The sly and enigmatic Joe Tate has hit rock bottom in Emmerdale, caught in the grip of a mysterious ailment, but he’s hatched another cunning plan to save his own life. Ned Porteous, the actor behind the notorious character since 2017, has spilled the beans on Joe’s desperate ploys. Speaking about Joe’s dire straits, Ned reveals, “He’s pretty ill,” emphasizing the severity by noting, “He’s not in a good place at all. He needs a kidney that is related to him, which gives him the best chance of the operation working.” In ITV’s beloved soap, Joe’s health takes a nosedive as he frenetically scrambles for a solution. His initial bet was on Noah, but after learning his half-brother wasn’t a viable donor, Joe’s search led him astray. That’s when Caleb Miligan (Will Ash), the hidden son of Frank Tate and thus Joe’s half-uncle, enters Joe’s crosshairs. With Caleb unwittingly targeted for his kidney, Joe teeters on the edge of a risky precipice. Yet, despite tossing himself into a maelstrom that could spell disaster, Ned argues that Joe isn’t driven by malice. Contemplating Joe’s complicated psyche, Ned contends, “Joe isn’t a psychopath,” elaborating with a hint of empathy, “He would care if something bad happened, but he would also put his own life before Caleb’s. He’s willing to accept the consequences of a worst-case scenario.” Joe’s done waiting in line; he can’t stand the idly by approach. Putting it bluntly, Ned reflects: “Sometimes, you have to wait to get what you want. There are lots of people on transplant lists,” and then remarks on Joe’s impatience: “Joe assumes that his life is more important than others. He’s not going to wait the amount of time sometimes necessary to get a kidney.”
Joe Tate has been keeping everyone in Emmerdale at arm’s length, away from his mysterious suitcase
The villainous character is suffering from a mysterious illness and he’s desperate for a solution
After six enigmatic years, Joe has re-emerged in Emmerdale, stirring up all kinds of drama. Thought dead by village folk in 2019, with Cain Dingle owning up to his supposed murder, Debbie Dingle was left bereft, mourning her heart’s counterpart. But Joe turned up very much alive, caught red-handed lifting funds from step-grandma Kim Tate on Monte Carlo CCTV. However frosty Joe’s return has been, off-screen, Ned’s resurgence has been nothing but warm and fuzzy. “I was welcomed back so kindly, everyone was very nice,” the actor shares, shedding light on how seamless his re-entry was: “it was like I’d never left! They’re such a friendly bunch of people and a professional crew that I slid straight back in.” On screen, Joe’s comeback has fanned the flames of past feuds, especially with the formidable Kim (played by Claire King). Their shared story is a tapestry woven with treachery, power struggles, and lingering enmity. Yet, in an unexpected twist, recent episodes saw them burying the hatchet. Ned has a word of caution about Joe’s dealings, hinting that things are never straightforward with him. “There’s clearly some bad blood, even if he says he’s forgiven her,” he reveals. “It’s wise to assume that there is somewhat of a grudge still being held there.” Joe sees Kim as more than just a rival; she’s an inspiration. “The overriding feeling is that of respect,” he admits, “Joe sees Kim as the powerful businesswoman. It’s a ‘keep your friends close and your enemies even closer’ type of situation.”
Joe has recently been embroiled in an affair with Dawn Fletcher – but are his feelings genuine?
Joe’s life gets even more complicated as he’s caught up in a scandalous affair with Kim’s stepdaughter, Dawn Fletcher (Olivia Bromley). But is it true affection or merely another strategic move? “It’s always to know if Joe’s feelings are genuine,” Ned muses. “He’s playing numerous games with other villagers. When he says he loves someone, he might be honest, but we’ll never know if he’s even capable of properly loving someone.” Regardless of his true intentions towards Dawn, she could be the reason he remains in the Dales. “If he’s ever healthy again, everything going on with Dawn, whether it’s legitimate or not, will be something to keep him around.” For Joe, who has always been driven by ambition, family turns out to be his weak spot. He yearns for a bond with his half-brother Noah Dingle (Jack Downham), one of the rare few he may actually hold dear. “Family is important to him,” Ned shares, “I like to believe his feelings for Noah are genuine, but it’s tricky to prove that when he’s also capable of doing such mean things.” Joe’s behaviour isn’t slipping under the radar, and with tensions escalating, the village teeters on the edge of a full-blown feud. “You can always expect a showdown in this show,” Ned reveals. But he’s all for the turmoil. “I’d like to see a big bust-up between the Dingles, the Miligans and the Tates.”
