Emmerdale has tackled everything from domestic abuse to grooming, but its newest storyline — centred on modern slavery — is one of the most harrowing in its 53-year history. Journalist Sanjeeta Bains went behind the scenes of the ITV soap to witness the filming of this emotionally charged episode and uncovered the shocking truth of what’s happened to Bear Wolf (Joshua Richards).

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The Discovery in a Filthy Attic

On Monday’s episode (November 10), viewers will finally learn the fate of Bear, who vanished months ago after claiming he was moving to Ireland. Instead, he’s been trapped in horrifying conditions at Holdgate Farm, a place now being used as a front for human trafficking.

“I’m standing in this attic, and it’s like something out of a nightmare,” Bains writes. “The air is damp, the floor littered with dirt, old tools, and scraps of fabric. The crew has turned the once-familiar Emmerdale set into a den of despair — the hideout of a modern slavery ring run by Celia Daniels (Jaye Griffiths) and her accomplice Ray Walters (Joe Absolom).”

When filming begins, viewers will see Ray brutally berating Bear — now frail, injured, and emotionally broken — as he toils in forced labour for Celia’s criminal enterprise.

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Joshua Richards on Bear’s Heartbreaking Ordeal

After filming, Joshua Richards describes the emotional weight of the storyline:

“It’s harrowing,” he admits. “Everyone has worked so hard to make it believable because it’s happening in real life. Modern slavery is bigger than it’s ever been — it’s a huge business built on human exploitation.”

Richards, who previously appeared in the play Sold about human trafficking, says Bear’s vulnerability mirrors that of real victims:

“He left the village feeling worthless and unwanted, and that made him a target. Traffickers are groomers — they spot your weaknesses and convince you they’re helping. Before you know it, you’re trapped.”

Inside the attic, Bear shares his space with other victims — including Anya (Alia Al-Shabibi), a young Romanian woman, and Mick (Leon Harrop), who has Down’s syndrome. They live without freedom, sleep on the floor, and are told their meagre food and shelter come out of their nonexistent wages.

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The Shocking Reality Behind the Storyline

The soap worked closely with experts from The Salvation Army, including advisors Isobel McFarlane and Shanice Brown, who were present during filming.

“This storyline isn’t fiction,” says McFarlane. “Modern slavery is a daily reality in the UK. Many victims — including British nationals like Bear — don’t even realise they’re being exploited until it’s too late.”

According to Home Office figures, a record 19,125 potential victims were referred in 2024 — the highest number ever recorded. An estimated 122,000 people are currently living in conditions of modern slavery in the UK, many of them coerced into forced labour or criminal activity.

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Ray and Celia’s Reign of Terror

The modern slavery ring led by Celia and Ray has already ensnared several characters. April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan) was manipulated into becoming a drug runner before Ray attempted to push her into sexual exploitation. Now, her fate is intertwined with Bear’s.

Joe Absolom, who plays Ray, admits that stepping into the role was deeply unsettling:

“When I was told my character was keeping Bear in the attic, I thought it was going to be a rescue story — not a nightmare like this. It’s intense. Ray’s manipulative, but he’s also a product of his own abuse under Celia. It’s a toxic cycle.”

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The Emotional Toll on Cast and Crew

Director Tim O’Mara, who has been with Emmerdale for nearly three decades, says the storyline has affected him like no other:

“I’ve filmed hundreds of episodes, but this one hit me hard. During rehearsal, Josh’s performance brought the whole crew to tears. It’s heart-rending — and I think viewers will feel the same.”

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A Storyline With a Purpose

Emmerdale’s team hopes this arc will raise awareness of the hidden crime of modern slavery, which often goes unnoticed in everyday communities.

“It’s not just something that happens overseas,” says Richards. “It’s happening here — in quiet villages, in farms, in towns. If this storyline opens even one person’s eyes, it’s worth it.”

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What’s Next for Bear?

As Paddy (Dominic Brunt) begins to piece together the truth about Bear’s disappearance, the walls are closing in on Celia and Ray. But freeing Bear — and the others trapped in their web — will come at a devastating cost.

Director O’Mara warns fans:

“Get your tissues ready. This is going to be one of Emmerdale’s most emotional storylines yet.”