Emmerdale: Series 7
Season 7 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of Emmerdale Season 6.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Episode Guide
Season 7 Progress Shield
Episode 415 (Tue 10th Jan 1978)
Jan 10, 1978
Spirits are low at Emmerdale Farm until Amos Brearly admits he knows where Dolly Acaster is hiding. But Annie Sugden wonders if she should tell Matt Skilbeck.
Episode 416 (Thu 12th Jan 1978)
Jan 12, 1978
Sam is furious at the thought of Matt spending the night in a hotel room with Dolly. At The Red Lion, Matt announces his intention to go to bed, but Richard insists on a last drink
Episode 417 (Tue 17th Jan 1978)
Jan 17, 1978
Matt returns home from a night out with Dolly with some odd news. On their way through the village they pass The Woolpack and notice all the lights on well past closing time. Henry
Episode 418 (Thu 19th Jan 1978)
Jan 19, 1978
Dolly tells Matt that her mother is arriving that evening but the problem is where can she stay, the best thing, Dolly thinks is if she just tells her to go away again. Matt says n
Episode 419 (Tue 24th Jan 1978)
Jan 24, 1978
Sam and Annie are in disagreement over Miss Venables. When Sam tells her not to be too hard on Miss Venables he is sharply informed that Emmerdale is not a hotel and that Miss Vena
Episode 420 (Thu 26th Jan 1978)
Jan 26, 1978
Henry arrives at the farm with a brand new caravan for Miss Venables and its not long before everybody is in agreement over what should happen. Miss Venables should leave, and as s
Episode 421 (Tue 31st Jan 1978)
Jan 31, 1978
Beckindale is invaded by gypsies to the fury of some villagers. Meanwhile, Joe is annoyed at Glenda leaving the gate open but his rage soon turns to love. Also, Phyllis arrives in
Episode 422 (Thu 2nd Feb 1978)
Feb 2, 1978
One of the gypsies causes controversy in the village, which Joe manages to put right. Meanwhile, Donald receives a phone call threatening the play school.
Episode 423 (Tue 7th Feb 1978)
Feb 7, 1978
Jed breaks into Emmerdale Farm but is caught by Matt. Play school is interrupted when someone throws a brick through the window.
Episode 424 (Thu 9th Feb 1978)
Feb 9, 1978
Joe really manages to put his foot in it with Glenda, whilst the villagers are thrilled to find the gypsies leaving.
Episode 425 (Tue 14th Feb 1978)
Feb 14, 1978
Amos's journalism career is put into jeopardy after he receives a letter from Grant. Meanwhile, Phyllis asks Donald to look after Dolly's interests in the wedding.
Episode 426 (Thu 16th Feb 1978)
Feb 16, 1978
Phyllis's decisions about the wedding get on Dolly's nerves; she only allows the wedding in Beckindale when she is allowed to chose Dolly's wedding dress - yellow.
Episode 427 (Tue 21st Feb 1978)
Feb 21, 1978
Mr. Tyler arrives with bad news for Amos, whilst Annie talks to Phyllis about the wedding dress.
Episode 428 (Thu 23rd Feb 1978)
Feb 23, 1978
Amos is shocked to discover Grant is a conman, and Glenda tries to help him get his job back at the courier.
Episode 429 (Tue 28th Feb 1978)
Feb 28, 1978
Joe makes clear of his disapproval of Ruth removing the copse, and Ruth tells Annie that she doesn't want to be bullied by local farmers like her brother was. Amos asks Phyllis to
Episode 430 (Thu 2nd March 1978)
Mar 2, 1978
Phyllis leaves the village now on good terms with Dolly, whilst Donald awaits the arrival of his son Clive.
Episode 431 (Tue 7th March 1978)
Mar 7, 1978
In a field somewhere near the village, a young man wakes up. He climbs out of his car, looks around, then gets back in again and prepares to drive off. Later on in the day the youn
Episode 432 (Thu 9th March 1978)
Mar 9, 1978
Clive announces his intentions to go mining in Beckindale, whilst Joe buries the hatchet with Ruth by taking her out for dinner.
Episode 433 (Tue 14th March 1978)
Mar 14, 1978
Nellie is infuriated by Donald's comments whilst Donald gets a second visitor, Clive's associate Rod.
