September 22nd 2024.
Last week, the highly anticipated storyline for Mercedes on Hollyoaks finally began. The beloved character, played by Jennifer Metcalfe for nearly twenty years, was diagnosed with cancer. This news came as a shock not only to the audience, but also to Jennifer herself. In an interview with The Agency, she shared her initial reaction to the storyline and how it differs from her past plotlines.
Jennifer explained that after playing Mercedes for so many years, she often receives similar storylines. However, this time it was different. When the show's Executive Producer, Hannah Cheers, first told her about the cancer storyline, she was speechless. She wasn't sure how she would tackle such a challenging role, but she was grateful for the opportunity and trusted that the scripts would guide her.
As the scripts came in and Jennifer saw the incredible prosthetics and makeup that would transform her into a cancer patient, she realized she didn't have to do much to bring raw emotion to the character. She also admitted that she usually doesn't tap into different emotions as an actor, but with this storyline, she had to use method acting to fully embody the role. It was a new experience for her, but she found it rewarding and hopes her performance accurately portrays the emotions of someone going through such a difficult journey.
The cancer diagnosis for Mercedes came as a surprise after the show's one-year time jump. But for Jennifer, this storyline hits close to home. She revealed that her own father passed away from bowel cancer when she was only fifteen. She used this personal connection to bring raw trauma to the character and raise awareness about the disease.
Jennifer praised the upcoming scenes as powerful, and after seeing them myself, I couldn't agree more. She truly is a powerhouse actress. As for what's in store for Mercedes, viewers will see her feeling positive about her chemo results, but the doctors' news remains a mystery. Jennifer expressed her gratitude for being given this storyline at the best time, both personally and professionally. She cares deeply about the show and her character, and hopes this storyline will make an impact and raise awareness.
Hollyoaks can be streamed on Channel 4's platform or watched on TV at 7pm on E4. If you have a soap or TV story, video, or pictures, you can share them by emailing the team. Join the community by leaving a comment below and stay updated on all things soaps on the homepage.
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