Emmerdale has revealed another mystery relating to newcomer Serena Sugden (Casey Al-Shaqsy) as she secretly targets Home Farm. Fans are convinced a former villager is making a surprise comeback five years after an explosive exit.
Serena turned up in the village last month and immediately sparked suspicion as she asked questions about her murderous relative John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth), who was killed by his half-sister Victoria (Isabel Hodgins). She has confirmed she is a former police officer and that she last contacted John while he was on the run in December, when she was asked to leave Butlers Farm by Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller) and Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley).
Intruder at Home Farm
On Monday (July 20), Kim Tate (Claire King) discovered an intruder at Home Farm and armed herself with a shotgun. “Come out and you won't get hurt,” she said before realising they had fled out the back door. She ordered her head of security, Ross Barton (Mike Parr), to find the culprit, and Kim handed him a list of suspects, but he was none the wiser about who committed the crime.
Meanwhile, Serena clarified her connection to John and explained to Robert and Aaron that her family didn’t think anything of it when John rocked up last December, but things changed when her mum saw him on the news. Like most of the villagers, including Aaron, who married John, she had fallen for the killer's charm and had to process that this side of him was a lie when his crimes were revealed.
Back at Home Farm, Kim also realised that a USB stick had been taken and Serena was later seen browsing the files on a laptop, though her motive remained unknown.
Serena's growing interest in Jamie Tate
On Tuesday (July 21), Serena was asked to help out at Butlers, but she deliberately damaged a fence to get an excuse to see Ross at Home Farm. While inside, Serena picked up a photograph and believed it was a young Joe Tate (Ned Porteous). When Ross clarified that it’s actually Kim’s son Jamie Tate (Alexander Lincoln), Serena seemed particularly intrigued by him.
Ross didn't hold back and gossiped about Jamie, revealing more about the dark things he was responsible for while living in the village, as Serena was elated by the details. “Do they live around here?”, Serena asked as Ross replied: “He almost killed his mother-in-law and took off a few years ago, allegedly.” “I love a scandal, tell me everything”, Serena demanded as her mysterious interest in the Tate family and Jamie grows.
She was later seen talking on the phone, confirming she had wormed her way into Home Farm, sparking a frenzy among fans who think Jamie will return following his exit in 2021.
Jamie's faked death
Jamie tried to poison Kim after meddling with her brandy decanter, and he was banished from the family and lost his share of her fortune. He drove his car recklessly out of town and accidentally drove off a cliff edge into a lake. The car was found, but no body, and everyone, except Kim, believed he was dead. It was later revealed that Jamie did fake his own death but has yet to return to the village despite being the father of Thomas, whom he shares with Gabby (Rosie Bentham).
Taking to X, one fan asked: “Serena, is she working for Jamie, being as though she wants in Home Farm so much? #Emmerdale.” A second explained: “Sooo is Serena working for A. Sadie… B they've said another Tate is coming …perhaps Jamie.. is she married to him… Working with him or possibly Jean? What tangle web we weave…@emmerdale #Emmerdale.” A third chimed in: “So now she’s interested in Jamie? Seriously, what is her end game?”
On Facebook, another viewer predicted: “I think she is a Tate, as they did say both families were getting a new member.” Another exclaimed: “I think Serena is working for Jamie Tate!!!!!!!”, as another agreed: “Me too.”
Emmerdale airs weekdays on ITV and ITVX.
