With a lot of male characters making Emmerdale their home in recent months, here are 11 female villagers who should return.

We’ve seen the likes of Ross Barton, Joe Tate and Robert Sugden all return to our screens while female villagers are leaving left, right and centre.

No, we’re ready for the women who were once at the heart of the soap to make a comeback once more.

1. Meena Jutla

When Meena Jutla was around, every episode of the soap kept us on the edge of our seats. We didn’t know whether we were in for another singing serial killer instalment or not.

While she might have been sentenced to 75 years behind bars, we’d take a prison appearance or brief prison escape. Just imagine the reunion between Manpreet and her sister…

Emmerdale return 2. Priya Sharma

Jai’s looking a little lonely in the village with only Archie to keep him company. Most of his family have either died or departed from the Dales, and he’s still trying to find his place without them. And, we don’t feel like he’s quite that happy at the Depot.

We could see Priya helping him to find his feet again, with Priya even finding her place back at Take A Vow to help Belle out now that Leyla and Suzy have sadly both passed away.

3. Alicia Gallagher

With Jacob recently losing his mum Leyla in the limo crash, and with David having swanned off, he could do with some support. The only person he really has around his grandad Eric Pollard, but with his health deteriorating, Alicia Gallagher’s return is needed.

While it doesn’t look likely anymore seeing as how Natalie Anderson has now joined the cast of Coronation Street, we’ll never give up hope.

Emmerdale return 4. Sadie King

With Patsy Kensit not having shut the door to the soap world having appeared in EastEnders only a couple of years ago, we’re determined to get her back in the Dales as Sadie King too.

Sadie was a strong woman who knew exactly what she wanted, leaving the village in 2006 after everyone believed that she had been killed.

Imagine the drama she’d cause if she just rocked up 19 years later…

5. Bernice Blackstock

Bernice’s return would add a whole load of comedy back into the show, with the character never failing to have us chuckling.

Whether it be her disastrous love life or her optimistic business plans, Bernice provided some light-hearted comic relief to the show and we’ve missed her ever since she left in 2023.

6. Steph Stokes

Steph Stokes has been quite prominent in Classic Emmerdale recently which has had us longing for her return. That nostalgia has hit us in full force.

We doubt the villagers would take it well if Steph turned up again, with many fearing the villain back in the day.

The drama that would come with Steph’s return though would be worth it, surely? We think we’re due an update on her recent schemes and crimes…

7. Kelly Windsor

Imagine a Kelly Windsor comeback!

Although sister Donna has now passed away, we’d be interested to see if Kelly could help support struggling niece April by returning to the Dales.

We’d also love to see her reunite with Elliot and then see how Jimmy would react to Kelly’s presence back in his life.

8. Jean Tate

Jean Tate was only little when we last saw her but fans haven’t forgotten her. In fact, they’ve been calling for her return for a while now, especially with the soap being keen to put the Tates back on the map with the return of Joe again.

Jean was the daughter of Zoe Tate and Scott Windsor, leaving the soap in 2005.

Now, in the present day, Jean is 22 years old and we’d love to see the woman she is today… And also, how her personality might clash or compliment Joe, Kim and Noah’s.

9. Kathy Glover

While we’re not entirely sure how Kathy’s return would be incorporated into the soap, she’s a character we’d love back nevertheless.

Perhaps she could get involved with Robert Sugden’s return storyline, having briefly cared for Vic, Robert and Andy when they were much younger.

Kathy was a much-loved and popular character during her time in the Dales, with viewers admiring her strong and complex personality. We’d love to see how she’d fit into the dynamic of the village today.

Emmerdale return 10. Megan Macey

Oh how we’d love to see Megan clash with Charity Dingle again, causing huge catfights and making sure everyone in the village knew who she was.

We’d also love to see her bring Eliza back to provide some company for Jai. We reckon a lot has gone on during the years Megan has been away, and we can already the picture the dramatic return scenes should she come back.

11. Diane Sugden

It seems the Sugdens are expanding, with the recent return of Robert sending fans wild.

There was a time when the soap revolved around the Sugdens, but times have changed. Now that Robert’s finding his way back home though, we’d love to see Diane return to intervene with the unavoidable tensions that come out of this situation.

The Sugdens desperately need someone to keep the peace right now!