Emmerdale’s Robert Sugden actor Ryan Hawley has had his say on new ‘villain’ Kev, making it clear he’s ‘not a baddie’ as he suggests fans will ‘feel sorry’ for him
00:00, 14 Oct 2025Updated 00:01, 14 Oct 2025
According to Emmerdale favourite Ryan Hawley, newcomer Kev isn’t a villain after all (Image: ITV)
According to Emmerdale favourite Ryan Hawley, newcomer Kev isn’t a villain after all despite concerns from viewers.
Robert Sugden actor Ryan told The Mirror that while Kev is “volatile and dangerous”, he’s also “funny and loveable”. In fact, Ryan outright said to us that Kev “is not a baddie”.
So there you have it, Robert’s secret husband Kev might be a criminal and might be violent, but he’s not the soap’s next big villain. Ryan shared: “Kev is a really big obstacle in the sense that he is a very loveable, damaged character, broken character.
“You feel sorry for him as well as like him, he’s funny. It’s been great having Chris, Chris has been brilliant.” The actor went on: “He’s got a lot of redeeming qualities.
“There’s a lot going on and you’ll see that as the weeks play out. There’s more to him than meets the eye.” We’re not sure if Robert’s partner Aaron Dingle will see Kev that way when he finds out he’s Robert’s secret husband.
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Emmerdale’s Robert Sugden actor Ryan Hawley has had his say on new ‘villain’ Kev(Image: ITV)
Speaking of the latest drama for Robron, the name given to Robert and Aaron by adoring fans, Ryan said it’s something very different and new that they are facing. He explained: “It’s an interesting dynamic, it’s something we haven’t seen before.
“We’ve had Emily Head, Rebecca White, very different, and then there’s been John recently. Kev’s a very different dynamic. Also the back story to the relationship between Robert and him that you’re going to see played out.”
Ryan also addressed whether Kev truly loved Robert, after fears about their marriage from some fans after their time in prison. The actor spilled: “Kev loves him and there’s quite a complicated relationship.
“They’re lovers, they’re married, they’re husband and husband. They both love each other but it’s kind of to what degree does Robert love Kev and what degree does he love Aaron? I think what’s nice about it is people think they know Robert, then he’s got this guy that no one knows about and he’s married to him.
Robert Sugden actor Ryan told The Mirror that while Kev is “volatile and dangerous”, he’s also “funny and loveable”(Image: ITV)
“I hope people will be interested in that and want to see that story played out. Kev is a really complex character, there’s so much to him. He’s not even a baddie.” It was this quote here that suggests everything we think about Kev might not be the case, and we’ll have to see what happens when it all plays out.
Addressing comparisons between Kev and John Sugden, Robert’s half-brother and Aaron’s husband who turned out to be a killer, Ryan said they are “very different”. He shared: “Kev is dangerous but not in a calculated way like John was.
“Unhinged and unpredictable, in a reactionary kind of way. He’s something very different. Also he’s redeemable, you kind of feel sorry for him. You don’t want to break his heart – I don’t think Robert wants to break his heart. Robert doesn’t want to betray Kev, Robert has deep feelings for him that aren’t just of gratitude, they’re very complicated.”
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