Not to state the obvious, but it’s almost Christmas, which means we need to talk about the soap schedules.
Over the two-week festive period, the schedule rule book gets thrown out the window like Joe Tate (Ned Porteous) in Emmerdale.
Christmas specials of shows are thrown about left, right and centre, more instalments of the soaps air due to it always being a dramatic period – it’s a lot.
With Christmas always being a busy period, we’ll absolutely forgive you for not knowing when your favourite show is on.
Luckily, we’re here to help. Think of it as an early Christmas present.
Here’s everything you need to know about Emmerdale’s schedules, and what’s happening in the village over Christmas and New Year.
When is Emmerdale on over Christmas and New Year?
The schedule for the festive two weeks is as follows:
Monday, December 22: 7:30-8pm
Tuesday, December 23: 7-7:30pm
Wednesday, December 24: 6:55-7:25pm
Thursday, December 25: 6:15-7:15pm
Friday, December 26: 6:30-7pm
Monday, December 29: 7:30-8pm
Tuesday, December 30: 7:30-8pm
Wednesday, December 31: 7:30-8pm
Thursday, January 1: 7-8pm
Friday, January 2: 7:30-8pm
Of course, if you’re too busy to watch all of these as they air on ITV1, you can catch up on ITVX.
What is happening in Emmerdale over the Christmas period?
Let’s talk about Robron first.
In upcoming episodes, Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) and Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller) start to fall victim to disturbing events in the village. The trees outside the flat are set on fire, Aaron’s car is damaged but at first, neither of them consider it could be John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth) or Kev Townsend (Chris Coghill).
Robert and Aaron accuse Ross Barton (Michael Parr) of the acts due to him not being happy with Robron’s idea to bring Seb back into their lives.
Eventually though, Robert works out who is behind the crimes and then mysteriously vanishes. With John and Kev reportedly both returning, it seems there’s a possibility the duo are working together to get revenge on Aaron and Robert.
‘I am hoping people are as shocked by it as we were when we read it’, star Danny Miller said.
‘But I think we are being careful with how much information we are giving the audience before it’s on screen. But it is exciting. I think there are a lot of moments where you go, oh my God, come on, please, please! Please wake up. That’s all I’ll say…’.
Elsewhere in the village, Celia Daniels (Jaye Griffiths) tells son Ray Walters (Joe Absolom) that it’s time for them to leave the farm, fearful they’re close to having their operation exposed.
They’ve done this before, but the difference this time around is that Ray really wants to pursue his relationship with Laurel Thomas (Charlotte Bellamy).
Will Ray finally stand up to his mum and stay in the village?
‘Celia doesn’t mark Christmas’, Jaye Griffiths said.
‘And this year she is planning on them leaving the area. As it has all got too complicated, April’s family are an irritant to her and things are also getting complicated business wise as Moira is becoming troublesome by asking too many questions.
‘But more alarmingly Ray has gone and fallen in love. So she’s extricating them to another area. It is clear that this is something they have done before – find another farm in another location and set up their enterprise again.’
At Jacobs Fold, Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins) continues to hide her pregnancy lie from Sarah Sugden (Katie Hill), but she faces another challenge over Christmas.
Vanessa Woodfield (Michelle Hardwick) is set to spend Christmas Day with Charity and co, which seems not that bad on the surface, but Vanessa knows something about Charity and her pregnancy.
And she’s absolutely terrible at keeping secrets.
Hitting the bottle to enjoy the festivities, is Vanessa about to ruin Charity’s Christmas – and her life?
At Home Farm, Joe faces a particularly stressful Christmas, as his relationship with Kim Tate (Claire King) faces a struggle.
Ned Porteous revealed more: ‘Joe is basically ousted from the house by Kim Tate, because she’s so cross, because of what he has done to her horse.
He added: ‘So it’s going to be a different Christmas for Joe. I think he’s probably gutted about the fact he’s annoyed Kim. But at the time he believed he was doing the right thing, as Joe always does. Let’s just hope that he can win her around in the New Year.
‘So Christmas is a strange one for Joe. Not only does he end up spending it somewhere a little different this year, that’s a tease as he’s out of his comfort zone for sure, but this Christmas there is also a nice happy piece of news for him.’
There is a bit of joy amid the dramatic few weeks, as an Emmerdale couple will get engaged.
But just who will it be?
