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Charley Webb is continuing her acting career in television and theatre after leaving Emmerdale.
Her next announced television appearance is as Leah Kirkman in Adultery, ITV’s six-part drama starring Dominic Cooper and Romola Garai, which is due to launch in October 2026.
Earlier this year, she played Abigail in The Ladies Football Club at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre. Away from acting, she has spoken about co-parenting her three sons, the loss of her mother and her experiences of ADHD and overstimulation.
For viewers who remember her as Debbie Dingle, the latest update is a new screen role alongside an increasingly varied list of credits.
There is no announced Emmerdale comeback, and her recent comments explain why returning to a demanding soap schedule is not currently part of her plans.
What Is Charley Webb Doing Now in 2026?
As of 30 September 2026, Webb’s next announced screen appearance is in Adultery. ITV’s cast announcement confirms that she plays Leah Kirkman, while September’s first-look coverage places the launch in October.
Her Sheffield theatre engagement ran from 28 February to 28 March 2026 and has finished.
Her recent work therefore includes both a completed stage production and a forthcoming television drama, giving audiences different opportunities to see her beyond the role of Debbie Dingle.
The main updates are:
- Adultery: Her next announced television project, with an October 2026 launch window.
- The Ladies Football Club: Her Sheffield stage engagement earlier in 2026.
- Family life: Co-parenting, bereavement and support from close friends.
What Is Charley Webb’s Next TV Project in Late 2026?
Webb appears in Adultery, a drama created and written by BAFTA-winning writer Danny Brocklehurst, whose credits include Fool Me Once and Brassic. Poison Pen Studios has produced the series for ITV and STV. It consists of six hour-long episodes.
Leah Kirkman and the Ensemble Cast
Webb plays Leah Kirkman, the sister-in-law of Dominic Cooper’s character, Tom Kirkman. James Murray plays Paul Kirkman, Tom’s brother.
Cooper and Romola Garai lead the drama as Tom and Beth Brookes, two adults whose attraction threatens their existing family lives.
Shelley Conn plays Tom’s wife, Hannah, while Matthew McNulty plays Beth’s husband, Neil. Their families are already connected through the relationship between Tom’s daughter, Jess, and Beth’s son, Ollie.
The story explores the consequences of the adults’ affair, with grief, class and social media among its themes. ITV’s official cast announcement confirms Webb’s involvement and her character’s connection to the Kirkman family.
Webb is part of the ensemble rather than one of the two lead performers, although the advance publicity does not yet explain Leah’s full storyline.
The September First Look and October Launch
On 28 September 2026, ITV unveiled the trailer and first-look images for Adultery. Radio Times’ first-look coverage confirmed the October launch and identified Webb among the cast, although its published gallery did not feature her character.
| Detail | Confirmed information |
| Series | Adultery |
| Webb’s role | Leah Kirkman |
| Lead performers | Dominic Cooper and Romola Garai |
| Writer and creator | Danny Brocklehurst |
| Format | Six episodes of approximately 60 minutes |
| First-look release | 28 September 2026 |
| Launch window | October 2026 |
| UK broadcast and streaming | ITV1 and ITVX; STV and STV Player |
Launch coverage also confirms streaming on ITVX and STV Player. The first-look announcement establishes October as the launch window, without giving an exact premiere day.
What Was Charley Webb’s Stage Role Earlier in 2026?
Webb played Abigail in The Ladies Football Club at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.
Written by Stefano Massini and adapted by Tim Firth, the production ran from 28 February to 28 March 2026 under director Elizabeth Newman, with movement by Frantic Assembly’s Scott Graham.
The play follows women working in Sheffield’s munitions factories during the First World War. Football begins as an activity during their breaks and becomes a source of teamwork and independence.
The story places their sporting ambitions alongside the restrictions imposed on women at the time.
Sheffield Theatres’ production information lists Webb as Abigail in an ensemble cast that also included Ellie Leach, Clair Norris and Cara Theobold.
