The actress behind Emmerdale villain Dr. Caitlin Todd comes from a real-life family of TV stars - boasting roles in huge period dramas and crime thrillers.

Caroline Harker began playing the initially minor role in early 2025, before returning more prominently in recent weeks.

Viewers have seen the character reintroduced as workplace bully, specifically antagonising trainee doctor Jacob Gallagher (Joe-Warren Plant).

She said previously of her return to Emmerdale: 'I'm delighted to be back at Emmerdale for a longer stint playing Doctor Todd. 

'She's a complex character and from what I've been told so far, quite a tricky one for Jacob to navigate. 

'Workplace bullying is commonplace, and it will be interesting to see it brought to our screens in a serial drama such as Emmerdale.'

While Emmerdale producer Laura Shaw added: 'We are looking forward to seeing the machinations of someone like Caitlin Todd, and it's not just at the hospital where she will start to make an impression. 

'Caroline is a fabulous actor and brings such great experience to this role - we can't wait for her to play out what we have planned for the character.'

In her real life, Caroline is not the only member of her family to go into the acting business.

Her mother is veteran actress Polly Adams, who has performed on stage both in the UK and the United States.

As well as this, Polly played Mrs. Brown in the 1990s BBC series Just William, based on Richmal Crompton's books.

Polly's other on-screen credits include The Cinder Path, Kingdom and a 1967 Pride and Prejudice miniseries, playing Elizabeth Bennet. 

She made her Broadway debut in 1975, starring as Grace Harkaway in a revival of London Assurance.

The family connections do not end there, as Caroline's sister Susannah Harker is also an actress.

Susannah, 60, starred in 1990 BBC political thriller House of Cards, with further appearances in New Tricks, Grantchester and like her mother, a TV adaptation of Prejudice.

Although unlike her mother, Susannah played the role of Jane Bennet as opposed to Elizabeth.

When Caroline first appeared in Emmerdale, fans were left trying to work out where they recognised the actress from.

Taking to discussion forum site Reddit, a viewer posed the question to other Emmerdale fans.

One responded: 'Recently she was in Joan - she was the posh lady they stole the painting from.'

Caroline shot to fame in the 90s and has appeared in various popular TV shows over the years. 

She played Claire Jarrett in Doctors, Imogen White in Holby City and Alicia Davenport in Corrie.  

Caroline has also been in Ten Percent, Midsomer Murders, Foyle's War and Toast of Tinseltown.

Others may remember her as W.P.C. Hazel Wallace in A Touch of Frost. 

The actress played her between 1992 and 2003. 

Caroline has also appeared in a number of films, including Mothering Sunday, The Croft and The Madness of King George.

Emmerdale airs on ITV1 and ITVX.