Emmerdale Casts Call the Midwife Star Lisa Diveney as Detective DS Carter — and Her Arrival Spells Doom for Ray Walters
Call the Midwife Star Joins the Cast
ITV has confirmed that Lisa Diveney, best known for her roles in Call the Midwife, The Green Green Grass, and Harlots, will be joining Emmerdale next week as Detective Sergeant Carter — a sharp, determined investigator whose arrival sends shockwaves through the Dales.
The Call the Midwife and Casualty actress will make her first appearance as DS Carter when she comes to question Kev Townsend (Chris Coghill) about an assault on an old acquaintance. But while her visit begins as a routine inquiry, it quickly takes a sinister turn when she crosses paths with Ray Walters (Joe Absolom).
Ray’s Nerves Begin to Show
After grilling Kev, DS Carter steps out onto Main Street — where she spots Ray across the road. Her attention is instantly drawn to his suspicious behaviour.
Nearby, Dylan Penders is seen rushing to deliver a backpack to Ray, insisting on doing the handover in public despite Ray’s irritation. Ray, clearly rattled, warns Dylan to “remember his priorities.”
When DS Carter approaches for a casual chat, a nervous Ray makes a split-second decision — dumping the backpack behind a wall before turning to greet her.
After their tense exchange, DS Carter watches him walk away, unknowingly stopping him from retrieving the bag. That single moment could change everything, as the detective’s growing curiosity threatens to blow the lid off Ray’s secret empire.
The Beginning of Ray’s Downfall
For months, viewers have watched as Ray and his manipulative mother Celia Daniels (Jaye Griffiths) have exploited teenagers Dylan and April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan). Under the guise of “repaying debts,” the pair have coerced the teens into running drugs for their county lines operation.
Recent episodes reached a disturbing peak when Ray pressured April into delivering cocaine to a client named Tim, leading to a terrifying hotel-room encounter. Although April escaped, Celia cruelly gaslighted her into believing she had no choice but to continue working for them.
Now, with DS Carter on the scene and already showing interest in Ray, fans are convinced that his days are numbered.
“This could be the moment everything starts to unravel,” one insider teased. “DS Carter isn’t someone Ray can charm or intimidate. Once she starts digging, she’ll expose how deep his operation goes.”
About Lisa Diveney
Lisa Diveney is no stranger to gripping drama. After rising to fame as Beth in Only Fools and Horses spin-off The Green Green Grass, she’s gone on to appear in Call the Midwife (as Julia Masterson), Grantchester, Grace, and The Story of Tracy Beaker.
Her arrival in Emmerdale marks her first major soap role in years — and her character is already being tipped as a key player in bringing justice to the village.
Is Ray’s Reign of Terror Ending?
With DS Carter’s investigation heating up and April and Dylan on the edge of rebellion, it seems Ray’s criminal world is crumbling. But with Celia still in control, and Kev’s violent past circling back into the mix, could the detective find herself in danger before she uncovers the full truth?
Fans can expect a high-stakes showdown in the coming weeks — and if early clues are any indication, Ray Walters’ downfall may already be sealed.