Emmerdale actress Isabel Hodgins has announced she is expecting her first child and will temporarily step away from the ITV soap after 19 years playing Victoria Sugden. The 31-year-old star revealed her pregnancy just months after marrying Adam Whitehead, signalling a major shift for one of the show's longest-serving characters.
Hodgins expressed her mixed emotions about leaving the programme, telling The Mirror: "I will miss it. I love the people there, but I've worked there for 19 years, so I feel like I've done what I've wanted to do and been selfish with my career. Now, it's time to devote my life to being a mum, that feels right to me. But there's still FaceTime, so they won't forget me!"
Fan theories emerge
Emmerdale viewers have flooded social media with congratulations whilst simultaneously theorising about Victoria's exit storyline during Hodgins' maternity leave. As Belfast Live reports, fans are actively predicting how writers will handle the character's temporary departure from the village.
The pregnancy timing creates natural storyline opportunities for writers to integrate real-life developments with current dramatic plot conclusions, as the Daily Star reports. This coincides with Victoria's character being deeply involved in ongoing murder mystery storylines that could provide perfect exit scenarios.
Current storyline complexities
Victoria has recently been rebuilding her relationship with estranged half-brother John Sugden, played by Oliver Farnworth, who recently married Aaron Dingle. However, John harbours dark secrets including his involvement in Nate Robinson's murder and knowledge of Anthony Fox's body location.
The paramedic character has been endangering other residents' lives to satisfy his 'hero complex' whilst clashing with brother Robert, who has become suspicious of his behaviour. These ongoing mysteries provide multiple potential exit routes for Victoria's character.
Prison theory gains traction
Fan theories on Reddit and social media platforms show active viewer investment in predicting storyline outcomes, according to Belfast Live. One popular theory suggests Victoria might unmask John's crimes and potentially kill him, resulting in a prison sentence that would explain her absence.
One Reddit user speculated: "I assume Vic will go on an extended visit to Diane (or go to prison for shovelling John, like it's the family business)." Another added that the timing works well for writers as "with the John story reaching a climax there are numerous ways Vic could leave the village for a while."
Sources used: "PA Media", "Belfast Live", "Daily Star"
Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