Episode 434 (Thu 16th March 1978)
Mar 16, 1978
Clive, Rod and Ian's attempt at mining goes terribly wrong when the electrics cause an explosion.
Episode 435 (Tue 21st March 1978)
Mar 21, 1978
Clive and Ian are rescued and Rod is left in a coma following the incident. However, Ian discovers the mine was emptied years ago, and Clive leaves the village unexpectedly.
Episode 436 (Thu 23rd March 1978)
Mar 23, 1978
Clive returns and Annie tries to reconcile him with Donald, but to no avail as Clive does a moonlight flit.
Episode 437 (Tue 4th April 1978)
Apr 4, 1978
Donald announces Sam as the new organising secretary, but causes controversy in his first five minutes when he plans to scrap their upcoming trip.
Episode 438 (Thu 6th April 1978)
Apr 6, 1978
Matt and Joe are relieved to find their cows aren't infected by a plague, whilst Sam and Nellie become romantically closer.
Episode 439 (Tue 11th April 1978)
Apr 11, 1978
The Sugdens discover that the milk board have found brucellosis in their milk. Meanwhile, Sam and Nellie get closer.
Episode 440 (Thu 13th April 1978)
Apr 13, 1978
Sam believes he has caught brucellosis from the cows. Also, Sam tells Henry that he'd only move in with Nellie if they marry.
Episode 441 (Tue 18th April 1978)
Apr 18, 1978
Matt and Dolly discuss Matt potentially selling his share, whilst Nellie comforts Sam when the trip goes wrong.
Episode 442 (Thu 20th April 1978)
Apr 20, 1978
The Sugdens are relieved to discover that no disease was found in the herd. Meanwhile, Nellie admits she's too old for love, throwing Sam's proposal plans out the window.
Episode 443 (Tue 25th April 1978)
Apr 25, 1978
The Coulters cause a disruption outside the church when the parents disallow Pip from attending. Meanwhile, Steve takes an interest in Joe's shotgun..
Episode 444 (Thu 27th April 1978)
Apr 27, 1978
Pip refuses to return home and runs away, leaving Donald to break the news to the family. Meanwhile, Sam causes fishing plans to end abruptly when he puts his foot in the pond.
Episode 445 (Tue 2nd May 1978)
May 2, 1978
Steve breaks into 3 Demdyke Row and steals Joe's shotgun. Meanwhile, Will reveals that Steve and the missing Pip want to marry and believe she has eloped.
Episode 446 (Thu 4th May 1978)
May 4, 1978
Steve and Pip perform an armed robbery at The Woolpack and lock Henry and Amos in the cellar, leaving them in there for the night. Joe finds them hours later and calls the police a
Episode 447 (Tue 9th May 1978)
May 9, 1978
Ted arrives at the scene and immediately puts two and two together, figuring out that Steve has broken into 3 Demdyke Row and robbed The Woolpack with Pip. Steve takes Sam hostage
Episode 448 (Thu 11th May 1978)
May 11, 1978
Donald tries to make Paul see that Pam is the reason Pip turned criminal and went on the run. Will believes the same and attacks Pam, hospitalising her.
Episode 449 (Tue 16th May 1978)
May 16, 1978
Donald shows new headteacher Antony around the school and introduces him to caretaker Seth. Meanwhile, Phyllis sends Dolly a letter about the wedding arrangements and sends Jessie
Episode 450 (Thu 18th May 1978)
May 18, 1978
Dolly and Jessie lock horns and Dolly declares that she's having nothing other than a white wedding. Meanwhile, on his first day of teaching, Antony and the school children find a
Episode 451 (Tue 23rd May 1978)
May 23, 1978
Plans begin to get Dolly christened, while the villagers try to find out who the mysterious Hannah Elizabeth is. Also, Antony offers to teach Seth how to read.
