Emmerdale legend Emma Atkins delivers verdict on Charity and Sadie’s future - and hopes for Sarah story

Emma Atkins has ruled out any further conflict between Charity Dingle and Sadie King in Emmerdale.

Sadie returned with much fanfare last month - her entrance scene mirroring her original arrival in 2004. The schemer stepped out of a helicopter before swinging her coat over Charity's arm, which two decades ago, sparked a vicious feud between the women.

It seemed like the nastiness was about to continue between the women, though just days after the big return, Charity was whisked off to prison for the murder of Dr Caitlin Todd (Caroline Harker).

But this is soapland, and it's inevitable that Charity will be released eventually, and the pair will come face to face again. But could their rivalry be reignited?

"I think going into prison knowing that Sadie's back on the scene, Charity would be like, 'What's going on in the village while I'm in there?' I need to get back out," Atkins joked to Radio Times at last week's Inside Soap Awards.

"I think they've moved on a little bit, and I don't know whether they'll revisit those two. I think there's other fish for [Charity] to fry."

Atkins is, of course, referring to her character's ongoing familial dilemma. Part of the reason that she took responsibility for Todd's death was to protect granddaughter Sarah Sugden (Katie Hill), the real killer.

Charity was guilt-ridden, as she'd given birth to a daughter that Sarah believed was her own, while her grandmother was acting as surrogate. Sarah has since raised the child, Leyla, as her own.

The whole matter was exposed in explosive fashion earlier this month, and Sarah has sworn never to trust Charity ever again.

Will they ever be able to make amends?

"I really hope," Atkins added, "whilst I'm doing this sort of ostracised moment, I'm not working with Katie Hill, and I'm not happy."

"I love working with her, but it needed to happen. And I think that's a lovely story to build back their trust again. It could take a long time because, I don't know about you, but after that, I'd be like, 'I ain't ever having you in my home ever again.'"

Read more:

• 3 Emmerdale spoilers next week: Chaos amid Jimmy King’s funeral, Gabby Thomas in hospital, and Charity Dingle returns home
• Emmerdale star teases "rocky road" for Sarah Sugden - and reveals hopes for Debbie Dingle return
• Emmerdale airs dangerous Sadie King and Robert Sugden alliance in early ITVX release
• Emmerdale legend confirms clashes between Cain Dingle and Sadie King amid dramatic comeback

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and from 7am on ITVX.

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Authors

Michael Adams is the Soaps Editor at Radio Times, covering all of the hot gossip and spoilers from Weatherfield to Walford, Emmerdale to Hollyoaks and everywhere in-between. He joined the team from Metro, where he spent two years as a Soaps Reporter and previously worked on the sets of both Coronation Street and Emmerdale.