Hollyoaks star Oscar Curtis confirms ‘scary’ future for Lucas and addresses Dillon reunion

Lucas Hay (Oscar Curtis) was left devastated in Hollyoaks earlier this week when Dillon Ray (Nathaniel Dass) abandoned him outside the hospital at a time when he needed him the most.

Dillon, as viewers know, is being groomed by the sinister Rex Gallagher (Jonny Labey), who is preying on the teen’s vulnerabilities by offering him a lifestyle he’s always dreamed of.

Rex is working with Grace Black (Tamara Wall), who is overseeing a child exploitation operation in the village, with Dillon and Frankie Osborne (Isabelle Smith) both having been targeted.

Lucas knows full well that Rex cannot be trusted and he’s desperately tried to make Dillon and Frankie see such a thing to no avail.

Heartbroken in the wake of Dillon leaving him at the hospital, Lucas broke up with his boyfriend – just weeks after their long-awaited reunion.

The child exploitation story is only just beginning, with the hold Rex has over Dillon and Frankie set to intensify.

But with Lucas having his eyes wide open where Rex is concerned, will he prove instrumental in exposing his and Grace’s heinous scheme? What’s more, what does life look like for Lucas post-Dillon? Is HayRay really no more?

I caught up with Lucas star Oscar Curtis for a chat to pose those questions to him and more as we talked about what’s coming up for his character in the coming weeks.

Hi Oscar! It’s been a busy few months for Lucas. What’s it been like exploring these darker storylines and did you change anything in how you approached playing Lucas pre and post time jump?

I’ve enjoyed playing the darker stuff! That’s been fun to be a part of. I think Lucas has become softer and more emotional and has less of that hard shell that he had, so subconsciously that has been woven throughout [how I play] each scene. I would like to see that feistiness and anger even come out in Lucas more often!

Rex has caused so much trouble for Lucas and Dillon. But Lucas can see through him in a way that other characters can’t. Did what he went through with Carter make him more aware of manipulation like Rex’s?

Yes, I think so. He can see through the facade of Rex. The facade of this happy-go-lucky family guy. If anything it’s frustrating for Lucas that no-one else can see it. I think he starts to question his own validity because no-one else can see it.

This past week, Lucas was rushed to hospital – and Dillon abandoned him outside. How did that make Lucas feel?

It was heartbreaking. Especially because they’ve been through so much as a couple so for it to get to a stage like this… it’s even worse because you’re looking at it from a point of view of ‘How can it get worse than cheating on him with his sister?’ And not to forget Lucas beating up Dillon too.

They’ve been through so much in their short past but this was the worst thing because it’s a matter of life and death.

Is that what ultimately pushed Lucas to break up with Dillon?

Yes. Lucas sees that Dillon’s got a love for partying and drugs. That kind of dark lifestyle. It’s more than his love for Lucas – and that is the final point in Lucas’ head. I wouldn’t say it’s in his heart though because he still very much loves Dillon but he knows what’s right for him.

But with Lucas, when he loves someone unconditionally, it is unconditional. No matter how much wrong he does, Lucas somehow manages to find the light – he sees the light in Dillon’s darkness.

And Dillon as a character is getting much darker. They’ve passed the baton, so to speak, from Lucas to Dillon in terms of who is the troubled kid, who is the aggressor – the one starting issues.

This is the second time Lucas and Dillon have split up. Is there any chance of a reunion in the future?

I think there is always a chance for a reunion. Especially for two people that not only the fans love but as characters they are kind of synonymous with one another, you know? They just get each other very well. There’s always hope of a redemption arc. Hopefully!

How did you feel when you found out that Lucas and Dillon were going to split so soon after their reunion?

It’s soap so there is always high drama. There is always breaking up and getting back together. It’s part of the journey that comes with drama – the chaos. And Lucas being the son of Ste, I think there’s always going to be some drama!

You mentioned the dynamic between Lucas and Dillon shifting this year in comparison to last, has that been nice to switch things up?

Yes, it has been nice to have it slightly lighter!

Though I am hoping that Lucas decides to snap back into his old self – I think he should stand up for himself a bit more!

Lucas had a very strong support network around him last year when he was going through so much. With Dillon, Frankie and even Ste now under Rex’s spell, will he find himself feeling isolated and lonely?

I think Lucas definitely finds himself isolated. He throws himself into his work at The Hutch. But he also doubles down on how he feels. He’s not going to let Rex [get away with this]. Because he can see it so clearly.

He knows Dillon very well so he notices the slight changes and he knows that Rex is involved in what’s happening. He draws together what’s happening without really knowing. It’s a gut instinct.

So even though they’re not together at the moment, will Lucas continue to keep an eye on Dillon from afar?

One hundred percent. He’s watching from afar, despite how much Dillon has wronged him. Ultimately Lucas wants the best for Dillon. And he sees Rex as the issue.

[Looking out for each other] is something that will always happen. For both Dillon and Lucas, it’s always going to be that one ex you can’t get over. Or you know that one relationship where they’re always breaking up and getting back together? It feels like that.

Could Lucas play a role in exposing Rex and what he’s up to?

Let’s hope so. Let’s hope so!

You’ve had some really intense and dramatic scenes with Nate [Dass] who plays Dillon and you’ve both done incredible work together. What’s it been like building this relationship and finding that dynamic?

Me and Nate are best friends – outside of work and inside of work, so it’s very natural. We just go on set with the same end goal: I want to act the best for him and he wants to act the best for me. It’s always quite simple when we film together!

The fans are still very much Team HayRay! What does that support mean to you?

Ah, it’s just amazing. It’s really amazing to have such a strong fanbase. With soap, a lot of people come in and go out. And with relationships, people can just pick up on ones that become the new craze. But the fans have stood by HayRay, despite them being on and off so much. It’s a really rewarding feeling and I’m really grateful.

Finally – the big question! – what can you tell me about what’s coming up for Lucas?

There is going to be a lot, I’ll say that! And also, it’s going to get scary… and intense and emotional – but not exactly in a break-up sense. I think it’s going to get emotional in a ‘life and death situation’ sense.

Hollyoaks streams Mondays to Wednesdays from 6am on Channel 4’s streaming platform, or catch episodes on TV at 7pm on E4.