Get ready for a seismic shift in the Dales as Emmerdale welcomes a formidable new force: Celia, played by veteran actress Jaye Griffiths (The Bill, Holby City, Doctors)! Celia isn’t just any new face; she’s being hailed as the village’s new “super bitch” farmer, a role that Griffiths praises for challenging stereotypes. Brace yourselves, because Celia’s arrival is set to ignite fierce conflicts, leading to a shocking dog attack that hospitalizes Paddy Dingle, and an explosive war of words with Moira Dingle. This unapologetic newcomer is here to get what she wants, no matter who stands in her way, promising a rollercoaster of power struggles and hidden secrets that will leave viewers on the edge of their seats!
Emmerdale is set to introduce a captivating new character, Celia, portrayed by the highly respected actress Jaye Griffiths. Griffiths, a household name with a 40-year career spanning iconic shows like The Bill, Silent Witness, EastEnders, and Casualty, believes her role as Celia is one of the best she’s ever undertaken. Her portrayal of Celia is particularly significant, as Griffiths, at 61, openly praises ITV for its “courageous” decision to cast a Black actor as a villain rather than adhering to the common trope of portraying Black characters solely as “saviours.” She emphasizes that “good and bad people, they don’t have a skin colour, there are just good and bad people,” expressing her thrill that Emmerdale is breaking this mold.
Celia herself is described as an absolute “delight to play,” a testament to her complex and compelling nature. Griffiths teases her character’s formidable personality: “She is not a wallflower and in the opening scenes, she’s like a bulldog!” What makes Celia so captivating, according to Jaye, is her abundance of secrets. “Celia has so many secrets and that’s fantastic,” she reveals. This new farmer is depicted as someone who operates entirely on her own terms, needing “no friends,” showing no understanding when people get upset, and notoriously, “she never says sorry!” She is driven by a singular purpose: “She gets what she wants,” making her one of the most exciting and “freeing” parts Griffiths has ever been given. Celia’s defining trait is her complete disregard for what others think, a quality the actress evidently relishes portraying.
Despite playing a character who is “far from kind,” Jaye Griffiths highlights the positive and friendly atmosphere on the Emmerdale set. She notes that “Everyone wants the show to be good and they aren’t threatened by new people coming in,” reinforcing a collaborative environment where kindness is valued. However, Celia herself will bring anything but kindness to the Dales.
On Monday’s episode, Celia makes a dramatic entrance, appearing at Moira Dingle’s (Natalie J. Robb) door with a proposition to rent two of her fields. Despite Moira’s desperate need for money, she vehemently refuses Celia’s offer, instantly sparking a “fierce war of words.” Celia wastes no time in showing her true colors, becoming “very catty” towards the beloved Dingle matriarch. The conflict doesn’t end there; Celia quickly falls out with Paddy Dingle (Dominic Brunt). In a shocking turn of events that will undoubtedly create major repercussions, Paddy is attacked by one of Celia’s security dogs and is subsequently hospitalized.
Jaye Griffiths ominously teases the consequences of defying Celia: “As viewers will soon see, there will be consequences if you don’t give Celia what she wants.” She describes Celia’s approach as upfront rather than overtly “horrible,” with a chilling simplicity: “more a case of ‘give me what I want’.” The fact that people take offense to her directness is “astonishing to her.” Griffiths also highlights one of Celia’s signature mannerisms, her slightly threatening use of the word “cheerio” when departing. Furthermore, viewers are warned that “You can’t trust what she says is true either!” Regarding Paddy’s hospitalization, Jaye unequivocally states that “Celia doesn’t take any responsibility.” For Celia, “Winding Paddy up is very enjoyable for her.” The conflicts are not limited to the women of the village; while she has a significant “run-in with Moira,” Celia is set to have “other power struggles, not just with the women, but men too. She’s an equal opportunities wind up person!”
Off-screen, in stark contrast to her character, Jaye Griffiths is described as likeable and possessing a great sense of humor. Her extensive acting credits include Ros Henderson in BBC’s Bugs, D.I. Sally Johnson in The Bill, and Elle Gardner in Casualty. Despite her impressive resume, she adopts a humble perspective, noting that “When I was a child, pride was considered a sin. So, when I look back on my jobs, I don’t know if I am proud or not. I am certainly not ashamed.” She identifies Bugs, Casualty, and The Bill as her three favorite dramas, even confiding that she would “go back on The Bill in a heartbeat if they ever brought it back,” fondly recalling her “naughty” character, Sally, and the joy of working on the show. She also mentions a “small film called Care” as an extraordinary experience. Married to Paul Bezodis, they live in Hertfordshire with their two rescue dogs, and Jaye expresses gratitude for Paul’s unwavering support.
Griffiths has quickly bonded with the Emmerdale cast, specifically mentioning Beth Cordingly (Ruby Milligan) and her on-screen rival, Natalie J. Robb (Moira). She even humorously admits to having “a bit of a crush” on Dominic Brunt (Paddy Dingle) during her audition, praising his generosity and kindness, which immediately made her want to work with him. Her secret to success on Emmerdale is refreshingly simple: “Like most things, the best way is to turn up on time and do your job.”
Jaye’s arrival has brought immense excitement to her family, particularly her mother, who was “beside herself” when she found out about the role. “You would think I had been put on the Apollo mission!” Jaye chuckles. This genuine family enthusiasm underscores the personal significance of this new chapter for the actress.
The rollercoaster that Celia is about to take viewers on will undoubtedly keep them “on their toes.” Jaye describes her as a “strange, complex woman” with “more to come.” She emphasizes the fun of playing Celia, noting her immaculate appearance in farm clothes (“not a scrap of mud on her”) and her signature cravat, hinting that “there is a reason for that.”
Jaye’s advice to the other residents of Emmerdale is a chilling warning: “beware of Celia and give her what she wants!” She acknowledges that viewers will initially perceive Celia as a villain, but she teases that “there is also a lot more to her and she will calm down. She will be manipulating people too.” Her final, ominous piece of advice to the villagers is simple: “give Celia what she wants then they won’t have to watch out!” This powerful statement sets the stage for a period of intense conflict and manipulation within the Dales, with Celia at its unpredictable heart.
