Emmerdale’s Nate actor Jurell Carter reveals why he had to quit as exit sparks confusion

Emmerdale’s Jurell Carter has revealed why he had to leave his role on the ITV soap, after Nate Robinson’s sad exit.

His character bowed out after five years on Friday night after a devastating twist. Nate had been offered a job in Shetland, and planned to move away with wife Tracy Metcalfe after their reunion, as well as their daughter Frankie.

But a misunderstanding saw Nate accused of having an affair again with his stepmother Moira Dingle, five years after their fling. Nate protested his innocence but no one believed him, including Tracy and his father Cain Dingle.

Cain violently attacked Nate and disowned him, only to find out on Friday his son had done nothing wrong. It was too late for anyone to reconcile though, as it was revealed Nate had packed his bags and fled the village for good.

Amid confusion over his exit, with fans sure he’d been killed off and others not sure why his exit was so abrupt, Nate’s departure after five years has now been explained by actor Jurell. The soap star revealed why he had to leave the role now after half a decade, explaining his decision to quit the show.

He told The Mirror and other press: “It’s always been in the back of my head. My agent was itching for me to go probably a few years ago, but I said to him that it doesn’t feel like the right time, I’m in the right place and I’d know when the time is right. It never felt like the right time.

“But I feel like I’ve reached the point where it’s now or never, in a sense that if I don’t do it now I’ll… not live to regret it, but always be wondering ‘what if?’ I just didn’t want that feeling. I feel like five years is the perfect time for me as an actor to try and move onto something else.”

He went on: “It’s just been massive for me as well. The character of Nate and myself share a mindset of wanting to go onto a next chapter, but also just being emotional and sad over leaving everything behind. That’s how I feel as an actor, in terms of leaving a show that I love.

“I would speak to some of my colleagues and say it’s a weird one, because it’s not like I hate my job, it’s not like I hate my surroundings or the people that I’m working with. I love everyone and I love the job. I’m excited for my future but I’m also sad to be leaving behind such a beautiful show and beautiful people.”