Emmerdale’s Katie Hill feared being written out of ITV soap

Hill took on the role of Sarah Sugden on Emmerdale back in 2017.

But the 23-year-old actress became concerned after learning that Sarah would accidentally kill Dr Caitlin Todd in a recent storyline.

The dramatic scenes unfolded after Sarah discovered that Dr Todd had been sexually assaulting her grandmother, Charity Dingle.

Hill said: “I was a bit speechless at first.

“And then I kind of thought, ‘Do I go to prison?’

“(Producer Sophie Roper) immediately said, ‘Don’t worry, you don’t go to prison.’

“I was like, ‘okay, and breathe – I’ve still got a job’.”

Once she was reassured she was not being written out, Hill was thrilled to be part of such a juicy plot.

She said: “I was just honoured to be trusted with the storyline.

“This is the biggest storyline I’ve had.”

Following the accidental death, Hill spoke about the emotional impact the storyline would have on her character.

She said: “You know, it changes everything, it completely rocks her world.

“But obviously, it was by accident.

“We all know Sarah as a character, she doesn’t have that in her.

“So, it comes as a massive shock.”

“I think when it first happens, she just doesn’t even know how to process it.

“She can’t comprehend that this has happened.

“It’s sort of transitioning Sarah from being this innocent, happy young mum…to then this massive moment in her life that will change her forever.”

Katie Hill’s character (Sarah Sugden) has been the centre of several dramatic Emmerdale storylines in 2026. (Image: Ian West/PA Wire)

Katie Hill the centre of several dramatic Emmerdale storylines in 2026

Sarah (Hill) has been the centre of several dramatic Emmerdale storylines this year.

This included the arrival of her daughter Leyla, who was carried by her grandmother, Charity, as a surrogate.

However, Sarah is unaware that Leyla is not biologically hers and is instead the result of a fling between Charity and Ross Barton.

Hill admitted she struggled to get her head around the family connection.

She said: “Honestly, I didn’t even think about that for a long time.

“Then someone said to me, ‘Sarah’s breastfeeding her auntie’, and then I couldn’t get it out of my head.

“I was like, ‘this is really, really weird’.”

The actress believes Sarah would still see Leyla as her child, even if the truth came out.

She said: “It’s a massive thing, because, obviously, she’s raised this baby since she was born.

“That love can’t just go away like that.

“The biological side of things has changed, but you don’t just stop loving a child that you’ve raised.”

Hill said the revelation would likely strain Sarah’s relationship with Charity.

She added: “Charity’s given her the best gift she ever could have asked for.

“So, for that to be taken away from her, it’ll definitely cause issues with their relationship.”

You can watch Emmerdale weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and STV or from 7am on ITVX, STV Player and YouTube.

What has been your favourite Sarah Sugden storyline on Emmerdale in 2026? Let us know in the comments below.