Emmerdale boss Kate Oates has suggested that there could be some new arrivals on their way to the village.
The ITV soap is lining up hugely dramatic scenes next week, but Oates has confirmed that there will be strong stories in the aftermath too as the show heads into the autumn.
Speaking at an Emmerdale press event, Oates said: "We may have a couple of new arrivals for you, but I am very happy with the cast at the moment.
"I have said it before and I will say it again but I really, really think we have the best ensemble cast in soap. I really think we have a strong team and there isn't a person in the show who I wouldn't trust with a huge driving story. I am pretty content with the way things are at the moment but things will always grow with change."
Asked about possible returnees, she replied: "We may have something planned for autumn that might be a catalyst for a character group that is on screen at the moment. I don't want to say too much but there may be another return planned."
Oates was also asked whether she would ever allow a well-known singer to join the soap, following Coronation Street's decision to recruit X Factor star Shayne Ward and Girls Aloud's Sarah Harding.
She said: "I think it could be a great success and I think there are examples where that has worked brilliantly. Look at Kym Marsh for example - she is one of the leading ladies at Corrie and we know how she started.
"I think it could be a brilliant success. It is all about who is right for the role and that might be someone whose background is in singing, it might be someone who has trained at drama school or it might be someone who has never trained a day in their life.
"You get some young performers who have never been to drama school and learn on the shop floor and that works brilliantly too. It all depends on who is right for the part. I wouldn't close my mind to anything."