Emmerdale Confirms Steve Marchant Return After 27 Years as Kim Tate’s Past Comes Back to Haunt Her
Paul Opacic returns to Emmerdale as Steve Marchant after 27 years, with Thea's father revealed and Kim Tate facing a dangerous reunion.
One of Emmerdale’s most notorious villains is heading back to the village, and Kim could be about to face the consequences of a betrayal she thought was buried in 1999.
Paul Opacic is officially returning as Steve Marchant, nearly 28 years after his character was sent to prison following a bitter showdown with his former wife.
The dramatic comeback follows confirmation that Steve is the biological father of DS Thea Ramsden, played by Chelsea Edge.
The revelation brings together three characters with a complicated history, and Steve’s arrival threatens the fragile relationship Kim and Thea have only just begun to rebuild.
The Father Mystery Is Finally Solved
In Monday 2 November’s episode, Kim finally reveals the identity of Thea’s father, telling her: “Your father is a man called Steve Marchant. We were married.”
The announcement confirms a theory viewers have been discussing for weeks. SoapLandTV recently examined Steve’s history with Kim and his possible connection to Thea’s birth in 1999, while viewers had already been questioning whether Steve could be her father.
Now those suspicions have been proved correct, and the detective is determined to find the man who has been missing from her life.
Kim’s Betrayal Comes Back to Haunt Her
Steve’s return is particularly significant because of the extraordinary circumstances surrounding his original departure. He married Kim in 1998, but their relationship deteriorated after a criminal scheme involving the theft of a valuable racehorse and an attack on Kathy Glover.
Kim ultimately abandoned Steve to face justice, escaping the village by helicopter in January 1999 while he was left facing a lengthy prison sentence.
Their reunion is therefore unlikely to be a happy one, particularly when Steve discovers that Kim may have another secret to explain.
Thea Sets a Trap for Her Father
Rather than approaching Steve as his daughter, Thea initially pretends to be a solicitor, hoping to arrange a meeting without revealing her true identity.
Paul Opacic explains: “Things were left rather bitter between Kim and Steve, so he’s very surprised when a solicitor contacts him out of the blue.”
Steve quickly becomes suspicious when Kim attempts to keep him away with offers of money, but the possibility of a financial opportunity catches his attention. An unexpected voicemail from Thea then leaves him facing a revelation he could never have anticipated.
Producer Laura Shaw has also raised the possibility that Steve could be hiding information of his own, questioning whether he already knows about Thea or possesses secrets even Kim has never discovered.
The return comes just days after Kim and Thea finally confronted their painful history, following the shocking stabbing at Home Farm.
With Thea seeking answers and Steve potentially looking for revenge or another financial opportunity, Kim may discover that bringing her former husband back into their lives is far more dangerous than keeping him away.
Emmerdale continues on ITV1 and STV, with episodes available from 7am on ITVX, STV Player and YouTube. Image credit: ITV.
