Hollyoaks is gearing up for a milestone celebration this October, marking its 30th anniversary with sweeping changes, dramatic returns, and a much-anticipated revival of its late-night spin-off, Hollyoaks Later. The long-running Channel 4 soap has announced a trio of new actors stepping into the roles of the Hutchinson family’s teenage children, while fan-favorite characters are set to make explosive comebacks in a storyline that promises high-stakes drama, emotional revelations, and a fresh direction for the beloved series.
On October 13, 2025, Hollyoaks confirmed the recasting of the Hutchinson siblings, introducing Leo Cole as Ro, Brook Debio as Ant, and Chloe Atkinson as Dee Dee. These new faces will debut on Monday, October 20, 2025, coinciding with the show’s anniversary week and the on-screen wedding preparations of Tony and Diane Hutchinson. The recasting signals a new era for the Hutchinson clan, with the creative team eager to explore deeper, more nuanced storylines for these pivotal teenage characters.
Leo Cole’s casting as Ro is especially significant, as he is a young trans actor who will continue Ro’s transition journey on screen. According to Digital Spy, executive producer Hannah Cheers expressed her excitement about the new additions, saying, “They are three phenomenal new actors who literally burst onto the screen in the first five seconds of the first of the anniversary episodes. They are absolutely brilliant. I'm so proud of them already, they’re amazing.” Cheers added, “We've got amazing Leo, who is a brilliant new young trans actor playing Ro. And we are so excited about where we're able to go with these three. They're absolute movie stars.”
Brook Debio, who previously appeared as young Kit Green in a special flashback episode of Coronation Street earlier this year, shared his enthusiasm for joining the cast: “It's been so exciting joining the cast of Hollyoaks as Ant Hutchinson – it's a real privilege to be part of a well-established and welcoming family. Filming has been a blast – especially with some of the intense scenes we've been shooting. I'm really grateful to have been trusted with such an important storyline…”
Chloe Atkinson echoed this sentiment, stating, “I am so excited and grateful to be joining the cast of Hollyoaks as Dee Dee Hutchinson. My time here so far has been truly amazing, and I cannot wait to continue this journey. The rest of the cast has welcomed me with open arms. I couldn't finish this message without mentioning Lacey Findlow and how lucky I feel to show you a different side to the character she brought to life and played so incredibly well.”
This influx of new talent is just one part of a broader strategy to invigorate the series as it enters its fourth decade. “Now that we've recast them, we can explore and we can dig more into their stories as three very important teenage characters, the children of Tony and Diane. So that's an exciting new element for the autumn,” Cheers told Inside Soap magazine.
As the Hutchinson family’s new chapter begins, Hollyoaks is also reviving its late-night spin-off, Hollyoaks Later, after a five-year hiatus. Set to air on E4 on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, the special episode celebrates the main show’s 30th anniversary and promises to deliver the kind of high-octane, twist-filled storytelling that made the spin-off a fan favorite over its 17-year history.
The Mirror reports that Hollyoaks Later will pick up where the crossover anniversary episode leaves off, with teens partying in Liverpool and characters Donny Clark (Louis Emerck), Gemma (Tisha Merry), and Warren Fox (Jamie Lomas) fleeing Brookside Close for the affluent suburbs, their lives hanging in the balance. The episode is shot entirely on location in Liverpool city centre and Merseyside, lending an authentic urban backdrop to the unfolding drama.
Returning characters Warren Fox and Theresa McQueen (Jorgie Porter) are at the heart of the action. Warren, portrayed by Jamie Lomas, has been absent from the main show but returns with big ambitions. “It’s great to be back for Hollyoaks 30th celebrations and what better way to return than a Laters,” Lomas told reporters. “Warren has been busy since you last saw him, wanting to rebuild his empire and start afresh after the heartbreak with Mercedes McQueen (Jennifer Metcalfe).”
Theresa McQueen, played by Jorgie Porter, finds herself drawn back into the world of scheming and risk-taking. At John Lennon Airport, Theresa risks her own freedom and Dodger Savage’s (Danny Mac) police career by engaging in illegal smuggling, all while fleeing a glamorous influencer lifestyle that has spun out of control. Porter, who returns after maternity leave, remarked, “It’s really exciting to be a part of Laters, I’ve been in so many over the years and they’re always my favourite – Hopefully I get a swear word this time. Theresa is scheming with an unlikely business partner and it’s fun to see her living life on the edge again. It's incredible to time my return with the Hollyoaks 30th birthday week too, I couldn’t miss it.”
The late-night spin-off also introduces new character Gemma, played by Tisha Merry, and features Esme Dixon (Yasmin Davies), daughter of Brookside’s Jacqui Dixon, who offers an escape route for Frankie Osborne (Isabelle Smith). The storyline explores the struggles of teenagers Dillon Ray (Nathaniel Dass), Lucas Hay (Oscar Curtis), Vicky Grant (Anya Lawrence), and Frankie Osborne as they try to navigate their friendships in the aftermath of child exploitation. The city’s intoxicating yet foreboding atmosphere serves as a backdrop for these young characters’ attempts to move past the trauma of the previous year.
Yet not all is safe in the suburbs. Gangland figures Sully and Griff pose a threat to undercover officers and the larger community, while buried secrets threaten to destabilize crucial family bonds. As the Mirror puts it: “With hidden truths endangering vital family bonds, whom can you rely on when self-doubt creeps in?”
Hollyoaks Later has a reputation for jaw-dropping twists, and its 2020 episode was the second most-watched in the show’s history, featuring the dramatic death of serial killer Breda McQueen and Tony Hutchinson’s rescue from a burning pig farm. The stakes are just as high for this anniversary special, with the creative team promising the same level of suspense and emotional intensity.
For fans eager to catch every moment, Hollyoaks airs Mondays through Wednesdays on Channel 4, with streaming premieres at 7am and E4 broadcasts at 7pm. Full episodes are also released on YouTube a week after their Channel 4 debut, and selected omnibus episodes are available via Prime Video.
As the 30th anniversary approaches, Hollyoaks is pulling out all the stops—recasting beloved characters, reviving its most daring spin-off, and tackling bold, contemporary storylines. It’s a celebration that promises to honor the show’s legacy while laying the groundwork for a new generation of drama, intrigue, and unforgettable moments.
