For its upcoming 30th anniversary, the British soap opera Hollyoaks is pulling out all the stops, with plans that even include a special one-time return of Brookside.
The twist is a great way to pay tribute to Phil Redmond, who created both iconic shows.
Steve Hughes, an author once associated with Brookside, revisits the lives of some familiar faces from our cherished past, approximately two decades since Brookside Close bid adieu.
And among all the excitement, we’re already thinking about what we want to see from the crossover.
4 things we need to see in the Brookside x Hollyoaks crossover
In-universe references to Brookside history
Incorporating references to Brookside’s past directly within the tapestry of this upcoming episode seems like an appealing approach given its historic significance.
Let’s have characters acknowledging the body under the patio, for example.
Perhaps hinting at the revelation of Jeremy Blake’s (Jeremy Sheffield) murderer could be as subtle as a remark like, “Mentioning the man who was found unearthed in his own backyard,” subtly alluding to the final moments of Trevor Jordache (played by Bryan Murray).
How about a conversation between Sienna Blake (Anna Passey) and her girlfriend Cleo McQueen (Nadine Mulkerrin), where they reflect upon how, in past times, publicly kissing someone of the same sex was often met with unfavorable judgement.
With a kiss that echoes the one from 1994, they pay tribute to the iconic kiss between Beth (Anna Friel) and Margaret (Nicola Stephenson).
Matt Musgrove, or Kristian Ealey as he’s often known, played a role significant enough to be remembered in both Brookside and Hollyoaks. It’s only fitting that he receives his own recognition as well.
Fun nods to Brookside characters currently starring in Hollyoaks
As a devoted fan of Brookside, I can’t help but acknowledge the presence of two familiar faces from The Close in our current ensemble. These include Diane Hutchinson, played by Alex Fletcher, and Donny Clark, portrayed by Louis Emerick.
In a delightful twist, it would be wonderful if one of the appearances unexpectedly identifies (or both of them) as their doppelgangers from the world of Brookie.
As a movie enthusiast, I found myself immersed in the captivating tale of Fletcher portraying Jacqui Dixon – a character who unwittingly became entangled in a complex surrogacy plotline. On the other hand, Emerick breathed life into Mick Johnson, a relatable hero who never faltered when it came to shielding those he cherished most.
1. Picture Diane, puzzled due to being mistakenly referred to as Jacqui, or Detective Donny encountering someone shocked that Mick, previously known for another profession, has become a police officer.
2. Envision Diane bewildered upon hearing ‘Jacqui’, or Detective Donny surprised by the revelation that Mick had retrained as a cop, to the surprise of those around him.
3. Visualize Diane taken aback when called Jacqui, or Detective Donny encountering someone astonished to learn Mick had switched careers to join the police force.
4. Imagine Diane, perplexed when referred to as Jacqui, or Detective Donny confronting someone amazed that Mick had become a policeman after being known for another profession.
5. Picture Diane being confused upon hearing ‘Jacqui’, or Detective Donny meeting someone surprised to find out Mick had changed careers and joined the police department.
Each of these paraphrases emphasizes the element of surprise, bewilderment, or confusion in the given context while maintaining a natural and easy-to-read style.
Let’s wish this into existence!
Throwback scene with Hollyoaks teens
A fitting homage to both series could be achieved by bringing back some of the most iconic teen characters from Brookside, showing where they stand now.
We’re thinking Tim ‘Tinhead’ O’Leary (Philip Olivier) and Nikki Shadwick (Suzanne Collins).
As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but envision an intriguing crossover between two of my favorite shows – one that brings back Collins from Hollyoaks for a memorable guest appearance in a new episode! Imagine the excitement when Nikki recounts her brief sojourn to the village, adding a delightful twist to the storyline.
Maybe these well-known figures might encounter Nathaniel Dass as Dillon Ray or Isabelle Smith as Frankie Osborne, or even catch a glimpse of the Oaks’ teens behaving like typical teenagers, which could lead to them chuckling privately over reminiscences about their own past glory days.
Brookside cameo wish list
Aside from the aforementioned Tim and Nikki, we can’t help but go big on our list of requests here!
We’d adore a cameo from Sheila Grant (Sue Johnston).
In a heartwarming twist for fans of their previous on-screen collaborations, I can only imagine the magic if Johnston and Tomlinson were to reunite once more. Their chemistry was undeniable during their time together on Brookside, and it continued to shine in The Royle Family. So, seeing them bring their partnership back to life on the big screen would truly be a sight to behold.
In addition, we are keeping an eye out for Jackie Corkhill, known by some as Sue Jenkins, and the actor Michael Starke, better known as Sinbad. He previously played a taxi driver on Hollyoaks, and we’d delight in his return with a humorous double role twist.
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2025-08-19 12:06