Emmerdale to Air Three Huge Standalone Episodes: Robert’s Life in Prison, Bear’s Disappearance, and April’s Downward Spiral
Robert Sugden’s Prison Years Finally Revealed
Emmerdale has confirmed that three major standalone episodes will air this autumn, each delving into some of the soap’s most mysterious and emotional storylines — including Robert Sugden’s six years behind bars.
Fans were stunned earlier this year when Ryan Hawley reprised his role as Robert, dramatically crashing the wedding of his brother John Sugden and Aaron Dingle. Since then, viewers have been eager to know what really happened during his time in prison — and this special episode promises to finally answer those questions.
The instalment will explore Robert’s transformation while serving his life sentence for Lee Posner’s murder, revealing the truth behind his relationship with his secret husband, Kev, who has since been released and is now living in the village.
Will the episode show a reformed Robert — or a man still haunted by the violence and betrayal that sent him to prison?
Bear’s Disappearance Mystery Solved
The second special episode will centre on Bear Wolf’s (Joshua Richards) mysterious disappearance, a storyline that has left both Paddy Kirk and fans deeply worried.
When life with Paddy became strained, Bear decided to leave for what he called “a fresh start” in Ireland. Paddy assumed his estranged father had settled with friends there, but the truth is far darker.
This episode will cover the missing hundred days of Bear’s life, revealing that he never made it to Ireland and instead found himself trapped in a heartbreaking, all-too-common situation faced by many older men — isolated, forgotten, and vulnerable.
Actors Bradley Johnson and Lisa Riley have teased that Bear’s storyline will be “devastating” and will continue well beyond Christmas, shaping some of Emmerdale’s biggest 2026 plots.
April and Marlon’s Relationship Reaches Breaking Point
The third standalone episode focuses on the emotional distance growing between April Dingle and her father Marlon. After a string of harrowing events involving local drug dealers, April has become withdrawn, rebellious, and increasingly unreachable.
This special will explore Marlon’s guilt, fear, and frustration as he realises how far he’s lost his daughter — and how much danger she might still be in. Expect an intense, character-driven story that highlights the ripple effects of the village’s ongoing criminal underworld.
A Dark and Emotional Autumn Ahead
ITV has not confirmed the air dates for these three episodes, but they are expected to hit screens later this autumn — paving the way for a jaw-dropping Christmas season in the Dales.
According to cast interviews from the Inside Soap Awards, viewers can expect “massive twists” and scenes that will leave them saying, “what the f**k.” With returning legends, heartbreaking revelations, and the promise of tragedy, Emmerdale’s final months of 2026 are set to be unmissable.