Cara Robinson – Nate’s mum – arrives in the village in today’s episode of Emmerdale, full of fury at the Dingles and ready to blame Cain for the d3ath of her son.

In fact, Cara’s opinion of the Dingles has always been pretty low – and we can’t actually blame her.

Here’s everything you need to know.

Nate’s mum Cara arrives at his memorial (Credit: ITV)

Cara and Cain’s history

Back in the 1990s – before Emmerdale viewers were introduced to Cain Dingle – the story goes that Cara was working in a pub. She met Cain and the pair hit it off and started dating. But Shadrach – who Cain thought was his dad at the time – didn’t approve of their relationship.

He threatened to burn down Cara’s family home if she didn’t leave Cain alone.

When Faith – Cain’s mum – heard what had happened, she tried to step in and calm the situation down. But when she found out Cara was pregnant with Cain’s baby, she was worried. She knew racist, abusive Shardrach would never accept his son fathering a mixed race baby.

Meddling Faith told Cara that staying and raising the baby with Cain wasn’t an option. Heartbroken, Cara left without Cain ever knowing she was pregnant.

Over the years, after Nate was born, Cara tried to get in touch with Cain. But Faith intercepted all her letters.

Of course all that wasn’t revealed on screen until Nate came to Emmerdale and seduced Cain’s wife, Moira, as revenge on his dad. He thought Cain had abandoned him and his mum.
Cara first came to the village in 2020 (Credit: ITV)

Cara comes to the village

After the dramatic confrontation between Cain and Nate, Moira blamed Nate for breaking up her marriage.

Wanting to get back at Nate, she got in contact with Cara and told him what he’d done. Fuming about the whole thing, Cara came to Emmerdale. She was disappointed in Nate’s actions, and she was furious that Nate had got in touch with his dad behind her back.

A few weeks later, Cara was angry all over again when Nate was shot at the farm!

Cain and Moira told Cara that her son had been shot by rustlers at the farm but Cara was convinced that Cain had pulled the trigger.

When Nate woke up and confirmed that Cain and Moira’s story, Cara still wasn’t happy.

She decided to move in with Nate. He wasn’t overly pleased about it, but eventually agreed she could stay as long as she stopped interfering in his life.

Cara and Cain called a truce, though Cara was never convinced that the Dingles weren’t as bad as she’d always believed.

Which explains why she was so quick to point the finger at Cain when Cain d!ed.
Cara has a grudge against the whole Dingle family (Credit: ITV)

Who plays Cara Robinson in Emmerdale?

Cara is played by actress Carryl Thomas. She’s probably best known to soap fans as Kelly Boulter in Family Affairs. Sharp-eyed EastEnders viewers might have spotted her as a barrister when Dean Wicks was on trial.

She’s also appeared in Silent Witness, Holby City, The Sarah Jane Adventures, and Silo, among many more.