Emmerdale’s Charity Dingle actress Emma Atkins has confirmed a showdown with Dr Todd for the character, while she also discussed Sadie King’s comeback, and Charity and Mack’s future
Emmerdale‘s Charity Dingle regains control next week, after her horrific sexual assault at the hands of villain Dr. Todd.
Finding the courage to return to a support group, Charity opens up about blaming herself for Dr. Todd’s attack on her. Emma Atkins, who plays Charity, tells us: “I think Charity just felt so lost in it all.
“She feels braver now. It was a lovely, natural progression for my character’s journey to go on, to finally say it out loud, because she’d just kept it bottled up for so long.” Charity’s guilt stems from her baby lie that she’s still keeping from her family. Charity had agreed to be a surrogate for her granddaughter Sarah Sugden, welcoming a baby girl named Leyla earlier this year.
Of course what Sarah doesn’t know is that Leyla is actually Charity’s child. Charity fell pregnant after a fling with Ross Barton, but both characters have agreed to hide the fact that they are Leyla’s real parents.
Charity’s husband Mackenzie Boyd knows the truth, but he’s stuck by Charity after finding out that Dr. Todd had blackmailed her, before raping her. Emma says Charity is shocked by Mack’s choice to be there for her.
She shares: “She never expected him to stick around. She was always waiting for the moment where he’s packing his bags, and he did quite a few times, and then he would come back. Lawrence Robb [who plays Mack] has blown me away with his performance. He was so good.”
Emma says a split could still be on the cards for Mack and Charity. She explains: “He’s not suggesting the support is going to be forever, because he is saying, ‘I don’t know how long I can continue to be with you, but for now I’ll do my best to support you’, so we’ll see.”
There could be more heartbreak on the way for Charity, as next week she finds out her son Noah Dingle [Jack Downham] is planning to leave the village. “She’s devastated really,” Emma shares. Noah will decide to stay to support his mum, but can she convince her son to pursue his dreams in Dusseldorf?
As Charity continues to move forward, Emma reveals Charity will come face-to-face with her attacker Dr. Todd. She says: “She definitely gets to have her moment with her. The audience is owed that, because they’ve followed this journey. I don’t want to give too much away, but it’s absolutely brilliant.
“It was written so well, and Caroline Harker [who plays Dr. Todd] played it so fantastically. I think the audience will be blown away with the outcome, and shocked. There’s some kind of retribution and justice in its own way, and you’ll see that moving forward.”
After Charity’s debut on the soap 26 years ago, Emma’s character has featured in some huge storylines. Memorable moments include Charity’s four weddings, her being set-up for killing her husband Chris Tate, and her childhood sexual abuse ordeal, which saw her expose her rapist DI Mark Bails.
Emma says her latest plot is her toughest yet. She tells us: “I would say hands down it’s probably been the most challenging one, although I have to say the historical abuse with Bails is kind of on a par.
“I will always cherish this storyline. As difficult as it’s been, it’s a storyline that’s needed to be told. At first I was like, ‘Oh, my goodness, how am I going to do this?’ I’m looking forward to a bit more lightness in the future, but we’ll see.” Things are set to take an even darker turn, with the death of Dr Todd.
Earlier this month, fans were shown a glimpse of a bloody crime scene, with the victim, Dr.Todd, dead on the floor. The soap is yet to confirm how Dr. Todd dies and who is to blame.
While some viewers have complained about the twist, wanting Charity to get justice, Emma hints Todd will get the right comeuppance. She says: “I think Charity is very much at the point where she can walk away, regardless of the outcome with Todd, down the legal route. I think she’s found peace.
“I think she would be okay with Todd dying without justice.” Emma’s hopeful for Charity’s future, while she confirms the baby secret will be exposed. She tells us: “I think people are stronger when they let themselves crash and burn, and then build themselves up independently without having to rely on others.
“Charity’s been through all sorts, and I don’t imagine that will change anytime soon, but maybe rebuilding herself from the inside out on her own for a bit would be quite good.” Emma’s thrilled to welcome back her co-star Patsy Kensit, who is reprising her role as Charity’s nemesis Sadie King after 20 years.
Teasing new drama ahead for the foes, Emma says: “I’m really excited. I’ve seen her a few times on set now, but haven’t worked with her yet. They’re going to kind of re-enact a few moments that were there in the past. There’s always a good dynamic with Charity and Sadie. I don’t know whether I’ll be working with her much, but I welcome her back with open arms, she’s awesome.”
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok, Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads.
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