Hollyoaks has given a glimpse of what’s to come this year, with the outcome of a number of long-running storyline on the cards, plus a big return.
The Channel 4 soap went through numerous of changes last year, with episodes reduced to three and a series of cast members saying goodbye as the show jumped one year into the future.
The drama continues in 2025 (or 2026 in Hollyoaks-land), with the soap’s new Winter Trailer giving a look at what’s ahead.
With a big return on the cards in the form of Mark ‘Dodger’ Savage (Danny Mac), coupled either the long-awaited outcome of JJ Osborne’s (Ryan Mulvey) trial as Frankie (Isabelle Smith) bravely tells her story, there is a lot on offer.
Mercedes McQueen’s (Jennifer Metcalfe) also receives upsetting health news and the matriarch joins forces with Cleo (Nadine Mulkerrin), Peri Lomax (Ruby O’Donnell) and Leela Dexter (Kirsty-Leigh Porter) to take down Abe Fielding (Tyler Conti).
Here’s all the main takeaways from the trailer.
Frankie tells her story in court – but will she get justice?
JJ is set to finally pay for what he did to Frankie as his trial commences but, in typical JJ fashion, the abuser resorts to lies on the stand, going back on his word to tell the truth as he claims that Frankie has a history of lying.
Frankie is devastated.
As Darren defends his daughter in court, will justice prevail? Will Frankie get the justice she deserves? Or will JJ get away with his crimes?
Killing Abe
The net closes in on Abe Fielding as Cleo wakes up in hospital following being knocked down. Peri, meanwhile, confides in her family about Abe having attacked her and the scales fall from the villagers eyes as they see the abuser for who he truly is.
Marie starts to wonder if her son is the monster everyone else claims him to be, while Abe descends to new lows, bundling his mum into the back of a car.
With Leela, Peri and Cleo by her side, Mercedes claims there is only one way this story can end – and that’s for them to kill Abe.
Mercedes’ health takes a turn for the worse
It’s not just Abe that’s on Mercedes’ mind at the beginning of the year as the village legend, who is battling cancer, contracts an infection while undergoing her chemo. Her family rally round her, fearing that it will have an impact on her treatment.
Sienna Blake goes back to her old ways
Though she’s never quite shed her scheming ways, Sienna Blake has spent the best part of a decade working on herself to become a better person but it seems as though the darkness of the Blake clan prompts her to revisit her past, with her sinister side coming to light.
Following her confession that she killed love of her life and soulmate Ethan, Sienna toys with Dilly, who comes to see just what her sworn-enemy-turned-sister-turned-cousin is really capable of.
Sienna is then seen attempting to seduce Prince, who is back with Dilly at this point. The question is: why?
Dodger returns
Messing with Dilly’s head isn’t the only thing on Sienna’s mind this year as she’s left absolutely reeling to come face-to-face with twin brother Dodger, with Danny Mac reprising his role.
Dodger crosses paths with Donny, who rejoins the police force and arrests the returnee – but he makes a big mistake, with Dodger confirming that he’s working as an undercover policeman.
Donny’s actions have compromised a case. What is Dodger investigating? That remains to be seen but the trailer sees Dodger hanging around with Rex.
Grace Black follows in Sienna’s footsteps
Sienna isn’t the only one hellbent on revisiting her glory days this year as Grace does the same, reminding both herself and Rex that they are children of Fraser Black – and they won’t be pushed around any more.
Donning a new look, Grace returns to the criminal underworld.
The Hutch re-opens
After becoming a home for the McQueens, The Hutch is re-opened as it previously was, with Tony taking the reins once again. And he’s not alone, with Ste hired.
