A storm is brewing in Emmerdale, and next week promises emotional shocks, dark secrets, and moments that will forever change the lives of several villagers. Whether it’s Robert Sugden reevaluating his place in the Dales, Dylan hiding more than just pain, or Charity facing the unthinkable—this is a week you won’t forget.

Here are the five biggest stories that will grip the village.

1. Paddy opens his door—and uncovers Dylan’s hidden wounds

Dylan’s mask of independence finally slips when April discovers a serious leg injury he’s been hiding. Terrified of hospitals and exposure, the pair sneak into the vet surgery to patch him up, but they’re caught in the act by none other than Paddy.

Paddy’s reaction isn’t anger—it’s compassion. Hearing of Dylan’s homelessness and sensing his deeper pain, he offers the teen a place to stay. But when Mandy and Marlon walk in and see a stranger under Paddy’s roof, things spiral fast. Paddy must justify not only his compassion but his judgment—especially as more secrets about Dylan come to light.

2. Dylan’s truth creeps out—alongside a bag of drugs

Ray is back in town, and for Dylan, that means danger. Though he tries to keep April safe and his past hidden, Dylan’s desperation reveals itself when he sneaks a hidden stash of drugs from his backpack. He’s ready to walk away from Ray, even ignoring his messages, but nothing in the Dales stays secret for long.

When Paddy, Rhona, and Marlon find out Dylan was the intruder Kyle once stabbed, the shock is immediate. But it’s just the beginning. With every step, Dylan is walking a tighter rope—one misstep, and everything could collapse.

3. Ray watches—and plans

Dylan thinks he’s been careful, thinks Ray might have backed off. But Ray is watching—from the shadows, from a distance—as Dylan walks hand-in-hand with April through the village.

What is he planning? A threat? A warning? Or something far worse?

As Paddy and Marlon scramble to protect Dylan and keep Moira from discovering the truth, Ray’s next move could pull the boy back into a world he’s desperate to escape.

4. Aaron gives Robert something he lost—hope

After being exposed by John, Robert is ready to run. Tension crackles between the brothers, especially when they cross paths in the village shop. John urges Aaron to go easy on Robert, but Aaron isn’t ready to forget the past.

And yet, when Robert opens up to Aaron over coffee, something shifts. He admits he’s thinking of leaving. But Aaron, still tethered by complicated feelings, reminds Robert he matters. That he still has value here.

It’s enough to stop Robert in his tracks. Maybe he’s not as alone as he thought.

5. Robert’s future takes root—if Vic says yes

Inspired by Aaron’s words, Robert heads to Annie’s Field with purpose. He has a plan now, something tangible to hold onto. Moira is suspicious and confronts him about the land, but leaves before Robert reveals the truth.

It’s Victoria who hears the full story. There, surrounded by the quiet hills and ghosts of their childhood, Robert proposes a new beginning: to farm the land together, build something real, something honest. No schemes, no running—just roots.

But will Vic agree? Or is Robert chasing a dream that can’t be reclaimed?

With Dylan’s past catching up, Ray lurking like a predator, and Robert standing on the edge of a life-changing decision, Emmerdale is about to shift again. As Charity faces her own crisis and the Dingles gather around their wounded, the question becomes:

Can second chances survive in a village that never forgets the past?