The following is a list of characters that first appeared in the British soap opera Emmerdale in 1989, by order of first appearance. and , played by Jim Millea and Fionnuala Ellwood, were the first characters introduced in January. They were followed a month later by Pete's grandfather, , portrayed by Teddy Turner. In March, Martyn Whitby took on the role of Kate Sugden's ex-husband . In November, following the change of series title from Emmerdale Farm to Emmerdale, a new family was introduced; the Tates, with father and son Chris (Peter Amory) and Frank (Norman Bowler), followed by Frank's respective wife and daughter, Kim (Claire King) and Zoe (Leah Bracknell) in December.