Hollyoaks is gearing up for Christmas, and to mark the start of the festive season, the soap has released a new winter trailer previewing all the big upcoming storylines.
There are some joyous Christmas scenes ahead in the village, with Tony hosting a special meal at The Dog, Donny making a toast and the McQueens dressing up for the celebrations.
But there is also a lot of drama, with weddings, affairs, confessions and a thrilling escape plan. There is a lot to unpack, so here is our guide to all the biggest moments in Hollyoaks’ exciting winter trailer.
1. Cleo plans a dangerous escape
Abe has been keeping Cleo in his flat for over a year now, a continuation of his abuse within their relationship. Cleo has been convinced that she killed Abe’s mum Marie in the motorbike accident, and the rest of the village therefore hates her. But in the new trailer, she finally discovers that Abe has been lying and Marie is alive.
While Abe and Peri decide to get married this Christmas, Cleo plans to escape and takes inspiration from the crime novels she has been reading. She convinces Abe that she is dying, so he agrees to marry her in the folly.
“He’s never going to let me go, not alive at least,” Cleo says. “Books have kept me company. Abe doesn’t read, but he should. Because then he’d know the story about the girl who tricks her captor into thinking she’s dead.”
In a chilling scene, it looks like Abe throws Cleo’s seemingly dead body in the water. But she appears to survive this incident, and after he is found washed up, she sets out to stop Abe and Peri’s wedding. Mercedes is also seen telling the police to arrest Abe, so has he finally been caught out?
2. Martha makes a confession
Sienna is out of prison, after the evidence that suggested she pushed Ethan to his death was proved false. But she struggles on her return to the village as she believes that her family think she murdered her husband – so she banishes them from her house.
But she is pleased to have the support of her estranged grandmother Martha, who returns to the village this week. She is still being manipulated by Jez, but Sienna asks Martha to move in with her so she can look after her and make up for lost time.
However, there are big secrets to be exposed, as Martha makes a confession and tells Sienna that she was the one who killed Ethan. Is Martha really responsible for his death?
3. Myra and Nana return
The village is welcoming back a couple of McQueens this Christmas, with Myra and Nana bringing some much-needed festive cheer to the family. Their arrivals could potentially tie in to Theresa’s temporary exit storyline, as actor Jorgie Porter previously teased some McQueen returns.
But there could be some big secrets revealed during the Christmas period, as Mercedes recently told JJ in the hospital that her mum doesn’t know about her bowel cancer diagnosis. Will the McQueens be able to support Mercedes?
4. Freddie has two new love interests
Mercedes also has the support of Freddie throughout her cancer ordeal, and she is vulnerable with him as she resumes her chemotherapy treatment. In a surprise twist, he captures her heart, and the loved-up pair plan a romantic break together.
The McQueens, including mum Myra, are happy for Mercedes – but Freddie is married to Grace! She is furious with her friend’s betrayal, as one of Mercedes’ key sources of support during her treatment quickly turns into her worst nightmare.
But one affair clearly isn’t enough for Freddie, as the trailer shows that his recent betrayal with his brother’s girlfriend Vicky could be set to continue. Will Freddie’s lies be exposed over Christmas?
5. Leela’s secret continues
Leela has had a difficult time since the birth of her child Clara. While Joel has settled into parenthood, Leela’s mind has been elsewhere, and it was soon revealed that she doesn’t think Joel is the father of her baby.
Joel continues to be suspicious of his wife, and he interrupts Mercedes’ twins Christening to propose that Leela is cheating on him, questioning the paternity of their daughter in a tense confrontation.
An emotional Leela explains that she has been through so much, and there could be more than meets the eye when it comes to her baby secret. What happened to Leela during the missing year, and will the truth be revealed?
6. Frankie gets trial update
Frankie’s quest to get justice for the sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of her twin brother JJ has been difficult. JJ was diagnosed with leukaemia just before his plea hearing, and his health has recently worsened as he hasn’t responded to the treatment.
He was told he needed a bone marrow transplant, and Frankie was horrified to discover that as his twin, she was his best hope. She eventually decided to donate her stem cells to save JJ’s life, so that he will be around to face the consequences of his actions.
It looks like that time is coming around soon, as in the trailer, Frankie finds out that JJ’s trial will take place in January. While JJ isn’t seen in the trailer, Jack remarks that “hopefully this means you’re going to get the justice you deserve.” Will she be able to face JJ in court?
7. Darren’s whereabouts are revealed
The horrific events involving Frankie and JJ have taken their toll on dad Darren, and at the end of last month he disappeared. His family have grown increasingly concerned that something has happened to him, and Nancy is struggling to cope with everything on her own.
But the trailer has revealed that Darren is safe and has been hiding out in Charlie’s university flat in London. He watches Nancy make a live TV appeal where she urges him to return home, but things take a turn when Darren watches Nancy collapse. With Charlie telling him to go back to the village, will this scary incident force Darren to return home?
8. Ro is in danger
Viewers have recently seen Ro get in trouble for drinking a bottle of wine with Arlo at school. When Tony arrived home from his date with Marie, he found Diane holding the bottle, and wrongly assumed that she had relapsed. Diane decided not to correct him, thinking that this lie might help her to win her ex-husband back.
But Diane’s lie means that Tony is unaware of his son’s drinking, and this story will soon take a shocking turn. As the New Year approaches, Tony and Diane are terrified when they find Ro unconscious from alcohol consumption. Will Diane tell Tony the truth, and risk losing him to protect Ro?
9. Dillon tries to win back Lucas
It doesn’t currently look like there is a way back for young couple Lucas and Dillon, after Lucas recently discovered that Dillon is the father of his sister Leah’s baby. Lucas is still heartbroken by his ex-boyfriend’s betrayal, but Dillon isn’t prepared to give up on his first love.
Dillon wants them to ring in the New Year together, but with some emotional scenes ahead for the pair, will Lucas be able to figure out a way for them to move forward?
