In a jaw-dropping twist, Emmerdale viewers will soon see Tom King’s manipulative behavior take a dangerous new turn as he enlists his young cousin, Angelica, in his’

schemes. After losing the support of his Uncle Jimmy and ex-girlfriend Amelia Spencer—his last remaining allies—Tom finds himself in a precarious position. Last week,

Tom was charged with coercive control and assault after damning evidence was uncovered on his tablet, and his attempt to flee the country only made matters worse. Now

behind bars for breaching his bail conditions, Tom is desperate to regain some support and turns to Angelica, who might just become his next unsuspecting accomplice.

Next week, viewers will witness Tom’s ruthless manipulation as he seizes the opportunity to gain sympathy from Angelica, who, feeling sorry for him, reaches out while he’s in prison. Tom plays on Angelica’s vulnerabilities, flattering her and feeding her lies about his estranged wife, Belle, blaming her for all his problems. Tom’s manipulative tactics hit a raw nerve with Angelica, who has faced her own struggles since her release from a secure children’s home, where she served time for her involvement in a car crash that led to Heath Hope’s tragic death. Feeling like an outsider in the village and searching for a sense of belonging, Angelica becomes an easy target for Tom’s cunning plan.

As Tom prepares for his first court hearing, he pleads not guilty, meaning his case will go to trial. From prison, he contacts Angelica, urging her to convince her father, Jimmy, to back him. Meanwhile, in December, Tom escalates his efforts by sending a letter to the King family, which Angelica eagerly tries to get Jimmy to read. Though Jimmy agrees to look at the letter, he quickly realizes it’s just another attempt by Tom to manipulate the family. Disillusioned, he crumples the letter, much to Angelica’s dismay. But she persists, urging her father to take action, and eventually, Jimmy agrees to visit Tom in prison.

When Jimmy arrives, Tom puts on a dramatic display, shedding fake tears and pleading for his father’s support. However, Jimmy isn’t fooled. He tells Tom that he’ll only support him if he does the right thing by pleading guilty. But Tom, stubborn as ever, refuses to take responsibility and continues to blame Belle for everything. Seeing that Tom will never change, Jimmy walks away, rejecting his son once again.

Despite the latest blow, Tom’s desperation continues to grow, and he realizes that Angelica may still be of use to him. He instructs his solicitor to give her a task, and Angelica, eager to prove her loyalty, complies. She agrees to host an online video in an effort to sway public opinion ahead of Tom’s trial. Will her actions help turn the tide in Tom’s favor, or will this new level of manipulation push her further down a dangerous path?

As the drama unfolds, it’s clear that Tom’s hold over Angelica could have serious consequences for both of them. While Tom’s web of lies and deceit grows ever more tangled, Angelica’s vulnerability makes her an unlikely but powerful ally in his quest for redemption. How far will she go to help him—and how much longer will it take for her to realize the truth about her cousin’s dark intentions? The coming weeks promise a gripping battle of wills, with Tom’s manipulation and Angelica’s growing involvement at the heart of the action.