Emmerdale’s Caleb has ‘axe to grind’ with Cain: ‘There’s simmering resentment’

By Helen Daly

Published: Saturday, 10 December 2022 at 12:00 am

Trouble’s on his way to Emmerdale as Cain Dingle’s (played by Jeff Hordley) long-lost brother Caleb (William Ash) is due to arrive in the village at Christmas.

Viewers will find out exactly why their relationship is so fraught in the coming weeks, but for now, viewers can expect fireworks between the brothers, according to Ash and Hordley.

Speaking to press including RadioTimes.com at a recent event, Ash hinted that Caleb could cause a lot of trouble when he arrives.

“[Caleb is] complex and layered because he comes in having this dark backstory having been adopted and put in care as a child. When he was in his teens, he finds Cain and tries to reconnect with his family.

“He’s told by Cain that his mum’s dead and to steer clear basically. Caleb spends most of his time growing up in care. So when he finds out that Faith wasn’t dead, he comes into it on Christmas Day with a lot of anger and has an axe to grind with Cain.”

“There’s a lot of bitterness that he’s holding on to, as you’d expect from growing up without a family, not knowing his mother and missing out on the opportunity to get to know who he is. There’s a lot going on.”

Nevertheless, while tensions are undoubtedly fraught, Ash confirmed Caleb does want to reconnect with his family, having grown up without them.

“Even though he’s got an axe to grind, he does want to connect and needs to connect with Cain and with Chas as well, even though there’s this simmering resentment and bitterness.”