Hollyoaks Later

Concept

Hollyoaks Later was devised after Hollyoaks had improved ratings. Tony Wood, creative director of Lime Pictures the production company of Hollyoaks, explained that it was decided that Hollyoaks would be expanded on because of its increased audience. Lime Pictures described the show and its purpose saying that "the series delves deeper into the lives, loves and misdemeanours of the Hollyoaks regulars, shedding their teen image as they look to find their feet away from the Village".

Series 1

Main article: Hollyoaks Later (series 1)

On 5 June 2008, it was announced that a spin-off of Hollyoaks had been commissioned and would begin filming in September to transmit in November. It was confirmed the series would air on a post watershed slot on E4 for five episodes of one hour airing consecutively over five nights. It was revealed that four storylines would occur throughout the series: Craig Dean (Guy Burnet) returns to save Steph Dean (Carley Stenson) during a cliff-top confrontation, an unlikely marriage between Malachy Fisher (Glen Wallace) and Mercedes McQueen (Jennifer Metcalfe), the debut gig of Hollyoaks band the Dirty Diegos and the students of Hollyoaks Community College go on a road trip.

Series 2

Main article: Hollyoaks Later (series 2)

On 3 August 2009, it was revealed Hollyoaks Later had been recommissioned for a second series to air in September. The series again follows four storylines: siblings Hannah (Emma Rigby), Josh (Sonny Flood) and Rhys (Andrew Moss) go to a music festival, Tony Hutchinson (Nick Pickard) and Cindy Cunningham (Stephanie Waring) marry, Sarah Barnes (Loui Batley), Zoe Carpenter (Zoë Lister) and Lydia Hart (Lydia Kelly) go to boot camp which ends with "nightmare consequences" and Theresa McQueen (Jorgie Porter) and Michaela McQueen (Hollie-Jay Bowes) go to London. On the series, producer Bryan Kirkwood said: "We've selected some of the best loved Hollyoaks characters, put them in romantic, funny and dangerous situations and I'm hoping viewers love the result".

Series 3

Main article: Hollyoaks Later (series 3)

On 19 April 2010, it was announced that Hollyoaks Later had been commissioned for a third series to air in October. Paul Marquess produced the series and explained that it had been "seamlessly integrated" with the main show. Roberto Troni, Channel 4 commissioning editor, said the storylines "will be a cocktail of fun, glamour and grown-up drama".

Series 4

Main article: Hollyoaks Later (series 4)

On 4 March 2011 it was confirmed that Hollyoaks Later would return for a fourth series to air in September. Hollyoaks series editor Claire Fryer produced the series working alongside Hollyoaks executive producer Tony Wood and Carolyn Reynolds.

Series 5

Main article: Hollyoaks Later (series 5)

On 18 May 2012, it was announced that Hollyoaks Later had again been recommissioned, with a fifth series due to air in September. Characters to be involved were revealed to include Brendan Brady (Emmett J. Scanlan), Mitzeee (Rachel Shenton) and Hollyoaks Sixth Form College students. Producer Emma Smithwick revealed that the storylines had been in the planning process for a while. She added that the episodes "will give the characters a whole new playing field in terms of how we tell their tales". Marianne Buckland, commissioning editor for Channel 4, said that the series "represents the next turn of the wheel for the brand and promises a glossier, more grown up feel. By their very nature, the lateness of Later allows us to be that little bit more risky and with Brendan Brady at the helm, a character so suited to a post-watershed stint, this year is more dark and dangerous than ever".

Series 6

Main article: Hollyoaks Later (series 6)

A sixth series of the spin off was announced on 12 June 2013. Long term character Tony Hutchinson (Nick Pickard) will be reunited with former friends Kurt Benson (Jeremy Edwards) and Rory "Finn" Finnigan (James Redmond) as well as his brother Dom Reilly (John Pickard) "on an epic ride of Hangover-style proportions". They will also be joined by Trevor Royle (Greg Wood) and guest star Danny Dyer. Other storylines include Esther Bloom (Jazmine Franks), Tilly Evans (Lucy Dixon), Callum Kane (Laurie Duncan) and Holly Cunningham (Wallis Day) celebrating an 18th birthday "...in a rip-roaring plot as they all find danger in a cabin in the woods." Meanwhile, Theresa McQueen (Jorgie Porter) will join up with a new recruit of the McQueen clan on a wild road trip. Jane Steventon, who took charge of last year's successful series, will once again be the show's producer. The series will be executive produced by Hollyoaks boss Bryan Kirkwood. Kirkwood commented: "We are very happy to announce the commissioning of series six of Hollyoaks Later. It is a returning series that gives an annual late night treat to loyal Hollyoaks fans."

