List of Emmerdale characters introduced in 2023

Faye Helders, played by Jane Gurnett, first appeared on 29 January 2023 as a love interest for Mary Goskirk, whom she initially goes on a date with and the pair agree to see each other again. However, as time goes by, it transpires that Faye is trying to scam Mary and other villagers by setting up fundraisers for a charity she has made up. When Mary finds this out, Faye attacks her and leaves her unconscious, to later be found by ex-son-in-law Gus Malcolms, and departs on 2 May 2023.

Digital Spy announced on 4 July 2023 that Faye would be returning to the soap, and Gurnett returned on-screen on 17 July 2023. She appears to be homeless, but this also turns out not to be true. She then blackmails Mary with a nude photo of her, she but manages to have Faye arrested. However, Faye sends the photo to all of Mary's contacts. Gurnett made her final appearance as Faye on 19 July 2023.

Laura-Jayne Tyler from ''Inside Soap'' praised Faye, writing, "Forget ''Emmerdale'' serial killers of legend: Jane Gurnett's ability to turn on a sixpence from teary tea leaf to ruthless con woman is genuinely terrifying, and makes Faye easily one of the best Dales villains we've seen in years. Village bosses need to dig deep and find a reason to keep her around for good. She's just too damned watchable to be festering in jail!" Provided by Wikipedia