ITV/Comp Emmerdale Insider Share By Carena Crawford Oct 17 2025 By Carena Crawford Oct 17 2025 3 key reasons tonight's Emmerdale was 'spectacular' as fans heap praise 'Hats off' to Amelia Flanagan and Olivia Bromley Amelia Flanagan April Windsor Dawn Fletcher Olivia Bromley Share By Carena Crawford Oct 17 2025 By Carena Crawford Oct 17 2025 Emmerdale fans are raving about tonight’s Emmerdale (Friday October 17) after a special episode saw Dawn and April’s intertwined lives explored. April faced a terrifying ordeal as she was trapped in a room with sleezy Tim, who wanted more from her than just drugs. It became clear Ray and Celia were trying to sell her for sex and she desperately tried to get away. Meanwhile, Dawn recounted her own story of her life as a sex worker and drug addict. The parallels to April’s current sitution were scary – and the episode was a hit. Despite recent complaints that the soap is just too dark, in fact, tonight’s episode proves that when it does misery and darkness well, Emmerdale is unstoppable. Here’s why. The special episode was great (Credit: ITV) The performances of Amelia Flanagan and Olivia Bromley in Emmerdale tonight Storylines can be great, the writing can be excellent, but they’re really nothing without the actors playing them and saying the words. And tonight Amelia Flanagan (April) and Olivia Bromley (Dawn) really drew us in. article continues below Read all the latest spoilers Everything April was feeling was written all over her face. Her words were delivered perfectly and we really felt her terror. And everything Dawn had been through, told in such an understated manner, hit home hard. Fans agreed: “Amelia Flanagan is so talented I’m so proud of her,” wrote on on social media. Another added: “Just watched tonight’s Emmerdale! Powerful scenes tonight from Amelia Flanagan and Olivia Bromley.” A third then said: “Wow today’s special episode was incredible. Olivia Bromley and Amelia Flanagan deserve awards.” “That episode really tugged on the heartstrings, amazing performances from Amelia and Olivia,” agreed a fourth. Dawn talked to Joe while we watched April struggle (Credit: ITV) The format Emmerdale can often get a bad rap for doing constant ‘format-breaking’ episodes. But this one worked. It didn’t play about with things too much, but it did bring everything together to deliver a powerful story. Dawn’s monologue voiceover as we watched April’s situation playing out was really impactful. And the use of music as the introductory scene also gave it a fresh feeling. “Spectacular bit of emmerdale today,” shared someone on social media. “Dawn’s story being told as a voiceover whilst seeing the situation April had found herself in playing out was SO good. Hats off to all involved.” Another added: “Tonight’s episode was very good. Everyone did an amazing job!! Dawn and Joe’s conversation playing with what is happening to April was fantastic.” Emmerdale tonight was uncomfortable, but important (Credit: ITV) Emmerdale tonight created a conversation If there’s one thing soap’s do well it’s create talking points. Okay, sometimes it’s about a man stealing his half-brother’s kidney, not so realistic. But a lot of the time it’s for the good. And this was the latter. As one parent put it on X: “As a mum of a 16 year old, does today’s episode create a conversation? Yes absolutely…Talk to your kids, not at them.” And Dawn’s final words that help is out there if you just know how to ask could well have helped someone struggling. Read more: Who’s leaving Emmerdale? All the cast exits, arrivals and returns Share Good to Know Share By Carena Crawford Oct 17 2025 By Carena Crawford Oct 17 2025 Previous Story Next Story
