ITV star joins Emmerdale as mysterious new farmer Celia – and a brutal attack follows
![FROM ITV STRICT EMBARGO - No Use Before TUESDAY MAY 27 2025 Emmerdale NEW EMMERDALE FARMER ON THE SCENE Emmerdale welcomes a new female farmer onto the scene played by the esteemed actress Jaye Griffiths (The Bill, Holby, Doctors). When a neighbouring tenant farmer calls on Moira Dingle (Natalie J. Robb) to enquire if she can rent two of her fields, Moira is quick to shrug her off, but this lady, Celia, clearly means business. Celia???s reputation has preceded her as Moira is not keen to do business with this woman, despite bad finances on her own farm. And soon when poor vet Paddy (Dominic Brunt) is brutally attacked and hospitalised by one of Celia???s guard dogs we start to get a measure of her true in colours from her reaction to the attack. Picture contact - David.crook@itv.com Photographer - Mark Bruce This photograph is (C) ITV and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/SEI_253209408-dec4-e1748258113872.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Emmerdale is set to welcome a brand new farmer in the form of newcomer Celia (Jaye Griffiths), who wastes little time in making her presence felt – as Moira Dingle (Natalie J Robb) will find out the hard way.
With her reputation proceeding her, Celia arrives in the village in upcoming scenes to ask Moira if she can rent two of her fields.
Despite her financial issues on the farm in the wake of the slurry leak, Moira is keen to avoid having to deal with Celia, having heard whispers about her previously.
Moira is right to be concerned as soon afterwards Paddy Dingle (Dominic Brunt) is brutally attacked and hospitalised by one of Celia’s guard dogs.
And let’s just say that Celia’s reaction to the attack will allow audiences to get the measure of her, with her true colours subsequently coming to light.
With the Barton and the Sugden clans having long established themselves within the community, Celia soon finds herself immersed in conflict as she rents a neighbouring farm from Kim Tate (Claire King).
The Bill star Jaye Griffiths, who played Sally Johnson on the long-running ITV detective drama, will take on the role of Celia.
‘I was delighted to get this role,’ she said. ‘Without giving the game away she is very different to anyone I have played before and I can’t wait to really get into the heart of her storyline.’
Consider us very intrigued.
Emmerdale boss Laura Shaw added: ‘We are absolutely delighted to have Jaye Griffiths joining us to play the role of Celia. Having recently taken over a nearby farm, not much is known about mysterious Celia’s past before arriving on the outskirts of the village.
‘While Celia has a tough edge with an air of respectability, the audience, and our villagers, will soon start to see what this woman is truly capable of.’