Episode 452 (Thu 25th May 1978)
May 25, 1978
Donald has found that Hannah Elizabeth Gough married Matthew Pearson in Robblesfield Church in 1800 - Seth notices that Matthew shares Sam's surname. Meanwhile, the villagers disco
Episode 453 (Tue 30th May 1978)
May 30, 1978
Jessie is fuming when Phyllis begins to claim that she can't afford the reception and decides to go have it out with her. Meanwhile, Sam learns something horrifying about his famil
Episode 454 (Thu 8th June 1978)
Jun 8, 1978
Jessie helps Sam come to terms with his recent discovery, whilst a proper funeral is held for Hannah Elizabeth. Meanwhile, Jessie's heads back to Darlington to teach Phyllis a less
Episode 455 (Tue 13th June 1978)
Jun 13, 1978
Pip returns to the village and stays with Joe. Meanwhile, Mrs. Hawker visits Donald and asks for him to stand up for Steve in court, saying he's not a bad person.
Episode 456 (Thu 15th June 1978)
Jun 15, 1978
Matt receives a visit from his cousin Polly who he hasn't seen in years. Meanwhile, Polly's husband Alec and Henry take a liking to each other.
Episode 457 (Tue 20th June 1978)
Jun 20, 1978
Amos is over the moon to be asked to give Dolly away at the wedding. Tom goes on the warpath after discovering Pip is pregnant and forces her out of the village.
Episode 458 (Thu 22nd June 1978)
Jun 22, 1978
Joe snaps and punches Tom following an argument about Pip, causing Tom to fall and break a chair. Meanwhile, Phyllis returns with the news that she has gotten married.
Episode 459 (Tue 27th June 1978)
Jun 27, 1978
Amos clashes with Phyllis who wants Leonard to give Dolly away. Meanwhile, Mrs. Hawker announces her decision to leave Tom and considers asking Pip to live with her.
Episode 460 (Thu 29th June 1978)
Jun 29, 1978
Dolly and Matt marry at last. Leonard invites Dolly and Matt on his and Phyllis's honeymoon to the Bahamas but she rejects. Meanwhile, wedding bells ring for Pip and Steve as well,
Episode 461 (Tue 5th Sept 1978)
Sep 5, 1978
Miffield Hall is sold following George's death, whilst Dolly feels useless at the farm. Sam tries to help by suggesting to Joe that they swap houses but gets an earful when Joe sna
Episode 462 (Thu 7th Sept 1978)
Sep 7, 1978
Matt and Dolly return from viewing a house to find a surveyor in their top field, having been told it's owned by the Verneys.
Episode 463 (Tue 12th Sept 1978)
Sep 12, 1978
The Sugdens try to claim the top field, and Henry hears that Gerald is in a financial fix. Meanwhile, Amos and Henry finally discover what Frankie is bidding on.
Episode 464 (Thu 14th Sept 1978)
Sep 14, 1978
Henry's solicitor informs him that they have a very good chance of being awarded the land if they go to court, but it's a costly procedure. Meanwhile, Amos and Henry are shocked to
Episode 465 (Tue 19th Sept 1978)
Sep 19, 1978
The Sugdens are delivered a huge blow when Gerald proves that the top field was rented. Meanwhile, Donald is shocked to discover Clive has been arrested in Athens.
Episode 466 (Thu 21st Sept 1978)
Sep 21, 1978
Amos makes a kind gesture to Frankie by refusing to let her pay for staying. Meanwhile, Henry proves that they own the top field but Gerald tells them he wants £10,000.
Episode 467 (Tue 26th Sept 1978)
Sep 26, 1978
Sam is annoyed that David has arrived in the village, whilst David is shocked to discover Jacob is dead. Meanwhile, worries arise for Winn as someone comes round to discuss their t
Episode 468 (Thu 28th Sept 1978)
Sep 28, 1978
Nicky warns Pru off Joe, whilst Sam remains sour over David's return and snipes at Annie. Dolly and Annie have a heart to heart about marriage.
Episode 469 (Tue 3rd Oct 1978)
Oct 3, 1978
Nicky is desperate to leave the farming life and tries to lie his way out of it. Meanwhile, Sam is livid when he bumps into David and an argument is inevitable.
Episode 470 (Thu 5th Oct 1978)
Oct 5, 1978
Nicky and Win discover they are being forced to leave their house as it is being sold. Meanwhile, Annie pays David a visit to clear the air
Episode 471 (Tue 10th Oct 1978)
Oct 10, 1978
Sam has an outburst at dinner, leaving the family (except Annie) wondering what's wrong with him. Meanwhile, Winn becomes suspicious and begins to believe Nicky is having an affair
Episode 472 (Thu 12th Oct 1978)
Oct 12, 1978
Nicky and Winn clash when Winn cashes in the compensation cheque in her name and Winn finishes with Nicky. Meanwhile, David reveals the reason he left Beckindale many years ago.
