As Emmerdale welcomes the new year, fans are in for a rollercoaster of drama.
Among the gripping storylines on the horizon, one involving arson and the return of Kerry Wyatt’s tragic past is set to unfold.
Actress Laura Norton, who portrays Kerry, has teased that her character will soon be forced to make “terrible decisions” in an arson plotline that brings her own history with fire back into focus.
Kerry’s Return and Troubling Decisions
Laura Norton has been a part of Emmerdale since 2012, bringing her character Kerry Wyatt to life. Kerry initially arrived as the estranged mother of Amy Wyatt,
later becoming an integral part of the Pollard family. In 2022, Kerry left the Dales to work on a cruise ship, taking a 16-month hiatus for maternity leave.
However, she’s now back, and her character’s return is shrouded in heavy emotional conflict.
In the upcoming episodes, Kerry’s world will collide with a shocking turn of events involving Eric Pollard (played by Chris Chittell). Pollard, who has recently endured a rocky relationship with Brenda Walker due to a disastrous cryptocurrency investment, finds himself in a dire financial situation. Desperate to pay back Brenda for losing her life savings, Pollard decides the only way forward is to sell the local shop. But when he realizes that no one is willing to pay the price he needs, he hatches a far more drastic plan — to burn the shop down for the insurance payout.
Kerry’s Emotional Reaction
When Kerry learns about Pollard’s plan, her reaction is one of shock and horror. Laura Norton explained that while Kerry tries to counsel Pollard, she remains unaware of the depths of his desperation. “Kerry manages to coax it out of Pollard that he feels as though he’s failed Brenda because he hasn’t paid her back,” Laura shared. “While Kerry tries to assure him that Brenda would be happy to wait for her money, she’s still oblivious to how far he is willing to go.”
Soon enough, Kerry discovers the full extent of Pollard’s intentions when she sees matches and accelerants. Pollard admits he is planning to set fire to the shop, hoping that the insurance claim will help him repay Brenda. Kerry, who has her own traumatic past involving a fire, argues that arson is not a victimless crime. She tries to convince him to abandon the dangerous plan, but it’s unclear if she can stop him before it’s too late.
Kerry’s Haunting Past
This plotline hits particularly close to home for Kerry, who was involved in a tragic fire years ago. In 2019, Kerry and her daughter Amy accidentally caused a fire at the sweet factory after they tampered with the CCTV equipment. The fire tragically resulted in the death of Frank Clayton, who died while trying to save his daughter Tracy. This devastating event has haunted Kerry ever since, leaving her with deep feelings of guilt and regret.
Speaking about Kerry’s past, Laura Norton explained that the fire continues to haunt her character. “Kerry is riddled with guilt and regret,” she said. “It’s nice for fans to talk about it as a sense of closure.” Kerry’s trauma has been a defining part of her character, and now, as she faces Pollard’s dangerous plan, her own history with fire makes her particularly protective. “She’s shocked and sad to see that he must be feeling really desperate,” Laura continued. “She gets very protective because she’s experienced something very similar. A series of bad choices led to an accident that was related to a fire. It’s haunted her ever since and she doesn’t want to find him in the same situation.”
Will Kerry’s Secret Come Back to Haunt Her?
Kerry’s decision to open up to Pollard about her past could have significant consequences. While she hopes to stop him from making a grave mistake, confiding such a dark secret may not be without risk. Laura reflected on the potential fallout of Kerry revealing the truth to Pollard: “It’s tricky because confiding in someone like Pollard could lead to the secret coming back to haunt her. There could be massive implications if he were to tell anyone else.”
As Emmerdale fans know, secrets rarely stay hidden in the Dales for long. Kerry’s admission could come with severe consequences, especially as she is not the only character in the village holding onto a buried truth.
A Father-Daughter Dynamic
Laura also touched on the unique relationship between Kerry and Eric Pollard, which has become an unexpected bond over the years. “It’s lovely to go full circle with him,” Laura said, referring to her time working alongside Chris Chittell. “They’ve both got no filter, so they say ridiculous things to each other. It’s a father-daughter relationship. You don’t expect these two to have the bond they do, but it’s nice to see on screen.”
This dynamic is central to Kerry’s storyline, as her desire to protect Pollard comes from a place of deep affection. Though they may be an unconventional pair, their connection provides a meaningful layer to the drama.
Looking Ahead
As Kerry grapples with Pollard’s dangerous decision and confronts the ghosts of her past, Emmerdale fans are in for a thrilling and emotional ride. With a series of terrible decisions looming on the horizon, Kerry’s involvement in Pollard’s arson plot could have far-reaching consequences. Will she be able to prevent him from making the same destructive mistake that haunted her for years? Or will the past repeat itself, with disastrous results? Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain — Kerry Wyatt’s return to Emmerdale will bring some intense, heart-wrenching drama to the Dales.
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