Natalie Ann Jamieson’s departure from Emmerdale left fans heartbroken, as her character, Amy Wyatt, met a tragic end after six years on the soap.
However, for the 37-year-old actress, the future is bright, and she is eager to embrace new opportunities beyond the fictional village.
Reflecting on her time on Emmerdale, Natalie shares that she feels ready to move on. “The world’s my oyster now, which is a nice situation to be in,” she says.
“Six years felt like the perfect amount of time to be in that wonderful Emmerdale bubble. Now, I’m back in the big wide world, and I’m really excited about what’s next.”
Amy’s shocking exit saw her caught in a devastating limousine crash that sent her plunging into a frozen lake.
Despite her desperate struggle to escape, she became trapped beneath the ice, leading to her heartbreaking death in hospital.
Her final moments were made even more emotional as her husband, Matty (played by Ash Palmisciano), bid her a tearful farewell, just as the couple had decided to pursue adoption.
Though Natalie and her long-term partner, Ali Ward, aren’t currently thinking about parenthood, she admits she would be open to following in Amy’s footsteps when the time comes. “We don’t feel pressured to go down the traditional route,” she explains. “People stress about body clocks, but there are so many options out there, just like Amy and Matty explored.”
Unlike many who dream of carrying a child, Natalie doesn’t feel strongly about that aspect of motherhood. “There are people who have always wanted to experience pregnancy, but I don’t feel that way,” she says. “It’s nice knowing there are different paths to parenthood.” However, she clarifies that adoption isn’t in their immediate plans.
When it comes to marriage, the actress confesses she and Ali are far from traditional. “We’ve been together for years, but we’d rather spend money on holidays,” she laughs. “We’re not into big ceremonies, so if we do decide to get married, we’ll probably just elope and surprise everyone when we get back.”
Natalie’s exit from Emmerdale was an emotional journey. Initially unaware that her character would be killed off, she was taken aback when she found out. “At first, I didn’t know Amy’s exit would be a death,” she admits. “It’s a tough call—would you rather your character die, or just leave in a taxi? If you take the taxi, there’s always the possibility of returning. But the show felt Amy was too important for a quiet departure.”
Once she came to terms with it, Natalie embraced the dramatic farewell. “Getting a major exit storyline is a privilege,” she says. “It was an intense experience, but I was excited to bring Amy’s story to a powerful conclusion.”
Keeping the secret was another challenge. Even her closest friends and family were unaware of the dramatic twist. “I told my mum to brace herself for emotional scenes,” she reveals. “But most people had no clue. Friends would casually ask how work was going, and I had to act normal. I felt like a secret agent!”
Now that she’s free to explore new roles, Natalie is keen to take on something entirely different. “After such a heavy storyline, I’d love to do some comedy,” she shares. “I’d also love to get back into theatre.”
One reality show she believes she’d excel at is The Traitors. “I’d be brilliant at it,” she jokes. “We’ve played similar deception games for years. Once, on holiday, people even thought Ali was a hired host for the game!”
As for Strictly Come Dancing, Natalie isn’t as confident. “The competition is fierce, and I’d be starting from scratch,” she admits. “I’d need a practice run before signing up. I’m A Celebrity feels like a more even playing field.”
With more free time, Natalie is also keen to learn British Sign Language (BSL), a cause close to her heart due to her own hearing challenges. “I have hearing loss in one ear and use a hearing aid when needed,” she explains. “I don’t personally rely on BSL, but I’d love to communicate with those who do. It’s a shame it’s not taught in schools—I would have chosen it.”
Her Emmerdale co-stars were devastated by her departure, particularly Jonny McPherson (Dr. Liam Cavanagh) and Olivia Bromley (Dawn Taylor). “When I told them, there were lots of tears,” she recalls. “I also had a really emotional conversation with Ash. It’s tough because we form such deep bonds working together.”
Her colleagues made sure she received a fitting send-off. “I got beautiful flowers, champagne, and a bracelet inscribed with ‘Love, The Village,’” she shares. “They even gave me a Newcastle United cup with ‘Wyatt 9’ on the back. It was incredibly thoughtful.”
Natalie’s exit comes as Emmerdale and Coronation Street undergo schedule changes, with episodes being reduced to 30 minutes. Despite concerns over ITV’s soap budget cuts, she sees a silver lining. “It reminds me of how soaps were in the past, so it doesn’t feel like a negative change.”
While she’s eager to explore new opportunities, Natalie will always cherish her time on Emmerdale. “I’ll miss my co-stars and Amy’s chaotic fashion sense,” she laughs. “But I’m ready for the next adventure.”
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