Emmerdale promises bigger storylines for its youngsters

Emmerdale spoilers follow.

Emmerdale has promised to explore bigger storylines involving some of the ITV soap's younger characters in the near future.

As the long-running show gears up to celebrate it's 50th anniversary later this year, producer Jane Hudson explained that "it's really important" to the crew behind the camera that they emphasise that Emmerdale is "aimed at everybody" – and expanding the age range of its main protagonists is one way to do that.

ITV

"What makes soaps different from a lot of dramas is our reach, which is teens right up to 90 plus. We've got a lot of viewers to keep happy," she told Digital Spy and other media recently.

"This year the likes of Noah, Amelia, Samson, Archie, Cathy and Sarah – you're going to be seeing them much more prominent in the stories because they deal with topics that affect their generation and we see how they handle things.

"It's really important that we keep our youngsters coming through because they are our next generation," Hudson added.

Elsewhere in the interview, she also teased that Emmerdale's 50th will be celebrated across the entire month of October, and viewers have lots to look forward as the series sets up a lot ahead of that event.

embargo 07092021 april windsor and cathy hope in emmerdale

ITV

"We're going to be having a golden month of celebration to mark our 50th. There are going to be mind-blowing stunts, more heartbreaks, secrets and lies are revealed. It's going to be the gift that keeps on giving and the party no-one wants to end," Hudson noted.

"Our 2022 is very much going to be building our stories for the 50th golden month of celebrations. We need to make this the biggest year we've ever had. We've already got some great stuff planned – maybe a wedding in the summer!

"There are some really big things that will test couples' strength and them as parents, so there is a lot in store."

Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 7pm on ITV, with an extra episode at 8pm on Thursdays.