Suzy Merton is a fictional character from the British soap opera Emmerdale, played by Martelle Edinborough.

Edinborough had previously appeared in Emmerdale in 2018 and was excited to be cast on the soap again, calling it a dream job.

The character was introduced as a love interest for Vanessa Woodfield (Michelle Hardwick), but soon after her introduction it was revealed that Suzy had a secret link to Leyla Harding (Roxy Shahidi) as part of her new storyline.

Suzy was also given a surprise link to former character Holly Barton (Sophie Powles), who died of a drug overdose.

The other villagers shun Suzy after it is revealed that she gave Holly the money to buy drugs on the night that she died and Vanessa breaks up with her.

Suzy is later given a new love interest, Mary Goskirk (Louise Jameson), and the pair develop feelings for each other.

On 29 March 2022, it was announced that Martelle Edinborough had been cast as Suzy Merton, a love interest for Vanessa Woodfield (Michelle Hardwick) who would "shake things up".

[1] Speaking about joining the soap, Edinborough explained, ""My feet haven't quite touched the ground yet, I'm still on this massive cloud high up in the sky, but it's been going really, really good.

"[1] Edinborough found the beginning of her Emmerdale experience "just amazing" and believed that Suzy was a "really fun" character to play and was looking forward to what would come up for her.

[1] Edinborough revealed that she was "absolutely over the moon and overjoyed" to secure the role, and almost fainted when she found out, explaining, "I'd just got out of the shower and I saw my phone ringing and it was my agent.

[1] Edinborough is from Yorkshire and found it "perfect" working in Emmerdale due to it being close to Leeds, where she lives.

"[1] Edinborough had previously portrayed a doctor in Emmerdale in 2018 and had also appeared in two other soap operas, Hollyoaks and Coronation Street.

[4][5] The following month, the actress announced on twitter that she had returned to filming as Suzy and revealed that she enjoyed her first day back on set.

[1] They then bump into each other again the following week, where they flirt and plan a dinner date, which secretly pleases a delighted Vanessa.

[7] Shahidi explained that Leyla used to use drugs recreationally at times in her past, and she then threw herself into work "as a way of escaping the painful situation" of Leyla's husband, Liam Cavanagh's (Jonny McPherson), grief over his murdered daughter, Leanna Cavanagh (Mimi Slinger), which led to her collaborating with Suzy, who plan events.

[7] Shahidi revealed that it is "terrifying" for Leyla to have Suzy in the village, explaining, "It'd almost be like having your mistress and your wife in the same room!

[7] It is later revealed that Suzy also has a connection to former character Holly Barton (Sophie Powles), who was killed off in 2016 from a drug overdose.

[13] Leyla wants Callum to pay for stabbing her son a few weeks prior, so she sparks his "downfall" by recording him making a drug deal at the club.

[14] In January 2024, a romance between Suzy and Mary Goskirk (Louise Jameson) was teased when they share a "charged moment" in the 2024 New Years Day episode.

[15] Jameson had previously teased that there would be a romantic development for Mary in 2024, but admitted that she did not want her character to settle down.

[22] Suzy is walking into the path of Vanessa Woodfield's (Michelle Hardwick) moving car and ends up dropping her gender reveal cake.

The following week, Suzy - who is looking for Priya Sharma (Fiona Wade) - bumps into Vanessa at The Woolpack, who buys her a drink.

[23] Shauna Bannon Ward from RSVP LIVE believed that Vanessa and Suzy had a Meet cute introduction.

[25] In May 2023, Monde Mwitumwa from Leeds Live reported on how fans were happy that the actress would be returning to film on the soap following her recent surgery.

"[27] Following Mary and Suzy's New Years Day chat, Susannah Alexander from Digital Spy speculated that it could be the start of a romance between the pair.

[15] Alexander reported how the interaction "go unnoticed by viewers", with some fans writing on social media that they had noticed something between the characters in the episode and others supporting the potential new pairing.

[15] Joel Harley from Entertainment Daily reported how fans were divided by the potential romance and were debating on social media, with some believing that it is a "terrible match" whilst others thought that they had "sizzling chemistry" and would be well suited together.