Emmerdale fans are in for a dramatic twist as the beloved soap prepares for the surprise return of two significant
characters. The episode airing on Thursday, August 29, promises to unravel deeply buried family secrets that could
have lasting consequences for the residents of the village.
In a storyline that has kept viewers on the edge of their seats, Arthur Thomas makes his unexpected return to Yorkshire
after spending time in Australia. His arrival at Emmerdale is anything but quiet as he interrupts his sister Gabby Thomas and her new partner, Vinnie Dingle, at Mulberry Cottage. Arthur’s homecoming is not just about reuniting with family—he quickly becomes embroiled in the ongoing drama that has shaken his family to its core.
One of the central tensions revolves around Arthur’s mother, Laurel Thomas, who has been grappling with the fallout of her crumbling marriage to Jai Sharma. The couple, who tied the knot only a few months ago, are now headed for divorce. The stress of the divorce has taken a severe toll on Laurel, culminating in a heart attack shortly after a heated argument with Jai. Arthur, fiercely protective of his mother, wastes no time in confronting Jai about the impact his behavior has had on Laurel. Viewers will recall that Jai’s actions drove Emmet, the biological father of Laurel’s son, to leave the village and forced another son, Sumi, out of any ownership in the family’s business.
Jai’s relationship with Laurel took a darker turn when he accused her of trying to take his money, a claim that further strained their already fractured marriage. Arthur’s return signals a pivotal moment in the storyline as he stands up to Jai, reflecting the young man’s growing maturity and determination to defend his family.

However, Arthur’s return is just the beginning of the night’s drama. Another shock awaits viewers as Kim Tate, a character known for her ruthless and calculating nature, makes her dramatic comeback to the village. Kim’s return follows her sudden departure to Dubai, where she fled after discovering the extent of the betrayal by Rose Jackson, who tried to destroy her marriage to Will Taylor.
Before leaving for Dubai, Kim and Will had confronted Rose, and in a desperate move, they abandoned her in the middle of nowhere, thinking they had finally rid themselves of her threat. But Kim had a lingering suspicion that Will wasn’t telling her the whole truth, particularly about his involvement with Rose. What she didn’t know at the time was that Will had slept with Rose, a secret he kept hidden from Kim, even as their relationship deteriorated.
In Kim’s absence, things took a turn for the worse. Will’s guilt and the consequences of his actions have left him in turmoil. His relationship with his daughter, Dawn, has also been shattered after she discovered the truth about her father’s involvement with Rose. Dawn, who had always been close to her father, felt betrayed by his lies and his attempt to pay off Rose to leave the village. Devastated by the revelations, Dawn left Home Farm with her partner, Billy, and her children, telling her father to stay out of her life for good.
The tension reaches a boiling point in a preview clip for Thursday’s episode, where Will is seen drinking heavily, clearly struggling to cope with the mess he’s made of his life. His business partner, Jimmy King, confronts him at Home Farm, and the situation quickly escalates. The confrontation becomes even more intense when Kim walks in, demanding to know what’s going on. Her return adds a volatile element to an already tense situation, and it’s clear that Kim is ready to take control and get to the bottom of things.
But the drama doesn’t end there. In the upcoming episodes, Will finds himself blackmailed by a mysterious figure who knows about his affair with Rose. Desperate to keep his secrets hidden and avoid further damage to his reputation and relationships, Will is pushed to his limits. The question remains—how far will Will go to protect himself, and what will be the cost of his deception?
As these storylines converge, Emmerdale promises an explosive mix of confrontations, revelations, and unexpected alliances. With Arthur and Kim back in the village, the stage is set for a series of dramatic twists that will leave viewers wondering who will emerge unscathed and who will be left picking up the pieces of their shattered lives.