Hollyoaks spoilers follow.
Note: This article contains discussion of topics including rape.
Hollyoaks star Harvey Virdi has opened up about her character Misbah Maalik’s reaction to her partner Donny Clark’s ordeal. In upcoming scenes, Donny confides in Misbah after being raped by Connor ‘Sully’ Sullivan in Liverpool back in October.
The traumatic event was part of Hollyoaks’ explosive Later episode to mark the show’s 30th anniversary, with fellow police officer Dodger Savage also being sexually abused by another member of Sully’s criminal gang, Griff.
In scenes airing next week, Donny’s daughter Gemma Johnson encourages her dad to confide in his family about his heartbreaking ordeal, having recently discovered the truth herself.
When Misbah realises what happened, it’s an “initial shock”, says actor Harvey Virdi, but eventually “all makes sense”.
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Related: Hollyoaks’ Donny bravely speaks out on traumatic ordeal
“Misbah herself has been there, so she knows how important it is for him to talk about it and own it to start healing,” she says. “That’s where she comes in with her strength.”
Misbah herself is also a survivor of sexual assault – it was revealed in 2021 that she was raped by Ali Shahzad during her time at university. Harvey explains that due to Misbah’s understanding, she knows how to react to Donny’s difficult truth.
“I think that moment for Misbah is about forgetting all the stuff that’s happened since and letting Donny know that he is so loved – that he can say whatever he needs to say and it’s okay,” Harvey says.
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Related: 11 huge Hollyoaks spoilers for next week
“He can speak his truth and there’s no judgement, putting aside her own experiences because every experience is different. It was important for Misbah to show Donny that regardless of what’s happened, his family loves him.”
However, despite Misbah’s empathy, Harvey insists that her character will need a bit more time to forgive him for cheating on her with Clare Devine, as well as sex worker Molly at Christmas time.
“She’s not a doormat, she hasn’t just forgiven and forgotten,” Harvey argues. “I don’t think it’s going to be that easy for Donny to just move on; it’s still a work in progress but she is going to hold him accountable for stuff. He can’t just get away with behaving badly!”
Read a full interview with Hollyoaks stars Harvey Virdi and Louis Emerick in this week’s Inside Soap, out now.
Hollyoaks airs on Mondays-Wednesdays with its Channel 4 streaming premiere at 7am, then an E4 broadcast the same night at 7pm. Full episodes are also released on YouTube a week after their Channel 4 release.
Selected omnibus episodes are available via Prime Video.
Read more Hollyoaks spoilers on our dedicated homepage
Hollyoaks are continuing to work closely with We Are Survivors to tell Dodger and Donny’s stories, an organisation that supports male survivors of sexual abuse, rape and sexual exploitation across Greater Manchester and throughout England and Wales.
For more information, visit wearesurvivors.co.uk, or contact the 24/7 support line at 0808 500 2222.