Emmerdale flash-forwards: All the theories on what's to come

At the beginning of 2025, Emmerdale aired five mysterious flash-forwards with no extra context. And now we’re almost four months into the year, we’re still waiting for many of them to happen.

The teasers in January really hyped up a huge year for the village. And there are so many possible storylines and links that we’re yet to see.

From Caleb flat-lining to Mackenzie running through the forest, what Emmerdale flash-forwards haven’t yet happened? And what are all of the theories surrounding them?

Mackenzie running through woods in Emmerdale — Mackenzie is clearly scared (Credit: ITV)

Mackenzie running through the woods

This was definitely the vaguest Emmerdale flash-forward that we got. All we saw was a quick glimpse at Mackenzie running and that was it. But it was enough to believe he was running from something – or someone.

One of the biggest theories regarding this is that he was trying to get away from fan suspected serial killer John Sugden. Many people believe that at some point Matty is going to confide in Mack about Amy’s last word being ‘Nate’. Which will then lead to Mack finding out the truth – and immediately putting him in danger.

And with Charity and Vanessa fans convinced that Suzy’s recent death will lead to a reunion, if both of them lose the people they love this year, perhaps they will be pushed back into each others arms?

Caleb flat-lines in hospital — Is Caleb dead? (Credit: ITV)

Caleb flat-lining

Another shocking tease was that Caleb would find himself flat-lining in a hospital. It all looked extremely bad for him in the brief look we saw. And it hasn’t yet happened. But just how does he find himself in that situation? There are a few theories on this, from heart attacks to helping Joe.

One of the main theories is that Joe needs an organ transplant and Caleb will be his donor. Viewers know that Joe was the one who drugged Noah to get him tested. But something went wrong and he’s back to square one.

His only other blood relative in the village is Caleb, who is half Tate. And so many fans think when it inevitably comes out that Joe is ill, Caleb will step up and save his life. But if this happens then clearly something has gone terribly wrong on the operating table.

Another big theory is that all of the stress surrounding Anthony’s murder and Steph finding out will actually give Caleb a heart attack. He has been thrown in the deep end in recent months with the discovery that he’s not Steph’s biological dad. And so with everything piling up, could Caleb be set for a heart attack?

Cain crying at a grave in Emmerdale flash-forward — Who is in the grave? (Credit: ITV)

Cain at the mystery grave

In one of the other flash-forwards Cain was extremely emotional at a fresh grave. But there is no confirmation as to who had died. However, there are quite a few theories.

After Amy died in the ice stunt, everyone thought Cain was crying over her grave because of their son Kyle. But that never happened. But with the revelation that Nate’s body was under the ice, many suspect it’s his son’s grave he is crying at.

This would mean at some point the truth about Nate comes out. And somehow his body is found. The last time Cain saw Nate, they weren’t exactly seeing eye to eye. So, we can only imagine that when he discovers he is dead, there will be a lot of regret.

Of course, if Caleb’s flat-lining flash-forward results in him dying, he is another option. Cain and Caleb have had a frayed relationship ever since they came back into each other’s lives. And every time it looks like it’s improving, something goes wrong.

Or perhaps Moira’s brain tumour comes back and it’s her grave that Cain’s crying at. Or some other theories think Sarah’s death may be coming soon.

John looks annoyed Emmerdale — Fans think John pushed the body into the lake (Credit: ITV)

Who was in the body bag?

Another mystery that Emmerdale gave us at the start of the year was a character being thrown over the bridge into the lake in a body bag.

Immediately fans believed John was responsible for this no matter who had been murdered. And over time that theory has grown even more. But as for who was in the body bag – that’s still unknown.

Many thought it was going to be Anthony, but we have since discovered that John hid his body in the woods, meaning someone else is about to be murdered.

Another theory is that whenever we discover the truth about Nate, we will get a flash-back to accompany the reveal (Emmerdale loves a flash-back). So perhaps in reality, this flash-forward was actually a flash-back.

A hand trapped under the ice in Emmerdale (Credit: ITV) — It was Amy’s hand under the ice (Credit: ITV)

The hand in the ice

So far this is the only flash-forward that has actually aired on our screens. There was a hand banging under the ice, trying to get out.

Last month, Emmerdale aired a dramatic limo ice crash which took the lives of Suzy, Leyla and Amy. And it was poor Amy who found herself momentarily trapped underneath.

So as we are three months into the year and only one flash-forward has happened, it makes us question when exactly we will see the others. How much longer are Emmerdale going to make us wait?

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYHtZwSQdDY?si=vcMD-A37RlRk__2K]

Emmerdale usually airs weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV, with an early release at 7am on ITVX.

Classic Emmerdale usually airs weekdays at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm on ITV3.

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