Yahoo News Exclusive: Hollyoaks stars react to Cleo and Abe time jump twist
Hollyoaks spoilers follow.
Hollyoaks stars Nadine Mulkerrin and Tyler Conti have reacted to the shocking time jump twist involving their characters Cleo McQueen and Abe Fielding.
Amid the ongoing domestic abuse storyline, Cleo and Abe’s fates were left up in the air after their motorbike chase caused a horrific accident in the village.
Cleo told Leela and Joel about Abe’s abuse, but shortly afterwards Abe told Cleo that she had killed his mum Marie, and Sally later discovered they had both disappeared from hospital.
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In Monday’s episode, Hollyoaks jumped forward a year in time, and it was revealed that while Cleo was enjoying herself in Bali, Abe was in a new secret relationship with Peri.
Speaking to Digital Spy at a recent press event, Tyler reflected on this unexpected new pairing for Abe.
"I was surprised for it to be Peri," he said, "just because we hadn’t filmed many scenes together. But I don’t think I was surprised to have another relationship. I think Abe’s always expected to have a new woman."
But in a shocking twist at the end of the episode, it was revealed that Cleo wasn’t actually in Bali. Abe was keeping her locked up in a room in their flat and has done so for an entire year.
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Reacting to this dramatic new chapter of Cleo and Abe’s story, Tyler simply said, "Mental! Absolutely bonkers!"
"I don’t know what I was expecting," Nadine explained, "but it wasn’t that. I vividly remember when Hannah [Cheers, executive producer] told me, and I was just like, oh my god! And I think for the audience, it’s brilliant. I think it’s a stroke of genius."
Despite this outlandish twist, both actors hope that the important storyline continues to raise awareness of domestic abuse and coercive control.
Tyler said: "I’m hoping we can do a good enough job to not take away from the heart of the story, which is the abuse and the control. Yes, maybe keeping someone in a cupboard is very far-fetched, but it’s still a story that needs to be told, about what can happen behind closed doors in those types of relationships."
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As for what is coming next on screen, Nadine is hopeful that there will be some light at the end of the tunnel for Cleo.
"Hopefully I’m not going to be filming in that cupboard for years and years!" she joked. "I may not work with other characters again, because right now the only character I’m working with is Abe.
"Obviously what the audience wants is for Cleo to make the great escape. And I’m sure she’ll hopefully get out of there at some point!"
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.
Read more Hollyoaks spoilers on our dedicated homepage
If you've been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, organisations including Refuge and Women's Aid can provide further support and information. The 24-hour, freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline is 0808 2000 247.
The US National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), or text LOVEIS to 22522.
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