As Emmerdale prepares to roll into another year of twists, betrayals, and village drama in 2025,

long-time fans are voicing a growing sentiment: it’s time for the ITV soap to take a hard look at its

cast of characters and make some serious cuts. While the series has delivered moments of gripping storytelling and shocking returns, it’s also been weighed down by stale storylines, inconsistent character development, and, frankly, characters who have overstayed their welcome. But amid the deadwood, one character has emerged as a beacon of drama, strength, and potential—Ruby Fox-Milligan.

Let’s be blunt: Emmerdale needs a reset. And Ruby deserves to be at the very center of it.

A Year of Highs and Lows

2024 gave fans moments of genuine emotional weight. Belle Dingle’s harrowing abuse storyline captured the village’s darker undercurrents, with Eden Taylor-Draper’s performance receiving well-earned praise. Tom King finally got his comeuppance after years of manipulation and violence, and Ross Barton’s return brought a much-needed jolt of energy back to the screen.

But for every storyline that hit home, there were others that left fans scratching their heads.

Take Ella, played by former Coronation Street star Paula Lane. On paper, she had the makings of a compelling addition: a complex past, a connection to Darrell Lamb, and a secret that could unravel the village. But poor writing and inconsistent character direction reduced Ella to a one-note receptionist with a baffling obsession and little else. Lane’s early departure says it all—this was a missed opportunity of monumental proportions.

Then there’s Moira’s brain tumor arc. While potentially powerful, the storyline was undermined by an absurd twist: Cain Dingle, one of the show’s most loyal and emotionally grounded characters, cheating on Moira during her surgery. The betrayal felt jarring, unearned, and deeply out of character, alienating long-time fans of the couple. Such missteps call into question whether Emmerdale‘s writers are truly in touch with the emotional beats that once defined the show.

The Dead Wood Dilemma

Let’s talk about the elephant in the Woolpack—some characters have simply run their course.

Will Taylor, for example, has become emblematic of Emmerdale‘s growing problem with redundant characters. Often seen complaining, brooding, or arguing with Kim Tate, Will’s constant presence began to wear thin years ago. His apparent death on Christmas Day was a mercy—not just for him, but for the audience. Yet with swirling fan theories suggesting he might not actually be dead, there’s a growing fear that he could return in 2025. And that would be a mistake.

Equally grating are the likes of Gabby, Jai, Nicola, Jimmy, and Bear. These characters frequently oscillate between recycled plots and unconvincing emotional turns. Worse, their continued presence sidelines younger or fresher faces who could take the soap in bold new directions. Daisy Campbell’s axing as Amelia Spencer was one such casualty. Amelia had run out of road, yes, but when compared to the stagnant arcs of Will or Dawn, it’s hard not to question the creative priorities behind the scenes.

If the show is serious about regaining its emotional bite, it’s time for a cull. Characters like Will, Dawn, Billy, and Chas need either significant reinvention or a graceful exit.

The Call for Robert Sugden’s Return

While Aaron Dingle’s tentative romance with his half-brother Jon has stirred curiosity (and some controversy), many fans continue to clamor for the return of one key player: Robert Sugden. No one could match the electric chemistry between Robert and Aaron, and their relationship—often chaotic, always compelling—remains one of Emmerdale’s most iconic love stories.

Ray and Holly’s return as Robert would be a masterstroke. Imagine Robert stepping back into the village, fresh from prison, only to discover Aaron entangled in a new relationship—with his own sibling. The emotional fallout, romantic tension, and narrative depth practically write themselves.

A reunion could even pave the way for a darker Bonnie-and-Clyde-esque storyline, reminiscent of Cain and Charity’s infamous escapades. Crime sprees, village feuds, redemption arcs—there’s no shortage of directions this duo could take, and viewers would be here for every scandalous second.

A New Queen of the Dales: Ruby Fox-Milligan

But while many characters are running on fumes, Ruby Fox-Milligan is just getting started. Portrayed with ferocity and nuance by Beth Cordingly, Ruby has proven herself to be the breakout star Emmerdale didn’t know it needed.

Introduced as a layered and unapologetically fiery presence, Ruby walks the line between villain and heroine with ease. Whether she’s hurling biting insults in the Woolpack, supporting Moira through her devastating diagnosis, or navigating the complexities of her own family—particularly her terminally ill father—Ruby commands attention in every scene.

She’s strong-willed, smart, and morally grey in the best way. She doesn’t shy away from conflict, but she also shows compassion when it counts. In a landscape often dominated by cliché soap villains and endless affairs, Ruby is a refreshing anomaly.

In fact, Ruby’s character opens doors for entire new branches of storytelling. Her family’s backstory is ripe for deeper exploration. The emotional impact of her father’s illness, her romantic entanglements, and the simmering rivalries she stirs up could anchor Emmerdale‘s next era.

The show needs more Rubys—characters who feel real, unpredictable, and impossible to ignore.

Soapland Needs a Shake-Up

It’s time for Emmerdale to stop leaning on tired tropes—particularly affairs, which have become so formulaic they border on parody. The will-they-won’t-they tension, the longing glances, the inevitable betrayal—they’ve all been done to death. Unless a romance is genuinely unexpected (Cain and Liam? Brenda and Marlon?), it’s just not worth the screen time.

Instead, invest in meaningful drama. In long-buried secrets, deep-rooted vendettas, and character growth that doesn’t come at the expense of logic. The audience is hungry for complexity and emotional authenticity—something the soap once excelled at.

Looking Ahead

2025 must be the year Emmerdale evolves. The village doesn’t need to be overhauled, but it does need to be pruned. Clear out the characters dragging the show down, bring back the ones who made it unforgettable, and place stars like Ruby Fox-Milligan where they belong—at the forefront.

The drama is still there, waiting to be unleashed. But only if the show is brave enough to cut the dead wood and nurture the stories that matter.

Let the culling begin. And let Ruby reign.