Hollyoaks 30th Anniversary: Brookside Crossover & Later Special

Get ready for a double dose of drama, nostalgia, and brand-new twists as Hollyoaks pulls out all the stops for its 30th anniversary, bringing back a beloved classic and its own infamous late-night slot!

TL;DR: Your Quick Guide to the Hollyoaks Anniversary Week

Double the Drama: Mark your calendars for Wednesday, October 22, for a special Brookside crossover episode at 7pm on E4, immediately followed by the return of the darker Hollyoaks Later at 10:05pm on E4.
Iconic Returns: Beloved Brookside legends like Sue Johnston (Sheila Grant) and Ricky Tomlinson (Bobby Grant) are heading back to the Close for a special appearance, while Hollyoaks Later welcomes back Warren Fox, Theresa McQueen, and more.
High-Stakes Storylines: From Donny's dangerous secrets to the teens' emotional trauma and Theresa's illegal dealings, prepare for hard-hitting plots and shocking revelations across both anniversary specials.

Get Ready for a Nostalgia Trip: The Brookside Crossover Event

Can you believe it's been 30 years since Hollyoaks first graced our screens? To celebrate this massive milestone, the show is treating us to something truly special: a crossover event with another iconic Liverpool-based soap, Brookside! It's been over two decades since we last saw the famous cul-de-sac on air, making this a seriously exciting return.

This one-off special, which is part of the regular Hollyoaks episode, will air on Wednesday, October 22, at 7pm BST on E4 (and you can stream it even earlier, at 7am, on Channel 4). Camera crews actually revisited the famous L12 cul-de-sac last month for just one day of filming, and the excitement among the returning cast was palpable.

Familiar Faces Return to Brookside Close After Two Decades

Prepare for a blast from the past, as a whole host of Brookside favourites are reprising their roles! We're talking TV royalty here. The list of returning legends includes:

Sue Johnston as Sheila Grant
Ricky Tomlinson as Bobby Grant
Paul Usher as Barry Grant
John McArdle as Billy Corkhill
Philip Olivier as Timothy "Tinhead" O'Leary
Suzanne Collins as Nikki Shadwick
Michael Starke as Thomas "Sinbad" Sweeney

This special episode isn't just a treat for fans; it also honours Sir Phil Redmond, the brilliant mind behind both Brookside and Hollyoaks. It's a fantastic way to pay tribute to his lasting legacy in British television.

"It will be lovely to take part in Brookside again especially to work alongside Sue Johnston. I’m looking forward to being on the close again after all these years."

— Ricky Tomlinson (Bobby Grant)

Donny Clark's Investigation Leads Him to a Shocking Reunion

How does Hollyoaks tie into all this? Well, the plot centres around Louis Emerick’s character, Detective Donny Clark. Long-time soap fans will remember Louis from his time playing Mick Johnson in Brookside from 1989 to 2001. Now, his Hollyoaks character, Donny, finds himself in a sticky situation.

Donny's been hiding a big secret, and a character named Froggy Black is "rattling his cage." According to Louis Emerick, "All is not as it seems and we can safely say it’s connected to the Brookside crossover. The house of cards is going to start collapsing." Donny's investigation into Hollyoaks villain Clare Devine is what ultimately takes him back to the iconic Close, where he'll be greeted by none other than Sue Johnston's Sheila Grant!

"When I saw Sue Johnno for the first time on the Close I thought: ‘Oh this is real, it’s happening!’ It sounds corny, but it was like a school reunion as we relived the anecdotes. I loved every minute of Brookside."

— Louis Emerick (Donny Clark, formerly Mick Johnson)

The sentiment was echoed by other returning stars. Paul Usher, who plays Barry Grant, mentioned that the chance to reunite with his on-screen parents, Sue and Ricky, was a huge reason he agreed to come back. "That made me say yes because we don’t get to see each other as often as we’d like," he shared, highlighting the lasting bonds formed on set.

It's also a poignant moment to remember those no longer with us, like Dean Sullivan, who famously played Jimmy Corkhill and delivered the show's memorable "Brookside Closed" ending, and Bill Dean. Sir Phil Redmond acknowledged this bittersweet feeling, expressing excitement for the homage while remembering the departed.

Prepare for Darkness: Hollyoaks Later Makes Its Highly Anticipated Return

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But the anniversary celebrations don't stop there! After the Brookside crossover episode wraps up, get ready for a different kind of drama as Hollyoaks Later returns on Wednesday, October 22, at 10:05pm on E4. It's been five long years since the last post-watershed special, and insiders promise it's going "darker and delving deeper into the hard-hitting plots."

