Oliver Farnworth's villainous character John Sugden is set to leave Emmerdale after his deadly storyline reaches its climax, with his departure fast approaching as Metro reports. The actor has been playing Victoria Sugden's distant brother since August 2024, according to the Daily Star.
John's reign of terror has included killing Nate Robinson and disposing of his body in the lake, as Metro confirmed. The sinister medic operates with a dangerous hero complex, orchestrating perilous situations before swooping in to play saviour at the last minute.
John has endangered numerous villagers including Liam Cavanagh and Jacob Gallagher, while also spiking Chas Dingle and manipulating Ella Forster. His calculated attacks have put multiple lives at risk as part of his twisted psychological games, Metro revealed.
Fatal mistake looms
Sources told The Sun this marks "the beginning of the end" for John, who will soon make a "fatal mistake that sees him exposed for what he is". The insider added that Oliver Farnworth knew his character had a limited shelf life when he joined the ITV soap.
"There's still plenty of twists and turns coming before he departs for good," the source told The Sun. Villains in soap operas typically have a predetermined exit timeline, as Metro noted in their coverage.
Mackenzie murder confirmed
The villain's downfall will involve murdering fan-favourite Mackenzie Boyd, played by Lawrence Robb, in upcoming episodes as Metro exclusively revealed. Aaron Dingle, who has no idea what his husband is capable of, will face heartbreak as John murders his best friend.
Mackenzie, who has been a mainstay for five years as Moira Dingle's long-lost sibling, will become John's next victim despite previously suspecting the medic's true nature. The character was subsequently won over by John's lies and manipulation before the shocking turn of events, according to Metro.
Lawrence Robb has already filmed Mackenzie's death scene, the Daily Star revealed, confirming the storyline's production status. Sources described the exit as setting "the stage for an exciting next stage to John's saga later in the autumn that will leave fans quite literally on edge."
Character legacy and complications
Mackenzie made his debut as Moira's long-lost younger brother and swiftly embarked on relationships including with Charity Dingle, as Metro detailed. His storylines have included a relationship with Chloe Harris that led to the birth of his son Reuben, though he ultimately reunited with Charity.
The unexpected return of Robert Sugden has complicated John's plans, as the former resident seeks to expose the murderer's true nature according to Metro. John currently holds leverage over Aaron's ex-husband through footage of Robert attacking him, which he plans to use when the situation demands it.
Sources used: "Metro", "Daily Star", "The Sun" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
.png)
