Fans of Emmerdale were left gasping after recent episodes revealed that Mackenzie Boyd (played by Lawrence Robb) was not, in fact, dead. The soap’s latest dramatic turn saw villain John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth) seemingly attack Mack, leaving viewers fearing the worst.

The Shocking Twist

Last month, John shot an arrow through Mack’s chest and ominously threatened him with a large rock. For fans, it appeared that Mack’s story had come to a tragic end. But the cliffhanger took a dramatic turn at the end of Friday’s (August 29) episode, revealing that Mack had been held captive in an underground bunker on John’s childhood property.

This revelation immediately sparked speculation online: Was Mack still alive? How would he escape? And, most importantly, how much longer would his ordeal last?

Actor Lawrence Robb Breaks His Silence

Appearing on ITV’s Lorraine on September 1, Lawrence Robb addressed the twist and reassured fans that Mack’s story is far from over.

“It was a shocker reading it,” Robb admitted. “Initially I read it and I was like, ‘Oh, they’ve just not told me that I’m dying.’ There’s more to come.”

The actor confirmed that while Mack is alive, the character remains in grave danger. “There’s a lot of drama still to come. [Mack’s] definitely not out of the woods,” he said. “To be honest, I’m looking forward to seeing how it plays out because shooting it with Ollie was [tough]. Ollie’s amazing and it was great, but it was a long time to be in that bunker.”

Inside the Bunker Scenes

In today’s installment, now streaming on ITVX, Mack awakens in the bunker, slowly piecing together flashbacks of John’s attack. The tension escalates as he pleads for his life while trying to reason with John.

John, meanwhile, begins to open up about his past crimes, including the murder of Nate Robinson (Jurell Carter). Mack attempts to fight back with a slab of wood, but fails, prompting John to lash out:

“I gave you one chance to prove you could be trusted and you blew it. Your word is meaningless now and unfortunately for you, your word was the only thing keeping you alive.”

The scene leaves viewers on edge, wondering what John will do next and whether Mack will find a way to escape alive.

Behind the Scenes: Actor Anecdotes

During the interview with Lorraine Kelly, Lawrence Robb also shared a lighthearted anecdote. He had arrived at the studio in gym wear, forgetting to bring his clothes. His girlfriend had to turn back and retrieve them, causing a minor commute adventure. Lorraine praised both Robb and his girlfriend, joking, “Well, she did a great job because you look spectacularly gorgeous!”

What Fans Can Expect

With Mack still alive but trapped and facing John’s unpredictable wrath, the storyline promises several weeks of intense drama. Fans can expect high-stakes psychological tension, attempts at escape, and the gradual unraveling of John’s dark past—all while exploring Mack’s resilience and resourcefulness.

Lawrence Robb’s comments confirm that the bunker arc is just one chapter in a longer narrative, and viewers can expect more twists before Mack is truly safe.

Conclusion

Emmerdale continues to keep its audience on the edge of their seats, blending suspense, drama, and character-driven storytelling. With Mackenzie Boyd alive and facing new challenges, the show’s fans can rest assured that there is plenty more to come. Whether Mack escapes the bunker or faces further danger, the soap’s high-octane drama is guaranteed to keep viewers hooked.