Emmerdale's Leyla Harding, played by actress Roxy Shahidi, has become an iconic character on the hit ITV soap since she burst on to our screens 14 years ago.
She has been central to some big storylines during her time on the show, most recently supporting her husband Liam Cavanagh (Johnny McPherson) through his grief after the loss of his daughter Leanna (Mimi Slinger).
In recent shocking scenes Leyla and Liam learnt that it was Meena (Paige Sandhu) who killed Leanna as well as several other villagers during her reign of terror, Express reports.
To get the latest Emmerdale updates click here.
After her dark and twisted secrets were exposed, murderous Meena fled the village but as she plots her revenge there are fears she could take everything from Liam, including his wife.
Meena's grand plan to kill her sister Manpreet Sharma (Rebecca Sarker) and flee the country with her money was rumbled by Liam.
![](https://i2-prod.examinerlive.co.uk/incoming/article22649739.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_Emmerdale-Leyla.png)
That meant she had to leave much quicker than she was expecting. But as she wasn't killed off writers have left the door open for her return.
Executive producer, Jane Hudson has teased a return later this year which could see the serial killer finally come to her demise.
But her revenge could sadly involve Leyla as murderous Meena knows the best way to get at Liam would be to take away his nearest and dearest.
And with his daughter already gone and having no other relatives in the village, all fingers point to Leyla.
Liam is currently reliving his grief after finding out his daughter was murdered and didn't die accidentally as he thought.
But in his despair he doesn't realise his wife, who has supported him over the past year, is also battling her own struggles after they lost a baby last year.
Liam's struggles will have a huge impact on Leyla as she tries to encourage her husband to seek professional help.
But, Liam could be in for a huge set back if his wife goes missing in the next few weeks.
However, he might not realise that Meena has returned and is using Leyla to seek revenge on him.
Given her twisted past, Meena could make Leyla captive turning the whole thing into a sick game to see if history can repeat itself and Liam can find them in time.
Meena could make it into a sick, twisted game, trying to see whether Liam can find them in time as he did once before.
But it could be a matter of time for Leyla if Liam doesn't intercept Meena's clues and Leyla could have already been killed by the time he reaches her.
Loosing the pillar of the community would be a devastating loss for the village and well as Liam.
Meena would relish in knowing Liam was suffering but whether or not she will get away with her reign of terror remains to be seen.
Producer Laura Shaw spoke with Express.co.uk and other media, to reveal what's in store for some of the shows fan favourites, including Leyla.
![](https://i2-prod.examinerlive.co.uk/incoming/article22735500.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_Meena.jpg)
Laura said: "Leyla has a big storyline coming up in 2022.
"We've seen her be a huge support to Liam through the loss of his daughter Leanna but is all as it seems? Is Leyla really coping as well as she seems to on the surface?
"Or is there a bit more going on there that we'll uncover?" she continued to explain but could this be to do with Meena?
With such a big storyline teased, could it mean actor Roxy is saying goodbye to the village after a decade on the show?
Leyla has been in and out of the show over the years during times when Roxy has been focusing on her personal life.
Can't see this survey? Click here
The soap star left the show for two years in 2011 before returning in 2013 to continue the drama she had left behind her.
And again in 2017, she made a temporary exit as she went on maternity leave, returning to the Dales just a year later in 2018.
Following her decision to quit in 2011, the actress embarked on different career paths and ended up performing live theatre.
Speaking about her experience away from the Dales, Roxy said: "It was really good. I'd never done a Shakespeare before, but then I played Bianca in Othello at the National alongside some amazing actors and actresses."
"We were on the Olivier stage which was incredible and there was an amazing cast and director," the soap star explained.
"I'm so glad I did that, and I also did a yoga DVD which is out at the moment.
"I think taking on those new projects led perfectly to me feeling really ready to come back to this character with more life and excitement than I had before.
"Sometimes you need that little breakaway," she said in an interview with Digital Spy and the actress has continued with her yoga career as she is now an instructor and has her own YouTube channel.
But could evil Meena bring Leyla's time on the show to an end, permanently?
Emmerdale airs weekdays at 7pm on ITV, with an extra episode airing on Thursdays at 8pm.
To get the latest email updates from LeedsLive, click here.