Hollyoaks's producer has promised a "bold" storyline will be next for Mercedes McQueen when the soap returns after the time jump.
Soap producer Hannah Cheers has teased Mercedes will be hit with a new, intense story "early on" when the Channel 4 series comes back after jumping forward a year in time.
"Mercedes, for me, is one of those true Hollyoaks icons: strong, independent and self-assured," Cheers told Inside Soap magazine.
Related: Best streaming services 2024 — including Disney Plus, Netflix, iPlayer and Apple TV+
"She's our leading lady – I think she represents a lot of our audience and is also aspirational as well because no matter what she's been through, she always comes back fighting," she said.
Cheers remained tightlipped about the new storyline, but assured Mercedes will be challenged in unexpected ways.
What to Read Next
"To try to find a new, fresh story is a challenge, but we hit on something quite early on, and all of a sudden it felt like the pieces had fallen into place," the producer said.
Related: Hollyoaks star confirms future of opening titles after fan backlash
"It's the boldest story that Mercedes has ever told, and certainly will challenge her in ways that she hasn't been challenged before. We will see new depths to her."
Played by Jennifer Metcalfe, the Hollyoaks mainstay is among the characters who will survive the devastating explosion and motorbike crash that rocked the village in recent scenes.
Mercedes is now alone taking care of the twins after her partner Warren Fox was forced to leave them to go on the run.
With several lives hanging in the balance as Hollyoaks scales down to three episodes a week, the new scenes of the series will confirm which cast members have bowed out for good.
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.