2020 Special

Main article: Hollyoaks Later (Hollyoaks Later episode)

On 20 September 2019, it was announced that Hollyoaks Later would be making a one-off return in January 2020, which will focus on the conclusion of Breda McQueen's (Moya Brady) serial killer storyline. Joining Breda, characters such as Mercedes McQueen (Jennifer Metcalfe), Sylver McQueen (David Tag), and Diane Hutchinson (Alex Fletcher) will be involved. Other likely characters to appear are Breda's daughter Goldie McQueen (Chelsee Healey), and Breda's current pig-farm hostage, Tony Hutchinson (Nick Pickard). Tony's half-sister, Verity (Eva O'Hara), will also be making her first appearance in the late-night episode. It has been promised that the special one-off edition will feature much "blood and gore" and "a lot of violence", with the episode revolving "around the McQueens a lot".

It has been revealed that a huge fire will break out at Breda's pig farm, leaving several characters in danger.

It has been confirmed that the episode will debut at 9pm on E4, on Monday 6 January 2020, with a repeat at 11pm, Tuesday 7 January 2020, on Channel 4.

The episode is written by Heather Robson and directed by Neil J. Wilkinson.

2025 Special

In July 2025 it was announced by Channel 4 and Lime Pictures that Hollyoaks Later will be making a special one-off return in October 2025 as part of the shows 30th anniversary during the announcement they also revealed that at least two characters would be making a return for the late night special, those characters being Warren Fox (Jamie Lomas) and Theresa McQueen (Jorgie Porter), they also announced that the fans will be introduced to at least one new character called Gemma, played by former Coronation Street actress Tisha Merry.

The day after the announcement of the one-off special, current Hollyoaks actors Kieron Richardson who plays Ste Hay, Isabelle Smith who plays Francine Osborne and Louis Emerick who plays Donny Clark all confirmed that they will be taking part in the episode. On 16 September 2025 it was announced that Danny Mac who plays Dodger Savage will also be appearing in the episode. The same month it was announced that Anya Lawrence who plays Vicky Grant will also be appearing in the episode. In October, spoiler pictures inadvertently revealed that Oscar Curtis who plays Lucas Hay, Nathaniel Dass who plays Dillon Ray and Charlie Behan who plays Charlie Dean would also be appearing in the special. That same month it was reported that Yasmin Davies, the daughter of Hollyoaks and Brookside (TV series) actress Alex Fletcher, would portray Esme Dixon, the daughter of Fletcher's Brookside character Jacqui Dixon, in the episode.

Casting

For each series of Hollyoaks Later cast members from Hollyoaks are selected by the producer of Hollyoaks Later Naim Ahmed to appear as their characters.

Bronagh Waugh was cast as Cheryl while Melissa Walton was cast as Loretta Jones for guest roles in the first series. Shortly after their roles series producer Lucy Allan introduced them as series regulars in Hollyoaks. Karen Hassan also appeared in a guest role in the first series of Hollyoaks Later as Lynsey. Two years after her role in Hollyoaks Later Hassan reprised the role and was introduced to Hollyoaks by series producer Paul Marquess. For the second series Nicola Stapleton was cast in a guest role as the friend of Cindy Cunningham, Savannah. Alison Burrows was also cast as the mother of Theresa McQueen, Kathleen McQueen, for a role in the second series of Hollyoaks Later which was planned to introduce the character before she joined Hollyoaks in a regular role.

The first series featured a cameo from British girl group The Saturdays. Singer Bonnie Tyler was asked to appear in the second series for a cameo role which she initially rejected before being persuaded to appear when offered a singing role. For the fifth series British rapper Lethal Bizzle was cast in a cameo role playing himself in scenes which featured him performing for a special VIP gig which Hollyoaks fans were offered the chance to attend.

Transmissions

Reception

Rebecca Bowden of Yahoo! said that she "absolutely love[s] the late night Hollyoaks episodes and although they can often be filled with plotlines that verge precariously on the unbelievable side, they are also always packed full of drama, emotion and more explosive content than can be broadcast during the show's usual earlier weekday slot".

