No one expected Emmerdale to kick off 2026 with such a heartbreaking scene.

April Windsor – once the pride of the Windsor family – falls into tragedy when she is falsely accused of murder.

After months of guilt, trembling, and being manipulated by Celia Daniels’ drug gang,

April believes she killed Callum – the man who threatened and abused her.

But things don’t go as she thought. As Celia and Ray use April as a pawn in their revenge plan, a mysterious man – dubbed the “redeemer” by fans – appears, helping April escape the house where she is being held captive. In a moment of chaos, April discovers Callum is still alive, and everything she endured was just cruel psychological manipulation.

The climactic episode ends with April running through a rain-soaked field, screaming in a mixture of despair and relief. A final glimmer of light appeared on her face – freedom, but full of hurt. The audience felt both pity and fear that this freedom was only temporary, because Celia would certainly not let go easily.