50 Years of Emmerdale: The official story of TV's most iconic rural drama

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Years of Emmerdale: The official Story of TV's iconic rural drama was written by Emmerdale stoyliner Tom Parfitt and is due to be published 29 September 2022. Darcy Grey joined the role of sparky electrician Marcus Dean, the son of Rhona’s rapist Pierce Harris, late last year.

Son of Charles and successful solicitor, Ethan Anderson, played by Emile John, followed his father to Emmerdale and after meeting his sister Naomi and boyfriend Marcus has chosen to settle in the village. There's a champagne bottle, Wendy is on the surgical bed and everyone's looking a bit worse for wear…" Other families were ushered, such as a new farming clan, the Bartons, as well as the Wyldes at Home Farm, and the business savvy Sharmas.They've definitely got more in the way of shared interests. Leyla was all about weddings and nails. Liam loves Wendy and he likes that she's so interested in the short stories. I'm really playing with fire there. But it's last chance saloon, she's got to make her feelings known before he walks down the aisle and that's it. Chris Chittel plays Eric Pollard, - in the show for 36 years and is the longest serving cast member (Image: AMY BRAMMALL)'Chris has been in the show for 36 years and is the longest serving cast member. Another great character that’s changed and morphed over the years. He came in a bit of a wideboy bachelor, a social-climbing ladies’ man who was always up for a scam, and trying to con people. He went a good 20 years playing that role in the village and then they brought in this long-lost son David, and his stepson Jacob, and he got together with Val, and suddenly, he’s a family man. There’s always Pollard the rogue, but he’s now part of this generational family with these lovely scenes and so identifiable.' Today's Emmerdale village is filmed close to Harewood: the 300-acre Harewood estate was leased and planning permission for an entire village set was granted (Image: ITV)Through his research, Parfitt noted a consistent response when asking cast, crew or fans what it is they love about Emmerdale-it’s the setting. As he notes, unlike other soaps constrained to a square or street, Emmerdale’s location is beautiful and vast. So she's involved because she's getting wrapped up in Will's life, a little too much than she should be. That has an impact on his upcoming nuptials.

It’s a factory for making TV that people engage with. It’s a great job for me because I can do what I enjoy. I can do serious stuff, I can do a bit of comedy, I can sing a bit. It plays to my strengths as an actor, and I feel valued there. It’s not about giving people what they want all the time, so we’re not just making the audience happy, we’re annoying them, you want to keep them watching and you want to take them on a journey. Characters are taken out of their comfort zones and do something bad and go on a curve of redemption.'In 2001 with a little 'help' the villagers bid farewell to Kathy. Pictured: (L-R) Tricia Fisher (Sheree Murphy), Marti Pellow and Kathy Glover Malandra Burrows (Image: YTV) It’s a life-changing experience to work with such a good ensemble team. There are still people involved in the show that I was with on the first day, there are no airs and graces, no one’s above anyone else-it’s the best formula for getting the job done.' That gave it a bit of a refresh as we headed towards the 40th anniversary. From then really, we’ve just gone bigger- bigger stories, bigger stunts, bigger diversity - that’s been a conscious push in the last few years, definitely,” says Parfitt who’s hopeful for the soap’s future despite the change in people’s viewing habits.