One of Emmerdale's most popular stars is celebrating a major milestone this week. Emma Atkins, who plays fan favourite Charity Dingle, made her debut on the ITV soap 20 years ago and her character is still as compelling and unpredictable as ever.
To mark the occasion, Emma gave Digital Spy an exclusive and in-depth interview about her history with the show – right from the audition stage to the present day. Read on for her thoughts on 20 years of Charity!
Emma's audition
Charity Dingle made her first appearance on Emmerdale on March 30, 2000. She visited the village for the funeral of her cousin Butch, who'd passed away from injuries he'd suffered in a bus crash.
Emma Atkins, who was in her early 20s and a student at the time, had auditioned for the role weeks earlier. It was one of her first times trying out for a big TV part.
Reflecting on that first audition, Emma told Digital Spy: "I remember it vividly. My agent at the time rang me to say ITV were casting a new regular character in Emmerdale to play one of the Dingles. I remember feeling pretty excited about the prospect of even auditioning, because of how iconic the family are.
"I was sent a short breakdown of the character, plus a script to learn. I remember thinking: 'I've got to get this part. I've got to work at this and put every effort into making this a really good audition'.
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"I was still at Salford University, so I realised it would be a major break into TV acting for me. I wanted to know that even if I didn't get the part, I'd given it everything. I'd done some small theatre stuff, but this was one of my first TV auditions. I was so nervous, I felt quite sick.
"I remember arriving in reception and all the other girls waiting to audition had long dark hair. Then there was me, with short bleached hair.
"That really threw me and I started to think: 'They clearly see Charity as someone with long dark hair and that's not me. Now I've got to work twice as hard to convince them they don't necessarily need to cast someone with long dark hair'.
"I sat there wondering what I was even doing there. It's funny how many devils suddenly want to sit on your shoulder when you're waiting to go into an audition. It's ridiculous.
"I waited over a week and didn't hear anything. Elizabeth, my agent, just said I probably would have heard by now, so I put it out of my mind."
Future Coronation Street and Doctor Foster star Suranne Jones was among the other actresses who auditioned for the role of Charity. Emma didn't cross paths with her until a later date, when Suranne had landed the part of Corrie's Karen McDonald.
"I didn't meet her at the time, but we once had a conversation about it," Emma told us. "It was just after she got the role in Coronation Street.
"We bumped into one another at a work do and she told me she'd gone for the role of Charity. It was a nice moment between us."
Getting the part
Over a week after auditioning for Emmerdale, Emma finally received the life-changing call to confirm that she'd be playing Charity.
"I was at my university digs in Manchester when I got a phone call from my agent Elizabeth," Emma explained. "She said: 'Do you want the good news or the bad news?' So I said 'bad'.
"She said: 'You haven't got the Asda commercial. Do you want the good news?' It went quiet and then she just said: 'You're officially a Dingle'. I think I screamed – and then I think I screamed again! I couldn't believe it.
"I remember Elizabeth saying 'three-month contract' and 'why don't we meet for lunch next week so we can go through your contract?' All I kept thinking was: 'I'm going to earn money doing something I absolutely love. Life made'.
"It was three months initially, with a view to another three months. Then towards the end of that period, there was a potential six months if things worked out. I just thought: 'I will make this work. I will bring this character to life. I have to'. It was a gift of a role.
"If I'd been told then that Charity would still be around 20 years later, I'd have probably laughed. I feel very proud as well. To keep that amount of gobbiness up for so long! I can honestly say I have loved every second of my character's dialogue."
Charity and Zoe
One of Charity's first big storylines saw her embark on an affair with Zoe Tate in 2001. At the time, Charity was in a relationship with Zoe's brother Chris. Zoe disapproved of their partnership and tried to bribe Charity into ending things with Chris, but the animosity between the two women soon led to unexpected passion.
This was one of the first times that a relationship between two female characters had been explored on a British soap. Sadly, Leah Bracknell – who played Zoe between 1989 and 2005 – passed away in September last year after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Asked about fans who still name the Charity and Zoe storyline as an Emmerdale highlight, modest Emma told us: "I didn't realise they did! That's so lovely.
"I enjoyed my time on that storyline very much because I was lucky to have Leah opposite me. She was an incredibly kind and selfless human, not to mention brilliant actress, and she made it obvious that it was important to her that we both felt comfortable.
