ITV Emmerdale star makes surprise ‘relief’ admission as they quit soap after 20 years
Isabel Hodgins is departing Emmerdale after nearly two decades portraying Victoria Sugden, with the 32-year-old actress expressing that she felt prepared to step away from the ITV soap.
The star, who joined the Yorkshire-based drama in 2006, is expecting her first child with husband Adam Whitehead and views impending motherhood as her most significant role to date.
“I thought I would be really emotional when I filmed my final scenes. Emmerdale is all I have ever known,” Hodgins told The Sun. “But pregnancy does funny things to you and the truth is I felt ready not to have to film on Emmerdale!”
The actress became the third performer to take on the role of Jack and Sarah Sugden’s daughter when she began on the programme as a teenager.
Isabel Hodgins is departing Emmerdale after nearly two decades
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GETTY
Ms Hodgins completed her final scenes in December, revealing that the physical demands of pregnancy had taken their toll during production.
The actress, who resides in Manchester, found the regular commute to the Leeds studios increasingly challenging as her pregnancy progressed.
She explained: “I live in Manchester and I’ve been driving over to Leeds to film. By the end, I felt exhausted and I knew it was time to have a rest before the baby arrives.”
Despite having spent her entire adult career on the soap, having joined as a young teenager, Ms Hodgins admitted she experienced less emotion than anticipated on her last day of filming.
Ms Hodgins completed her final scenes in December
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ITV
“It suddenly feels very real now,” she added.
Victoria’s departure from the village follows one of the soap’s most dramatic storylines in recent memory.
During the historic Corridale crossover episode with Coronation Street, Victoria killed her half-brother John Sugden, a serial killer responsible for murdering Nate Robinson and holding Mackenzie Boyd captive in an underground bunker.
The character discovered a syringe in John’s pocket during a physical confrontation and stabbed him in the neck, unaware of its lethal contents.
Isabel Hodgins is expecting her first child with husband Adam Whitehead
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Although a formal suicide verdict has been delivered regarding John’s death, this week’s episodes show Victoria grappling with overwhelming guilt about her actions.
“Victoria is ready to lay on her sword. She has killed John and she is bogged down with so much guilt – especially as Moira has been like a mother figure towards her. She is in a total mess,” Ms Hodgins revealed.
Viewers will discover Victoria’s ultimate decision on Thursday’s episode.
Looking ahead, Ms Hodgins expressed tremendous enthusiasm about becoming a mother for the first time.
She said: “I am so excited about becoming a mum for the first time and this will be, by far and away, my biggest role I’ve ever had.”
The actress also praised her husband, a PE teacher whom she met at the gym after three years together.
“Adam is going to be a great dad. He pours his heart into everything he does and we both feel so lucky to be having a child.”
Crucially, Emmerdale producers have assured Ms Hodgins that the timing of any return remains entirely her choice.
Isabel Hodgins
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“They told me it was up to me when I come back to the soap, which is lovely. I’ve been in Emmerdale for 19 years and it’s been a huge part of my life,” she confirmed.
“I will be back in time but now it’s time to be with my baby and Adam. We can’t wait to be parents.”
