As of July 2026, Emmerdale Season 1 aired in 1972 with 20 episodes — streaming now on Britbox Apple TV Channel . Full episode guide and where to watch below.

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Emmerdale Season 1

1972 20 Episodes Soap · Drama ⭐ 4/10

Emmerdale Season 1 has built a devoted following on and among viewers who want their romance taken seriously. The show says what it needs to say in a single season, no filler. With 100 viewer ratings on TMDB, this is not a title flying under the radar. The ensemble carries the emotional throughline with real conviction. Available now — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, Emmerdale Season 1 earns its spot. Emmerdale Season 1 treats its central relationship as something worth taking seriously. Season 1 of Emmerdale includes 20 episodes. It aired from October 1972 to December 1972. Episodes include "Episode 1 (Mon 16th Oct 1972)", "Episode 2 (Tue 17th Oct 1972)", "Episode 3 (Mon 23rd Oct 1972)". It was aired in 1972. Emmerdale Season 1 understands that tension needs a believable reason to exist, not just narrative convenience. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

Romance fans and drama viewers alike will find something to love in Emmerdale Season 1. If you have run out of similar titles to watch, this is a strong next pick. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch if your schedule allows. You believe every beat of it, which is the whole job. You will have strong feelings about it by the finale.

📡 Where to Watch Emmerdale Season 1

🇺🇸 United States

Britbox Apple TV Channel

BritBox Amazon Channel

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

🇨🇦 Canada

Amazon Prime Video

BritBox Amazon Channel

Britbox Apple TV Channel

Amazon Prime Video with Ads

🎬 Emmerdale Season 1 — Episode Guide

Episode 1 (Mon 16th Oct 1972)

Jack Sugden has come home for his father's funeral after a 9 year absence. The rest of the family resent him because his father left him the farm. New neighbours Marian Wilks and her newly retired father Henry, want to build a road through the Sugden farm. Jack has taken a shine to Marian, but has c...

Episode 2 (Tue 17th Oct 1972)

Wilks consults his solicitor, about claiming a right-of-way over the Sugden land. Annie suspects Peggy is pregnant and Joe befriends Marian, who also shows an interest in Jack.

Episode 3 (Mon 23rd Oct 1972)

Jack meets Wilks and Peters over the right-of-way. Joe takes Marian fishing and Peggy wants to leave the farm to raise her child.

Episode 4 (Tue 24th Oct 1972)

Jack is planning to restore and live in the old mill-house. Marian Wilks finds out how Jack had once been very friendly with Ruth Merrick.

Episode 5 (Mon 30th Oct 1972)

A friend has arrived out of the blue at the Sugden farm, but Jack has mysteriously chosen not to introduce him to his family. Matt has heard how his rod was broken on Joe's fishing expedition.

Episode 6 (Tue 31st Oct 1972)

Amos has told Joe how Jack and Marian were seen coming out of the barn; Peggy is convinced that Matt is the only man doing a full day's work on the Sugden farm and Annie has found that Joe has been borrowing money from several people.

Episode 7 (Mon 6th Nov 1972)

Jack meets Wilks to sort out the right of way issue. Meanwhile, having discovered that Jack intends meeting Lynn at The Feathers Country Hotel, Joe Sugden has tried to arrange for Marian to be there at the same time.

Episode 8 (Tue 7th Nov 1972)

Peggy is still trying to convince Matt that they must get away from the farm, and Joe has hinted that he may leave, too. Jack has had a phone call to go at once to The Feathers Hotel.

Episode 9 (Mon 13th Nov 1972)

Tom tells Ruth about a car accident between Henry and Joe. Tom asks Jack for a job. PC Ball asks Amos if Joe had been at the Woolpack drinking before the accident.

Episode 10 (Tue 14th Nov 1972)

Matt has his interview today. Ruth goes to see Jack and realizes that there is nothing between them. Joe has woken up and is in bad shape, While Wilkes has a compound fracture in his leg. Tom starts work at the farm and is not pulling his weight.

Episode 11 (Mon 20th Nov 1972)

Matt tells Peggy that he did not get the job and she goes after Jack for money. Matt tells Jack that Tom is lazy. Tom gets Ruth to go to the Woolpack because he wants to bump into Jack. He shows him pictures of his eldest son also named Jack. PC Ball questions both Joe and Henry in the hospital.

Episode 12 (Tue 21st Nov 1972)

Tom starts throwing threats about Jack being the real father of Tom's son Jackie. Ruth begs Jack to sack him. Marian breaks off with Jack, then he sacks Tom. Ruth has packed up, and asks Tom if he is coming with her to her sisters to live.

Episode 13 (Mon 27th Nov 1972)

Henry is home from hospital. Jack buys a new van for Matt and Peggy. Annie realizes Jack has more money than he is letting on. PC Ball is back to tell Joe that his insurance has expired. Janie visits Joe.

Episode 14 (Tue 28th Nov 1972)

Jack makes an enemy in Janie after embarrassing her in front of his family. Meanwhile, Henry is knocked unconscious after having a fall, and is later found by Marion and Norman.

Episode 15 (Mon 4th Dec 1972)

Joe tells Marian that Jack is still married, whilst Henry tells Jack to stay away from Marian.

Episode 16 (Tue 5th Dec 1972)

The police find the Sugdens Land Rover. Norman proposes to Marian but gets turned down. Meanwhile, Peggy disowns Jack, Marian ends her affair with him and Annie tells him he has two weeks to decide if he wants to stay or go.

Episode 17 (Mon 11th Dec 1972)

Peggy and Matt discover they will have twins, whilst PC Ball prosecutes Jack and Joe. Janie flirts with Frank but he doesn't reciprocate.

Episode 18 (Tue 12th Dec 1972)

Jack has decided to return to London. Janie asks Frank on a date but ends up going out with Joe. However, it doesn't last long when he begins going on about Marian.

Episode 19 (Mon 18th Dec 1972)

Jack changes his mind and invites his friend Bart to Emmerdale Farm. Frank warms to Janie and asks her out, and Marian is unwelcoming to Joe.

Episode 20 (Tue 19th Dec 1972)

Matt finds an unconscious Sam in the cowshed and rushes him to hospital. Meanwhile, Frank and Janie have a great first date, and even have their first kiss.

📋 All Seasons of Emmerdale

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