Emmerdale’s Oliver Farnworth on John Sugden: “Aaron is My Soulmate”
John’s Dangerous Obsession
Emmerdale viewers have been gripped by the escalating chaos caused by John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth). Since arriving in the Dales last year, the mysterious ex-Army medic has slowly revealed his darker tendencies, culminating in a series of shocking events that have left fans on edge.
John’s whirlwind romance with Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller) was initially filled with tenderness, but it quickly turned obsessive. Behind the calm exterior, John’s “hero complex” has led him to put multiple lives at risk, from covering up deaths to framing others for crimes he committed himself.
A String of Shocking Crimes
Flashbacks recently revealed John accidentally killed Nate Robinson before his move to Shetland, disposing of the body in a lake and later framing Owen for the death. His increasingly erratic behavior included holding Mackenzie Boyd captive in a bunker and drugging Aaron to make him emotionally dependent.
The situation reached a breaking point when Aaron discovered Mackenzie’s phone and John confessed all of his crimes to his husband. Feeling threatened by Aaron’s one-night stand with Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley), John called the police and pinned the blame on Robert before throwing himself and Aaron off a cliff. Both men were rushed to the hospital, with Aaron placed in an induced coma. Robert was arrested, leaving Chas Dingle (Lucy Pargeter) desperately trying to prove his innocence.
John’s Love: Possessive and Dangerous
Speaking on the red carpet at the National Television Awards 2025, Oliver Farnworth shared insights into John’s mindset amid the chaos. He told RadioTimes:
“It wouldn’t be Emmerdale without a few twists and turns, would it? Just when you think something’s gonna go one way, it can always go another.”
Oliver explained that John is “1 million percent” convinced that Aaron is his soulmate. But John’s love is complicated: having been shielded from affection for much of his life, he struggles to handle it healthily.
“So he’s got Aaron, and he goes, ‘Well, I just love you so much, I just want you, I don’t want anyone else.’ It just becomes quite possessive, quite dangerous. And I think that’s what’s happened in this instance, and that’s what’s led to all of this carnage.”
Behind the Scenes: Portraying John
Oliver also reflected on the challenges and excitement of playing such a complex villain. He described the role as “fantastic,” highlighting the safe and professional environment on set, especially during intense or violent scenes. From emotionally charged confrontations to physically demanding stunts, Oliver praised the support from co-stars Danny Miller and Lawrence Robb, emphasizing that the team’s camaraderie helps bring John’s twisted story to life.
Fans React
Viewers have been captivated by John’s obsessive behavior and the moral dilemmas his actions create. Social media is awash with theories about what John might do next, how Aaron will recover, and whether Robert can finally clear his name. The combination of romance, suspense, and high-stakes drama continues to make John Sugden one of Emmerdale’s most unpredictable—and dangerous—characters.
With Oliver Farnworth revealing the depth of John’s love for Aaron, fans are reminded that in soaps, love and obsession often blur in thrillingly dangerous ways.