9 Emmerdale Characters Fans Are Ready to Say Goodbye To Amid Cast Cut Rumours

As whispers of upcoming cast cuts swirl around Emmerdale, fans are already drawing up their dream exit list, and it’s not short of controversy. With the soap set to shake up its schedule in 2026 to a new “power hour” format, viewers are speculating that the time change might come at a cost—and that cost could be characters. The recent string of departures and arrivals has only fueled the fire, and now fan forums are ablaze with passionate debates over who deserves to stay and who has overstayed their welcome. Topping the list is none other than John Sugden, a character who hasn’t even marked a full year in the village but has already managed to become one of the most disliked newcomers in recent memory. His involvement in murder and his cold, charisma-lacking demeanor haven’t helped his case. Even before his crimes came to light, fans felt no spark with his storyline or his chemistry with Aaron, and many are now begging the writers to wrap up the dragged-out narrative and send him packing sooner rather than later.

Right behind John is Mackenzie Boyd, another divisive character whose future has been clouded in speculation ever since a chilling flash-forward showed him running for his life. That moment hasn’t played out yet, but fans are connecting the dots and suspecting it might end with his death. While some still hold out hope that Mack could be redeemed with the right storyline, others argue that he’s simply worn out his welcome. One fan bluntly stated, “I still think Mack will die,” summing up the general mood in certain online corners. Meanwhile, Tracy Robinson, once a beloved face in the Dales, is now facing fan fatigue. Her reaction to Nate’s murder, combined with a perceived air of hypocrisy, has rubbed many viewers the wrong way. Although she and Nate were no longer together at the time of his death, Tracy has taken center stage in the grieving process—something fans find hard to stomach. They argue that her grief feels disingenuous and forced, with one viewer commenting, “There is no reason for Tracy to be in the village anymore.”

Another name on the chopping block, according to viewers, is Kerry Wyatt. Despite being part of some explosive stories in the past, her recent appearances have been limited to hovering around Eric’s health issues, which fans believe is far too minor a role for her to continue being relevant. “Kerry is literally only there for Eric,” a user noted, echoing the sentiment that the character’s days may be numbered if bigger plotlines don’t come her way. Matty Barton also finds himself in dangerous territory, not because of anything controversial, but simply due to a lack of direction. With Amy gone and his connection to the Nate storyline unresolved, Matty feels adrift, and fans are wondering what point he serves now. “Matty would be an obvious cast cut,” a Reddit commenter wrote, with many agreeing that without new development, he’s simply background noise. Then there’s Charles Anderson, a character who entered with promise but never quite lived up to the legacy of past Emmerdale vicars like Ashley or Harriet. He’s now mostly confined to the church, and with nothing anchoring him—no relationship, no family dynamic beyond his mother—his story feels finished, making him a prime candidate for departure.

Long-time resident Jai Sharma also finds himself at a crossroads. While he’s been part of Emmerdale since 2013, fans are starting to question what’s left for him. Recent storylines have thinned out, and romantic pairings have come and gone with little lasting impact. The energy that once made Jai compelling has fizzled, and some believe he’s simply treading water. Paired with Laurel Thomas, another stalwart whose presence used to anchor the village emotionally, the duo now seems to drift from scene to scene without the weight they once carried. “I actually liked her and Jai together but they could both do with leaving now,” said one fan, striking at the heart of what many are thinking. Laurel, in particular, was once central to some of Emmerdale’s most heart-wrenching stories, but as her arc slows, the general consensus is that she may have come to the natural end of her journey on the show.

And finally, there’s Rodney, whose status as comic relief is no longer enough to justify his presence. Rarely involved in his own storylines and barely present even as a supporting figure, Rodney has become something of an afterthought. When he does appear, it’s usually for a light joke or an awkward line before disappearing again. Viewers are asking the hard question: What purpose does Rodney serve in today’s Emmerdale? The answer, for many, is “none.” While no official announcements have been made regarding cast cuts, this list serves as a window into the current mindset of the fanbase. It’s a reminder that in a show as beloved and long-running as Emmerdale, even the most established characters are not immune to criticism. And with major format changes on the horizon, the pressure is on for the writers to make bold choices—choices that could very well include saying farewell to familiar faces.