In a turn that has stunned even longtime viewers of Emmerdale, actress Jay Griffiths has confirmed that her character, Celia Daniels, is set to descend even further into darkness following the shocking reveal of her as the true mastermind behind one of the village’s most sinister storylines.

While fans had speculated that Celia was trouble from the moment she arrived in the Dales, few could have predicted just how deep her manipulations would go. What began as hints of manipulative behavior has now exploded into a full-blown villain arc — one that promises to unravel the lives of some of Emmerdale’s most beloved characters.

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A Quiet Arrival With Ominous Undertones

When Jay Griffiths was first announced as joining the Emmerdale cast, the buzz surrounding her character, Celia Daniels, was immediate. Early spoilers teased her as a thorn in the side of Moira Dingle, and scenes of Celia’s dog attacking Paddy Kirk suggested a volatile personality.

But those initial scenes barely scratched the surface.

What fans saw as a one-dimensional antagonist — a woman exploiting a neighbor’s financial struggles or allowing a dog off-leash — has now evolved into something far more chilling. Celia, it turns out, is not just a schemer; she is the shadowy architect behind one of Emmerdale’s darkest current storylines: the County Lines drug operation.

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The Mastermind Behind the Mayhem

In a jaw-dropping twist, it was revealed that Celia Daniels has been pulling the strings behind Ray Walters, the man previously believed to be the ringleader of the drug network infiltrating the village.

This network has already devastated the lives of several characters, most notably April Windsor, the teenager caught in the crossfire of drug running and manipulation. While Ray has been the face of the operation, it’s Celia who’s been orchestrating it all from the shadows — recruiting, threatening, and manipulating with clinical precision.

This revelation has not only reframed past episodes but cast a chilling shadow over what lies ahead. And according to Griffiths, the worst is still to come.

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Griffiths Confirms Celia’s Downward Spiral

Appearing on ITV’s Loose Women, Jay Griffiths offered fans a glimpse into the storm still to come.

After watching a tense clip of Celia threatening Ray Walters — the very man viewers once feared most — Griffiths admitted, “That’s not even the worst thing she does… especially to him.” Her ominous statement sent a ripple through the studio, and no doubt, through the fanbase.

“I can’t say much,” Griffiths teased with a smile, “but let’s just say, she’s going to burn a few more bridges — and maybe blow up a few lives — before she’s done.”

The actress also revealed that despite Celia’s cold and calculating persona, the audience has been surprisingly warm toward her — for now.

“They’ve been nice to me so far,” she said. “But I think the moment Celia lays hands on April — that’s going to change. It’s going to be hard to come back from that.”

Indeed, a leaked scene from an upcoming episode shows Celia slapping the teenage April Windsor in a moment of terrifying control and intimidation. The implications for both the character and the show’s moral center are immense. No one — not even a child — appears safe from Celia’s wrath.

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A Villain Actress Loves to Play

Despite Celia Daniels being one of Emmerdale’s most despicable characters in recent years, Jay Griffiths is reveling in the opportunity to play her.

“I love her,” Griffiths admitted unapologetically. “It’s so liberating — you just turn off your conscience, your empathy, everything. There’s no filter. No guilt. You just do what it takes. There’s something incredibly freeing about that.”

Griffiths’ enthusiasm for the role speaks to the richness of the character — a woman driven by control, ambition, and perhaps trauma that is yet to be revealed.

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A Bond Forged in Screen Test

Griffiths also shared behind-the-scenes details of her audition process, specifically the chemistry test with Dominic Brunt, who plays Paddy Kirk.

“They made up a four-and-a-half-minute scene — and that’s a long time, especially in his lunch break,” she said. “But Dominic was incredible. He gave me all of his time and focus. Made me feel completely at ease.”

Griffiths’ praise for Brunt shines a light on the professionalism and camaraderie behind the scenes — a stark contrast to the chaos brewing in the fictional Emmerdale village.

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The Fallout to Come

Celia’s growing influence has already shaken several lives, but the full impact of her villainy is only beginning to unfold.

• April Windsor, once a symbol of innocence and resilience, is now facing trauma and manipulation from a source no one expected.

• Moira Dingle, who trusted Celia during a time of financial hardship, now finds herself dangerously entangled with a criminal mind.

• Paddy Kirk, once bitten by Celia’s dog, may have unknowingly been the first victim in a long game of control and intimidation.

And if Celia’s threats against Ray Walters are any indication, even her own allies are not safe. With Ray now effectively under her thumb, viewers are left wondering: Who will be next?

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Celia: The Villain Emmerdale Has Been Waiting For

For years, Emmerdale has excelled at creating morally complex villains. But Celia Daniels is shaping up to be something else entirely — a woman with no remorse, no clear endgame, and no intention of stopping.

Griffiths’ performance has already drawn comparisons to some of soap history’s most infamous antagonists — the likes of Janine Butcher, Kim Tate, and Richard Hillman. But what sets Celia apart is the sheer subtlety of her evil. She wears charm like armor, hides behind small-town manners, and strikes only when no one is looking.

With Emmerdale poised to enter one of its darkest chapters yet, fans are bracing themselves. Celia’s story is no longer about conflict — it’s about control, and her reign is only beginning.

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Final Thoughts

As Emmerdale continues to push boundaries with its storytelling, the rise of Celia Daniels is a masterclass in slow-burn villainy. The seeds of her chaos have been sown — and the harvest is promising to be devastating.

One thing is certain: Jay Griffiths has created a character viewers will love to hate. And as Celia begins to unravel the lives around her, we can only hope the village sees her for what she truly is — before it’s too late.

Stay tuned. The storm is far from over.