Hollyoaks spoilers follow.
Note: This story discusses topics including sibling sexual abuse.
Hollyoaks has confirmed a major twist involving returning Mark ‘Dodger’ Savage in the show’s huge New Year trailer.
Next week’s episodes will see Danny Mac back on screen as Dodger after ten years away from the soap. But as Dodger lurks in the shadows, he will return to the village as a very different character.
The new trailer, teasing what is to come in early 2025, shows Dodger getting arrested after fighting with Donny, who is coming out of retirement to return to the police force.
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But an exclusive scene reveals that Dodger is in fact an undercover police officer now, and Donny’s interference may have compromised a case he has been working on for years.
With the trailer also showing Dodger with Rex, who has some big secrets of his own, what exactly is he investigating?
Also featured in the dramatic trailer is JJ Osborne’s sexual abuse trial, with Frankie bravely taking the stand in powerful scenes that will air later this month.
Related: Hollyoaks' Chelsee Healey opens up on "dark thoughts" during pregnancy
Things won’t be easy, as JJ goes back on his word and claims that his twin sister has a history of lying. Darren grows angry when JJ’s defence questions Frankie’s reliability, but will he be found guilty and will Frankie finally get justice?
Meanwhile, abuser Abe is under fire when Cleo tells the truth and Peri confides in her family after being attacked. When even Marie gets suspicious about her son, Abe bundles her into a car and it looks like she is in danger.
The women of the village come together, and believing Abe will continue to get more dangerous, Mercedes makes a shocking suggestion and says that their only option left is to kill him.
Related: Hollyoaks confirms worrying new Dillon and Rex storyline
Mercedes has even more to deal with though, as during her chemotherapy treatment, she contracts an infection and is left fighting for her life. Will she pull through?
Elsewhere, Grace returns to the criminal world, Freddie discovers that Vicky is still pregnant with his baby, and Tony hires his former employee Ste when he reopens The Hutch.
Related: Hollyoaks to continue Ro alcohol story after New Year fallout
Plus, there are some shocking love twists on the horizon, as the trailer shows former flames Cleo and Joel leaning in for a kiss, as well as Sienna seducing Prince after Dilly confronts her about Ethan’s death.
It’s set to be a busy year in Hollyoaks…
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.
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.
