When long-time Emmerdale viewers speak, producers would be wise to listen—and right now, fans are shouting. The recent YouTube spoiler video “9 Emmerdale Characters Fans Want Gone” ignited a firestorm of opinions across Reddit and soap forums. The target? Familiar faces who, for many, have overstayed their welcome. With ITV’s rumored 2026 “power hour” format threatening mass exits, viewers are making their preferences crystal clear—and leading the charge is none other than John Sugden.

John hasn’t even celebrated his first full year on the show, but fans already have pitchforks raised. Initially introduced as a mysterious and brooding figure, John quickly descended into cold-blooded murderer territory. What might have been an intriguing anti-hero arc has instead, in many fans’ eyes, devolved into a dragged-out narrative black hole. Despite early interest in his chemistry with Aaron, many now feel his storyline lacks direction and impact. “There’s no emotional weight left,” wrote one user. “He’s just a plot device with no soul.”

Others argue that Emmerdale’s creative team have made the fatal mistake of investing too heavily in a character with a short shelf-life, since no murderer—however charismatic—can hang around the village forever. But the backlash doesn’t stop there.

Next in the firing line is Mackenzie Boyd. Ever since the infamous flash-forward showing him sprinting through the village aired earlier this year, speculation has mounted. Many expected a dramatic climax—but with no payoff yet, patience is wearing thin. “It’s a ticking time bomb,” one Redditor posted. “And honestly, he’s worn out his welcome. Kill him off and move on.”

Then comes Tracy Robinson, who has polarized fans since Nate’s shocking murder. Though some empathize with her grief, many feel her reactions have crossed into hypocrisy. Her character’s insistence on acting like Nate’s widow—despite their breakup—has alienated viewers. “She’s been sanctimonious and bitter,” another fan wrote. “And with Nate gone, what purpose does she even serve?”

And speaking of “lost purpose,” characters like Matty Barton, Charles Anderson, and Kerry Wyatt round out a trio that fans describe as “drifting.” Matty’s tragic storyline with Amy had early promise, especially when Amy whispered Nate’s name as she died—a potential mystery clue. But it’s a thread that’s gone nowhere, and fans are now asking: why even bother setting it up?

Charles, once expected to inherit the moral gravity of Ashley or Harriet, has instead become background noise. Despite a promising entry with strong family dynamics and his role as vicar, he’s now seen as isolated and adrift. Even his mother Claudette can’t resurrect the energy around him.

Long-time residents Laurel Thomas, Jai Sharma, and Rodney Blackstock have also not been spared in this debate. While some still root for Laurel and Jai as a couple, most agree that their arc has run its course. “There’s nothing left for them,” one commenter observed. “Even their love story feels like a rerun.”

Rodney, who provides occasional comic relief, is largely seen as a nostalgia figure—nice to see but unnecessary. “He pops up, cracks a joke, disappears. That’s it,” one viewer posted. “He deserves better than to just linger until someone remembers to write him a line.”

It’s clear this conversation isn’t about disliking actors or attacking legacy. Rather, fans are craving narrative weight. They want character arcs that matter, that move, that hurt. And they want to see a leaner, stronger show that doesn’t stretch its resources thin on characters treading water.

So what does this mean for the future of Emmerdale?

With cast budgets tightening, the “power hour” format arriving, and viewer expectations rising, showrunners are under immense pressure to deliver. If they ignore these cries for change, the danger isn’t just bloated storytelling—it’s audience disengagement. But if they act decisively, this could mark a turning point: an opportunity to refocus Emmerdale on gripping, meaningful drama rather than diluted filler.

One thing’s for certain—some villagers are living on borrowed time. And the fans are watching.