June 14th 2024.
As the Hollyoaks cast continues to undergo an exodus, it has now been reported that Emma Rigby is the latest star to bid farewell to the Channel 4 soap. This comes after the announcement that the show will be reducing its weekly episodes from five to three starting this September, which has led to a number of cast and crew members leaving.
With big names like Glynis Barber and Stephanie Waring already gone, it's clear that Hollyoaks is going through a major change. And it's not over yet. Emma Rigby, who is best known for her role as Hannah Ashworth, is the latest to say goodbye. She originally played Hannah from 2005 to 2010 and made a return as a sex worker in April of this year. Her character was involved in a storyline where Carter set Lucas up with Hannah, but she quickly caught onto his plans and encouraged Lucas to come out to his father.
According to a source, Emma's departure from the show was sudden and unexpected. They explained, "It just wasn't working out for Emma. She had agreed to a long-term return with certain expectations, but those expectations were not met. She is a true professional, but the changes were too much for her to handle, so she decided to walk away." The source also expressed concerns that other high-profile cast members may see this as an opportunity to leave the show, as the reduced budget and losing longtime colleagues can take a toll.
The departure of Emma comes as a surprise, especially since she was just one of many cast members who have left the show recently. With the show's new structure, which will see a time-jump of one year, characters who have said their goodbyes will no longer be a part of the village. Executive Producer Hannah Cheers explained that this was necessary in order to transition into the new storytelling format, which she describes as "bold, daring, and a first for a UK soap."
The new three-episode-a-week pattern is a big change for Hollyoaks, but it also presents unlimited story possibilities. As Cheers puts it, "We are now a streaming-first soap and can lean into less-restricting and conventional structures." This move is a way to better serve the show's smart and dedicated viewers, and it will kick off with a bang as the characters and stories fast-forward one year into the future. This will also give fans access to longer story arcs and more in-depth character development.
So, while viewers may be saying goodbye to some familiar faces, the future looks bright for Hollyoaks as it embraces a new way of storytelling. And for those who can't get enough of the drama, be sure to join 10,000 other soap fans on Metro's WhatsApp Soaps community for exclusive interviews, spoiler galleries, and must-watch videos. Just click the link and join the chat to stay up to date with all the juicy EastEnders, Coronation Street, and Emmerdale gossip. Don't forget to turn on notifications so you never miss out on the latest spoilers!
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
