A Festive Twist with a Dash of Chaos

Emmerdale fans can expect both laughter and drama this Christmas, as actress Beth Cordingly teases new festive scenes involving her character Ruby Miligan — and it sounds like she’ll be in trouble once again.

After a turbulent year filled with dark secrets, shocking revelations, and emotional turmoil, Ruby’s storyline is taking a lighter turn for the holidays. But as with all things in the Dales, even Christmas cheer doesn’t come without a few complications.

“We’ve just started filming Christmas,” Beth revealed at the Inside Soap Awards. “Ruby has something fun that happens, which I think the viewers will enjoy. It involves a bit of Manpreet, Caleb getting annoyed — and Ruby trying to get herself out of trouble…”

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Ruby’s Turbulent Year

Ruby Miligan’s journey has been one of Emmerdale’s most powerful and challenging storylines of the year. The soap explored Ruby’s traumatic past, revealing that she was sexually abused as a teenager by her father, Anthony — a haunting trauma that later led to a shocking twist when Ruby killed him.

The Dingles’ attempts to cover up the crime created months of tension, blackmail, and guilt. Most recently, the manipulative John discovered where Anthony’s body was buried and used the information to blackmail Caleb into helping him escape the country.

Beth’s raw and emotional performance as Ruby earned widespread praise, with viewers commending the show’s sensitive handling of the storyline. Her portrayal even earned her a Best Actress nomination at this year’s Inside Soap Awards.

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From Rivalry to Friendship

While Ruby’s darker storylines have dominated recent months, Beth promises that the Christmas episodes will show a different side of her character — one that brings a mix of humour and heart.

Fans will recall Ruby’s fiery feud with Manpreet Sharma (Rebecca Sarker), which culminated in both women being arrested after one of their many clashes got out of hand. However, their time in police custody led to an unexpected emotional breakthrough, with Ruby opening up about her past and Manpreet offering empathy instead of judgment.

“You’ll see more of Ruby and Manpreet together — we’re now friends!” Beth said with a smile. “I loved filming those scenes with Rebecca Sarker. And Laura Norton [who plays Kerry] is such a brilliant comic actress too.”

The actress hinted that Ruby’s comedic side will shine through in the upcoming holiday episodes. “I wanted Ruby to wear a hard hat and a high-vis in the depot but not have a clue what she’s doing!” she laughed.

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Caleb, Manpreet… and Mayhem

Beth’s teaser confirms that Ruby’s mischief will pull Caleb Dingle (William Ash) into the chaos once more. The two have shared plenty of tension this year, and Caleb’s short temper is likely to make things even messier as Ruby scrambles to escape another self-inflicted predicament.

Meanwhile, her budding friendship with Manpreet adds a refreshing new dynamic to the show — a blend of humour, heart, and resilience after so much trauma.

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What Fans Can Expect This Christmas

While Emmerdale’s festive episodes often balance heartwarming moments with high drama, Ruby’s story promises both levity and lessons. After months of turmoil, it’s clear that Ruby is beginning to find her footing again — even if her knack for trouble remains firmly intact.

Whether she’s clashing with Caleb, confiding in Manpreet, or landing herself in another sticky situation, Beth Cordingly assures fans that Ruby’s Christmas storyline will be one to watch.

“It’s fun, it’s festive, and it’s very Ruby,” she teased. “I think the viewers will enjoy it.”