ITV Emmerdale boss promises soap's 'most exciting' Christmas yet with 'huge surprise arrival'
Emmerdale boss Iain MacLeod has teased the 'most exciting' Christmas yet for the hit ITV soap.
Even though we're still 100 days away from the big day, in the world of soaps, it's never too early to start planning for the festive season. And Iain has hinted that this year's Christmas episode will be the most thrilling yet in Emmerdale's long history.
Teasing 'life or death' situations, 'festive brilliance', and a 'huge surprise arrival', Iain revealed that festive filming will start soon and the gripping storylines will continue into 2025.
Talking to Digital Spy, he shared: "This Christmas, there is a huge surprise arrival on Christmas Day. As well as some life or death jeopardy on Christmas Day but obviously there will be festive brilliance as we do every year but I think it is one of the most exciting Christmases that I can remember on Emmerdale this year!"
READ MORE: Emmerdale star Lisa Riley lied to ITV bosses after boozy hotel antics
He continued: "Christmas in soap is a difficult one as you want it to be dramatic and exciting but you also want it to have that humorous, warmth and festive soapy flavour and I think the balance is bang on here", reports the Manchester Evening News.
"But into 2025, what we have planned so far is the usual degree of spectacle and drama and heightened kind of filming stuff. We also have incredibly heartbreaking family drama with plenty of Dingle action. There is also some classic gothic antics at Home Farm some skullduggery! It is going to be a really exciting 2025 with lots more to come."
It comes as Emmerdale bagged the Serial Drama trophy at the recent National Television Awards last week. Meanwhile, over in the village, a devastating barn fire left viewers gripped last week before a devastating diagnosis.
On Friday, the soap delivered heart-wrenching scenes when Moira Dingle, played by Natalie J Robb, was told she has a meningioma type brain tumour. The character's erratic behaviour, which raised eyebrows with unexplained outbursts and memory troubles, finally found an explanation after Moira was whisked to hospital after the barn blaze.
Although the tumour is non-cancerous, it plunges Moira into a realm of concern over her uncertain future, the daunting prospect of surgery and exploring other treatment options. For this storyline, Emmerdale has sought expertise from Brains Trust and The Brain Tumour Charity, ensuring that Moira's journey is depicted sensitively and correctly with continued guidance throughout the production process.
Actress Natalie, who plays Moira, said of the storyline: "I feel really fortunate to be trusted with such a challenging storyline. Moira and her family have an extremely challenging time ahead, and I'm hoping I can portray it in a truthful way that does justice to all the people who are really suffering with a brain tumour."
If you have been affected by this story, you can get support and help at The Brain Tumour Charity or Brains Trust.
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with an hour-long episode on Thursdays.