Hollyoaks spoilers follow.
Hollyoaks star Gemma Merna has revealed that fans will see two very different versions of Carmel McQueen when she returns to the soap for a special cameo next week. Carmel is among the familiar faces coming back for the McQueen family’s fantasy episode, exploring how life might have been very different.
Next Wednesday’s episode (18 February) sees John Paul in a reflective mood, as he reaches a crossroads in his life and considers the choices that he’s made over the years.
This leads to some ‘What If?’ scenes – which see dead characters like Carmel, Tina and Sylver interacting with the likes of John Paul, Myra and Mercedes.
Gemma spoke exclusively to us on set at Hollyoaks when she returned to filming late last year.
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“In the episode, I’m playing Carmel as Carmel was,” Gemma explained. “But in the other scene, I’m playing Carmel where she’s a stockbroker! She’s speaking German and she’s in a suit, so she’s really powerful.
“So there are two versions of Carmel, which has been really fun to play. [The writers] got it bob-on – both of the scenes I’ve loved. I’ve loved coming back and playing this really strong, powerful Carmel.
“Then [in the other scene] I’m blessing myself with holy water and I run in going: ‘Hello beautiful people!’ It’s just Carmel! Alanna [Hallum], who’s written the episode, she knew Carmel back then. It’s beautiful to play again and I’m loving it.”
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Asked how she prepared to step into Carmel’s shoes again, Gemma replied: “I watched a little bit of my showreel and some of the comedy stuff and things like that. I was a bit like: ‘I’m not sure I can play her!’
“But once you get the clothes on, get into character, get the shoes on, I was just back into it. It might be an explosion when people are watching it, because I’m very excited to be back!
“It’s just been amazing to be together again. It’s like no time has passed – and now we just need to do a spin-off with all the McQueens!”
The big episode is paving the way for John Paul’s exit, as he bows out from the show this month.
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
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