The engagement continued the stage work she began with the 2023 tour of Quiz. Together, the productions show that theatre has become a recurring part of her work since Emmerdale.
What Has Charley Webb Done Since Leaving Emmerdale?
Webb has taken television roles with the BBC, ITV and Channel 5, alongside theatre work. The timeline below distinguishes television appearances from live productions and includes the forthcoming Adultery broadcast.
| Year | Production | Role | Format or platform |
| 2002–2021 | Emmerdale | Debbie Dingle | ITV soap |
| 2023 | Better | Elise | BBC television drama |
| 2023 | The Long Shadow | WPC Anna Lawson | ITV television drama |
| 2023 | Quiz | Diana Ingram | Stage production and UK tour |
| 2024 | McDonald & Dodds | Hilary McLean | ITV television drama |
| 2024 | Ellis | Abbie Summerfield | Channel 5 television drama |
| 2026 | The Ladies Football Club | Abigail | Crucible Theatre, Sheffield |
| 2026, upcoming | Adultery | Leah Kirkman | ITV1 and ITVX |
Her United Agents profile lists her television and stage credits. For Ellis, contemporary episode-three cast coverage names her character as Abbie Summerfield, although the agency’s CV uses Abbie Peterson.
In Quiz, Webb played Diana Ingram opposite Lewis Reeves as Charles Ingram, with Rory Bremner as Chris Tarrant.
The production’s official information identifies it as the 2023 UK tour and Webb’s first professional stage role. It is distinct from ITV’s earlier television adaptation of James Graham’s play.
These credits explain why Webb may appear less regularly on screen than she did in Emmerdale. Guest roles, limited dramas and theatre runs have different schedules from a continuing soap, while allowing her to play several characters.
Why Did Charley Webb Leave Emmerdale?
Webb’s last on-screen appearances as Debbie Dingle were in 2021, ending a period of approximately 19 years associated with the role. Her departure followed maternity leave after the birth of her youngest son, Ace, and a brief return to complete a storyline.
In her June 2026 podcast appearance, she addressed speculation about her exit and rejected the suggestion that a salary dispute had caused it.
Reports of the interview also recorded her explanation that the workload involved in Emmerdale, alongside raising three children, made a return unsuitable at that point.
Leaving the soap did not mean leaving television. Her subsequent roles have allowed her to continue screen acting alongside theatre, while her comments about Emmerdale centre on its workload and her family circumstances.
Is Debbie Dingle Returning to Emmerdale?
There is no confirmed return for Charley Webb as Debbie Dingle as of 30 September 2026. Both the character’s off-screen circumstances and Webb’s recent comments make an imminent comeback unlikely.
The storyline revealed that Debbie had moved from Scotland to Australia and secretly married her partner, Chris. This development was reported on 22 May 2025, rather than first appearing in early 2026.
TV Guide’s account of the episode explained that Sarah learned of the marriage and relocation, with Charity and Cain subsequently discussing Debbie’s wish for a fresh start.
During her June 2026 interview on Live, Laugh, Luke, Webb said there were no plans for her to return. Coverage of the interview reported that she referred to the demands of the programme and having three children, while leaving a future change of mind possible.
Debbie remains alive in the storyline, so a return is technically possible. However, that does not mean one is planned. The current position is that the character lives in Australia and Webb is working on other projects.
What Is Known About Charley Webb’s Personal Life in 2026?
Webb and fellow actor Matthew Wolfenden announced their separation in November 2023, having married in 2018. They share three sons, Buster, Bowie and Ace. Their family life continues through co-parenting while both pursue acting work.
Co-Parenting After the Separation
In a July 2026 interview with The Sun, Wolfenden reflected on a “very, very tough” separation.
He said they usually alternate weeks with the children, but help each other when needed. He also acknowledged support from his parents and partner, Heather Scott-Martin. His account described a more settled routine following the difficult breakup.
