Emmerdale fans are bracing for one of the soap’s most harrowing storylines yet, as young Carl King Jr finds himself at the centre of a chilling police case that could destroy the King family — and even land him behind bars.

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Carl’s Crime Shocks the Village

Next week’s episodes take a dark turn when Carl, the adopted son of Nicola (Nicola Wheeler) and Jimmy King (Nick Miles), is accused of committing a serious offence. Police arrive in the village after discovering that Carl has been circulating indecent images of Clemmie Reed, Dawn Taylor’s (Olivia Bromley) adopted daughter.

Carl is taken in for questioning, where he admits to sharing the image that Clemmie originally sent him. His parents are left horrified as they realise the severity of the situation — and that their son’s actions could have devastating legal consequences.

Despite Nicola’s desperate pleas that Carl has “learned his lesson,” officers warn that they must treat the case with the utmost seriousness. The revelation sparks outrage across the village, deepening the already tense feud between the King and Fletcher families.

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Dawn’s Guilt and Rage

Meanwhile, a guilt-ridden Dawn struggles to come to terms with Clemmie’s involvement in the scandal. When Clemmie confides in her about why she sent the image to Carl, Dawn is heartbroken and consumed by remorse.

Believing she has failed to protect her daughter, Dawn decides to confront Nicola directly — but what begins as a mother-to-mother conversation quickly spirals into a furious confrontation.

Nicola, defensive and overwhelmed, lashes out in panic as Dawn demands accountability. Their heated exchange threatens to tear apart any remaining peace between their families.

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Laurel’s Emotional Confession

As Nicola begins to spiral, her best friend Laurel (Charlotte Bellamy) steps in to comfort her — but the conversation takes an unexpected turn. The two women share a vulnerable moment as Laurel admits she too struggles to monitor what her children see online, acknowledging that they’re both out of their depth.

The emotional scene underscores the heartbreaking realism of the storyline, as Emmerdale continues to explore the dangers of social media and the pressures faced by parents in the digital age.

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Dawn’s Past Returns to Haunt Her

The fallout doesn’t end there. When Dawn later opens up to Joe Tate (Ned Porteous), she reveals haunting details from her own past — including how she was coerced into sex work and drug addiction as a young woman, and how she first met Clemmie’s mother while living on the streets.

Her confession adds another layer of tragedy to the storyline, as Dawn vows to protect Clemmie at any cost — even if it means going to war with Nicola and Jimmy.

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The King Family in Crisis

For Nicola and Jimmy, the situation marks the beginning of a nightmare. With Carl facing potential criminal charges and the community turning against them, their family unit begins to crumble under the strain.

Rumours are already swirling among fans that Nicola could end up taking the blame for Carl’s actions to protect him — a move that might lead to her imprisonment after more than 20 years in the Dales.