Emmerdale cast pose for special photograph to mark soap's 50th anniversary

Emmerdale turns 50 this year and to mark the occasion, some of the cast posed for a special anniversary photograph.

Celebrating the landmark on Sunday, October 16, the soap has released a picture ahead of the special day where its cast members posed for a birthday shoot and paid tribute to the beloved series.

Newer cast members Louise Jameson, Kevin Mathurin, Emile John and Lawrence Robb are all featured in the special photo along with Jessie Elland, Karene Peter, Martelle Edinborough and Darcy Grey.

emmerdale cast pose for photo for 50th anniversary

ITV

Naomi Walters actress Karene Peter said of joining the soap during its birthday year: “It’s been great joining the show at such an iconic moment in time!”

“I’m absolutely loving being part of the team. I grew up on Emmerdale so it’s a real honour to be in it especially during its 50th year of being on our screens,” said Martelle Edinborough, who plays wedding planner Suzy Merton on the soap.

Kevin Mathurin, who plays vicar Charles Anderson, said: “Emmerdale is more than an institution of British television, it’s a reminder of home.”

ITV

While actress Louise Jameson, who joined the cast as Mary Goskirk earlier in the year, said she was “thrilled to be part of Emmerdale’s iconic 50th celebrations. To be working in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales with such an amazing team.

“50 years ago one of my first jobs was playing Sharon Crosswaite on Emmerdale Farm, then a humble lunchtime show, and now here I am again, full circle. I couldn’t be happier,” she enthused.

“Here’s to another 50 years of small village drama,” added Darcy Grey, who plays electrician Marcus.

Emmerdale will celebrate its 50th birthday with an hour-long episode on Sunday, October 16.

It airs on weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV, and streams on the ITV Hub.