Where the Original Emmerdale Cast Are Now: Tragic Losses and Surprising Career Changes

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Entering its 53rd year, the show started its lengthy run in 1972. However, where is the original Emmerdale cast now?

Over the course of the soap opera’s fifty years, many characters have come and gone, but the village—along with all the romances, action, and laughter—remains the same, and its appeal endures. But where are the former cast members of Emmerdale now?

Jack Sugden – Andrew Burt

Andrew Burt portrayed Jack Sugden, Annie’s estranged son from her late husband Jacob Sugden. Before Jack reappeared four years later and was replaced by actor Clive Hornby, who played the role for 28 years, he appeared on screen until 1976.

Burt starred in a number of television shows after leaving Emmerdale, including Doctor Who, Poirot, Warship, The Legend of King Arthur, Campion, Oscar Charlie, I’m Alan Partridge, and Doctors. He then earned his counseling license and had his own counseling business until his untimely death from lung cancer in 2018 at the age of 73.

Actor Andrew Burt, approximately 1972, in the role of Jack Sugden on the television soap opera Emmerdale Farm. (Image via Getty Images / TV Times)(

Annie Sugden – Sheila Mercier

**Annie Sugden, portrayed by actress Sheila Mercier, was the matriarch of the Sugden family throughout the 1970s.**

The actress Sheila Mercier’s portrayal of Annie Sugden was the matriarch of the Sugden family throughout the 1970s. She played Annie until 1996, although she didn’t stop appearing in the soap opera until 2009.

Her last job before retiring with her husband and fellow actor Peter Mercier, with whom she shared two children, was in Emmerdale. The beloved Mercier passed away in 2019 at the age of 100. Mercier appeared in Nothing Barred and Laughter from The Whitehall prior to Emmerdale.

Joe Sugden – Frazer Hines

**In the BBC soap opera Emmerdale Farm, actor Frazer Hines played Joe Sugden.**

Frazier Hines portrayed Joe, the second son of Annie. After finishing his tenure in Emmerdale in 1994, he went on to appear in a number of other TV series and motion pictures, including Lost at Christmas, Out of Sight, Two Days in the Smoke, and most recently, Doctor Who: The Abominable Snowmen.

The 79-year-old Leeds native debuted with Charlie Chaplin in A King in New York as a young actor.

Marian Wilks – Gail Harrison

**Around 1972, actress Gail Harrison played Marian Wilks in the television soap opera Emmerdale Farm.**

When the first Emmerdale episode aired, Marian was the first character viewers saw, appearing in the opening sequence while mounted on a horse. Her mother was Henry Wilks, and she had a tumultuous relationship with Jack Sugden in the early seasons of the program. She spent six years on the show.

Actress Gail Harrison played Val in the sitcom Hi-de-Hi and Brelca in the children’s fantasy drama Return of the Antelope before leaving the ITV series. She also played Joanne in the 1989 hit comedy Only Fools and Horses.

Sam Pearson – Toke Townley

Toke Townley portrayed Sam Pearson, Annie’s father, also known as Grandad. Sadly, he passed away in 1984 at the age of 71 from a heart attack while on break from shooting.

Peggy Skilbeck – Jo Kendall

Jo Kendall, an actress, portrays Annie’s oldest daughter. Just one year was married Peggy Skilbeck a regular character on the show.

The drama Scum from 1979 and the romance film Howards End from 1992, which starred Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson, were later roles for the actress and writer. Her final performance was in 1999’s Bridge of Dragons. 2022 saw her death.

**Around 1976, actors Arthur Pentelow and Ronald Magill played Amos Brearly and Henry Wilks, respectively, in the television soap opera Emmerdale Farm.**

Henry Wilks – Arthur Pentelow

Marian’s father, retired manufacturing owner Henry Wilks, was portrayed by Arthur Pentelow.

While driving back to Leeds to continue filming in 1991, Pentelow tragically had a heart attack. His wife and two children survived him. Saxophonist Nicholas, one of his sons, played with the band Wizzard.

Amos Brearly – Ronald Magill

Ronald Magill portrayed the ultimate gossip in the community and landlord of the tavern, Amos Brearly. From 1972 to 1995, he appeared in over 1300 episodes of the show, becoming a mainstay. 2007 saw his passing.

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