While Emmerdale is still reeling from the Charity and Celia scandal, a name seemingly buried in the past unexpectedly resurfaces: John Sugden – the killer who once terrorized the entire village.

And this time, he’s not back to ask for forgiveness.

The opening scene of the Christmas special sends chills down viewers’ spines: Aaron Dingle wakes up in the middle of the night, hearing strange footsteps in his house.

When he turns on the light, John is already sitting on the sofa, calmly smiling.

“I told you, Aaron… I always come back when you forget about me.” A line that sends shivers down everyone’s spine.

John escaped from the psychiatric hospital where he was held after last year’s murder, and is now obsessed with “finishing what he left unfinished.” The scene where he silently watches Aaron and Robert from afar, capturing images of them together, then burns the old photo – is a silent declaration of war.

According to Metro, this storyline will continue until early 2026, culminating in John kidnapping Kev – Robert’s relative – to force Aaron to confront him. This arc is predicted to be the darkest and most violent in the last five years, as the psychologically obsessed character confronts the one he once loved.

Emmerdale fans call this “hell season” as the show returns to its original dark style – where every glance, every word carries a murderous undertone. John’s return is not just a personal obsession, but a reminder that Emmerdale’s past never truly rests. And when Aaron sees John’s reflection in the mirror at the end – it’s not just a terrifying moment, but a promise: the battle between good and evil will continue, and no one in Dales is safe anymore.