Is Thea turning into Emmerdale’s next Kim?

Thea has struggled to win over some Emmerdale viewers since arriving in the village, but that appears to be changing now fans are seeing a much more ruthless side of Kim’s daughter.

Her latest confrontation with Sarah this week has particularly caught viewers’ attention, with fans comparing Thea’s cold warning and intimidating stare directly with Kim Tate.

What did Thea actually do to Sarah?

Sarah discovered that Thea and Serena were secretly working together and threatened to expose them unless they helped Charity, who had taken responsibility for Dr Todd’s death after Sarah pushed her.

Thea risked her police career by accessing Charity’s recorded interview and deliberately corrupting the file, removing crucial evidence that helped secure Charity’s release.

However, Thea was not prepared to let Sarah believe she had won. Confronting her in the shop, she reminded Sarah, “I put my neck on the line,” before demanding a favour in return.

Despite Sarah apologising, Thea warned that she would collect the favour when the time came, “regardless of the cost.”

Her chilling final words, “Because you owe me,” showed just how ruthless she could be, giving viewers another reason to compare her with Kim Tate. 

Fans are seeing Kim in her daughter

Kim has spent decades as one of Emmerdale’s most formidable characters. She rarely needs to shout to make somebody uncomfortable and is known for calculated power plays, using information as leverage and allowing other people to realise for themselves exactly how much trouble they are in.

One fan said: “She is definitely becoming like a mini version of Kim Tate.” They specifically picked out the way Thea stared at Sarah during the confrontation as the moment they realised she had inherited her mother’s ruthless streak.

Another viewer summed it up as: “Thea is 100% Tate with that last exchange,” describing her as Kim without the same years of life experience.

A third wrote: “That threat and the cold hard stare. Seems you’re a chip off the old block after all, Thea. Like mother like daughter.”

Are viewers finally warming to Thea?

Perhaps more interestingly, becoming more like Kim appears to be making Thea more popular with some viewers.

One fan admitted: “I never liked her until she became truly ruthless tonight.” Another said they “personally loved that scene” between Thea and Sarah, particularly because Sarah finally found herself facing consequences after putting Thea’s career in jeopardy.

Thea originally came to the village carrying years of anger towards the mother who gave her up. Yet the more she attempts to distance herself from Kim, the more viewers are beginning to notice the qualities they share.

Emmerdale streams from 7am on ITVX and airs on ITV1.

Image credit: ITV