This week, Emmerdale viewers will finally discover the identity of Ray Walters' killer in a gripping series of flashback episodes. The ITV soap has teased three main suspects, with one standing out due to a powerful motive: Marlon Dingle.
A Father's Desperate Motive
The plot thickened when Marlon discovered his teenage daughter, April Windsor, was being exploited by Ray and his mother, Celia Daniels. Dragged into drug dealing and other crimes, April's revelation left Marlon feeling trapped. He vowed to go to the police, but Celia and Ray retaliated with threats and a demand for thousands of pounds in silence money.
With his family's safety on the line and legal routes blocked, did Marlon see murder as the only way to end their torment? His secretive behaviour following Ray's death has raised suspicions, as he has acted strangely while trying to conceal something from those around him.
Clues From the Actor
Adding fuel to the fire are past comments from Mark Charnock, the actor who portrays Marlon. Speaking to The Mirror back in October 2025, Charnock hinted that his character was capable of extreme measures.
"I think he could do something extraordinarily reckless," Charnock stated. "I truly believe that character would sacrifice himself for his child... He’d do absolutely anything." The actor elaborated that Marlon could reach a point where "only the worst kind of thing he could possibly do, like murder, is the only answer."
These remarks now seem like significant foreshadowing as the flashback episodes, airing from 19 January 2026, prepare to unveil the truth.
The Week of Revelations
The upcoming episodes promise to piece together the final moments of Ray Walters' life. Spoilers for Marlon's pivotal flashback are deliberately vague, noting he fears Ray has taken April. The episode will feature other villagers like Ross Barton and Paddy Dingle, but Marlon's own actions remain shrouded in mystery.
Will a confrontation between Marlon and Ray turn deadly? The synopsis suggests a tense meeting that could have spiralled into violence. Fans have been analysing every clue, questioning if Marlon's apparent lower suspicion level compared to other suspects is itself a sign of his guilt.
Emmerdale airs the crucial episodes weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with the full story of Ray's murder set to be laid bare.