"It was groundbreaking for Emmerdale I suppose and it was a rather controversial affair as well – the ultimate betrayal, with the obvious fact that Zoe was Chris Tate's sister.
"There had only really been the gay storyline in Brookside eight years prior to this. Looking back, I took it all in my stride, and I was extremely lucky to be surrounded by people who had been in the industry somewhat longer, therefore I had great support and good friendships."
Charity and Cain
One of Charity's most significant relationships during her time in Emmerdale has been with her cousin and on-off lover Cain. Jeff Hordley, who plays Cain, made his Emmerdale debut in the same episode as Emma and their characters' lives have often been intertwined.
In backstory, Charity slept with Cain when she was 13 and ended up pregnant with his baby, Debbie. On screen in the show, the pair's criminal hi-jinks, cash cons, break-ups and make-ups provided years' worth of gripping storylines.
Emma recalled: "Working with Mr Hordley is always a dream and Charity and Cain had a special connection, which I'd love to revisit one day.
"I do wish I worked with Jeff more. Sometimes storylines cross over and I get a chance to have dialogue with Cain and Moira, which I love. Charity and Moira just about tolerate one another and the friction is so much fun to play with Natalie J Robb, who I think is a brilliant actress. I love the chemistry between Moira and Cain.
"If Charity crosses paths with Cain again, that would be amazing. The beauty of soap is, you just never know. Anything is possible."
Debbie Dingle was introduced to Emmerdale in 2002 as the foster child of Paddy and Emily Kirk. It was soon revealed that Debbie – played by Charley Webb – was Charity and Cain's daughter.
Emma said: "I liked the storyline where a very young Debbie turns up at Home Farm demanding to see her 'mum' and Charity is mortified as her past turns up to confront her. I remember feeling like I wanted to put Charley in my pocket and look after her forever. She was so tiny and I took her under my wing, as did Jeff."
Taking a break
In 2005, Emma left the cast of Emmerdale to try out some other projects. Jeff Hordley also departed the show, but Charity and Cain returned with a bang in 2009 and have stuck with the soap ever since.
Reflecting on the extended break, Emma said: "I went to live in London for five years and I loved it. I enjoyed that time so much. I was basically a jobbing actor and got to do bits of theatre and some voice over work.
"It was character building and it was something I'd always wanted to do after leaving university. I got the part on Emmerdale before I finished my course at Salford University, and it was always a little dream of mine to live in London for a while.
"During my time down there, I did a small play just off Leicester Square and I used to cycle in every evening for the show. I felt so happy."
Charity's controversies
Over the years, different producers have explored different sides of Charity's character. While she's softer these days, viewers have also seen Charity at her most ruthless. One memorable storyline saw her try to frame her cousin Sam Dingle and his partner Rachel Breckle for the Home Farm fire, which was started by Declan Macey at Christmas 2013.
Asked whether she has ever been worried about Charity crossing the line and the viewers turning against her, Emma laughed: "She's already done so many irredeemable things along the way, I'm sure she'd have been cast out by now! Luckily there's a heart in there somewhere and people seem to recognise that.
"She is like a wounded animal at times and behaves in ways that I simply cannot defend. But nevertheless, it makes Charity's world far more interesting. She is a walking disaster one minute and an empowered woman the next.
"Maybe this shows people that she's human. She makes mistakes. She carries on. Only recently does it seem that she's more able to say sorry – and mean it."
Charity and Vanessa
In late 2017, Charity unwittingly got locked in The Woolpack cellar with village vet Vanessa Woodfield (Michelle Hardwick) and bickering between them led to a surprise kiss.
More than two years on, the 'Vanity' ship is still going strong, with a big online fanbase. The relationship is often praised by Emmerdale fans as one of the best examples of positive LGBTQ+ representation in Soapland, as the couple successfully raise a young family together.
Reflecting on the relationship, Emma told us: "I think you just have to enjoy whatever you are given and make it work. At first, Michelle and I were unsure of whether our story that started in the cellar would work. We totally committed to it, and out came a love story.
"I feel very proud of the storyline and the fact it's been so well received. It was quite a surprise when I got the random script that Charity would be kissing Vanessa. Our characters had barely had any dialogue, so I just didn't understand how and why.
"Whenever I'm given a storyline, I think about why my character's doing something. She usually sets her sights on something and goes for it, 1000%. So that's how I chose to play this storyline.
