Trigger warning: This article contains discussion of child sexual abuse.
Hollyoaks has confirmed a criminal and sexual exploitation storyline for Frankie Osborne (Isabelle Smith) and Dillon Ray (Nathaniel Dass) as they’re groomed by a criminal gang.
The storyline in question has been hinted at on-screen following Grace Black’s (Tamara Wall) return to the dark side, with the former Loft owner in cahoots with brother Rex (Jonny Labey) and DI Banks.
Rex has been targeting Dillon, preying on his vulnerability and desperately trying to break him and Lucas Hay (Oscar Curtis) up. Frankie, meanwhile, is being groomed online by Kat (Sonia Ibrahim) at the behest of Rex and Grace.
Frankie and Dillon are set to be offered a lifestyle that they perceive to be glamorous but it will soon come to light that they’ve been lured into a world that is very difficult to escape from as they find themselves subjected to criminal and sexual exploitation.
In order to ensure the storyline is as authentic as possible, Hollyoaks has worked closely with Causeway, a charity that supports, empowers and creates change for survivors of modern slavery.
Real-life survivors have also informed the storyline.
Hollyoaks Executive Producer Hannah Cheers said: ‘It is imperative that Hollyoaks is constantly talking to young people about safeguarding issues and ways in which abuse can infiltrate young lives.
‘The audience naturally regenerates and the issues that young adults are vulnerable to are constantly evolving. Hollyoaks is in a unique position to shine a light on them, without lecturing, due to the way that the show tells stories.
‘The research that we have, finds that the exploitation of young people is an insidious problem and growing concern for multi safeguarding agencies.‘
Frankie, as viewers know, was sexually abused by twin brother JJ (Ryan Mulvey) in a powerful storyline last year. Although JJ has been sent to prison for his crimes, the ordeal will have a long-lasting effect on her and thus leave her vulnerable to grooming.
Dillon, meanwhile, was gifted a home by Rex, who he believes to be a genuine confidante and supportive friend. Overtime, Rex’s manipulation will increase, with Dillon forced to deal drugs on behalf of Rex.
Frankie and Dillon will then be sexually exploited.
‘Frankie, post-trial is on a journey of rebuilding her life and that must be filled with hope and potential, but also reality,’ said Hannah, discussing the characters’ story journeys. ‘With the trauma that Frankie’s been through, there’s a lot to navigate in life…
‘She has this incredibly strong bond with Darren and Nancy now, however, her understanding and experience of trust is still one that needs to be worked out.
‘We test the relationship between Frankie and Darren and the way that Frankie copes with that is we will see her try to make a go of it on her own and end up potentially in danger.
‘Her best friend Dillon has also experienced a difficult upbringing, from being ostracised from his family home at 15 for being expelled, leaving him estranged from his parents, to becoming a teenage dad last year. Challenging upbringings make young people more susceptible to grooming.
‘We want this story to shed a light on a very real problem that manifests in different ways for different individuals as we will see through the eyes of best friends.’
Real life survivor Emily Vaughn was forced as a teenager into sexual exploitation after being groomed by older men and encouraged to form a dependency on drugs.
‘Being involved in helping to develop the exploitation storyline with Hollyoaks and using my own lived experience to help form part of their research, provided an opportunity to amplify the voices of survivors that often go unheard,’ she said.
‘Hollyoaks have been fantastic taking these personal narratives from survivors, and transforming them into a powerful, authentic and sensitive storyline.
‘I hope this story will shed light on the harsh realities of modern grooming, whilst inspiring hope and resilience for survivors everywhere.’
Hollyoaks streams Mondays to Wednesdays from 7am on Channel 4’s streaming platform, or catch episodes on TV at 7pm on E4.
