Isabel Hodgins has reached a major professional milestone, marking 20 years of playing Victoria Sugden in Emmerdale. Off-screen, she recently married her partner Adam Whitehead and gave birth to their daughter Georgie, documenting her new-mum journey on social media.
Taking to Instagram, Isabel shared a carousel of images showing her as Victoria over the past two decades, with the caption: ‘20 years ago today, I walked into Emmerdale to film my very first scene. I had no idea what the next two decades would bring, but I’m so grateful for every memory, every opportunity and all the amazing people I’ve met along the way. 20 years… how did that happen?’
Co-stars pay tribute
Danny Miller, who plays her on-screen brother-in-law Aaron Dingle, commented playfully: ‘You’ve been off for 9 months, so it’s 19 years and 3 months.’ He added: ‘In seriousness. I have learned from you on and off screen. You inspire me everyday and I love you to pieces. Now hurry up home’.
Adam Thomas, who played Victoria’s ex-husband Adam Barton, wrote: ‘Wow !!!! Congrats that’s a huge achievement… what an icon! X love you x 20 years!!! Happy I got to share some of those years with you x’. Isabel replied: ‘Stop it! You will always be Victoria’s favourite husband… I’ll never forgive you for getting in that shipping container!’
Eden Taylor-Draper, who plays Belle Dingle, commented ‘Awwww I love you’, while Laura Norton, who plays Kerry Wyatt, said: ‘What a bloody milestone. Honoured to share the stage with you. She loves a hair re vamp doesn’t she. Love you forever Victoria Hodgins.’
Fans react
Fans also flooded the comments with support. @emma_twin said: ‘Well done @isabelhodgins, that’s amazing!! How do you basically still look the same age as when you joined.’ @jennykelly86 joked: ‘Sorry to just pop in here.. but iv got some serious questions, Q1 : how can it be 20 years if you are only 20? Q2: Are you aging backwards?!?’ and @norfolknerd added: ‘We’re so grateful to have you on the show and can’t wait to see you back on our screens soon.’
@catherinexx12 wrote: ‘Congratulations on this milestone it’s absolutely amazing!! Here’s to another 20 of the amazing Victoria Sugden’, @martinlogan27 said: ‘Congratulations @isabelhodgins looking forward to having you back in the Dales’, while @_bespoketraveller commented: ‘No wayy… what a milestone, HUGE congrats.’
Return to the Dales
Isabel previously excited fans by sharing a picture of herself heading to the stage door at the show’s studios, having visited the set with her husband and daughter. She posted a montage of clips walking her baby around the village’s iconic locations, captioned: ‘Yesterday was special. For the first time, I got to show Georgie (and Adam) around the village that’s been such a huge part of my life. I’ve been lucky enough to call this place work since I was 12 years old, so sharing it with my little family meant so much.’
Victoria’s Emmerdale exit saw her flee to Portugal after killing her brother John (Oliver Farnworth). When Joe Tate (Ned Porteous) uncovered her guilt, he blackmailed her brother Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) into helping him destroy Moira Dingle (Natalie J Robb) to claim her farmland. Drowning in guilt, Victoria left for a new start, but it looks likely she’ll return to the Yorkshire Dales soon.
