Beloved soap returns after 22 years off-screen in historic crossover with Hollyoaks to celebrate major milestone

The Irish Sun

2 days ago

The cast members of the soap have gone on to forge successful careers for themselves
WELCOME RETURN Beloved soap returns after 22 years off-screen in historic crossover with Hollyoaks to celebrate major milestone
A BELOVED soap is returning after 22 years off-screen, in a historic crossover with Hollyoaks.
Hollyoaks celebrates its 30th anniversary in October, and to make the milestone Brookside will be returning too.
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A beloved soap is returning after 22 years off-screen, in a historic crossover with Hollyoaks
Credit: C4
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Anthony was played by X Fact or star Ray Quinn
Credit: Channel 4
Since the soap came to an end in November 2003, the cast members have gone on to forge successful careers for themselves.
Now, fans will be pleased to here that it'll be back on screens in a special Hollyoaks episode that will honour the predecessor.
Hollyoaks took over as Channel 4's flagship continuing drama when the Liverpool-based soap ended on November 4th 2003.
And as part of the exciting crossover, fans will see Brookside characters make a return as a treat to mark the milestone.
Executive Producer Hannah Cheers said: 'This episode is a love letter to both Hollyoaks and Brookside.
'Brookside gave birth to Hollyoaks — it grew up on the same site and eventually took over its sets.
'For everyone at Lime Pictures (originally Mersey TV), Hollyoaks' history is deeply rooted in Brookside, and its legacy lives on through our crew and, of course, some of our cast.
'This special feels like both a moving and fitting tribute to our origin story and a chance for fans to revisit much-loved Brookside characters in honour of that legacy.
'These iconic Brookside characters are soap archetypes that helped define British TV; soap archetypes that new generations are still discovering now through Hollyoaks.
As a lifelong soap fan who grew up watching with my mum, I was passionate about revisiting Brookside for the anniversary. With Sir Phil's blessing — after I had the privilege of pitching the idea to him — and the support of Channel 4, we're able to make it happen.
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'Writer Steve Hughes, who began his career on Brookside, has reimagined where these characters are more than twenty years on. We hope audiences will enjoy welcoming these old friends back into their homes once again.'
Brookside, which first aired in November 1982, gave us TV's first pre-watershed lesbian kiss and kickstarted the careers of some of the nation's best-loved stars including Anna Friel and Sue Johnston.
The Channel 4 soap was set in Liverpool and filmed on an actual close built especially for the show.
Aside from that kiss between Beth Jordache and Margaret Clemence, it had some iconic storylines before it came to an end in November 2003 - including the incestuous love affair between brother and sister Nat and Georgia Simpson.
Sir Phil said: 'It is always bitter sweet thinking back to Brookie, the reminders of its success and impact, but the thoughts of many, like Dean Sullivan and Bill Dean, who are no longer with us.
'But it is great that Lime Pictures are paying homage in their Hollyoaks anniversary cross over episodes.
'I can't wait to see how all the gardens are coping in the heatwave and, who knows, what might pop up if someone decides to re-lay their patio. I know we left something else down there.'
The filming for the exciting episode will take place next month in September, and it's set to be the first time that Brookside Close has been on air, since it ended in with Jimmy Corkhill daubing a 'd' onto the sign, leaving it as 'Brookside Closed' before driving out of the cul-de-sac.
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The cast members of the soap have gone on to forge successful careers for themselves
Credit: Channel 4