"Vanessa was her current obsession. Charity was initially childish and good at goading her from behind the bar, which was overtly mean and unnerving for Vanessa. But they continued in their flirtatiousness as they couldn't help themselves. It was some sort of fatal attraction and the cellar scene was the catalyst.
"It was cat and mouse for the first couple of months and Charity took joy in tormenting Vanessa. Then, of course, the tables turned. Vanessa subsequently outed herself in the pub in front of everyone, rendering Charity's childish banter futile!
"The beauty of the storyline was the fact there was something else going on, much more deep rooted. The tenderness shown from Vanessa was something Charity had never experienced before and I think ultimately this led to Charity being able to trust Vanessa with her past and the historical abuse."
On the fan reaction to Vanessa and Charity, Emma continued: "All I know is the feedback always seems to be very positive and we get lovely comments regarding the storylines.
"It is maybe due to the fact Charity and Vanessa are very real and their relationship is packed full of differences. They are polar opposites and yet somehow it works. That is an exciting combination. When people are attracted to their opposites, it means there's always going to be good contrast. Good fiery arguments – and good passionate making up to do."
Recent episodes have seen Vanessa diagnosed with bowel cancer and Charity has occasionally struggled over how best to support her.
Emma said: "It's a very powerful storyline for obvious reasons. I have to say, Michelle has been absolutely brilliant. She's played every scene beautifully and it's been an interesting dynamic to see Charity terrified of losing somebody she loves so much. I've enjoyed the challenge."
On whether she'd like the pair to make it down the aisle one day, Emma added: "I think that would be lovely. They seem to be okay just as they are for now. Watch this space, I guess."
Other highlights
When we asked Emma to name other memorable moments from her time at Emmerdale, the responses were unsurprisingly varied. This is Charity we're talking about, after all.
She recalled: "I loved the moment Patsy Kensit (Sadie King) arrived in a helicopter. The wedding day where she almost but not quite married Tom King, and was left sobbing on that black and white dance floor. I loved the stuff where Charity was in a neck brace and I filmed lots of bickering scenes with Patsy.
"I love working with lots of different people. I love working with Laura Norton (Kerry Wyatt). I love anything and everything I've ever done with Lucy Pargeter (Chas Dingle). She is the ultimate pro! And I think Charity and Chas are a good duo!
"All the stuff with Vanessa has been lovely. It feels very believable and the feedback has been nothing but positive. The recent scenes with Amy Walsh (Tracy) and Michelle have been funny.
"My favourite stuff, and when Charity is at her best, is when she's being funny and outrageous and not afraid to take someone on. It is magical stuff to play and it also makes her who she is.
"I also loved my storylines with Michael Praed, who played Frank – what a gentleman and what a legend. He was so much fun to be around. He is sorely missed at work.
"I could list a million beautiful and brilliant people. I enjoyed the triangle between Declan, Megan and Charity. I enjoyed working with Gaynor Faye and Jason Merrells. We used to have a giggle.
"The boat episode where Declan was taking Charity to her own grave was particularly memorable. We had fun during the shoot. I was actually pregnant in real life, so we had to take extra care around stunts. It was exciting to film."
Charity's present and future
Charity's popularity with viewers has increased over the past few years, in part thanks to her relationship with Vanessa and featuring in more hard-hitting storylines. These have included Charity seeking justice against DI Bails, who sexually abused her when she was a teenager.
Emma won Best Soap Actress at the TV Choice Awards in 2018, then scored the Best Actress prize at the Inside Soap Awards the following month.
When we mentioned Charity's big online fanbase, Emma said: "That's nice to hear and I'm flattered. I try to keep a balance on social media. With my son Albert and my dog, and between cooking and learning lines, I miss a lot of what goes on out there!
"I will occasionally have a look on Twitter. I've seen there's a group of young students who really like Vanessa and Charity and they seem genuinely interested in the storylines. It is really lovely and the feedback is always upbeat and friendly.
"I guess in terms of why stuff works, I would just say that working hard is my philosophy and the more you put into something, the more you're going to get out. That might apply to my character.
"I'm not a big fan of complacency, and I guess with this job, playing the same character for years, there is the potential for that to happen. I always try to make each scene feel different and sound different.
"I always try and inject joy and spirit into the scenes – so that, with any hope, the audience wouldn't ever think to use the word 'bland' to describe my character. That would be game over."
Asked whether she's keen to stick with Emmerdale for the foreseeable future, Emma replied: "More than happy, yes!"
Emmerdale currently airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7pm on ITV.
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