This extra episode is known for pushing boundaries, exploring more mature and intense storylines that the regular show can't always tackle. It picks up right after Wednesday's regular Hollyoaks episode, so you won't want to miss a moment of the lead-up!

Donny's Desperate Run and Shocking Alliances

Following the shock revelations in the regular Wednesday episode, Donny (Louis Emerick) finds himself in serious danger and on the run, desperate to protect his loved ones. In a surprising turn, he'll be forced to team up with none other than Warren Fox, who makes a surprise return to the village this week alongside a mysterious new character, Gemma. The big question is: can Donny really trust the notorious gangster?

This promises to be a high-octane storyline, pushing Donny's character to the limit as his "house of cards" continues to collapse. The stakes are incredibly high, and viewers will be on the edge of their seats wondering if he'll make it out unscathed.

Theresa McQueen's Risky Mission and The Teenagers' Emotional Scars

Warren isn't the only familiar face making a comeback for Later! An absent member of the McQueen clan touches down at the airport on a risky mission. That's right, Theresa McQueen is back! We last heard she was off becoming an influencer in Japan, but it seems things haven't gone quite as planned. Our source reveals she's now "embroiled in an illegal smuggling operation."

This dangerous new venture has serious consequences, not just for Theresa herself, but also for her ex-lover, Dodger. It sounds like Theresa's return to Chester is going to be anything but a smooth welcome home!

Meanwhile, the younger generation of Hollyoaks is still reeling from their traumatic ordeal in the child exploitation ring. Frankie, Dillon, Vicky, and Lucas may have escaped Clare's cruel clutches, but the psychological scars run deep. Struggling to move on, the group decides to let off some steam with a night out in Liverpool.

Their attempt to "drown their sorrows" leads them to a dodgy rave, where events take a "surprising turn – especially for one of them…" This hints at a new layer of drama and perhaps further danger for the vulnerable teens.

New Faces, New Threats: Esme and the Dangerous Gangsters

During their night out, Frankie meets a "fun-loving party girl" called Esme. Interestingly, viewers will see Esme first in the Brookside crossover, and she's set to have a "big impact on Frankie's life." Could this new friendship be a positive influence, or will it lead Frankie into even more trouble?

It's not all fun and games, though. The special will also introduce new antagonists: gangsters Sully and Griff. These dangerous newcomers are about to "wheedle their way into the community," posing a terrifying threat and dragging some of Hollyoaks' most beloved characters into a dangerous world. With all this escalating tension, the big question remains: who will escape this late-night action unscathed?

Why This Double Special Event is a Must-Watch for Hollyoaks Fans

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This 30th-anniversary celebration is shaping up to be one of Hollyoaks' most ambitious and exciting events yet. By blending nostalgic returns with its signature brand of hard-hitting, fast-paced drama, it offers something for every type of fan.

The Brookside crossover is a unique opportunity to revisit a piece of television history and see iconic characters interact in a way we never thought possible. Coupled with the return of Hollyoaks Later, promising darker, edgier storylines, this Wednesday is set to be an unforgettable night of television. Make sure you clear your schedule, grab some snacks, and prepare for an epic journey back to Chester and Liverpool!

Frequently Asked Questions About the Hollyoaks Anniversary Specials

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When do the Hollyoaks 30th Anniversary specials air?

Both anniversary specials, the Brookside crossover episode and Hollyoaks Later, will air on Wednesday, October 22. The Brookside crossover is part of the regular Hollyoaks episode at 7pm BST on E4 (and 7am on Channel 4 streaming), while Hollyoaks Later follows at 10:05pm on E4.

Where can I watch the Hollyoaks anniversary specials?

You can watch both episodes on E4 on Wednesday, October 22. The regular Hollyoaks episode (including the Brookside crossover) will also be available for streaming on Channel 4 at 7am that day. Full episodes of Hollyoaks are typically released on YouTube a week after their Channel 4 broadcast, and selected omnibus episodes are available via Prime Video.

What is Hollyoaks Later and why is it returning?

Hollyoaks Later is a special, post-watershed spin-off of the main soap, known for its darker, more mature, and hard-hitting storylines that go beyond the typical broadcast restrictions. It's returning for the first time in five years as part of Hollyoaks' epic 30th-anniversary celebrations, offering fans an extra episode of intense drama.

Which Brookside characters are returning for the crossover?

A host of beloved Brookside legends are reprising their roles! This includes Sue Johnston (Sheila Grant), Ricky Tomlinson (Bobby Grant), Paul Usher (Barry Grant), John McArdle (Billy Corkhill), Philip Olivier (Timothy "Tinhead" O'Leary), Suzanne Collins (Nikki Shadwick), and Michael Starke (Thomas "Sinbad" Sweeney).