Hollyoaks spoilers follow.
Hollyoaks has dropped an exciting new trailer, previewing what is to come in the village this spring – and there is an awful lot going on this season. There is big drama and emotional turmoil for some of the show’s most beloved characters and families, plus some major revelations and potentially deadly stunts.
It’s set to be a busy time for the soap, and it definitely needs unpacking, so we’re here to break it down for you. This is our guide to all the biggest moments in Hollyoaks’ spring trailer.
1. Mercedes is back
Mercedes is currently still in prison after having falsely confessed to Abe’s murder. But since finding out that her chemotherapy is working and she is likely to recover from bowel cancer, she has decided to retract her confession and has enlisted Freddie and Maxine to try and prove that she was framed by Grace.
Maxine keeps her promise and goes to extreme lengths to get Mercedes out of prison, and all she asks for in return is for Mercedes to take down Grace once and for all. Her plan seems to work, as the trailer shows a newly free Mercedes paying Grace an unexpected visit. As Grace is left reeling, will she finally be brought down?
2. Maxine is in danger
However, Maxine’s heroics might have left her in danger herself, as she finds herself on the wrong side of Grace’s wrath. Her world is turned upside down as she is held inside The Loft in a dramatic hostage situation. “We’re supposed to have each other’s backs,” Grace says to a terrified Maxine.
Her fate hangs in the balance, and with Nikki Sanderson soon leaving her role in the soap, will Maxine find a way out before it’s too late?
3. Frankie and Dillon struggle
Hollyoaks is continuing to play out the harrowing exploitation storyline, with teens Frankie and Dillon at the centre. In her pursuit of wealth, Grace continues to force the pair into dangerous situations by promising a lavish lifestyle. But in upcoming scenes, things spiral out of control, and Frankie and Dillon find themselves vulnerable and alone.
To try and escape their pain, the teens continue to turn to drugs – but will this do them even more damage?
4. A fire breaks out at the Osborne house
As Frankie’s ordeal worsens, Darren confronts Rex about what he has got his daughter involved in. But he is soon hit with his own bombshell when Nancy tells him that she wants a divorce. Darren struggles to deal with his emotions and as they spill over in an explosive confrontation, Tony is caught in the crossfire.
The Osbornes are in turmoil, but things get worse when flames begin to emerge in the family home. Nancy and Frankie can only watch in horror as the blaze takes hold, but will they be able to put out the fire before tragedy strikes?
5. Donny cracks the case
Donny has recently realised that there must be police involvement in Grace and Rex’s criminal operation and has vowed to get to the truth. He investigates further and in upcoming scenes, he realises that DI Banks is responsible.
While Banks continues to charm Diane, Donny uncovers his corruption and wants to bring him down. “Banks is behind everything, I know it,” Donny says on a phone call.
But Banks knows that Donny is onto the operation, and wants to put a stop to his investigation. In the trailer, Donny appears to have a fight with another officer, before promising to get to DI Banks next. As the two coppers go head-to-head, who will come out on top?
6. Lucas is rushed to hospital
There is new hope for one of the soap’s most popular couples in the new trailer, when exes Dillon and Lucas comfort one another and share a kiss – teasing what could be a fresh start for Dillon. But Lucas is soon rushed to hospital and seems to be in a serious condition, though it hasn’t been revealed what is wrong with the teen.
Ste demands that his son agrees to get the surgery he desperately needs, but with their relationship already strained, what will Lucas decide?
7. Dodger turns heads
After lurking in the shadows for some time, undercover police officer Dodger finally makes his return to the village, stepping up to help his struggling twin Sienna.
The Blakes are pleased to be back together, and the family reunion doesn’t go unnoticed. What does Dodger’s return mean for the family, and for the village as a whole?
8. John Paul makes his mark
The Blakes also team up with the McQueens in upcoming scenes, as the families come together to celebrate Jez and John Paul’s engagement and plan their wedding. But naturally, things don’t go smoothly, with the two iconic clans clashing over their very different tastes.
Meanwhile, John Paul decides to celebrate his nuptials in his own way by getting a bold new tattoo. However, viewers are aware of Jez’s deadly crimes and it feels inevitable that the village’s latest serial killer will be exposed at some point. Will John Paul live to regret his bold gesture?
9. Joel and Cleo kiss
It felt like the door was firmly closed on Joel and Cleo’s relationship, after she chose to pursue a romance with Sienna instead. But this pairing hasn’t lasted too long, after Sienna ended things out of fear that she was suffering from Motor Neurone Disease.
With stalker Tommy continuing to drive a wedge between Joel and Leela, Joel seeks solace in his ex once again, and sparks reignite for him and Cleo. “No matter who comes into our lives or who we fall in love with, it always comes back to me and you, doesn’t it?” Joel says, before the pair share a passionate kiss. Is history about to repeat itself?
10. Who’s behind the wheel?
Finally, the new trailer shows a car speeding through the village, veering out of control. It is unclear which big storyline this relates to, but this looks set to be a huge stunt that will air over the spring.
Who is the rogue driver behind the wheel, and who will pay the price for their actions?
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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