Emmerdale spoilers follow.
Emmerdale has confirmed plans to air darker storylines in this year's Christmas episodes.
The festive season won't be a time of celebration for some of the villagers, with show bosses aiming to provide a different tone compared with recent years.
Emmerdale's producer Laura Shaw teased the plans while speaking to Digital Spy and other media at a press event for the show this week.
Shaw commented: "Heading up to Christmas, we've got some exciting plans but I have absolutely, definitely been sworn to secrecy on this one!
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"What I can tell you is that, in the last couple of years, we've done a light, fluffier Christmas for Emmerdale, but this one is quite different in tone.
"A lot of it is edgier for us for Christmas. I can tell you that definitely not every one of our villagers will be sat down eating their turkey with all the trimmings on Christmas Day."
Shaw also spoke about early storyline plans for 2024, which will also feature some challenging times for the villagers.
She said: "Heading into the new year, we're going to be introducing more exciting new characters – they'll all be revealed nearer the time.
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"We'll be seeing a well-known face returning. We've got tragedy striking one family in the new year.
"We've got one or two of our villagers getting into very serious trouble, at least one of which may end up with them being sent to prison, but we'll see!"
Ash Palmisciano, who plays Matty Barton, previously told Digital Spy that a wider variety of characters will take centre stage at Christmas this year.
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Speaking exclusively to us at the Inside Soap Awards, Ash teased: "We're just starting the December episodes, we're filming them today.
"I think what's really cool is it involves, this year, a lot of the cast at Christmas.
"I don't want to sound boring, I don't want to give it away and spoil it for everyone! But there's going to be a lot going on with some major characters.
"The favourites that our fans love are going to be very busy at Christmas."
Check out more of our Emmerdale coverage:
- 8 huge Emmerdale spoilers for next week
- Emmerdale reveals Mack, Chloe and Charity crash drama in 31 new spoiler pictures
- Emmerdale star Lawrence Robb on Mackenzie's devastating choice in crash week
- Emmerdale star Emma Atkins addresses who Mack should save first in crash plot
- Emmerdale star Ash Palmisciano teases Christmas episodes
- Emmerdale's Kevin Mathurin responds to co-star's surprise exit
- Emmerdale star Ash Palmisciano teases Super Soap Week and shocking crash
Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV1, and streams on ITVX.
