Victoria Sugden's Emmerdale Departure: Isabel Hodgins Takes Maternity Leave
Emmerdale fans witnessed a significant moment as Victoria Sugden left the ITV soap in Thursday's episode, marking a temporary exit for actress Isabel Hodgins after nearly 32 years in the role. The departure, which aired on ITV1 and is available on ITVX, is not permanent, with both the character and actress set to return at a later date.
Why Isabel Hodgins Is Leaving Emmerdale
Isabel Hodgins, who has portrayed Victoria Sugden since 2006, confirmed her pregnancy in August last year, with a due date in early 2026. This announcement signaled an impending exit for the character, as Hodgins completed filming weeks ago and is now on maternity leave. The actress has not yet disclosed whether she has welcomed her baby, but fans have expressed their support as her final scenes air.
It remains unclear when Hodgins will return to Emmerdale, as she is expected to take an extended break for maternity leave, meaning viewers should not anticipate her comeback soon. The soap has assured audiences that this is a temporary hiatus, not a permanent departure, maintaining hope for Victoria's future in the village.
Victoria Sugden's Dramatic Exit Storyline
Victoria's exit is driven by a tumultuous storyline that began in early January, when her life was upended after she accidentally killed her brother, John Sugden, in self-defense. Using a syringe without knowing its contents, Victoria fatally attacked John as he attempted to harm her, leading to a cover-up with the help of her brother Robert Sugden and his partner, Aaron Dingle.
The crime was exposed by villain Joe Tate, who possessed video evidence of Victoria's actions, the staged suicide, and her subsequent flight from the area. In the aftermath, Victoria has grappled with intense guilt, compounded by Joe's blackmail, which forced the Sugden family to surrender their farm land and led to Robert framing Moira Dingle for the crime.
The emotional weight of Moira's framing, John's death, and questions from her young son, Harry, about his uncle became overwhelming for Victoria, culminating in her decision to leave the village. This exit provides a temporary respite from the chaos, with the promise of her eventual return to Emmerdale.
Emmerdale continues to air weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX, keeping fans engaged with ongoing drama in the village.
