When Dylan Penders vanished from Emmerdale after a painful and complicated departure, few expected his story was far from over. But now, in a stunning twist, he’s back—and his return is anything but quiet.

The last time viewers saw Dylan, he was spiraling into the depths of addiction. After forming a bond with April Windsor while they both struggled to survive on the streets, his appearance in the village stirred panic, especially in Marlon. The concerned father pulled every string he could to protect his daughter, even paying for Dylan’s rehab before urging him to leave for good. It was meant to be a final goodbye.

But Dylan’s comeback changes everything.

Fred Kettle, the actor behind the troubled youth, reveals that this time around, Dylan’s story is darker, more layered, and deeply conflicted. At the heart of his return are two powerful forces: love and manipulation.

Enter Ray, played by Joe Absolom. Dylan doesn’t stumble back into the village alone. He returns under the wing of Ray—a seemingly helpful figure who, behind his smile, harbors a dangerous agenda. Ray rescues Dylan from the clutches of addiction, guiding him out of the darkness with what appears to be a steady hand. But the hand that heals can also control.

As Dylan settles back into the village, the truth begins to surface: Ray is grooming him. There’s a subtle but sinister dynamic developing—a mentor, a protector… and a puppeteer. Ray’s ultimate goal? To use Dylan as part of a County Lines drug operation.

Fred Kettle explains the chilling contrast at the heart of Dylan’s current arc. On one hand, he’s clean, off the streets, and has someone who seemingly believes in him. But that guidance comes at a terrible cost. Ray is setting him up to distribute drugs. And Dylan knows it.

Still, the pull to return—to April, to the life he glimpsed but never truly had—remains powerful.

Their bond was forged under brutal conditions. When April ran away and ended up on the streets, it was Dylan who looked out for her. They became each other’s lifeline. And though they parted ways, Dylan never forgot her. She’s the one bright memory in a life defined by pain.

So when he comes back, it’s not just the village or even the drugs pulling him—it’s April. He’s desperate to reconnect. He wants her to see that he’s changed. That he’s trying. But reality is messy. Dylan’s involvement with Ray threatens everything. Can he win April’s trust while hiding the truth about what he’s been dragged into?

Amelia Flanagan, who plays April, is caught between past affection and current confusion. Dylan isn’t the same boy she once shared a squat with. He’s guarded now. Secretive. And danger seems to follow him like a shadow.

As Dylan’s two worlds collide—his loyalty to Ray versus his longing for April—the consequences could be explosive.

Fred Kettle embraces the complexity of the role. He hints that there are many directions this could take. Will Dylan fall fully into Ray’s criminal world? Will he betray the man who saved him to protect the girl he still cares for? Or will someone else—Marlon, April, even the law—discover the truth before it’s too late?

One thing is certain: Dylan’s journey is far from over. And the stars, as Fred puts it, “aligned” perfectly for this next chapter. Just two days after graduating from college, he was back on the Emmerdale set. The timing couldn’t have been better. Or more fateful.

The road ahead for Dylan is treacherous. He’s being used, but he’s also making choices. He wants to do better, but doing better isn’t always easy when your past still owns you—and your future depends on people who want to exploit you.

Will April be his anchor, or his undoing? And what will happen when Marlon finds out Dylan is once again in his daughter’s orbit?

Emmerdale is gearing up for a slow-burning, emotionally intense story of redemption, relapse, and revenge—and Dylan’s return could ignite it all.

So, what do you think—can Dylan really change? Or is he too far gone?