Emmerdale star shares major update on Victoria’s return
Emmerdale favourite Isabel Hodgins has offered fans a rare and heartfelt insight into her life away from the ITV soap after welcoming her first child, while also revealing new details about when she could return to the Dales as Victoria Sugden.
The long-running soap star, who has portrayed Victoria for two decades, recently stepped away from the series for maternity leave following her pregnancy announcement. Now, she is opening up about the life-changing transition into motherhood—and how it has reshaped her priorities both personally and professionally.
A Life-Changing Conversation Behind The Scenes At Emmerdale
Speaking on the parenting podcast You Don’t Know You’re Born, hosted by her Emmerdale co-star Danny Miller and Nigel Clucas (aka Wingman), Hodgins reflected on the moment she informed producers that she was expecting her first child.
The actress explained that her main priority was ensuring she did not disrupt any major ongoing storylines, carefully timing her announcement so production could adjust smoothly around her absence.
“I didn’t want to ruin anything big,” she explained, noting the professionalism and support she received from the Emmerdale team throughout the process.
Hodgins revealed that the decision around her maternity leave was largely flexible, with producers allowing her to have input on how much time she would take away from filming.
“It was very much at my discretion how much I wanted off,” she said.
Early Exit From Filming: “They Did Me A Favour”
Initially expecting to continue working until the new year, Hodgins said she was surprised when she was told her filming schedule would wrap earlier than planned—around mid-December.
While the change caught her off guard, the actress now views it as a blessing in disguise.
“In hindsight, they did me a favour,” she admitted, adding that the long commute between Manchester and Leeds had become increasingly exhausting during pregnancy.
Her comments highlight the often unseen demands of working on a long-running soap, where actors frequently balance intense filming schedules with personal life changes.
Motherhood Changes Everything For Victoria Sugden Star
Hodgins also spoke candidly about how becoming a mother has completely shifted her outlook on work and life balance.
Having spent 20 years prioritising her role on Emmerdale, she admitted that motherhood has forced her to reassess her future commitments.
“For 20 years, work has been my priority,” she said. “But [becoming a parent] has completely flipped my way of thinking.”
The actress described the emotional reality of preparing to juggle parenting responsibilities with her return to filming, acknowledging that she is still adjusting to the idea of balancing both worlds.
She also spoke openly about anticipating the challenges ahead, including the possibility of “mum guilt” as she steps back into a demanding television schedule.
Uncertain Return To Emmerdale As Victoria’s Future Remains Open
Despite ongoing speculation from fans, Hodgins confirmed that her return to Emmerdale is not yet set in stone.
“At the moment, I still don’t know exactly when I’m going back,” she revealed, adding that in an ideal scenario she would return around September.
That timeline would allow her to gradually transition back into filming while adjusting to life as a new parent.
“It would be September in my ideal world,” she said. “And then it’s all systems go—juggling everything.”
Her comments suggest that while Victoria Sugden is expected to return to the village, the timing will depend on both personal readiness and production planning.
Victoria Sugden’s Dramatic Exit: A Dangerous New Chapter
Hodgins’ temporary departure from the soap came after a major storyline involving her character Victoria Sugden, who exited the village earlier this year under highly dramatic circumstances.
Victoria was forced to leave the Dales after killing John Sugden in self-defence, a shocking moment that immediately placed her in emotional and legal jeopardy. The aftermath of the incident left her vulnerable to further complications when Joe Tate began blackmailing her.
In the wake of mounting pressure and emotional strain, Victoria ultimately left the village alongside Henry, seeking a fresh start in Portugal. However, she made it clear to her brother Robert Sugden that her departure was not necessarily permanent.
That lingering promise has kept fans hopeful that Victoria’s story is far from over.
What Victoria’s Return Could Mean For Emmerdale
While Hodgins has not confirmed a return date, Victoria’s eventual comeback is expected to reignite unresolved tensions in the Sugden family storyline.
With secrets surrounding John Sugden’s death still capable of resurfacing and Joe Tate’s influence lingering over recent events, Victoria’s return could trigger fresh fallout across the village.
Soap insiders often suggest that characters who leave under legal or emotional pressure rarely return quietly—and Victoria Sugden is no exception.
A New Chapter On And Off Screen
For now, Isabel Hodgins is embracing her new role as a mother while carefully planning her next steps in Emmerdale’s ever-evolving world.
Her comments reflect both the emotional reality of balancing a high-profile acting career with parenthood and the uncertainty that comes with returning to a long-running soap after a life-changing break.
As fans await Victoria Sugden’s return to the Dales, one thing is clear: both the character and the actress are entering powerful new chapters—on screen and off.
Emmerdale airs weekdays on ITV1 and streams on ITVX.