Actor confirms Bear may never return to the Dales after Anya’s death and brutal modern slavery arc

A First for Emmerdale—and a Turning Point for Bear

In a storyline described as “never been done before,” Emmerdale has taken viewers deep into the harrowing reality of modern slavery. At the center of it all is Bear Wolf, played by Joshua Richards, who now admits his character may never truly return to the life he left behind.

The standalone episode that aired recently tracked Bear’s downward spiral—from his isolation on Celia Daniels’ remote farm to his haunting final moments with Anya, a victim he couldn’t save.

Anya’s Death, Ray’s Betrayal, and Bear’s Blind Loyalty

Anya’s tragic death has shaken Bear to his core. After learning that Ray dumped her body in a feed shed, Bear erupts in rage. He confronts Ray, grief-stricken and disillusioned—but once again, Ray manages to manipulate him into silence.

Things escalate further when Celia stages a fake funeral in a field and coldly orders Bear and Ray to dig Anya’s grave themselves. It’s a moment that leaves Bear rattled, especially when he’s forced to speak over her makeshift burial under Celia’s lifeless gaze.

Can Bear Still Escape?

Mick and Simo urge Bear to wake up. They tell him Ray is lying. They offer him a chance to run. But Bear—still brainwashed, still clinging to the illusion of loyalty—is torn.

Looking at a photo of Anya’s daughter, thinking of Paddy and the life he left behind, Bear finds himself at a painful crossroads. But actor Joshua Richards fears the choice may already be made.

“He’ll Never Be Coming Back”

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Richards was candid:
“I think he’s too far gone at this point… he’s already walked out the door and he’ll never be coming back.”

The actor reflected on how Bear had come to see Ray as a surrogate son, especially after feeling rejected by his own family. That emotional vulnerability left him open to the worst kind of exploitation.

Even as Bear begins to question Ray’s actions, Richards says the manipulation runs deep:
“He gets angry… disappointed. But because he’s been manipulated heavily by Ray, he almost forgives him.”

A Message Beyond the Storyline

Richards also used the moment to spotlight a grim truth:
“There are 400 million people in modern slavery today. It’s hiding in plain sight. Why don’t we do something about it?”

His performance, and Bear’s arc, is more than just a soap twist—it’s a powerful call to awareness.