Episode 473 (Tue 17th Oct 1978)
Oct 17, 1978
The villagers are shocked to meet the new owners of Home Farm, the renamed Miffeld Hall. Meanwhile, Donald is worried as Clive is to remain in prison until his trial which could be
Episode 474 (Thu 19th Oct 1978)
Oct 19, 1978
Whilst going to help Joe with the milking, Matt collapses and is rushed to hospital. Meanwhile, the death of Henry's aunt hits hard and he contemplates leaving for Rome.
Episode 475 (Tue 24th Oct 1978)
Oct 24, 1978
Joe discovers that Ted's bottle previously had poisonous chemicals and hadn't been cleaned, which caused Matt's collapse. Meanwhile, Vivian pushes Henry to live his life the way he
Episode 476 (Thu 26th Oct 1978)
Oct 26, 1978
Marian returns to the village and Henry voices his idea to move to Rome but she is not keen. However, Vivian tells the Sugdens that he will be buying Henry's share. Having not agre
Episode 477 (Tue 31st Oct 1978)
Oct 31, 1978
The Sugdens receive a shock and begin to believe Vivian has been hiding the truth. Meanwhile, Marian tries to dissuade Henry from leaving the village.
Episode 478 (Thu 2nd Nov 1978)
Nov 2, 1978
Vivian gets a grilling from Joe and Henry. Meanwhile, Seth and Sam tie for second place at the vegetable competition.
Episode 479 (Tue 7th Nov 1978)
Nov 7, 1978
Disaster strikes when kids start fires on Home Farm land, one setting fire to a barn. Meanwhile, despite being furious with him, Joe is concerned for Vivian.
Episode 480 (Thu 9th Nov 1978)
Nov 9, 1978
As the fire is put out, Henry is shocked to find the chemicals have leaked into the fish farm. Meanwhile, Rachel worries about getting too close to Joe.
Episode 481 (Tue 14th Nov 1978)
Nov 14, 1978
Trevor is shocked to discover his barn fire may put the fish farm out of business. Meanwhile, Marian puts all rumours to rest by revealing she barely ever sees Jack in Rome.
Episode 482 (Thu 16th Nov 1978)
Nov 16, 1978
Trevor catches the wrong man poaching on Home Farm land when Seth gets Sam to hold his dead bird. Meanwhile, Marian returns to Rome.
Episode 483 (Tue 21st Nov 1978)
Nov 21, 1978
Trevor goes to the police about Sam but is advised to drop the case. Meanwhile, Rachel's husband continues to bother Rachel, asking her to move to London with him.
Episode 484 (Thu 23rd Nov 1978)
Nov 23, 1978
Trevor discovers the truth and considers hiring Seth as gamekeeper. Meanwhile, Rachel tells Joe that they met too soon and she's not ready for a relationship.
Episode 485 (Tue 28th Nov 1978)
Nov 28, 1978
Sam fumes upon discovering NY Estates want to evict Nellie, and Henry tries to help her take action.
Episode 486 (Thu 30th Nov 1978)
Nov 30, 1978
Nellie refuses to budge from her cottage, and is grateful when Amos offers to keep her private life out of the courier. Meanwhile, Joe meets Steve, who is due to move into Nellie's
Episode 487 (Tue 5th Dec 1978)
Dec 5, 1978
Nellie refuses to budge and is upset when Sam tells her NY Estates may take her to court. Meanwhile, Joe's news about attending a course doesn't go down well with the family.
Episode 488 (Thu 7th Dec 1978)
Dec 7, 1978
Nellie refuses to move, but begins to feel guilty about preventing Steve and his family from moving in. Meanwhile, Dolly helps Matt on the farm but he fusses over her when she feel
Episode 489 (Thu 14th Dec 1978)
Dec 14, 1978
Trevor moves on from NY Estates as his replacement is set to arrive in Beckindale. Meanwhile, Steve discovers that he has been lied to and tells NY Estates that he wants alternate