Yahoo News Hollyoaks star explains horrifying Suzanne twist in Frankie and JJ story
Note: This story discusses topics including sibling sexual abuse
Hollyoaks spoilers follow.
Hollyoaks star Suzanne Hall has explained the horrifying twist in the storyline between Frankie and JJ Osborne, which has seen Suzanne try to conceal her son’s abuse.
JJ has abused his sister, Frankie, for the past few years, with his horrific behaviour continuing upon their return to the village earlier this year.
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After months of abuse, Frankie confided in stepfather Darren that she had been routinely assaulted by JJ, with the teenager eventually telling her mother, Suzanne, of her brother’s crimes.
Instead of supporting her daughter, Suzanne initially refused to believe Frankie, and later betrayed her trust by binning her phone, which contained a detailed log of JJ’s abuse.
Hall, who returned to the Channel 4 soap after a 12-year absence, spoke about the surprising developments, explaining her character’s decisions: “This was extremely difficult for Suzanne. She's totally devastated by this revelation.
“[She] lashes out believing that Frankie is lying again. Suzanne is torn, ripped apart at this moment and desperately needs to escape this living nightmare, this hell that has been thrown at her.
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“Yes she does [start to believe her] and she’s devastated, completely broken and feels she’s let her family down by not tackling things when the twins were younger, and maybe early intervention could have changed the outcome.”
“She was not thinking,” she remarked at the character’s choice to bin Frankie’s phone. “And it was a fight or flight situation knee-jerk reaction thinking it could all just go away! It’s something that doesn’t happen to your family, why mine? Totally abhorrent and devastating.”
Hall, who debuted as Suzanne in 2005, also spoke about her experience of filming the emotional scenes, sharing: “It’s been extremely emotional, a rollercoaster and very, very upsetting and heartbreaking.”
Hollyoaks streams first online via Channel 4 each weekday at 7.30pm. Episodes then air on E4 the following day, before getting their YouTube premiere a week after that.
Selected omnibus episodes are available via Prime Video.
Read more Hollyoaks spoilers on our dedicated homepage
Hollyoaks has been working on Frankie's story with guidance from SARSAS, which provides specialist services and resources for those who have experienced any form of sexual violence.
More information is available from Rape Crisis England and Wales, who work towards the elimination of all forms of sexual violence and sexual misconduct, on their website or by calling the National Rape Crisis Helpline on 0808 802 9999. Rape Crisis Scotland’s helpline number is 08088 01 03 02.
Readers in the US are encouraged to contact RAINN, or the National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800-656-4673.
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