An Emmerdale star has described the experience of their long-awaited return to the show as "overwhelming" as they head back to the Dales after 20 years.
Patsy Kensit is set to reprise her role as Sadie King after nearly two decades away.
Ms Kensit’s return to the Yorkshire Dales was officially announced in May, with Patsy sharing her excitement to be back on the soap.
Patsy Kensit on 'overwhelming' return to Emmerdale
Coming up in the village:
🌾 Charity is empowered
🌾 Billy and Dawn plan their runaway
🌾 Kev and Lewis bond
Read more: https://t.co/VXr0gMeUnE#Ememrdale pic.twitter.com/KZrKx5pMkv— Emmerdale (@emmerdale) August 3, 2026
Now, in a new interview, she has reflected on the warm welcome from cast and crew.
Ms Kensit said: "It's overwhelming when you come back, because it's such a well-oiled machine.
"And everyone that works on the show—the cast, the crew, all the hair and make-up departments, costume—everyone is so good.
"It's one of the best places I've ever worked and coming back, I'm just so impressed."
She also commented on the comforts of being back on a studio set, comparing it to her recent experiences working on location.
She said: "At the studio, I was walking around saying 'it's so glamorous'.
"Because, you know, I've been working in fields and stuck on an ice-cold beach, shooting a movie.
"Then to come back and have the proper make-up room and somewhere warm and dry to change and I don't have to do it behind a bush."
When did Sadie King last appear on Emmerdale?
Sadie King originally appeared on Emmerdale between 2004 and 2006.
During her initial run, Sadie was involved in affairs with Cain Dingle, Robert Sugden, and her brother-in-law Matthew King.
Reflecting on the character’s development, Ms Kensit believes there may be more depth to Sadie this time.
She said: "We want to find out about the real person because obviously that's really interesting for me to play and I think for the audience to see where she is in her life.
"You know, what does this woman really have and what does she really value?
"Does she have any values?
"I think there's a bittersweet kind of side to her, and it'd be nice that maybe that would come through.
"But she's still a cow."
While details of Sadie’s new storyline remain under wraps, it has been revealed she will clash with Kim Tate, played by Claire King.
Ms Kensit said: "I got to do some scenes with Claire King the other day and we took it old school."
Despite a lengthy absence, Sadie remains one of Ms Kensit’s favourite roles and the star jumped at the chance to return.
She said: "She’s always been one of the favourite roles I’ve ever had because I’m pathologically polite as a person and she just… isn’t.
"I used to live vicariously through her because I would never, ever talk to anybody like that.
"So, I had just so much fun and when I got the call (to come back) it was just a hard yes for me."
Though Sadie may not receive such a warm welcome on screen, Ms Kensit hinted at plenty of drama ahead.
Emmerdale is on at 8pm on weeknights on ITV1 and STV or from 7am on ITVX and STV Player and YouTube.
Are you excited to see Patsy Kensit return as Sadie King? Let us know in the comments.
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