A dark new plotline takes shape on Emmerdale as Tom King begins to manipulate his vulnerable young cousin, Angelica, in a chilling bid to

further his own agenda. The latest spoilers for the ITVX streaming service reveal a sinister turn of events, which takes place in the December

3 episode, available now to stream but not yet airing on ITV1.

Tom, ever the schemer, is desperately trying to regain control after his world has come crashing down. Having lost the trust and support of his Uncle Jimmy and his ex-girlfriend, Amelia Spencer, following his recent downfall, Tom is left isolated. His failed attempt to flee the country after being charged with coercive control and assault has left him stuck in prison, awaiting trial for his abusive actions toward his wife, Belle. With his back against the wall, Tom is now plotting his defense strategy, and he’s about to turn to Angelica for help.

In this tense episode, Tom is shocked to discover that Angelica has taken a step that could give him a chance to manipulate her. She secretly added her name and Jimmy’s phone number to Tom’s list of contacts, a move that allows her a direct line to him while he’s locked away in prison. With her loyalty seemingly intact, Tom realizes that Angelica’s vulnerability could be an opportunity he can exploit. This revelation sets the stage for his next move as he begins to view her as a pawn in his game.

During their conversation, Angelica quizzes Tom about the accusations of abuse and coercion that have been leveled against him. As expected, Tom vehemently denies everything, insisting that Belle is simply “confused” and overreacting. In his typical manipulative style, he downplays the severity of his actions and subtly tries to plant seeds of doubt in Angelica’s mind. When Angelica brings up a specific moment she remembers, where Belle was acting strangely, Tom spins it as though he had been the real victim. He tells her, “See, I don’t even have to tell you—you’ve seen it firsthand. You’re smarter than the lot of us. That’s what I was dealing with day in, day out.”

Angelica, flattered by his praise, is momentarily swayed, but her conversation is cut short when Jimmy and Nicola return home, forcing her to end the call. This brief interaction, however, speaks volumes about the psychological hold Tom is attempting to place on Angelica.

At this point, Angelica is in a fragile state. After returning to the village from her time in a secure children’s home, where she served an 8-month sentence for her involvement in Heath H’s death, she’s struggling to fit in with her family. Her guilt and sense of alienation are compounded by the fact that she now feels out of place among the very people she once considered family. Vulnerable and uncertain, Angelica’s need for belonging makes her an easy target for Tom’s manipulations.

The big question now is whether Angelica, still reeling from her own past mistakes, will fall further under Tom’s influence. Will she continue to focus her energy on supporting him, or will the mounting pressure of her own troubled past force her to break free from his grasp? As Tom schemes behind bars, viewers can expect the tension to build, with Angelica caught in a web of deceit that could have dangerous consequences for both her and her family.

Emmerdale fans should prepare for an emotional rollercoaster as Tom’s manipulation of Angelica intensifies. Will she remain loyal to him, or will she begin to see through his deceitful tactics? This gripping storyline promises to keep audiences on the edge of their seats, wondering just how far Tom is willing to go to regain control—and how much damage he will cause in the process.