Emmerdale is set to welcome back Paul Opacic as notorious rogue Steve Marchant, who returns to the village nearly three decades after his dramatic departure.
After 28 years away from the Dales, Steve makes a shock comeback when DS Thea Ramsden (Chelsea Edge) tracks him down in a relentless pursuit to uncover the identity of her biological father.
Kim Tate's Bombshell Revelation
In tonight's episode (Monday 2nd November), Kim Tate drops a bombshell on Thea: "Your father is a man called Steve Marchant. We were married." With only a name to go on, the determined detective wastes no time initiating her search.
DS Thea Ramsden originally arrived in the village with a single-minded focus: seeking revenge on her estranged mother, Kim Tate (Claire King). Following months of stalking, escalating tension, and deep-seated misunderstandings, the two have recently reconnected and forged a tentative truce - leaving fans wondering whether their fractured relationship can truly be repaired.
With her mother finally tracked down, the ultimate question remains: Who is Thea's father?
The Search for Steve Marchant
When Kim finally discloses Steve Marchant's identity, Thea sets out to locate him - completely unaware of whether he even knows she exists.
Because Kim previously sent Steve to prison, a romantic reunion between the former spouses is out of the question. However, whether Steve can build a relationship with his detective daughter remains to be seen.
In a calculated move, Thea poses as a solicitor during her initial contact. Cautious and suspicious, Steve is quickly drawn back toward the village in search of answers.
A Bitter History
Long-standing Emmerdale viewers may remember Steve from his stint on the ITV soap between 1996 and 1999, when he was one half of the village's glamorous power couple alongside his wife Kim Tate.
But their seemingly perfect marriage eventually unravelled as Steve's character shifted from a smooth-talking city entrepreneur to a ruthless and increasingly desperate businessman. Their bitter relationship reached a dramatic conclusion when Kim framed him for stealing horses. Not exactly an amicable divorce!
Actor Paul Opacic explains: "Things were left rather bitter between Kim and Steve, so he's very surprised when a solicitor contacts him out of the blue. He guesses something is afoot when Kim starts brandishing notes to keep him away. With the sniff of more cash to be made, Steve wonders what is going on. And soon Thea leaves him a jaw-dropping voicemail."
Emmerdale Producer Laura Shaw commented: "Determined to uncover the truth about her father, Thea devises a clever ruse to lure him into a meeting under false pretences. But will Steve fall for her deception, and does he even realise he has a child - or could he know secrets that even Kim isn't aware of?"
Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and is available to stream from 7am on ITVX and YouTube.
