Yahoo News Hollyoaks' Nikki Sanderson praises important new Maxine storyline
Hollyoaks spoilers follow.
Earlier this year it was announced that Hollyoaks will be airing a special episode this autumn focused on Maxine Minniver and the events of a fateful night out.
When Maxine is separated from a group of friends, 'The Long Walk Home' will portray a series of scenarios that women often experience and highlight the dangers of being out alone. The special will be directed by a team of women to share these groundbreaking scenes.
Speaking to Inside Soap about the powerful storyline, Nikki Sanderson (who plays Maxine) said: "It's a fantastic, issue-led storyline and I can't wait to get stuck in. This is an incredible opportunity for Hollyoaks to approach an important subject, and I am beyond honoured they've chosen Maxine as the character to do it. We want to raise awareness and get people talking.
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"Maxine is so relatable as a character, she always comes back stronger and that's not just for herself, but for her daughter. Maxine wants to show Minnie that whatever you go through in life you can deal with it – there's always another day."
Show boss Lucy Allan previously revealed that the soap hopes to highlight the hazardous difference of the same situation between two sets of people, with women's safety being an important topic in recent years.
"A girl is walking home and she bumps into a group of guys. What's the difference in those two scenarios? A guy might be worried that somebody is going to laugh at him. A girl is worried that she's going to be raped and murdered.
"When it was put in front of us in such a stark way, it felt really imperative that it was a story we got behind, and got behind with a character that our audiences knows and loves, but also recognises themselves in."
Related: 10 huge Hollyoaks spoilers for next week
Meanwhile, Maxine is striving to protect Vicky Grant (Anya Lawrence) from her boyfriend Joseph Holmes (Olly Rhodes), especially considering her own abusive past.
"His behaviour is controlling, and the way he treats Vicky reminds Maxine of her horrific relationship with her late husband, Patrick Blake. Maxine can sense this is the beginning of something that will progress, as she has experienced this for herself and is worried for Vicky."
Hollyoaks streams first on All 4, with new episodes dropping each weekday morning. The show airs Mondays to Fridays at 6.30pm on Channel 4, and at 7pm on E4. Selected omnibus episodes are available via Amazon 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, 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.
Organisations including Women's Aid can provide further support and information on coercive control or coercive behaviour.
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