In classic Hollyoaks fashion, a romantic fairytale is set to turn into a chilling nightmare, as John Paul McQueen’s whirlwind love story with Jez Blake unravels in the most devastating way.
Viewers have watched John Paul (James Sutton) fall head over heels for the spiritual and seemingly perfect Jez (Jeremy Sheffield). Tall, charming, and serene — Jez ticked every box for the long-suffering McQueen. But beneath his calm exterior lies a dark truth: Jez is a serial killer, hiding multiple murders behind a calm smile and a carefully curated facade.
The two became a couple during the show’s time-jump, giving fans hope that John Paul had finally found someone worthy of his love. Now engaged and planning their future together, John Paul is blissfully unaware of the bodies — literally — buried in Jez’s allotment.
In an interview, James Sutton shared that his character is thrilled about the engagement, believing he has finally found peace. “He is very happy and loves the idea of settling down,” Sutton explained. “Jez seems like an upstanding, peaceful guy and John Paul is looking forward to being a Blake-McQueen.”
But, true to Hollyoaks form, the engagement party takes a dramatic turn. Organised by Myra McQueen in her usual over-the-top style, the celebration includes life-sized cutouts of the grooms-to-be and a décor of rainbow flags and male statues. However, the joyful occasion is cut short when Myra collapses, sending shockwaves through the party and bringing it to an abrupt halt. “Everyone is horrified,” Sutton said. “There’s running around and ambulances and all sorts. No McQueen party is ever without drama…”
Despite the chaos, the darkest moment is still ahead.
While John Paul remains clueless, Jez is visibly struggling under the weight of his guilt. Sutton teased the emotional complexity behind the scenes: “The more John Paul is loved up with him, the worse [Jez] feels about himself. At some point I hope there will be a big reveal, and we’ll get to play all that high drama.”
That “big reveal” may be closer than we think.
With Hollyoaks planting subtle clues and a growing sense of unease surrounding Jez, it’s only a matter of time before the truth about his murderous past comes to light — and when it does, John Paul’s world will be shattered. What began as a love story could end in heartbreak… or worse.
Will John Paul escape Jez’s deadly grip? Or will he become the next victim in one of Hollyoaks’ most twisted love stories to date? Buckle up — this romance is heading straight for tragedy.
