| Sugden family | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emmerdale family | |||||
| First appearance | Episode 1 16 October 1972 | ||||
| Created by | Kevin Laffan | ||||
| Introduced by | Kevin Laffan | ||||
| Duration | 1972–present | ||||
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The Sugdens are a fictional family in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale. Introduced during the show's conception in 1972, they were the main family for storylines between the 1970s and 1980s and remained as such for many years. The families original unit consisted of widowed farmer Annie Sugden (Sheila Mercier), alongside her children Peggy Skilbeck (Jo Kendall), Jack Sugden (Andrew Burt and Clive Hornby) and Joe Sugden (Frazer Hines). Subsequently these characters went on to produce more generations of Sugdens.
The Sugden family are characterized as a hardworking bunch, but the family has struggled with various types of dramatic moments such as Peggy's death and the death's of the Skilbecks, Jack's affair with Rachel Hughes, Sarah Sugden's death, rivalry between Robert and Jack's adopted son Andy, Andy's abuse on his wife Jo Stiles, a house fire, Robert murdering Andy's ex-wife Katie Addyman as well as his homosexual affair with Aaron Dingle, Andy being framed for murder and going on the run, Jack's daughter Victoria's rape and Robert being sent to prison for murdering her rapist Lee Posner.
As of 2024, Jack's daughter, Victoria and her son Harry Sugden, remain the only two Sugdens by blood on the show. Additionally, Andy's daughter Sarah Sugden remains on the show but she is not a Sugden by blood. However, in August 2024 a relative named John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth) is due to join the series.[1]