ITV Emmerdale star 'quits' while on maternity leave just two years after soap debut

Lauren Williams
Fri, 17 Apr 2026 10:02:26 +0000

Georgia Jay has departed the ITV soap Emmerdale following a stint of less than two years, opting not to resume her role after maternity leave.

The actress, who portrayed Steph Miligan, the estranged daughter of Ruby and Caleb, has been absent from screens since last summer when her character left the village to go travelling.

Ms Jay welcomed her first child, a daughter named Nora, and has now made the decision to step away from the long-running programme to concentrate on family life.

The demanding nature of soap production schedules, with their lengthy filming hours, is understood to have influenced her choice to leave the part behind for the foreseeable future.

Her exit marks another significant cast change for the Yorkshire-based drama.

A source told The Sun: "Georgia loved her time at Emmerdale but she has no plans to return now. She's loving being a mum and that's her focus for now."

The insider added: "Obviously she's open to opportunities but returning to a full-on soap schedule full-time is just not something she can do at the moment."

While the door remains open for a potential comeback in years to come, the actress is currently prioritising her new role as a mother over her television career.

Ms Jay recently celebrated her first Mother's Day, sharing a touching photograph on social media with the caption: "First Mother's Day and my heart is already so full. Loving you is my favourite role yet."

During her time on the programme, Steph found herself at the centre of some of Emmerdale's most harrowing plotlines.

The character was rocked by the devastating revelation that she had been conceived when Ruby's own father sexually assaulted her as a child.

This traumatic discovery shattered Steph, but further heartbreak followed when she learned that her mother had been responsible for killing the same grandfather.

Caught in a web of family secrets, lies and a murder cover-up, the character was pushed to breaking point by the relentless turmoil.

Unable to cope with the constant revelations about her family's dark past, Steph ultimately chose to flee the village and embark on travels abroad, a storyline that had seemingly set up her eventual return.

Viewers expressed their disappointment upon learning of Ms Jay's departure from the soap.

One fan wrote on social media: "The wonderful Georgia Jay has quit and will not be returning after her maternity leave :( absolutely devastated but so thankful for everything Steph Miligan and Georgia gave us."

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Another commented: "Oh NO?!!! loved her character!" whilst a third responded: "This is how I find out?"

Ms Jay's exit comes amid a period of significant upheaval for the long-running serial drama.

Reports emerged last month that Olivia Bromley, who has played Dawn Taylor since joining in 2018, has also been written out of the programme after eight years.

Sources suggest producers felt they had exhausted storyline possibilities for the character, with her departure expected to air later this year as part of wider network cost-cutting measures.