When Emmerdale hands major storylines to its younger characters, the intention is to raise the stakes and pull viewers deeper into the emotion. But lately, many fans feel the opposite has happened. Instead of strengthening the drama, some performances have made key moments awkward, even uncomfortable to sit through, and it has become something borderline embarrassing to watch.
Big Plots Are Being Carried by Weak Performances
The frustration really shows when the show gives heavy material to the younger cast. Scenes that should feel intense often feel forced, because the acting simply doesn’t match the weight of the writing. Take Heath’s death storyline. The character’s fate should have landed as a heartbreaking moment, yet the performance never quite sold the gravity of the situation.
Afterwards, his sister’s reaction didn’t help matters, as she struggled to show convincing grief, leaving the emotional fallout feeling empty. Angelica then stepped into both the Tom-related drama and the aftermath of Heath’s death. However, her delivery barely changed between scenes. One expression, a flat tone and very little emotion made it difficult for viewers to connect, and the story lost much of its impact because of it.
The Problem Goes Beyond One Character in Emmerdale
It isn’t just one or two performances either. Other younger residents like Carl, Clem, Arthur and Archie rarely stand out for the right reasons. Instead of blending naturally into the show, they often feel like they are reciting lines, which pulls viewers out of the moment.
That becomes even more noticeable because other series regularly feature strong child actors. So when the Bay repeatedly struggles here, audiences start to question why big plots keep going to performers who can’t fully carry them.
There is also very little chemistry between many of the younger characters. Conversations feel stiff, and emotional scenes don’t land properly, which weakens the drama across entire storylines rather than just single moments. For many viewers, April is the clearest example of the issue. Her nasal delivery makes every line sound like she has a constant cold. Unfortunately, she has also been placed at the center of some of the show’s biggest plots.
Several scenes clearly aimed for sympathy, yet her wooden performance stopped the emotion from reaching the audience. Even the saddest moments struggled to create the reaction they deserved. The homelessness storyline especially tested patience. After that arc, some fans felt it proved she shouldn’t lead another major story. Now, with talk of another big plot in 2026, some viewers admit they would simply avoid those episodes. Let’s see what the makers decide now. Stay tuned to Soap Opera Daily for more Emmerdale spoilers.