February 11th 2025.
In the upcoming months, Dillon Ray and Frankie Osborne will be at the forefront of a major storyline in Hollyoaks. However, before we dive into the details, we must warn you that this article contains discussion of child sexual abuse.
Hollyoaks has officially announced a criminal and sexual exploitation plotline for Frankie and Dillon as they fall prey to a dangerous gang. This storyline has been subtly hinted at on-screen with the return of Grace Black to her villainous ways. She has teamed up with her brother Rex and DI Banks, and together they have set their sights on grooming Frankie and Dillon.
Rex has targeted Dillon, taking advantage of his vulnerabilities and doing everything in his power to break him and his boyfriend Lucas Hay apart. Meanwhile, Grace has enlisted the help of Kat to groom Frankie online. The two young adults are offered a seemingly glamorous lifestyle, but they soon realize that they have been lured into a world that is nearly impossible to escape. They find themselves subjected to both criminal and sexual exploitation.
To ensure that this storyline is portrayed accurately, Hollyoaks has worked closely with Causeway, a charity that supports and empowers survivors of modern slavery. Real-life survivors have also shared their experiences to inform the development of this storyline. Hannah Cheers, Hollyoaks' Executive Producer, emphasizes the importance of discussing safeguarding issues and raising awareness among young people.
"We have found that the exploitation of young people is a growing concern for multiple safeguarding agencies," says Hannah. "As a show that tells stories, Hollyoaks has a unique opportunity to shed light on these issues without lecturing our audience."
Frankie, as viewers may recall, went through a traumatizing experience last year when she was sexually abused by her twin brother JJ. Although JJ is now in prison, the impact of the abuse still weighs heavily on Frankie, making her vulnerable to grooming. She is targeted by Kat, which will put her relationship with her husband Darren to the test.
On the other hand, Dillon has had a tough year. Despite some recent positive developments in his life, he is still susceptible to manipulation by Rex. The character is forced to deal drugs on Rex's behalf, and eventually, both Dillon and Frankie become victims of sexual exploitation.
"Frankie is on a journey of rebuilding her life after the trial, but it must be filled with hope and reality," says Hannah, discussing the character's journey. "The trauma she has been through will continue to affect her, and we will see her struggle with trust and relationships."
Hannah also mentions that Dillon's troubled upbringing makes him more vulnerable to grooming, and this storyline will shed light on the different ways in which this issue can manifest itself in the lives of young people.
In a recent episode, Rex revealed to Grace that he is targeting both Frankie and Dillon. Real-life survivor Emily Vaughn, who was forced into sexual exploitation as a teenager, has been involved in developing this storyline. She hopes that this powerful and authentic portrayal will raise awareness and inspire resilience among survivors everywhere.
If you or someone you know is experiencing exploitation or abuse, please visit Causeway for more information and support. And don't forget to tune in to Hollyoaks on Mondays to Wednesdays at 7am on Channel 4's streaming platform or at 7pm on E4 to follow this gripping storyline. And as always, we would love to hear from you, so please leave a comment and join our community.
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