References

References

1. Green, Kris. (5 June 2008). "'Late Night Hollyoaks' for E4". ([[Hachette Filipacchi UK]]).
2. (2019-09-20). "Hollyoaks Later is back as killer Breda meets her end". [[Metro (British newspaper).
3. (10 December 2019). "Hollyoaks confirms when Tony Hutchinson's sister arrives – and who's playing her". [[Radio Times]].
4. (2025-07-28). "5 huge Hollyoaks Later revelations as spin-off show makes shocking return".
5. Cole, Tom. (18 May 2012). "Humour and heartbreak as Hollyoaks goes Later for a fifth series". ([[BBC Magazines]]).
6. "Hollyoaks Later". (ALL3MEDIA).
7. (3 August 2009). "Hollyoaks Later gets another series this autumn". ([[IPC Media]]).
8. (19 April 2010). "Hollyoaks Later To Return!". ([[Channel Four Television Corporation]]).
9. (4 March 2011). "Hollyoaks Later gets fourth series". ([[IPC Media]]).
10. Kilkelly, Daniel. (12 June 2013). "'Hollyoaks Later' returning for sixth series". Hearst Publications.
11. Sophie. "Danny Dyer Later". E4.com.
12. Kilkelly, Daniel. (12 July 2013). "'Hollyoaks' boss Bryan Kirkwood shares show gossip, teasers". Hearst Magazines.
13. (2019-10-29). "Hollyoaks star Jennifer Metcalfe shares more news on Hollyoaks Later returning".
14. (2019-11-02). "Hollyoaks star David Tag confirms violent scenes for Sylver in Hollyoaks Later".
15. (2019-11-13). "Hollyoaks star Alex Fletcher hints at drama for Diane in Hollyoaks Later".
16. (2019-12-10). "Hollyoaks confirms when Tony Hutchinson's sister arrives – and who's playing her".
17. (2019-09-24). "Hollyoaks Later set for 'a lot of blood and gore' as violent spin-off returns".
18. (2019-11-30). "Hollyoaks Christmas and winter spoilers: Death, stunts and returns".
19. (2019-11-05). "Hollyoaks hints at shock fire in Hollyoaks Later".
20. (2019-11-20). "Hollyoaks Later 2020 – airdate, spoilers, cast and everything you need to know".
21. (28 July 2025). "Hollyoaks Later Returns this October".
22. (29 July 2025). "Exclusive: Hollyoaks Later confirms three more cast members for spin-off show's dramatic return".
23. (2025-09-16). "Exclusive: Hollyoaks Later confirms seventh cast member as "dark" story is revealed".
24. (2025-10-01). "Exclusive: Hollyoaks Later's eighth cast member confirmed for unmissable late-night episode".
25. (2025-10-13). "Hollyoaks confirms serious danger in return of scandalous late-night spin-off".
26. (14 October 2025). "Hollyoaks casts daughter of Brookside legend in crossover - and there's a bonkers connection". [[Hearst Communications]].
27. (18–24 October 2025). ""Esme knows what she wants!"".
28. Green, Kris. (13 January 2009). "New 'Oaks producer signs two sexy regulars". ([[Hachette Filipacchi UK]]).
29. "Interview with Karen Hassan (Lynsey Nolan)". ([[Channel Four Television Corporation]]).
30. Green, Kris. (25 June 2010). "'Hollyoaks' confirms more new cast". ([[Hachette Filipacchi UK]]).
31. "Nicola Stapleton joins Hollyoaks". ([[Associated Newspapers]]).
32. Green, Kris. (2 September 2009). "Exclusive: 'Hollyoaks' casts another McQueen". ([[Hachette Filipacchi UK]]).
33. (24 April 2020). "The Saturdays - where are they now?".
34. (12 September 2009). "Hollyoaks role fear for Bonnie Tyler over cameo". ([[Trinity Mirror]]).
35. (27 July 2012). "Rapper Lethal Bizzle to appear on Hollyoaks Later". ([[Associated Newspapers]]).
36. Bowden, Rebecca. (7 October 2013). "Hollyoaks Later: Late night madness begins again tonight! Full info and behind the scenes pictures". ([[Yahoo! Inc. (1995–2017).