Emmerdale is a British soap opera first broadcast on 16 October 1972. The following is a list of characters that first appeared in 2017, by order of first appearance. Gerry Roberts (Shaun Thomas) became the first character to be introduced in the beginning of January as the friend of Lachlan White (Thomas Atkinson). Maggie, (Philippa Howell), Ethan (Michael Warrender) and Jason (Samuel Edward-Cook) then made their debuts in February. Nell Fairfax (Scarlett Archer) was introduced in March as a friend of Jai Sharma's (Chris Bisson), while Matt (Jack Hickey) arrived in May as the ex-boyfriend of Carly Hope (Gemma Atkinson). Tim Richards (Mark Moraghan) arrived in July as the uncle of Chrissie White (Louise Marwood). In September, Graham Foster (Andrew Scarborough) was introduced as the father figure of Joe Tate (Ned Porteous). October saw the birth of Isaac Dingle. Jessie Grant (Sandra Marvin), Sebastian White (Lily Westmoreland) and Dee Dee (Mia Gibson-Reed) all made their first appearances in November. Additionally, multiple other characters appeared throughout the year.
Gerry Roberts
Gerry Roberts, played by Shaun Thomas, made his first screen appearance on 5 January 2017. He is introduced as the cell-mate of established character Lachlan White (Thomas Atkinson). Gerry's death won the accolade for "Most Devastating Soap Death" at the 2018 Digital Spy Reader Awards.
Gerry first appears as the cell-mate of Lachlan. He gives Lachlan a black-eye, which makes Lachlan's mother, Chrissie (Louise Marwood), feel sorry for her son, so she gives Lachlan a Porsche when he is released, to make him feel better. When Lachlan visits Gerry in prison, he thanks Gerry, as Chrissie will give Lachlan anything as she feels sorry for him.
When he is released, Gerry turns up at Home Farm. After making up a story to Chrissie, saying that his family are either in prison or in rehab, she agrees to let him stay at Home Farm for a few days. After Lachlan tells him about his virginity, Gerry arranges for him to have sex with a prostitute, for experience for when he sleeps with his girlfriend, Belle Dingle (Eden Taylor-Draper). However, Lachlan refuses to go through with the plan.
Doug Potts (Duncan Preston) lets Gerry move into the B&B for a while. However, after an incident with Gerry handling illegal fireworks on Bonfire Night, Doug throws Gerry out. Gerry then starts to sneak into the B&B regularly, but is caught eating Doug's food in a covered corner. Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller) agrees to let Gerry stay at Mill Cottage, after being persuaded to by Aaron's sister and Gerry's good friend, Liv Flaherty (Isobel Steele). Gerry eventually finds out that Lachlan caused the car crash that killed Chrissie and Lawrence. Although he swears to keep the secret, Lachlan grows paranoid and fears that Gerry cannot be trusted, and as a result, Lachlan murders him in the B&B while repairs are underway.
Maggie
Maggie, played by Philippa Howell, made her first appearance on 10 February 2017. Howell was contracted for eight episodes as dementia patient Maggie. The character was among Howell's first roles since she returned to acting after 20 years as an actors' agent.
Maggie resides at Turnfield Court Care Home, where is suffering from dementia. She befriends the newly arrived Ashley Thomas (John Middleton). Ashley's wife Laurel Thomas (Charlotte Bellamy) meets Maggie outside Ashley's room, and Maggie asks her how her hair looks. Laurel initially mistakes Maggie for a visitor. Laurel later sees Ashley and Maggie talking and laughing together, and she and her stepdaughter Gabby Thomas (Rosie Bentham) decide to leave them alone. When Laurel brings a picnic for Ashley, she realises that Ashley is more interested in spending time with Maggie. She also notices them holding hands. Ashley gives Maggie his wedding ring, and when Laurel tries to get it back, Maggie slaps her. Ashley later kisses Maggie in front of Laurel, Gabby and Arthur Thomas (Alfie Clarke). Laurel asks that Ashley and Maggie are kept apart, but when she learns that Ashley is hiding food in his pockets for Maggie, she relents. Laurel prepares a meal for Ashley and Maggie, but becomes upset when they start holding hands and she leaves. Ashley later leaves the care home and dies at home.
Ethan
Ethan, played by Michael Warrender, made his first appearance on 23 February 2017. Warrender auditioned for the role at the end of 2016 and learned he had secured the part shortly before Christmas. He commented, "My agent called and said the director loved me and wanted to give me the role. I couldn't believe it, I was just so shocked. It was a brilliant Christmas present." Warrender began filming in January 2017 and Emmerdale marked his first role. Ethan is Aaron Dingle's (Danny Miller) cellmate.
Aaron meets Ethan in their cell and Ethan threatens him, before revealing that he is joking. Ethan asks Aaron for photos of his girlfriend, but Aaron does not have any, so Ethan gives him a page of his calendar. Ethan introduces Aaron to fellow inmate Jason (Samuel Edward-Cook). Aaron tries to defend another prisoner when Jason begins shouting homophobic abuse at him. Ethan questions Aaron, and Aaron tells him that his brother is gay. Ethan admits that he does not like the homophobic abuse either, as his best friend is a lesbian, but things are different behind bars. A week later, Jason reveals Aaron is gay and Ethan begins acting hostile towards him. After Aaron is beaten up by Jason, Ethan offers Aaron some spice. Aaron asks Ethan to get him some more in time for his visit later, but Ethan tells him he cannot. He also reveals that Jason is the only dealer on the wing. Aaron agrees to sell drugs for Jason, against Ethan's warnings that his appeal will be in jeopardy if he is caught.
