Emmerdale Characters

Fans of the most popular soap opera on British television will undoubtedly be interested in learning more about Emmerdale characters.

Malandra Burrows plays Kathy Bates.

Set in the fictional North Yorkshire village called Emmerdale, the program first aired on ITV 1 in 1972. It has grown to become one of the most popular soap operas, second only to EastEnders and Coronation Street. Initially titled Emmerdale Farm, it focused primarily on the Sugden family, who owned the farm.

As time passed, the program evolved to include storylines about the residents of nearby Beckindale village. To that end, the program was renamed Emmerdale to reflect the broader scope of the storylines. Beckindale, of course, was renamed Emmerdale. In addition to England, it airs in Ireland, Finland, Sweden, New Zealand, Romania, Australia and Canada.

With such a storied history, it should come as no surprise that Emmerdale has a vast list of characters to its credit. The current lineup consists of nearly 60 characters, with more being added all the time. The cast growth is due in great part to the fact that the program now airs five nights a week. An expanded set, with access at all hours of the day, also makes it possible to have a wider host of characters shooting at one time. Many of the actors in the current lineup have been with the program since the early to mid-1990s, while at least two of them have been there since the '80s. Among the village's most well-known families are:

• The Dingles
• The Hopes
• The Kings
• The Sugdens
• The Tates

Of course, these families had to start somewhere! Though many characters are complete newcomers to the village, other families' roots are firmly planted in the village.

True Emmerdale fans know, love or perhaps hate the Dingles. The family's troublemaking reputation has always followed them, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. Despite the family's manic ways, they are easily one of Emmerdale's most popular families. Members of the family made their first appearance in 1994, and various actors have portrayed Dingles through the years. Over 70 Dingle family members have been mentioned or appeared at some point or another through the history of the program!

A classic soap opera family, the Hopes offer audiences all the drama, chaos and tragedy viewers expect. Since 1993, when character "Viv" Windsor-Hope made her first appearance, the family has been a mainstay in the village. They have experienced battles over parentage, pregnancy and so much more over the years.

The King family joined the program in 2004. Highly ambitious and secretive, the close-knit clan made a splash as soon as they appeared. Their ruthless business techniques have made them millionaires, and the family business, King & Sons, thrives. Scandalous affairs, including Matthew King's dalliances with his brother's wife, are par for the course among one of Emmerdale's leading families.

The Sugdens are the program's core family, making their first appearance in the first episode. An age-old farming family from Yorkshire, the Sugdens have maintained a presence in the show for decades. It all started with Jacob and Annie Sugden, and their children, Jack, Peggy and Joseph. Jack's trials and tribulations have been followed virtually since the very beginning, focusing closely on his troubled relationship with his family.

The glamorous Tate family added a new dimension to the program. Led by a self-made businessman, his wife and their kids, the Tate family enjoyed prominence as one of Emmerdale's leading families. They essentially surpassed the Sugdens and reigned during the 1990s. Major storylines included battles with alcoholism, fake deaths, suicide, homosexuality, mental illness and violent crimes. Clearly, the Tates left their mark on the show!

Of course, no soap opera would be complete without those shining moments that make it so successful. Usually, these occasions are marred by catastrophe of some sort – even the happiest moments inevitably fall prey to tragedy. Some of the Emmerdale characters more memorable moments include:

• Schizophrenic lesbian Zoe Tate burns down the village church.
• Max King meets a fiery end when his Land Rover crashes through a brick wall and explodes.
• Headmistress Jean Strickland is the victim of a motor accident when a car driven by her students hits and kills her.
• The moment that defined the series was the tragic plane crash that struck the village in 1993. The accident claimed the lives of four villagers and earned Emmerdale its highest ratings at the time!

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