*Emmerdale* star Charlotte Bellamy has opened up about her character, Laurel Thomas,

and her unexpected new storyline with local vicar, Charles Anderson. This week, tensions between Laurel and Charles, which started over differing views on the Harvest Festival, led to a passionate turn when they gave in to temptation.

The pair had been bickering over how the church should mark the event, with Charles and his mother Claudette concerned that Laurel’s ideas were too modern for a religious setting. Laurel, confident in her vision, stuck to her plans, believing in her knowledge of the church—after all, her late husband, Ashley, once served as the village vicar.

However, their disagreements soon shifted into unexpected passion, culminating in a kiss and a trip upstairs. Reflecting on this development, Charlotte admitted, “I didn’t see it coming. It feels like a bit of a rebound, and with him being a vicar, it’s kind of fun. After everything she’s been through, I think Laurel needs a bit of fun.”

When asked if Laurel’s feelings for Charles run deeper, Charlotte replied, “No, I don’t think so. I think she’s happy being single and her own woman for a while. She’s got her friends, like Nicola, and I think they’re going to have some fun. It’s important to show that you don’t always need to be partnered off as a woman, but you can still enjoy yourself.”

Next week, Laurel struggles to keep her fling with Charles a secret, especially when her best friend Nicola finds out. The situation takes a more awkward turn when Laurel’s teenage son, Arthur, catches her and Charles together at Mulberry Cottage. Charlotte joked, “Nicola finds it hilarious, like friends do when something so unexpected happens. But Arthur—can you imagine how mortifying that is? Every parent’s nightmare! Alfie Clark [who plays Arthur] handled it brilliantly; he’s a real teenager himself, so he nailed it.”