Jason
Jason, played by Samuel Edward-Cook, made his first appearance on 23 February 2017. Jason is an inmate at HMP Hotten, who subjects Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller) to homophobic abuse. Edward-Cook accepted the role as he knew it would be challenging. He said, "it wasn't too daunting or out of my comfort zone as characters like Jason are attractive because they're so removed from me as a person. It was a really exciting opportunity." The actor was aware that his character was going to be hated, and found support from the cast and crew during his "heavier scenes" where Jason was violent and homophobic. Edward-Cook called Jason a "twisted, angry young man" and thought it was left to the viewers to guess the reason why. However, he added that if Jason returned, it would be good to explore his backstory. Lindsay branded Jason a "vicious top dog" and "an unsavoury character who has certainly stirred up a reaction among fans."
Jason meets Aaron Dingle on his first day at HMP Hotten. Jason is impressed that Aaron belongs to the Dingle family and asks about his uncle Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley). Jason targets a gay inmate and shouts homophobic abuse at him, but Aaron stands up for him. Jason realises Aaron is gay after seeing him with his boyfriend Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) during visiting hours. Jason later makes a comment to Aaron's mother Chas Dingle (Lucy Pargeter) about her son being gay, and Chas warns him to stay away from Aaron. Jason and Aaron fight, and he later learns that Aaron is the son of former inmate Gordon Livesy (Gary Mavers). Jason taunts Aaron, who punches him. Jason and his gang attack Aaron in his cell later that day. Jason also throws Aaron into the cell where Gordon hung himself. Aaron later asks Jason for some spice, and Jason agrees to give him some if Aaron delivers drugs to other inmates.
Nell Fairfax
Nell Fairfax, played by Scarlett Archer, made her first screen appearance on 30 March 2017. Archer was a fan of the show before she was cast as Nell. She found the filming schedule to be "quite terrifying". She said she enjoyed playing Nell, adding "It's always fun to play someone who is quite different from you in real life, and Nell is very much that. I'm much more grounded and more confident than her!" Nell was introduced as a new friend for Jai Sharma (Chris Bisson). When Jai meets Nell at Narcotics Anonymous. She reminds him of his deceased girlfriend Holly Barton (Sophie Powles) and becomes determined to help her. It was announced on 9 July 2017 that the character would be departing the serial at the conclusion of her storyline. Nell's departure comes "as a blow" for Jai, with Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy predicting the departure would feature "more of the same" drama that Nell had featured in prior to her departure. Producers chose to not disclose details of Nell's departure at the time of its announcement. Nell departed during the episode broadcast on 12 September 2017.
Matt
Matt, played by Jack Hickey, made his first appearance on 12 May 2017. The character and casting details were announced on 9 May. Matt is the former boyfriend of Carly Hope (Gemma Atkinson), and the father of her son, Billy, who died shortly after he was born. Matt departed the village with Carly on 2 June 2017.
Matt comes to the village to ask Carly why she did not inform him about Billy's death at the time. Speaking to an Irish Daily Star reporter, Hickey called the storyline "a heartbreaking one" and said, "Matt is a grieving dad, and he and Carly have a complicated and dark history. And it's safe to say he comes back to confront her on several levels." Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy also hinted that another resident would "have their eye on Matt".
In May 2017, Carly sees a photo of Matt on social media and sends him a message. Matt pitches up in Emmerdale and books into the B&B. He comes face to face with Carly and confronts her about not telling him their son was dead. He explains how he felt guilty for grieving the son he did not know. Carly's boyfriend Marlon Dingle walks in and, upon seeing how distressed Carly is, tries to throw out Matt, but Matt punches him.
Tim Richards
Tim Richards, played by Mark Moraghan, made his first appearance on 5 July 2017. The character and Moraghan's casting were announced on 13 June. Tim is Chrissie White's (Louise Marwood) biological uncle. Tim sends Chrissie a letter telling her that her adoptive father Lawrence White (John Bowe) has been deceiving her regarding the fate of her biological father, John. Lawrence reads the letter and pays Tim a visit warning him to stay away from his family. Tim, wanting to meet Chrissie as she is the only family he has left, initially refuses, but reluctantly agrees to stay away when Lawrence has him beaten up. Lawrence pays him money to stay away and then leaves.
Graham Foster
Graham Foster, played by Andrew Scarborough, made his first appearance on 5 September 2017. Graham Foster is Joe Tate's (Ned Porteous) father figure and legal guardian. Scarborough's initial exit from the serial was announced on 3 November 2019, with the actor filming his final scenes within the coming weeks. Graham exited on 27 January 2020 after he was apparently killed off by Pierce Harris (Jonathan Wrather). Grantham returned to the role six years later when it turns out that Graham had survived.