September 11th 2024.
Ellis Hollins and Stephanie Waring were just a few of the beloved cast members who were let go during a difficult time for the hit show, Hollyoaks. The iconic Mercedes McQueen, played by Jennifer Metcalfe, has opened up about the challenging weeks that saw up to 20 cast members being axed from the show. It was a period of great anxiety for everyone involved.
The decision to reduce the show's output from five episodes to three shorter ones was a tough one, resulting in a third of the workforce losing their jobs. This included not just the cast, but also the crew and writers. Jennifer, who has been a part of the show for an impressive 18 years, recently spoke with The Agency about how difficult it was for everyone.
"It has been a really tough time," she shared. "When we were told that we were going from five to three episodes, no one knew what that would mean for the show. It caused a lot of anxiety around the building, and that feeling still lingers because so many people that we've known for 20 years are now gone. It's never going to be the same again, but we are adapting and creating a new version of our beloved show."
The reboot of Hollyoaks has introduced some major changes, with the show now following a digital-led model. Episodes are first released online on Mondays to Wednesdays, before being aired on E4 12 hours later. This has also allowed viewers from all over the world to watch the show on YouTube for the first time.
One of the casualties of the show's changes was Annie Wallace, who played Sally St Claire. With the first week of the new format now behind them, viewers have been impressed with the show's continued strength. Exciting stunt sequences and topical storylines, such as Frankie Osborne's abuse at the hands of her brother JJ, have received universal acclaim.
As the show moves forward, it will also be jumping ahead by a year, creating even more intrigue and mystery for viewers. "It's truly an exciting new era," Jennifer said. "These past six to seven months have shown that the show is not wrapping up, as some may have feared. The recent episodes have been so alive and current, and it feels like Hollyoaks is setting itself apart from other soaps. We all have our unique strengths, and for us, it's about being current and adapting to the times. Our younger audience has really connected with us again."
Jennifer also shared her excitement for the big storyline she has coming up. "When I heard about the time jump, I was like 'Oh!' It's really interesting for us as actors because we can do whatever we want with our characters. But what's most important to me is how the viewers will react to it. I want it to be clear for them to understand what has happened."
The time jump presents endless possibilities for new storylines, and producer Hannah Cheers has promised that the events of the missing year will have long-lasting effects. "It's like we have a blank canvas to work with," Jennifer said excitedly. "We get to tell the story backwards, which is something we haven't done before. As we continue to film for the next few months and even years, we'll get to see how each character got to where they are now. I hope it will keep viewers on their toes and make them want to tune in every episode."
Jennifer also assured fans that the time jump will be easy to follow, and that she can't wait to see how the story unfolds herself. "It's going to be really exciting, and I guarantee that if people tune in, they'll be hooked. It's a clever way of storytelling, and I can't wait for viewers to see it."
For the full interview with Jennifer, make sure to check out The Agency's Soaps homepage and social media.
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