Emmerdale's DS Ramsden to rethink Kim Tate revenge

Emmerdale's scheming newcomer DS Thea Ramsden is torn next week as she reconsiders her revenge against Kim Tate.

As Kim reels following Joe's decision to put baby Tate up for adoption, she has no idea that a potential reunion with her own child is closer than she realises.

Related: Emmerdale to reveal Joe Tate's final decision over baby son

Thea, the secret daughter whom Kim had adopted as a baby, witnesses the level of devastation that Kim is going through over Joe's decision when she encounters her at Will Taylor's grave.

The icy hatred that Thea has carried for her birth mother begins to thaw – leading to an unexpected change of heart…

"Kim is talking to Will and saying how much she loved Dawn, and that she couldn't protect her, and her guilt about that," explains Claire King, who plays Kim.

"Thea arrives and Kim's vocalising this and Thea thinks, 'Oh, she actually does have a soft side. Maybe she's not the monster I thought!' Thea softens a bit."

Kim has no idea that the detective is her daughter, and that she has been cultivating a fierce hatred for her mother throughout her life.

Related: Real-life Emmerdale couple make surprise appearance on BBC show

But just as soon as Kim has inadvertently made a breakthrough with Thea, it all falls apart when Thea mishears a conversation between Kim and Lydia Dingle in The Woolpack.

"Kim is saying to Lydia, 'There's nothing I can do, the baby is gone and that's the end of the story'," shares Claire. "It makes her sound harsh and that she doesn't care about the baby at all, when it's, in fact, the opposite!

"It's her frustration that is misinterpreted. Thea then swings back into believing she was right first time, and that Kim is a monster."

With Thea firmly back on her mission to take down her birth mum, danger is ever-present for a broken Kim. But Claire reckons that if Kim knew the truth about Thea's identity, she'd want to reconcile.

Related: Emmerdale reveals first look at Joe Tate's fury after Vinny's confession

"I think Thea would be welcomed into Home Farm with open arms!" insists Claire. "She'd be over the moon that Thea had tracked her down, but be very shocked to realise that she's come across her and been around for a few weeks.

"It would be a really joyful moment for Kim, but she'd have to work really hard to win Thea's trust," she adds. "There are going to be ups, downs, twists and turns in Kim's future. I think there's a very long way to go before we see a happy ending…"

Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 8pm on ITV1, and streams on ITVX.

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