting and life changing for a number of our villagers’ added Laura.

We can’t wait to see this one play out!

Rose’s revenge as Evan’s leukaemia battle continues

Claire King, who plays Kim Tate, has warned that we’ll see the super bitch back in full swing after crossing Rose Jackson (Christine Tremarco) and Ruby.

Kim is currently dealing with the return of her husband Will Taylor’s (Dean Andrews) estranged ex-wife, who has moved into their family home.

It has since transpired to the viewer that she’s working with Ruby to split the couple up, then allow Ruby to take control of Home Farm and allow Rose to emotionally support Dawn when everything falls apart.

Dawn and Billy are, of course, struggling under the weight of their son Evan being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

‘This is an incredibly challenging and heartbreaking story, but such an important story for Emmerdale to tell,’ said actress Olivia Bromley.

‘I’ve learnt so much since working with Leukaemia Care and speaking to parents whose children have been diagnosed, and we want to not only raise awareness but to do justice to the experience of families who are blindsided by a diagnosis like this.’

Laura continued: ‘With this story we wanted to show the stress and strain it can put on a family – a long term illness like that.

‘What we’ll see is that the family roles are changed overnight and out of nowhere, and we’ll see how they are affected and the stress it puts on everyone around them.’

She continued: ‘We’ll look at the financial pressure that can be put on a family with a long term condition like this. That’s a big story for us going forward.’

Christine added: ‘To be working with such a wonderful cast and crew along with the brilliant writing and production team is an absolute joy!

‘Rose is so much fun to play. She is free spirited, boisterous and totally mischievous with a steely edge and a big heart.’

We wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of Kim and we can’t wait to see her reaction!

Another hurdle for Amy and Matty

Amy (Natalie Ann Jamieson) and Matty Barton (Ash Palmisciano) have faced a number of hurdles on their road to wedded bliss – and sadly, it doesn’t get any brighter.

Actor Ash teased earlier this year that further woes are about to hit the couple: ‘You never know what’s around the corner and things impact will impact them. With the importance of the story and the representation, it’s a solid message there.

‘But who knows? As we’ve already mentioned there’s a lot of inter webbed relationships going on anyway.’

‘We’re always here for the drama!’ added Natalie Ann Jamieson.

In upcoming scenes, Matty finds himself in this dire situation after defending himself against a viciously transphobic thug.

Josh, Samson’s friend, is the man in question, with whom Samson is planning a trip around Europe in his new car having just passed his test.

Josh straight away gives a hint to his true colours. He begins outrageously flirting with Amy (Natalie Ann Jamieson), despite her newlywed status and despite her attempting to ward him off, and he weirdly makes it clear he knows Matty is trans.

It becomes too much for Amy and she decides to leave work early to escape Josh’s clutches, prompting Matty to confront him. Matty dishes him some home truths and kicks both Josh and Samson out.

Josh is embarrassed and enraged, two emotions he is not mature enough to process. His anger only grows when Matty once again gets the upper hand on him.

Josh cruelly starts deadnaming Matty in a transphobic attack, before deciding he’s not finished with him yet.

The tensions boil over as Josh starts threatening Matty for the money in the till, and as things spiral, Matty grabs something to protect himself. Josh shoves Samson into Matty, who is holding a knife.

The fallout of Ella’s big secret

Emmerdale have finally confirmed Ella Forster’s (Paula Lane) secret in a massive twist – she’s a child killer!

Viewers had flocked to social media to share their own theories on just who the receptionist was, with her relationship with Liam Cavanagh (Jonny McPherson) and her troubled glances at childhood photos leading assumptions that she somehow knew serial killer Meena Jutla (Paige Sandhu).

After attending a funeral with Liam, a family member noticed Ella and lashed out in fury, branding her a murderer and a child killer.

Liam was baffled by the revelation and noticed Ella’s interest in a gravestone which bore the name Joanne, with the dates confirming that she was 11-years-old when she died.

But what truly happened to her and can Ella give Liam the answers he needs as her haunted past unfolds before them both?