Hollyoaks spoilers follow.
Hollyoaks welcomes back some familiar faces next week as several members of the McQueen family return – even though some of them are meant to be dead!
In a special episode to mark 20 years of the iconic clan, John Paul imagines how things would be different had some of his deceased relatives not met their maker, leading him to make a life-changing decision…
“People grew up watching the McQueens,” begins James Sutton, who plays John Paul. “They became part of the viewers’ lives. I’ve got so many favourite memories over all my years here.”
John Paul has been dragged into a dangerous criminal world by corrupt cop Smithy, who is forcing him and Prince to cook steroids at Hollyoaks High after hours. It’s part of a secret drug operation, masterminded by sick gangster Sully from his prison cell.
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Dodger is suspicious of Smithy’s dealings with John Paul next week and does some digging, begging the teacher to tell him what’s going on.
Eventually, slippery Smithy is arrested, but word reaches incarcerated Sully – who sends a warning that the McQueens are in danger for compromising his operation!
The cops put the family home on lockdown while they neutralise the threat. John Paul blames himself for endangering his loved ones by getting close to Smithy, and imagines what would’ve happened had he made different choices over the last two decades, such as not coming out as gay. Would his life be less dramatic?
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“John Paul had a lot of issue-based storylines over the years that were quite important,” notes James. “He’s carried some really heavy stuff, which hopefully made an impact on the audience. And there were some sexy moments too!”
Much-missed characters like the late Carmel, Tina and Sylver – along with still alive and kicking Michaela and Sally – are seen in a series of fantasy sequences that take place in an alternate McQueen timeline.
With John Paul in a reflective mood as he questions the paths he has taken, fans will be thrilled to see some of their favourite family members together again.
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“Filming with the returning cast was the best day I have had on set in a long time,” grins James. “It was so full of joy and love. I hadn’t realised how much I cherished the days when we all worked together.”
As the various scenarios unfold, John Paul has a long, hard think about his future. The exciting climax to the episode remains under wraps, but will lead to John Paul’s heartbreaking exit. Will he get a happy ending, or be killed off on Sully’s orders?
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.
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