After 20 years away, Patsy Kensit has returned to Emmerdale as the scheming Sadie King, and we’re expecting some major showdowns as she makes her presence well and truly felt.
The ruthless character has serious history with Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) and Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins), so there are sure to be fireworks. Then there’s Bob Hope (Tony Audenshaw), who knows Sadie caused the death of his daughter Dawn (Julia Mallam). And with Sadie’s ex-husband, Jimmy King (Nick Miles), having tragically lost his life (sob!), we’d be surprised if she didn’t share at least one tense exchange with his heartbroken widow Nicola (Nicola Wheeler).
Of course, there are other villagers familiar with the calculating Sadie, like Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley), who, when played by Karl Davies, shared a passionate entanglement with her as a young adult!
But what about those who have never crossed paths with Sadie before – particularly the women of the Dales?
Here at Radio Times, we’ve rounded up the soap’s most fiery female personas who may be up to the job. So read on as we explore how they might fare doing battle with Sadie.
9 Emmerdale women who must go up against Sadie King
Moira Dingle
With her violent streak and hot temper, Cain’s formidable wife should be a serious contender here.
If Sadie starts dishing out demands for Cain to return the stolen cash he cheated her out of all those years ago, Moira (Natalie J Robb) would be quick to show her the door.
But woe betide Sadie if she pushes her luck too far, perhaps causing Moira to see red and administer her infamous ‘Glasgow kiss’.
Warm welcome? More like glacial temperatures!
Kim Tate
One-time gold-digger Kim (Claire King) walked so the likes of Sadie could run – but imagine the ultimate soap super-b***h battle between this pair!
Kim oozes class, but she knows how to fight dirty when necessary. Could she meet her match in Sadie?
Give us all the cutting retorts this pair can muster and we’ll be on the edge of our seats. Just don’t ask us who our money is on to come out on top!
Ruby Miligan
Ah, how we love Ruby (Beth Cordingly), who certainly channels the same ‘couldn’t care less’ vibe as Sadie. Ruby even laughs at funerals sometimes, don’t you know!
It’s clear there would be all to play for once the one-liners started flying around, so pitting Ruby and Sadie against each other is a golden opportunity that shouldn’t be missed.
Ruby also likes to manipulate situations to her advantage, and we’d wager she could keep Sadie firmly on her toes; maybe even making Ms King rue the day she returned to her old stomping ground.
Mandy Dingle
If there’s one thing we can count on from Emmerdale legend Mandy (Lisa Riley), it’s that she’s very protective over her Dingle relatives, and impulsive enough to go to war for them in a heartbeat.
Mandy wouldn’t hesitate to wade in if Sadie gives her cause to do so, and she’s always ready for a catfight when the mood calls for it.
Get her angry at your peril, Sadie – you’ll never hear the end of it!
Serena Sugden
Newcomer Serena (Casey Al-Shaqsy) has proven that she’s not afraid of confrontation, and we’ve seen how brazen she can be as she pokes her nose into other people’s business.
Let’s see Serena wrong-footing Sadie with her unpredictability, switching between hasty behaviour and the cool composure the ex-police officer displayed while helping Charity and killer granddaughter Sarah Sugden (Katie Hill) cover their tracks.
Sadie wouldn’t know whether to disregard Serena’s presence entirely or be extra careful around her. That’s exactly the kind of chaotic energy we need Sadie to be surrounded by.
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Lydia Dingle
She’s the one that holds her family together and therefore usually playing peacemaker, but beloved mainstay Lydia (Karen Blick) is also perfectly capable of holding her own against any troublemakers.
Remember her epic takedown of sister-in-law Tina Dingle (Samantha Power)? Lydia certainly put her in her place, and those closest to her also know that if they mess up on her watch, Lydia will stand her ground until they toe the line.
We’d love to see this unassuming, nurturing Dingle outshine her in-laws and wipe the smirk right off Sadie’s face!
Kerry Pollard
If the opportunity arises, Sadie would surely pass comment on long-time local Eric’s (Chris Chittell) sham marriage to Kerry (Laura Norton). Except, unlike money-grabbing Sadie, Kerry isn’t in it for the money.
How much fun would it be to see Kerry get one over on Sadie, adding herself to Sadie’s list of enemies and giving us a hearty laugh with her wisecracks along the way?
It’s not all camp fun with Kerry, though – she proved she can be fierce when she attempted to take abusive Doctor Caitlin Todd (Caroline Harker) down a peg or two.
To quote the woman herself: Howay, Emmerdale – give us the Kerry VS Sadie moment we’re craving!
Mary Goskirk
We haven’t seen nearly enough of Mary (Louise Jameson) in recent months. But from behind the Woolpack bar, Mary is in prime position to give Sadie some home truths if witnessing behaviour she considers out of line.
Whether she uses her old journalistic skills to warn Sadie off, or is fuelled by that temper which once saw her lash out at a vile man who mistreated her step-granddaughter April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan), Mary is certainly one Sadie should watch out for!
Claudette Anderson
If you’re an Emmerdale fan and you haven’t fallen in love with straight-talking Claudette’s (Flo Wilson) mix of tough love and compassion yet, what have you been doing with your time?
This is the woman who keeps erratic Kev Barton (Chris Coghill) in line, so dealing with Sadie would be all in a day’s work for sharp-tongued Claudette.
Hearing that Claudette is the vicar’s mother, Sadie would see her as no threat – only for Claudette to pull the rug out from under her with a series of well-timed put downs. The idea is simply too glorious to resist!
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Emmerdale airs weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and from 7am on ITVX.
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