August 13th 2024.
Hollyoaks is gearing up for a new chapter, but fans will be relieved to see some familiar faces in the mix. The beloved Channel 4 soap is making some major changes in September, including a shift to three episodes per week and a significant time jump. This decision was based on research that indicated three episodes would be the ideal amount for viewers. While this news saddened many fans who feared they would see less of their favorite show, they were hit with even more devastating news as several key cast members announced their exit to accommodate the changes.
The new era of Hollyoaks will kick off with an explosive week of stunts on September 9th, followed by a leap forward in time the following week. With the departure of certain characters before and during the time jump, viewers are eager to find out who will be leaving and who will be staying. The news of Stephanie Waring's departure, after playing the iconic Cindy Cunningham for 28 years, shocked fans. In addition, Metro confirmed that Matthew James Bailey, known for his role as Ethan Williams, will also be exiting the show in the upcoming months.
Already, we have seen the departures of Jon-Paul Bell, Ross Adams, and Glynis Barber, who played Beau Ramsey, Scott Drinkwell, and Norma Crow respectively. Their exits sparked mixed reactions from fans. And soon, Jamie Lomas, who portrays the notorious Warren Fox, will bid farewell as part of a gripping gangster storyline. These changes will undoubtedly transform the landscape of Hollyoaks come September.
But amidst all the uncertainty, some things remain constant. Longtime fans will be delighted to know that Tony Hutchinson, portrayed by Nick Pickard since the very first episode, will continue to be a central figure in the show. In fact, he will play a crucial role in guiding viewers through the events of the "missing" year. Hollyoaks boss Hannah Cheers revealed in an exclusive interview that Tony will take the audience on a journey around the village to see how everyone's lives have changed in the past year.
Another fan favorite, Mercedes McQueen, will also be staying put. Jennifer Metcalfe, who has portrayed the iconic character for over 18 years, confirmed that her alter ego will embark on a new and exciting chapter after the time jump. Metcalfe teased that her character's future will be "unbelievable and mind-blowing," and she can't wait to explore it as an actor.
And let's not forget Ste Hay, played by Kieron Richardson for almost two decades. The character will stick around, and viewers will witness his romance with newcomer Rex Gallagher unfold. Kieron hinted that this storyline will play a significant role in Ste's post-time jump future. Speaking of Rex, played by Jonny Labey, he has quickly become a fan favorite, despite his sketchy dealings. Jonny confirmed that his character will play a vital role in Ste's life and teased that there is more to Rex than meets the eye. With his recent addition to the show's official credits, it seems like Rex is here to stay. And with the upcoming time jump, we can expect to see some major changes in him as well.
In the end, Hollyoaks will look vastly different come September, with some familiar faces and some new ones. The possibilities are endless, and fans can't wait to see what the future holds for their beloved characters.
Hollyoaks is about to enter a brand new chapter, but don't worry, fans will still see some familiar faces. The popular soap opera is making some big changes in September, including dropping down to just three episodes a week and jumping ahead in time. After conducting research, the show's producers have decided that this is the perfect amount of episodes to keep audiences engaged.
Unfortunately, the news of fewer episodes wasn't the only shock for fans. It was also revealed that several major cast members will be leaving the show in order to accommodate the changes. With a stunt week kicking things off on September 9th, followed by a one-year time jump, viewers are anxious to know which characters will be staying and which will be saying goodbye.
There have already been some surprising departures, such as Stephanie Waring, who has played Cindy Cunningham for an impressive 28 years. Her character's axing left fans in shock. Additionally, Matthew James Bailey, who portrays Ethan Williams, one of the show's most beloved characters, will also be exiting in the coming months, according to Metro.
But that's not all, as Jon-Paul Bell, Ross Adams, and Glynis Barber have already been written out as Beau Ramsey, Scott Drinkwell, and Norma Crow respectively. Their exit storylines were met with mixed reactions from fans. And let's not forget about Jamie Lomas, who plays Warren Fox, and will be leaving as part of a major gangster plot.
With so many changes happening, Hollyoaks will certainly look different come September without these familiar faces. But the mystery of who's staying and who's going remains. Let's take a closer look at the characters who are confirmed to be appearing in the show's new era.
First up, we have Tony Hutchinson, played by Nick Pickard, who has been a staple on the show since its very first episode. Tony will play a crucial role in introducing viewers to the new era and explaining what has happened during the "missing" year. According to Hollyoaks boss Hannah Cheers, "In the first episode, a year on, Tony will take the audience on a journey around the village as we see how everyone's lives have changed."
Next, we have the iconic Mercedes McQueen, portrayed by Jennifer Metcalfe, who debuted on the show over 18 years ago. Fans will be relieved to know that she will be sticking around, and her character will be embarking on a new and exciting chapter after the time jump. Jennifer even teased that it will be "unbelievable and mind-blowing" to play as an actor. We can't wait to see what's in store for Mercedes.
Another long-serving character, Ste Hay, played by Kieron Richardson, will also be staying put. He is currently involved in a storyline with new love interest Rex Gallagher, and it's safe to assume that this will play a significant role in his future after the time jump. Kieron shared, "It's an exciting time for the show in strange circumstances that we've been put into. Long term, the excitement's there, there's a buzz."
And speaking of Rex Gallagher, played by Jonny Labey, it looks like he's here to stay as well. Although he's only been on the show for a short time, he's already made quite an impact with his shady dealings and involvement with the gangster Blue. Jonny revealed that his character will be a big part of Ste's future, and we can expect to see more layers to Rex's character as the show progresses.
Jonny also mentioned how much a character can change over time in a soap opera, so the one-year time jump will certainly bring some interesting developments for Rex, who has been portrayed as a pure villain so far. Will he still be the same after a year? We can't wait to find out.
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