When did Emmerdale first air and who was in the original cast?

There’s a storm brewing for Emmerdale’s 50th (Picture: ITV)

ITV’s long-running soap Emmerdale is marking its 50th anniversary today (October 16).

And in true soap fashion, the show’s birthday will see major storylines kick off all week – starting with a catastrophic storm wreaking havoc on the village in scenes airing tonight.

Producer Jane Hudson previously told press that the special episode purposefully harkens back to the show’s beginnings, adding to the drama of the storm stunt.

She said: ‘We start paying homage the very first episode [of Emmerdale] where you see a hand going across the meadow, you see somebody on horseback, you see people in farms, you see the graveyard with Jacob Sugden’s grave.

‘And then we get into the emotional relationships, the families and progress to a big event, a wedding… then we get to the crash, bang, wallop stunt, everything’s thrown at it, all the technology, it’s all there.’

But just when did Emmerdale air for the first time? And who initially starred in the show?

Here’s all you need to know.

When did Emmerdale’s first episode air?

The title card of Emmerdale Farm’s first ever episode, aired on October 16 1972 (Picture: YouTube)

Emmerdale premiered on Monday, October 16 1972.

Back then, the show was launched as Emmerdale Farm (a name it would keep until 1989).

Happily, it would still feel familiar to fans of the modern day soap, as it kicked off with the theme tune we all know and love – and the current set of the Yorkshire Dales farming village looks remarkably similar.

It’s been a wild ride since then, with the show evolving over the course of nearly 9,500 episodes (at the time of writing).

Actors Frazer Hines (R) and Andrew Burt in character as Joe and Jack Sugden in television soap Emmerdale Farm, circa 1972. (Photo by TV Times via Getty Images)

However, the first ever episode was a simple introduction to the long-standing Sudgen and Wilks families, who owned adjacent farms Emmerdale and Inglebrook.

Originally, the families lived in a village called Beckindale – but it was remamed as Emmerdale in 1994 in honour of the Sugden family’s farm, following a major plane crash.

Who was in the original cast of Emmerdale?

While many soapstars have graced the ITV show in the past 50 years, you might be wondering who was in the original cast.

The regulars appearing in the first episode were:

Sheila Mercier as Annie Sugden in Emmerdale Farm in 1972 (Picture: TV Times via Getty Images)

Gail Harrison as Marian Wilks and Andrew Burt as Jack Sugden in The Woolpack in Emmerdale Farm’s first episode (Picture: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

The show began with the funeral of Jacob Sugden – for which eldest son Jack returned to the farm, much to the dismay of his siblings Joe Sugden, Peggy Silkbeck and brother-in-law Matt.

Their mum Annie Sudgen, living alongside her dad Sam Pearson, later got into a tiff with neighbour Henry Wilks over his demands to have access to part of the Sugdens’ property, which she rebuffed.

Jack also paid a visit to The Woolpack, which was run by villager Amos Brearley, where he tried (albeit unsuccessfully) to join Henry’s daughter Marian Wilks for a pint…

Emmerdale airs Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 8pm on ITV, with the 50th anniversary episode airing tonight (Sunday, October 16) at 7pm.

MORE : When is the Emmerdale 50th anniversary special on? Start time and channel

MORE : Emmerdale star Claire King reveals throwbacks to first ever episode in huge anniversary week

MORE : King Charles pays tribute to Emmerdale for its 50th anniversary at the National Television Awards

Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Share your views in the comments below

We’ve had 50 years of soap fans’ favourite Yorkshire village.