1973 was Emmerdale Farm's 2nd year of production and first full year on air. Production was overseen by executive producer Peter Holmans and producer David Goddard, later replaced by producer Robert D. Cardona.

103 episodes were broadcast during the year. Major storylines included the programme's first murder, wedding and birth as the pace of the programme began to increase. Local teenager Sharon Crossthwaite (an early appearance from award-winning actress and director Louise Jameson) suffered at the hands of the unhinged Jim Latimer in a murder which rocked the village at the start of the year. New couple Frank Blakey and Janie Harker married in March and Peggy Skilbeck gave birth to twins in April, marking the first birth and marriage in the programme. Things would take a devastating turn, however, when Peggy collapsed and died of a brain haemorrhage in July, leaving Matt a single father. Other storylines included Jack Sugden getting a new companion in tramp Trash and Joe Sugden finding romance with Trash's daughter, Penny Golightly. The wheels were set in motion for partnership between Henry Wilks and Amos Brearly at The Woolpack as Henry covered for Amos following his brother's death in October and shoplifting shopkeeper Alison Gibbons arrived in the village from Liverpool and took over the Beckindale Shop in the summer with Henry Wilks showing great interest in marrying her.