Emmerdale recast ‘sealed’ for legend after 11 years and fans are heartbroken
Emmerdale is no stranger to recasting a character and now heartbroken fans have ‘worked out’ the next one
Emmerdale recast ‘sealed’ for legend after 11 years and fans are heartbroken
Emmerdale fans fear a recast is on the cards for a soap legend – and they are not best pleased about the idea.
Back in 2010, Alicia Metcalfe (played by Natalie Anderson) made her debut as the sister of Leyla Harding (Roxy Shahidi). And it didn’t take her long to become a firm favourite with fans.
She was also involved in some big soap moments too. From being the secret mum of Leyla’s son Jacob (Joe-Warren Plant) to fake marriages and sexual assaults, her time in the Dales was not short of drama.
However, in 2015 Alicia left the village and packed up her belongings for a new life in Portugal, and while the door was left open for a return, she didn’t make a comeback.
Alicia was a firm favourite on the soap
Recently though, trainee doctor Jacob has been going through hell at work as his boss Dr Todd (Caroline Harker) has been pushing him to his absolute limits, gaslighting him and calling him out over his mistakes.
And while fans are hoping Alicia could make her return to take down the evil doctor, fans reckon she could be recast following actress Natalie Anderson joining rival soap Coronation Street last year as Danielle Silverton.
Natalie recently joined rival soap Corrie
“Bring back Alicia to sort Dr Todd out even if recast,” declared one person on an Emmerdale Facebook fan page. Another chimed in and added: “Yeah they would probably have to seeing as the actress is in Corrie.”
A third also penned in the comments section : “I thought that too.” Someone else fumed: “No!!!! I don’t want her to be recast!” A fifth wrote: “They wouldn’t do that surely?”
Fans fear the character could be recast(Image: TV Grab)
Meanwhile in 2025, Alicia actress Natalie opened up about her reasons for quitting Emmerdale: “I had a three-year-old son that I’d not really seen that much. My priority was being a mum and I wanted to be hands-on.
“I’d done five really great years as Alicia at Emmerdale, and I needed a rest and some time to be with my family.”
Natalie went on to say she had no regrets about her choice, as those treasured moments with her son have been “the absolute best time of my life”.
Emmerdale airs Monday to Friday at 8:00pm on ITV1 and ITVX
