List of Emmerdale Farm characters (1977)

The following is a list of characters that first appeared in the British soap opera Emmerdale Farm in 1977, by order of first appearance.

Dolly Skilbeck

Main article: Dolly Skilbeck

Dolly Skilbeck (also Acaster) first appears on 22 February 1977, played by Katharine Barker. Barker portrayed the role for two years, until it was recast to Jean Rogers, who appeared as Dolly until 1991.

Dolly arrives in Beckindale from Darlington to serve as a barmaid in the Woolpack. She begins a relationship with Matt Skilbeck (Frederick Pyne), and they later get married. She becomes pregnant with his child, but after suffering a stillbirth, Dolly begins working at the village playgroup. The pair later have a son, Sam Skilbeck (Jamie Bell), who is born on 23 December 1982. After becoming pregnant for a third time, Dolly miscarries. It later emerges that Dolly had a son in the mid-1960s, and gave him up for adoption. Her child, Graham Lodsworth (Ross Kemp), later finds her. When Matt discovers that he has inherited Crossgill Farm from the previous owner, Dolly informs him that she wants to move out of Emmerdale. Matt refuses, and they begin to grow apart, resulting in her affair with timber consultant Stephen Fuller (Gregory Floy). Stephen is killed by a falling tree, and Dolly arranges his funeral. Dolly leaves Matt and begins divorce proceedings, and leaves the village in 1991. Dolly and Sam move to Norfolk to join Matt. It is later confirmed that Dolly and Matt have gotten remarried off-screen in 1992.

Donald Hinton

Donald Hinton
Emmerdale character
Portrayed by	Hugh Manning
Duration	1977–1989, 1993
First appearance	25 October 1977
Last appearance	28 October 1993
Classification	Former; regular
Introduced by	David Cunliffe (1977) Keith Richardson (1993)
In-universe information Occupation Vicar Brothers Gavin Hinton Wife Mary Hinton Sons Clive Hinton Daughters Barbara Hinton

Donald Hinton, was first seen in October 1977 when he took over as the vicar of Beckindale and moved into the vicarage. His son Clive turned up in early 1978. Hinton married Matt Skilbeck and Dolly Acaster in 1978 and soon became a good friend of the Sugdens. In 1978 he helped in the investigations into a dead body which was found underneath The Woolpack when the boilerman was doing maintenance. Hinton and Mr Moeketski found the skeleton was of a woman who was the ancestor of Sam Pearson.

Hinton returns as a special guest at Annie Sugden's wedding to Leonard Kempinski. This was his final appearance in the show and final visit to Beckindale. He has not been seen or heard from since.

Liz MacDonald

Liz MacDonald
Emmerdale character
Portrayed by	Elizabeth Mickery
Duration	1977, 1984–1986, 1988, 1990
First appearance	24 November 1977
Last appearance	3 May 1990
Classification	Former; recurring
Introduced by	David Cunliffe (1977) Michael Glynn (1984) Keith Richardson (1986, 1988, 1990)
In-universe information Husband Jock MacDonald (until 1988) Daughters Judy MacDonald

Liz MacDonald, played by Elizabeth Mickery is the wife of Jock MacDonald and the mother of their daughter, Judy. Liz appears periodically between 1977 and 1990. Liz builds up a friendship with Dolly Skillbeck and often babysits her son, Sam for her. In 1988, Liz divorces Jock and takes Judy to live with her and makes her final appearance in 1990 when she worries about Jock after Kim Tate's horse kicks him in the head.