Frankie bravely confesses her feelings for Jacob in Hollyoaks – but unexpected scenes follow
Trigger warning: This article contains discussion of child sexual abuse and child exploitation.
Frankie Osborne (Isabelle Smith) tells Jacob Omari (Ethaniel Davy) that she has feelings for him in Hollyoaks next week but the lovely moment doesn’t pan out as she hoped.
The teen, as viewers know, has been through a number of ordeals over the past two years, with it coming to light that twin brother JJ (Ryan Mulvey) was sexually abusing her since she was nine years old.
After facing JJ in court and getting justice, Frankie was subsequently targeted by Grace Black (Tamara Wall) – her aunt through marriage – who groomed her into a life of crime and exploitation.
With Darren (Ashley Taylor Dawson) rescuing her from captivity, Frankie and fellow teens Dillon Ray (Nathaniel Dass) and Vicky Grant (Anya Lawrence) escaped their captors, with a tense showdown last month ending with the trio shooting DI Banks (Drew Cain).
Rex Gallagher (Jonny Labey), who is largely responsible for their ordeal, ultimately took the blame for Banks’ murder, with the teens subsequently trying to move on with their lives now that they’ve been reunited with their families.
Doing so, however, is easier said than done. Understandably so given all they’ve been through.
Dillon, as viewers know, is struggling to stay off spice while Vicky has been worried about going to prison in the wake of striking Grace and leaving her in a coma.
Next week, the trio of friends spend some time together in the garden, enjoying a few drinks. Frankie is upset that Jacob is ghosting her but she soon finds him at the gate. Delighted, she suggests that he come and join them.
Later, Darren finds Jacob on the sofa and he’s angry about such a thing – that is until Franke sets him straight, which leads to the patriarch offering up an apology.
Frankie and Jacob are subsequently teased over their interest in one another and – while alone in the park – Frankie bravely confesses her feelings.
Will Jacob feel the same? That remains to be seen as the nice little moment is interrupted by a message to his phone, with the young lad rushing off.
Interest piqued, Frankie follows Jacob, finding him at a caravan. Wanting answers, she quizzes the boy on who he was on the phone too. She’s also upset that Jacob appears to be living at the caravan and thus she resolves to bring him some supplies.
Will romance blossom?
That would be a yes, with series star Isabelle Smith confirming to Metro that there is a future on the cards for the pair. ‘I think they end up trauma bonding,’ she told me in an exclusive chat.
‘It will be revealed why she has taken a bit of an interest to him. But who Jacob’s mum is – that’s going to have an impact on Frankie and Darren’s relationship. It’s not going to be a straightforward love story and I think there will be some bumps along the way.
‘It’s been nice to play a lighter story and find different emotions in Frankie and how she would deal with things.
‘I am getting scripts through [and I’m thinking] I’ve never had to navigate Frankie in that kind of situation – so it’s been fun for me because I’ve been challenged in a different way.’
