The Dales are about to be rocked to the core as Emmerdale finally starts peeling back the layers of one of its most enigmatic characters: John Sugden. Since his arrival, John has been shrouded in secrecy and strange coincidences, and fans have been convinced for months that something sinister lurks beneath his charming exterior. But now, with shocking flashbacks on the horizon, all eyes are on the truth — and the revelations could mark John as Emmerdale’s next serial killer.

Let’s start with the biggest mystery of all: what happened to Nate Robinson? Nate’s frozen body was discovered following the dramatic Valentine’s Day limo crash, but fans were quick to notice his final on-screen moments featured a private conversation with John at Butler’s Farm. Since then, theories have run wild — did John kill Nate? Many believe so, especially as this week promises huge twists that could finally expose the truth about Nate’s fate. Clues suggest Nate didn’t just die accidentally… he may have been silenced.

John’s tangled web grows deeper when you look into the mysterious “Aiden Moore” dog tags he arrived in the village with. He told sister Victoria that he served in the army, but those tags belonged to someone named Aiden Moore — a name that doesn’t check out. Did John steal Aiden’s identity after murdering him? Or was Aiden someone he loved — or hated — in prison? Either way, the truth behind those dog tags could shatter the Sugden family and the village itself.

Then there’s the case of Anthony Fox, the vile abuser whose death was allegedly orchestrated by John. But viewers never saw a body, raising doubts. Could Anthony still be alive, or was John lying about what really happened? His need to appear the “hero” may be a cover for far darker motives.

Now, with his wedding to Aaron Dingle drawing near, everything may be about to collapse. Is John hiding another lover? A family? Or is he simply incapable of love — only manipulation? Fans are even speculating that Robert Sugden could return just in time to disrupt the wedding, revealing secrets from behind bars that connect him to John in unexpected and disturbing ways.

Theories have spiraled even further. Did John spike Chas Dingle’s drink during a recent confrontation? Could he be behind Jacob Gallagher’s allergic reaction? With each passing episode, suspicion around John grows. And if he is a killer — has he already claimed more than one victim?

According to Amy Walsh, the truth about Nate is coming fast — and it’s going to be devastating. Her character Tracy will finally learn of Nate’s death, setting off an emotional and potentially dangerous quest for answers. With the actor who played Nate confirming producers had a long-term plan for his shocking exit, fans are bracing for a deadly payoff.

Could John Sugden be the next big villain Emmerdale has been waiting for since Meena’s reign ended? With explosive flashbacks looming, fans better hold tight — the monster may already be living among them.