Emmerdale is set to introduce a new face as Serena Sugden arrives in the village, and fans are already convinced they have uncovered her connection to the iconic Sugden family. Serena's early storylines on the ITV drama involve her becoming caught up in the aftermath of a distressing event involving a long-standing character, leaving her conflicted about her circumstances. Soon, questions arise about Serena's true motives for moving to Emmerdale and where her loyalties lie.
Who is Serena Sugden?
West End performer Casey Al-Shaqsy has landed the role of Serena Sugden, who will interact with some of the show's biggest names in the coming months. Speaking about her casting, Casey said: "I'm absolutely thrilled to be joining such an iconic show and playing a Sugden! Serena is a fantastic character with so much going on beneath the surface. I can't wait for the audience to see the drama unfold."
Fan theories about Serena's father
Emmerdale enthusiasts are already speculating about Serena's ties to the Sugden clan, with many suggesting she could be the previously unknown daughter of Joe Sugden (Frazer Hines), as reported by the Express. On X, one viewer pondered: "Trying to work out who's daughter she is if she's a Sugden. Perhaps a secret daughter of Joe Sugden?" Another demanded: "Bring back Joe Sugden you COWARDS," while a third simply predicted: "Joe!"
"Aye Jack had like 30 billion kids but Joe never had biological kids of his own, but stepchildren and such," observed one fan. Another explained: "PLEASE LET MISS SERENA SUGDEN BE JOE'S DAUGHTER!!!! HE GOT A WOMAN PREGNANT IN SPAIN OR SOMETHING! PLEASEEEE The actress is 10 years younger than Robert/Ryan and a couple years younger than Vic/Isabel and was born a year after Joe died! #emmerdale."
"My whole post is about her being Joe Sugden's long-lost daughter....and Joe possibly getting a woman pregnant when he was in Spain and putting the actress around the same ages as Robert/Vic/Andy. I literally do NOT want Robert having a long lost kid," commented another.
Who was Joe Sugden?
Actor Frazer Hines played Joe Sugden in Emmerdale from the very first episode in 1972, continuing for two decades before leaving the role in 1994. Joe departed the village for a fresh start in Spain, but he was killed off-screen just one year later, in June 1995. The farmer was Jack Sugden's (Clive Hornby) brother and the biological uncle of Robert and Victoria. Joe never had children of his own, but he became a stepfather to his second wife's two teenage children when he married Kate Hughes (Sally Knyvette) in 1989.
Joe's stepdaughter, Rachel Hughes (Glenda McKay), is the mother of Joe Tate (Ned Porteous). So if Serena is Joe Sugden's long-lost child, she would be Joe Tate's step-aunt and the biological cousin of Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) and Victoria (Isabel Hodgins), as well as the adopted cousin of Andy Sugden (Kelvin Fletcher).
Emmerdale airs weekdays on ITV and ITVX.
