Hollyoaks spoilers follow for Tuesday’s episode (February 4), which is available to watch now on streaming service Channel 4 and hasn’t yet aired on TV.
Hollyoaks star Rory Douglas-Speed has opened up about filming the dramatic car crash scenes that aired in today’s episode.
This week, the women failed in their attempt to kill Abe Fielding, who ran off and held his mum Marie at knifepoint in The Hutch. Tony got stabbed, while Abe fled in his car with Marie in tow.
Joel spotted Abe leaving the village so he chased after him, not wanting his brother to get away with his crimes. As they drove towards each other at pace, the cars collided in a huge cliffhanger.
In today’s episode, Joel discovered that his mum was in the other car but was unable to get her out. He then dragged Abe out of the vehicle and beat him up, but Marie persuaded him not to kill him.
Actor Douglas-Speed, who plays Joel, explained what it was like to film these tense scenes as part of villain Abe’s conclusion.
“We’ve been asking to see Joel tap into that Warren Fox presence for a while,” he said. “I think you really see it this week because it’s something so close to his heart. He’s had to dive into the old version of himself, which I quite enjoyed.
“There’s obviously a big sequence after the crash where you really think – is Joel is going to end things for Abe? It was class to film, but I don’t think I suit playing angry!”
He continued: “It’s going to be a very big ending for one of the best actors and villains we’ve introduced to the show for a long time. I don’t think the audience are going to be let down by the execution of it, and it was an amazing thing to be a part of.”
Later in the episode, Joel took Marie in the hospital with Abe in the boot, intending to hand him in to the police. But Cleo secretly stole Joel’s car keys and drove off with her former abuser.
Returning to the village, Cleo was caught in the act by Sienna – who also cares deeply about Abe’s fate, as she found out that Martha has told him where Dilly is buried.
Sienna agreed to help Cleo move Abe, and together they locked him in the very room in his flat where he held Cleo for over a year.
What will happen to Abe now?
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.
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.