Hollyoaks spoilers follow.
Note: This article contains discussion of topics including rape and domestic abuse.
Hollyoaks star Tyler Conti has opened up about playing villain Abe Fielding, in the show’s harrowing abuse storyline.
The actor spoke exclusively to Inside Soap about what is next for the dramatic plot, after Cleo reported her shocking ordeal to the police.
The soap has explored Abe’s abuse of his partner Cleo, which included him keeping her captive in his flat for over a year following the motorbike accident.
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But his horrific actions have also targeted other women in the village, as he recently became abusive with his new wife Peri and then raped her while she was unconscious.
Peri’s mum Leela is also keeping a dark secret, as she was raped at Theresa’s party during the show’s missing year and recently realised that Abe is the culprit.
With Mercedes deciding this week that they have no other option but to kill Abe, Conti has explained what it has been like to portray such a villainous role.
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"Who doesn’t want to play the villain?" he told the magazine. "It’s always fun to do a take and see the other actor opposite you look at you like they didn’t know you have it in you!
"I really enjoy exploring behaviour and relationships, and that’s why I love acting so much. When you get to play these dark and twisted characters, you get to dive into the psyche of why people do things, and it’s really interesting. You don’t want to play a half-villain, you want to play the worst."
Conti also spoke about the impact of the important storyline on viewers, who have opened up about their own experiences to him after watching the plot unfold on screen.
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He said: "You want to bring truth to these stories and make people question their own relationships and help them through.
"I’ve had so many people come up to me and message me to say they’re glad you’re telling this story as they’ve been through a similar situation, and it encouraged them to speak out."
The full interview can be found in Inside Soap’s latest issue, which is available to buy in shops and online from Tuesday, January 28.
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
If you've been affected by the issues raised in this story, you can access more information from Rape Crisis England and Wales, which works towards the elimination of all forms of sexual violence and sexual misconduct, on its 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.
Organisations including Refuge and Women's Aid can also provide further support and information. The 24-hour, freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline is 0808 2000 247.
The US National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), or text LOVEIS to 22522.
