A ‘90s sitcom legend will be reprising her role as a legendary Brookside matriarch, ahead of the drama’s hotly-anticipated return.
Hollyoaks celebrates its 30th anniversary in October, and to make the milestone Brookside will be returning too.
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 hear that it’ll be back on screens in a special Hollyoaks episode that will honour the predecessor.
And with its return will come the return of one of the show’s most memorable characters.
Actress Sue Johnston will reprise her role as Sheila Grant – one of Brookside’s most important roles.
Of the return, Sue said: “It’ll be so lovely to go back and be Sheila for
a day as it was such big, enjoyable part of my life.”
And the 81-year-old actress is the first cast member to have been announced for the reprisal, which will be filmed on Brookside Close.
Sue’s character of Sheila was a mother beset by hardship in the soap, who would do anything for her family.
In 1987 Sheila’s youngest son Damon was stabbed to death in London .
His death was one of the show’s most iconic and tragic moments.
Sue has paved a very successful acting career, and is probably best known for playing Barbara Royle in The Royle Family, Sheila Grant in Brookside from 1982-1990, and Gloria Price in Coronation Street from 2012-2014.
As part of the exciting crossover, fans will see more 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.
From Hollyoaks to Hollywood
James Corden played a caretaker in the early days of the soap.
The former American TV host doesn’t have much positive to say about his time on the soap, claiming it was “hell on earth.”
Since his short-lived time on the show he has gone on to bigger things including smash hit comedy Gavin and Stacey .
Rachel Shenton joined the soap as aspiring glamour model Mitzeee Minniver in 2010.
Over two years her character was sent to prison, got pregnant and had a number of romantic affairs.
Since leaving Hollyoaks she has won an Oscar for best live action short film, The Silent Child.
Rachel has also starred in White Gold and All Creatures Great and Small
Emmett J. Scanlan played gangster turned anti-hero Brendan Brady.
Emmett played the love interest of Steve Hayes, with their romance delighting fans until it turned violent.
Since his departure Emmett has appeared in Peaky Blinders , The Fall, Gangs of London and even appeared in Guardians of the Galaxy
Emma Rigby joined Hollyoaks when she was 15 as Hannah Ahsworth.
Hannah’s eating disorder storyline was the first of it’s kind on TV while other plots included being caught in a fire, gangland drug dealing and running away.
Since leaving the soap in 2010 Emma has gone on to star in ABCs Once Upon a Time in Wonderland as the Red Queen. Other roles include guest appearances in Death In Paradise, Ripper Street and Fresh Meat
Nico Mirallegro got his big break with Hollyoaks starring as emo Barry ‘Newt’ Newton.
Nico’s main storyline in the soap was developing schizophrenia which culminated in a suicide pact.
He left the soap in 2010 and went on to star in My Mad Fat Diary, Our Girl, Rillington Place, The Ark and Common, Penance, as well as the Mike Leigh movie Peterloo and was nominated for a Bafta for his role in period drama The Village.
Ricky Whittle used Hollyoaks as a stepping stone to break America.
He played one of the soap’s resident hunks, Calvin Valentine, from 2006 to 2011 – when he was killed off at his wedding.
After leaving the soap Ricky cracked America starring in teen drama The 100 and America Gods.
He also appeared in Strictly Come Dancing in 2009.
Warren Brown joined Hollyoaks in 2005 for a year as evil Andy Holt.
His stint on the show consisted of date rape storylines and a crime spree, before eventually being killed off.
After leaving Hollyoaks, Warren became a big hitter in TV playing DS Justin Ripley in Luther, as well as major roles in a number of dramas including Liar, The Responder , Homefront and Good Cop.
Wallis Day played Holly Cunningham in the soap for years before leaving.
In 2021 Wallis won the role of Batwoman in DC’s series , taking over from Ruby Rose.
“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.
“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 of course 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.
