Hollyoaks fans are getting an exciting blast from the past this week, as ruthless Doctor Browning makes a return to our screens.
The scheming villain isn't coming back from the dead, but we'll still see him alive and kicking as E4 repeats Browning and Mercedes McQueen's dramatic wedding day as part of the Hollyoaks Favourites rerun series.
Back in the summer of 2013, Browning tied the knot with Mercedes after dragging her down the aisle kicking and screaming. Mercy's mum Myra was furious over the match, having discovered that Browning had murdered nurse Lynsey Nolan.
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Digital Spy recently caught up with Joseph Thompson, who played Browning, to hear his memories of playing the ruthless killer.
How do you feel about Doctor Browning returning to our screens in Hollyoaks Favourites?
"It was a big surprise! I got a message from Jen Metcalfe [who plays Mercedes] last week, telling me that these episodes would be running again. It's really nice and I'm proud that they're interested in showing these episodes for a second time.
"I remember this storyline was really fun to shoot, so I hope people enjoy the nostalgia and the trip down memory lane. They could probably repeat all of Mercedes's weddings – maybe this could be first in the series!"
How would you describe Doctor Browning to newer viewers, who perhaps haven't seen him before?
"I'd say you should probably be very suspicious of anything he says or does! But Browning and Mercedes had a mad love affair, so it was a fun romance for the two of them."
Do you have fond memories of filming the wedding scenes in particular?
"Definitely! When you're in the show, every now and again they'll do these big 'event' episodes. Usually you work with two or three people at a time, but then you see everyone else in the green room.
"But then you have these episodes where you look at the call sheet in the morning and the whole cast are all on set together. This was one of those occasions, with lots of people at the wedding. I remember it was always really fun to be on set with everyone. The crew were great and we all got on."
Were Browning's feelings for Mercedes genuine, even though it all went wrong in the end?
"Yeah, it did go slightly wrong, didn't it? (Laughs.) But definitely – Browning put Mercedes before everything else in his life. That's the nice way of looking at it, that he was this great romantic who put Mercedes before everything – including trying to betray and kill people! He was just a big romantic at heart…"
What are your fondest memories?
"These wedding episodes were definitely a highlight. I also remember when we went out on location for a week or so, for the big crescendo of the storyline with Will Savage, where Texas got pushed out of the window.
"What I'd definitely say is that I always felt the writing was really good for Browning and Mercedes. It was a rollercoaster and really hectic, but I felt really lucky to have a series of great storylines."
You also won a British Soap Award for Best Newcomer in 2013...
"Yeah, I was really proud of that. It was a surprise at the time, as I didn't know much about the British Soap Awards. Then the following year, me and Jen were nominated for Best Soap Couple. That was the year that Hollyoaks won Best Soap.
"I was really happy about that, because it's such a massive team effort. Hollyoaks is just a really nice group of people who all work so hard. It's such a crazy and hectic schedule, so to get the British Soap Award really felt like it was a reward for everyone. I felt like the show deserved it and it was a really happy time for me."
Why did you leave the show?
"It was a really tough decision, but it was kind of made for me. My now-wife was living in New York, so the reason I left the show was personal. It wasn't anything to do with the work or wanting to leave.
"I moved to New York in the summer that I left and was based out there for a long time. Although it was a sad decision, because I loved playing the part, it was definitely the right thing for me."
Browning was ultimately killed off as part of the big autumn week in October 2013. Were you pleased to have such a dramatic exit?
"I remember [Hollyoaks' executive producer] Bryan Kirkwood was always really great. He said: 'Well, if you're leaving and you're going to the States, then we'll give you a big death'.
"I was really happy about that. It was fitting that a character like Browning, who'd bumped off a few others, got his comeuppance in that way. It was brilliant and hilarious when they had all the stuff afterwards about where Browning's body was. It's always good to go out with a bang."
Did you keep in touch with anyone afterwards?
"Definitely. I've always been in touch with Jen and a couple of others. Obviously I moved away to America so I didn't see people, and I'm terrible on social media as well! But I met a lot of brilliant people on Hollyoaks and I'm always interested in what they're up to."
Mercedes and Cindy never got caught for killing Browning. Do you think there should be justice for him one day?
"I think that's probably fair dos that they got away with it! (Laughs.) I think he probably had it coming, to be honest."
Your nemesis Lindsey Butterfield also became a Gloved Hand Killer after you left...
"Yeah, what can I say? Browning would have been really proud of her! His actions obviously rubbed off on her. She took over where he left off, so good work, Lindsey."
What have you been up to since leaving?
"After I moved, I was working out in New York, doing theatre, TV, film and voice-overs – and now the same back here. The career rolls on and takes you in some interesting directions.
"There's a couple of things on the slate that I'm waiting to hear about, but obviously it's an uncertain time with all this craziness now. But hopefully this blows over quicker than we think it will, shows will get back to shooting and plays will get up and running again across the country."
Would you like to do another soap one day?
"I really enjoyed my time on Hollyoaks, so if the right opportunity came along, I'd definitely be up for doing it again. When you work on a soap, there's a rhythm that you get into because it's so fast-moving. That comes with its own challenges. But I loved being part of it and I'd definitely be open to doing it again in the future."
How much of a worrying time is it for actors at the moment?
"I think for self employed people – in the arts and across the board – it was really important that the government made their commitment to step in. That's crucial to keep people going.
"It's going to be a testing time, but comparatively if you look at the rest of the world, there are people in much worse situations. Hopefully this passes over, we get back to normal and it doesn't affect the industry too badly."
Hollyoaks Favourites airs on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 7pm on E4.
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