Support From Sheridan Smith and Family Bereavement
Sheridan Smith has been a close source of support. Reports say Webb stayed with Smith after leaving her marital home and that the friends acquired a Pomeranian together.
Changes to living arrangements after separation are another practical part of adjusting to a breakup, alongside establishing a workable parenting routine.
In June 2026, Webb spoke about how much time they spend together and how comfortable they are sharing quiet moments as well as conversation.
Reports describe a close bond and a previous shared living arrangement, although Webb’s precise current living arrangements have not been publicly confirmed.
Webb also announced the death of her mother, Helen, in March 2026 following a long illness with Alzheimer’s disease. Contemporary coverage of her tribute recorded messages of support from former Emmerdale colleagues.
She later discussed grief on her podcast appearance, giving some personal context to a year that also included new acting work.
What Has Charley Webb Said About ADHD and Autism?
Webb has spoken publicly about ADHD, possible autism and the difficulty of becoming overstimulated. Her earlier comments described an assessment process rather than an unqualified announcement of two completed diagnoses.
In November 2025, she told the Girls Next Door podcast that she was in the initial stages of investigating ADHD and autism and did not yet want to confirm the outcome.
Reporting of that interview also described her sensitivity to loud noise and busy environments, which she said could quickly become overwhelming.
On 18 June 2026, she appeared on Live, Laugh, Luke with Luke Hamnett. The official podcast episode description confirms discussion of ADHD, overstimulation, co-parenting and grief. It also mentions her concern that others can initially perceive her as cold.
The podcast’s correct title is Live, Laugh, Luke, rather than Love, Laugh, Luke. Its description supports discussion of her experiences, but does not itself confirm a completed dual diagnosis of ADHD and autism.
Has Charley Webb Confirmed a New Relationship in 2026?
Webb attracted relationship speculation after sharing a summer photo collection that included a bouquet of red roses.
The Sun reported the post on 15 September 2026, noting that she had not identified who sent the flowers.
The image prompted suggestions of a romance, but it did not identify a partner or confirm a relationship. Her friendship with Sheridan Smith and comments about attraction also do not establish a romantic partnership between them.
A platonic relationship can include emotional closeness, companionship and support, so those qualities alone should not be treated as confirmation of a romance.
As of this update, there is no publicly confirmed new partner in the reports discussed here.
Conclusion
Charley Webb’s next announced screen role is Leah Kirkman in Adultery, due to launch in October 2026. It follows her completed run in The Ladies Football Club and several television appearances since leaving Emmerdale.
Her personal updates include a settled co-parenting routine, friendship with Sheridan Smith and conversations about grief and overstimulation. An Emmerdale return remains unannounced, while the relationship rumours remain speculation.
FAQs
What is Charley Webb’s latest television role?
She plays Leah Kirkman in Adultery, the forthcoming six-part ITV drama led by Dominic Cooper and Romola Garai.
When does Adultery start?
The announced launch window is October 2026. The first-look trailer and images were released on 28 September.
Where can viewers watch Adultery?
The series is due on ITV1 and ITVX, with STV and STV Player also carrying it.
Who did Charley Webb play in Ellis?
She appeared as Abbie Summerfield in episode three of the Channel 5 drama in 2024; her agency CV uses the name Abbie Peterson.
Was Charley Webb in the television version of Quiz?
Her credited Quiz role was Diana Ingram in the 2023 stage production and UK tour.
Is Charley Webb still performing in The Ladies Football Club?
Her Sheffield run as Abigail took place from 28 February to 28 March 2026 and has finished.
How many children does Charley Webb have?
She has three sons, Buster, Bowie and Ace, whom she co-parents with Matthew Wolfenden.
Is Debbie Dingle coming back to Emmerdale?
There is no confirmed comeback. Debbie lives in Australia in the storyline, and Webb said in June 2026 that she had no current return plans.
