Emmerdale fans are about to see a softer, more emotional side to Dawn Fletcher and Joe Tate’s turbulent romance. Olivia Bromley, who plays Dawn, has revealed that a raw and revealing conversation between the pair could mark a major change in their relationship — one that might finally help viewers understand why they work together.

Dawn’s Painful Past Resurfaces

Next week, Dawn finally lets her guard down and opens up to Joe about her traumatic past. In emotional scenes, she shares the truth about her life before arriving in the village in 2018, including her experiences with coercion, sex work, and drug addiction.

Speaking on Inside Soap’s weekly podcast Soap Scoop, Bromley explained how this moment changes everything for the couple. “Joe Tate is the epitome of what Dawn would see as a different class to her,” she said. “He’s very put together. He’s not super emotional in lots of ways. With Dawn, shame over her past has really been a big problem, so for her to open up to him is a massive deal.”

From Judgment to Understanding

For Dawn, this honesty comes with risk. “As soon as she starts to feel judged by him — that she’s not worthy of him or that he sees her only for her past — it could really cause a rift between them,” Bromley explained.

However, what unfolds instead is a surprisingly tender connection. “What’s actually really nice is that Joe welcomes her to open up properly,” she continued. “It’s the first time you actually go, ‘I get why these two characters might be together.’ It’s actually a really sweet bond between them. So I think it could bring them closer.”

Could Dawn and Billy Reunite?

The actress also reflected on whether Dawn could ever reconcile with her ex-husband Billy, played by Jay Kontzle. While the two have shared little screen time lately, fans continue to speculate about their unresolved history.

“I love working with Jay obviously,” Olivia said. “It’s funny when you’ve worked with someone for ages — you’re just used to your partner. Then suddenly, it’s like, ‘Got a new one!’ It’s funny. But with Dawn and Billy, it got really toxic. I don’t know if there’s any coming back from what she’s done to him. The way she hurt him was really bad. So I don’t know whether he would have her back — but who knows?”

As Emmerdale explores deeper emotional layers for Dawn and Joe, fans can expect a mix of vulnerability, forgiveness, and the possibility of real love emerging from unlikely beginnings.