Emmerdale Star Ryan Hawley Teases Explosive Twist in Robert Sugden Prison Special — and It Spells Trouble for Aaron
Emmerdale is gearing up for one of its most highly anticipated standalone episodes yet — a prison special centered on Robert Sugden. Returning star Ryan Hawley has teased that the episode will feature a shocking twist fans “won’t see coming,” and it could spell disaster for Aaron Dingle.
Robert’s Double Life Unravels
After six years away, Ryan Hawley’s comeback as Robert Sugden has already thrown the Dales into chaos. Once again, Robert finds himself entangled in a web of lies, deceit, and dangerous love affairs — only this time, behind prison walls.
Since returning, viewers learned that Robert secretly married Kev, a fellow inmate he met while serving time. But there’s a sinister twist: Kev (played by Chris Coghill) has lied about being terminally ill, using the ruse to manipulate Robert for his own gain.
Meanwhile, Robert has rekindled his affair with Aaron Dingle, hoping that once Kev “dies” and leaves him his fortune, he can reunite with the man he truly loves. However, as Hawley warns, the upcoming flashback special will expose secrets that could destroy everything.
A Flashback Episode with a Shocking Twist
Speaking to The Sun, Hawley teased that the prison special will reveal exactly how Robert and Kev met — and the truth behind their toxic bond.
“For us to have this flashback, it’s lovely to have that whole episode to tell a story and flesh out the backstory,” Hawley said. “There’s one particularly very nice little twist that neither of us knew about until I read the script. I remember thinking, ‘Whoa.’ It’s massively pivotal.”
The actor hinted that the reveal will have far-reaching consequences:
“As far as we know, no one finds out about it, but there are some interesting things they’re sewing into this episode for things potentially leading forward.”
Trouble Ahead for Aaron Dingle
Fans have long hoped for a Robron reunion, but Hawley’s comments suggest heartbreak may be on the horizon. The “twist” could uncover a dark secret from Robert’s prison past — or expose his manipulation of Kev and Aaron alike.
The standalone episode is expected to be emotionally charged, charting Robert’s moral descent and the choices that could cost him the love of his life. “It’s leading to a climax,” Hawley teased ominously, leaving fans fearing that Aaron may be the one caught in the fallout.
Behind the Scenes: A Powerful Return
Hawley also praised his new co-star Chris Coghill, calling him “a brilliant addition to the cast.”
“I didn’t know I had a husband in prison,” he admitted. “When I found out, I was a bit nervous about how that would play out. But Chris was fantastic, and our scenes together are some of my favorites.”
The actor revealed the special gave them a rare chance to explore complex emotions and relationships under pressure:
“It’s been a huge privilege to work intensively like this. Hopefully people will enjoy it — and be shocked by it.”
A Turning Point for Emmerdale
With Emmerdale’s prison special set to deliver high-stakes drama, emotional flashbacks, and a revelation that could alter Robert and Aaron’s future forever, the stage is set for one of the soap’s most powerful episodes in years.
Whether this marks the beginning of Robron’s reunion or the end of it, fans are bracing themselves for heartbreak.