Much like the weather, Hollyoaks is heating up this Spring, with residents rushed to hospital, unexpected revelations aplenty and downfalls sets in motion in the jam-packed months ahead.
Hot off its flashback episode – which detailed the ‘missing’ year the Channel 4 soap has dropped its annual Spring Trailer – and it’s clear the show is bringing Drama with a capital D.
The long-awaited return of Dodger Savage (Danny Mac) comes at the perfect time for Sienna Blake (Anna Passey), with a reunion a decade in the making on the cards for the siblings.
Lucas Hay (Oscar Curtis) and Dillon Ray (Nathaniel Dass), meanwhile, look set to reunite once more – but the path to true love never did run smooth in this village and things are there set to take a horrifying turn.
Grace Black (Tamara Wall) remains more villainous than ever as she ramps up the child exploitation operation, with Frankie Osborne (Isabelle Smith) left devastated by the events which ensue.
But the walls could be closing in on her and Rex Gallagher (Jonny Labey), with detective Donny Clark (Louis Emerick) on the case.
It’s going to be a Spring to remember, that’s for sure, and if you’d like a more detailed debrief of what’s on the agenda then you’re in luck as we’ve got you covered!
Grace goes too far as Frankie and Dillon are in danger
Grace, as viewers know, has been grooming the teens of the village as part of her child exploitation operation and, in upcoming scenes, the situation escalates further as she continues to manipulate Dillon and Frankie, gaslighting them with the promise of a lifestyle of their dreams.
Things, however, spiral out of control and the harsh reality of the situation in which Dillon and Frankie have found themselves hits home.
Feeling vulnerable and like they’ve got nowhere left to turn, the teens turn to drugs. But will they get the help they need and make it out of this world of criminality before it’s too late?
Maxine’s life hangs in the balance as her exit looms
Maxine isn’t long for the village and speculation has been rife about how the village icon will depart. The new trailer sees the paralegal put in serious jeopardy when she finds herself on the wrong side of Grace.
In dramatic scenes, Maxine is taken prisoner by the gangster in The Loft. The question is, will she make it out of the life-threatening situation alive? Or will her story have a tragic ending?
Mercedes’ grand return
Mercedes is currently languishing behind bars for a crime she didn’t commit but the new trailer confirms that the legendary villager – who recently found out that her cancer treatment is working – will secure her release.
In the deliciously camp closing sequence of the trailer, Mercedes confronts archenemy Grace, who is properly reeling to see her love rival. Maxine appears to have had a hand in Mercy’s release, with one scene in the trailer seeing the paralegal urging her to bring Grace down once and for all.
Will Max get her wish? Will Mercedes be the one to take down Grace?
DI Banks’ downfall?
The walls begin to close in on DI Banks too, with Donny on the case as he starts to suspect his colleague isn’t as clean as he’s making out. But as the former gets romantic with Diane, will his and Grace’s illegal operation be exposed once and for all?
Dodger returns as Sienna gets the shock of her life
Having killed her husband and subsequently assisted dad Jez in covering up the crime of her beloved cousin, it’s safe to say that Sienna isn’t having a very good year.
Factor in her recent collapse, the culmination of her fleeting romance with Cleo and the fear that she might have motor neurone disease, it’s no wonder that she’s struggling.
Sienna collapses once again as Jez comes to her aid (Picture: Lime Pictures)
Maxine witnesses the ordeal and swiftly approaches (Picture: Lime Pictures)
Liberty is soon right by her sister’s side (Picture: Lime Pictures)
Jez spies an opportunity, summoning Dodger (Picture: Lime Pictures)
And soon the Blakes receive a shock when a hooded figure appears in the market (Picture: Lime Pictures)
Sienna can’t quite believe her eyes (Picture: Lime Pictures)
Nor can Maxine! (Picture: Lime Pictures)
It’s Dodger! (Picture: Lime Pictures)
With some assistance from her estranged twin, Sienna gets back to her feet as Dodger leads her home (Picture: Lime Pictures)
Leela is taken aback to see Sienna with her long-lost twin (Picture: Lime Pictures)
And she’s not the only one, with Myra and Prince wondering what Dodger’s return means for Myra-Pocahontas (Picture: Lime Pictures)
Rex and Grace, meanwhile, realise who Dodger is (Picture: Lime Pictures)
The Blakes accompany Dodger and Sienna back to Oakdale Drive (Picture: Lime Pictures)
With all eyes on Dodger, just what will await him beyond his reunion with the Blakes? (Picture: Lime Pictures)
The unexpected comeback of estranged twin Dodger couldn’t come at a more perfect time as he waltzes back into the village after nearly a decade – and gets to know the new Blakes in town.
But with Jez a twisted serial killer and Martha behind Sienna’s health fears, will Dodger work out what the two long-lost members of his clan are really like? Just where will he fit in?
Lucas and Dillon reunite – but tragedy strikes
Despite their recent break-up, it appears that things are looking up for Lucas and Dillon in upcoming scenes, with the former flames set to share a kiss that will change everything.
The couple’s happiness quickly turns to tragedy, with the trailer revealing that Lucas is subsequently rushed to hospital – and it’s a serious situation that follows, with Ste insisting that his son have life-saving surgery.
Just what has happened to Lucas? And will he be okay?
Oscar Curtis, who plays Lucas, previously confirmed a ‘life and death’ situation to Metro.
‘It’s going to get scary’,’ he told me, describing what is to come. ‘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.’
Cleo and Joel reunite
Lucas and Dillon aren’t the only former flames set to share a kiss, with Cleo and Joel growing close once again.
The question is: just what does their moment of passion mean for the former’s relationship with Sienna and the latter’s marriage to Leela?
Divorce for Darren and Nancy?
Stil believing that Darren cheated on her with Kat, Nancy spells out that she wants a divorce. The revelation leaves Darren reeling and he lashes out at best mate Tony, punching him in the face.
Darren is also concerned about Frankie, knowing something is going on as he confronts Rex about what his daughter is involved in.
A deadly blaze
The turmoil is in high supply for the Osbornes this Spring, with the trailer confirming that a deadly blaze breaks out at Basswood Road. Nancy and Frankie watch in horror as the flames take hold, but will they be able to put them out before it’s too late?
Tommy spirals out of control
Tommy continues to fixate on Joel, believing that they’re best mates. This fixation, however, drives a wedge between Joel and Leela, with Leela confronting Tommy and ordering him to stay away.
But will he do just that? Or will Tommy pressure Joel into being his friend in order to keep the truth about Billy a secret?
