Fans of the long-running ITV soap Emmerdale have been sent into a frenzy after actress Paige Sandhu teased a potential return for her notorious character, serial killer Meena Jutla.
Meena's Murderous Past and Future Target
The speculation ignited during an appearance on ITV's The Big Quiz on Monday night, where cast members from Emmerdale and Coronation Street competed. Sandhu, who played the villainous Meena between 2020 and 2022, was asked about her time on the show.
She described the role as "so fulfilling, so fun," praising her former co-stars. Her comments prompted an immediate endorsement from Lucy Pargeter, who plays Chas Dingle, who declared: "She was absolutely amazing... she needs to come back."
When pressed on who Meena would target if she ever broke out of prison, Sandhu didn't hesitate. "Manpreet. Straight for Manpreet," she stated, referring to Meena's own sister, whom she previously tried to murder.
A Legacy of Soap Villainy
During her terrifying reign in the Dales, Meena Jutla established herself as one of the soap's most chilling villains. Her confirmed kill count includes Leanna Cavanagh, Andrea Tate, Ben Tucker, and her own father. She also claimed the life of a friend named Nadine.
Her list of attempted victims is even longer, encompassing Liam Cavanagh, Vinny Dingle, Victoria Sugden, Dawn Taylor, Billy Fletcher, and Leyla Harding, whom she shot. The character's unfinished business with Manpreet Sharma clearly still burns brightly for the actress.
Crossover Carnage on the Horizon
The tease of Meena's return comes as Emmerdale and Coronation Street gear up for a major crossover event next month. A newly released trailer previews a horrific multi-vehicle pile-up that will bring characters from both soaps together in a life-or-death scenario.
The preview confirms a vast array of characters will be involved. From the Coronation Street side, Abi and Kevin Webster, Kit Green, Carla Connor, and Asha Alahan are shown, with Debbie Webster also at risk. Representing Emmerdale will be Charity Dingle, Cain Dingle, Jacob Gallagher, Robert Sugden, and Joe Tate.
The chaotic trailer shows desperate rescue attempts and frantic searches for loved ones at the crash site, though some characters remain hidden from view, keeping their fates a secret for now.
Emmerdale continues to air weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with an hour-long episode every Thursday.
