Remember when we all thought Emmerdale’s Moira Dingle (Natalie J Robb) was tough? The feisty attitude, the ‘Rosie the Riveter’ overalls, the sheer street cred which comes from pulling Cain Dingle (Jeff Hoardley). Good times.
Now there’s a new farmer on the land – the dog-killing, people trafficking, drug dealing criminal queenpin, Celia Daniels (Jaye Griffiths). Since her arrival in June 2025, Celia has turned Butler’s Farm into a nightmarish stable for the poor, vulnerable people she has forced into domestic slavery, including the formidable ex-wrestler Bear Wolf (Joshua Richards). She even forced him to bury one of the workers who died in captivity on the land – and all under Moira’s nose.
The two fellow farmers were friends at first. Celia was able to charm Moira with a respectable front just like she does with everyone else. But Moira’s no fool. What started as an amiable business partnership soon turned sour when she started to see Celia’s true colours.
Not only did she rumble Celia forging her signature on invoices to buy dodgy turkeys, but Moira was rocked to realise that she and her son Ray (Joe Absolom) were using forced labourers on Butler’s farm.
Obviously Celia will always lie her way out of accusations, trying to gaslight Moira into believing that her brain tumour is affecting her judgment. There can only be one answer to that – SOAP SLAP!
It’s a very Moira Barton response, but one can’t help but feel there will be consequences for giving a cold-blooded people trafficker the backhand in the Woolpack.
Actress Natalie J Robb eagerly anticipates the fallout for Moira. ‘I’m really looking forward to it as there are lots of good things coming up. We have the big episodes before and then Corriedale. But Moira is going to have quite a rocky time. It’s going to be stressful. The Celia drama will have a knock on effect.’
There’s a lot of drama in the Dales coming up over Christmas in the New Year, so it’s always nice to temper that with a little bit of lightness and warmth.
Emmerdale fans have always enjoyed the dynamic she has with Cain, and can look forward to more shenanigans over Christmas with two mystery guests . ‘This Christmas Moira, Cain and the family are all going to be together’ Natalie reveals.
Can't wait for the next twist?
Hi, I’m Maisie Spackman, a Soaps reporter at Metro. I cover all the latest spoilers and gossip from Weatherfield to Walford.
If you want to stay up to date on the biggest storylines and news from your favourite cast members, sign up to our daily Soaps Newsletter.
From shocking twists to fan-favourite theories, it’s all in your inbox every morning.
‘So it’s lovely as for once the family is together for Christmas Day. In fact we have two surprise Christmas arrivals to add to the mix and there are some quite amusing scenes where one of them tries to get Cain to dance. It is fun and there is nice family stuff going on so I hope people enjoy it.’
However, Christmas might be the calm before the storm. After being publically slapped, Celia will play the victim and do her best to make Moira look unstable, perhaps even pressing charges. It’s a rough start to 2026 for Moira. Does Natalie have any New Years Resolutions for her character?
‘Don’t trust people so quickly.’
Might be a bit late for that…
