‘It all makes sense now…’ — fans are convinced Serena’s real connection to Robert and Andy has finally been exposed
Emmerdale viewers are convinced they know who Serena Sugden's biological father is as the new character arrives.
Emmerdale is set to welcome a new arrival as Serena Sugden makes her way to the village, and fans reckon they know how the character is part of the iconic Sugden family.
Serena’s early scenes on the ITV soap see her drawn into the aftermath of a traumatic situation involving an established character, and she soon feels conflicted about what she’s become embroiled in. Later, questions are raised over Serena’s reasons for moving to Emmerdale and where her loyalties lie.
West End star Casey Al-Shaqsy has been cast in the role of Serena Sugden, who’ll cross paths with some of the show’s biggest characters in the months ahead.
Speaking about her casting, Casey commented: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining such an iconic show and playing a Sugden! Serena is a fantastic character with so much going on beneath the surface. I can’t wait for the audience to see the drama unfold.”
Emmerdale fans are already speculating about how Serena is part of the Sugden family, with some believing she is the long-lost daughter of Joe Sugden (Frazer Hines).
Serena Sugden is arriving in the village as part of an unexpected plot (Image: ITV)
Taking to X, one person speculated: “Trying to work out who’s daughter she is if she’s a Sugden. Perhaps a secret daughter of Joe Sugden?”
A second demanded: “Bring back Joe Sugden you COWARDS”, with a third simply guessing: “Joe!”
“Aye Jack had like 30 billion kids but Joe never had biological kids of His own, but stepchildren and such,” pointed out one viewer.
Another explained: “PLEASE LET MISS SERENA SUGDEN BE JOE’S DAUGHTER!!!! HE GOT A WOMEN PREGNANT IN SPAIN OR SOMETHING! PLEASEEEE The actress is 10 years younger than Robert/Ryan and a couple years younger than Vic/Isabel and was born a year after Joe died! #emmerdale.”
“My whole post is about her being Joe Sugden’s long-lost daughter….and Joe possibly getting a woman pregnant when he was in Spain and putting the actress around the same ages as Robert/Vic/Andy. I literally do NOT want Robert having a long lost kid,” commented another.
Who was Joe Sugden in Emmerdale?
Emmerdale fans believe Joe Sugden is the father of Serena Sugden (Image: ITV)
Actor Frazer Hines played Joe Sugden in Emmerdale from its debut episode in 1972, appearing for two decades before leaving the role in 1994. Joe’s exit came as he left the village for a new life in Spain, but he was killed off, off-screen, only one year later, in June 1995.
The farmer was Jack Sugden’s (Clive Hornby) brother and the biological uncle of Robert and Victoria. Joe did not have any children of his own; however, he became a stepfather to his second wife’s two teenage children when he married Kate Hughes (Sally Knyvette) in 1989.
Joe’s stepdaughter, Rachel Hughes (Glenda McKay), is the mother of Joe Tate (Ned Porteous), so if Serena is Joe Sugden’s long-lost child, she would be Joe Tate’s step-auntie and the biological cousin of Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) and Victoria (Isabel Hodgins), and the adopted cousin of Andy Sugden (Kelvin Fletcher).
Emmerdale airs weekdays on ITV and ITVX
