It’s been a decade since we last saw him in Hollyoaks village, and fans were delighted to discover that Danny Mac had reprised his role as popular character Dodger Savage.
And a lot has changed for Dodger, with theatre and Strictly star Danny telling Metro in an exclusive interview that his alter-ego will be thrust into a sinister situation which is the catalyst for a major storyline running through the year on the Channel 4 soap.
Now an undercover cop, could Dodger be out of his depth as he discovers the true nature of Jonny Labey’s character, Rex, his target.
It turns out there’s a lot more going on than meets the eye, although I am currently sworn to secrecy on details.
That said, Danny did have a few cryptic hints to drop when I enjoyed a catch-up with him, 10 years on from his exit that saw Dodger go on the run.
‘We’re at the start of something that’s going to grow quite huge,’ he hinted with care, keen not to spoil too much for viewers.
‘The depths of which that is built from, I’m still unsure of. I still created some foundations that could build quite an explosive journey. None of it has been taken lightly.
‘There’s very much a reason for him to be back, there’s a lot he’s been through for him to get him to this place and people will be shocked and confused as to how he became an undercover police officer.
‘He’s been away and been through a lot and has always been on the cusp of either going one way or another. As an undercover cop you either go fully the right way or fully the wrong way.’
But how much danger could Dodger be in himself? Once he’s all in, will he be putting everything – including his life – on the line?
Danny pondered: ‘It’s going to be up for discussion in terms of finding the answers to that. There’s a sense of danger in the way he’s putting himself in this position, which kind of answers where he’s been to and what the lengths he’s gone to, to get there…’
Obviously, a decade is a long time and, as well as having been through a lot, it must be the case that Dodger has changed a lot.
‘I’ve lived those ten years, and I know how much I’ve changed. Your perspective, thoughts and feelings towards people and the world is a big, big difference between your 20s and your 30s,’ Danny reflected.
‘It’s exciting to carry that into Dodger. When I look back, he was really immature.
‘There’s a lot of stuff he’s been through and had to deal with it. A lot very real, and a lot of it insane. It’s always been the fun of playing him, I never knew what was happening when I picked up the script. I always knew what his morals were and how he’d react – and I still do. It’s not necessarily the way he’d react ten years ago. I just know who he is and it’s great to revisit him.’
One thing that we are all aching for is to re-discover the explosive chemistry between Danny and Sienna Blake star Anna Passey.
But we – and Danny – will have to play the waiting game on that score.
‘I can’t give any of it away, because I don’t know yet!’ he admitted. ‘In terms of my filming, that moment hasn’t happened. I did some filming at the end of last year and I’ll be jumping back in within a few weeks. I really don’t know, I’m as excited and intrigued as everybody else.’ And in what terms that’s going to happen!’
What he has enjoyed is getting to work with some new faces, such as former EastEnders actor Jonny.
‘For a start, Jonny is a wonderful actor and great to play opposite. It’s been more preferable coming in as Dodger with different characters because he’s coming from such a different angle.
‘To come straight in with the same old would never be exciting and be too easy. I’m still finding my feet.’
So, the obvious question is why come back now? Having been offered the chance a few times over the years, Danny has never found the time to be right. But now he tells me that 10 years seems like an apt time to revisit Dodger, and he was full of praise for show boss Hannah Cheers and the storyline pitch she set out.
Now undercover in the police force, it’s the start of a big story for Dodger and others (Picture: Lime Pictures)
Hollyoaks boss Hannah Cheers managed to tempt Danny back (Picture: Lime Pictures)
He explained to me: ‘I came out of Hollyoaks after a wonderful time, and it was really great for me, but I never looked back. I was really fortunate to work consistently in very different areas – TV and a lot of theatre. It’s been non-stop for me which is really exciting and wonderful.
‘But with life and logistics, and professionally, everything kind of pointed to a return.
‘There have been a lot of great drama and plenty of opportunities for Dodger to come back, but it would’ve served a lot of people’s storylines rather than his own. Now, fortunately, with the timing and drama in the show, and the big changes that happened, where I’m at in my life logistically, mentally, personally and professionally, it was just due a conversation.
‘When Hannah and I spoke this time, it just felt right. It feels perfect. I’m so bloody excited to be back! With it being the full 10 years feels so poetic, and with it being the 30th anniversary. The way Hannah has orchestrated an agenda and a reason to be back, we discover he’s there with a task and there’s a reason for him being there.
‘I knew Hannah when I was there originally in a different role, but to be back and supporting her, a friend, means a lot to me and I’m really honoured to be part of it.’
Particularly after a turbulent time for the soap, which saw a wide range of cast exit and a move to a digital model, Danny told me he feels ‘honoured’ to be trusted to come back, admitting there are risks to it.
But, with Hollyoaks defying the odds against them and having increased views online and successes on other platforms, Danny is pleased to see them fighting the good fight.
‘I can’t say I fully understand it, but I completely trust it,’ he shared. ‘Not that soaps are at risk, but they needs to adapt. I’m so excited that Hollyoaks is doing that first, paving the way for the other soaps to take heed and follow or adjust similarly or accordingly.
‘That’s why it’s so exciting to be on board with Hannah, and for her to be the one doing that. It’s a big decision to be bringing people in at this time and I’m so grateful and honoured that Dodger is part of that.’
