Next Friday Channel 4 will hand over its entire 24-hour schedule to programmes starring, and made by, black talent as part of its first ever Black To Front day.
As the channel's flagship soap, Hollyoaks will be fully involved, airing a special one-hour episode featuring black and black-heritage members of the cast.
The main focus of the episode will be the Deveraux family, who are throwing a birthday BBQ party near the lake for Walter. While Celeste is busy trying to matchmake her parents Felix and Martine, a number of surprise guests show up for the festivities - including old family friend Pearl and her daughter Sharon, as well as Felix's estranged son DeMarcus.
Back in the village, Goldie watches on unimpressed as her son Prince tries to woo new fiancée Olivia, while Brooke and Ripley have a heart-to-heart about the nature of their relationship.
Here, the cast reveal more about what to expect from the special episode - including some hints about a water-based stunt...
© Lime Pictures
Richard Blackwood (Felix)
"It's a great stunt! I had to make it look as if I had passed out, but at the same time when you resurface your natural instinct is to breathe. There's no training for that, you've just got to do it and hope that they catch it. It's cold as well, we have to wear wetsuits and I didn't realise that wetsuit means that it's actually wet on the inside. So that was a first."
© Lime Pictures
Andrea Ali (Celeste)
"Today we're filming the 'Candy' scene. This is the bit that I think I've been the most excited for, because this is the bit where we get to dance, this is where we get to celebrate our culture. This is what we do at weddings, at birthdays, just at house parties when we're having fun. I'm really looking forward to it! We know everyone at home is going to enjoy watching it as much as we've enjoyed filming it."
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Tylan Grant (Brooke)
"I feel like this episode in particular is super important because people just need to see Black people experiencing joy; hardships; love; friendship and all the things that anyone would, but in our lens and our world. I think that representation is super important for anyone but also for the other Black people that are seeing themselves on screen for the first time, just living their life, having a fun time and just experiencing our culture."
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Tomi Ade (DeMarcus)
"I think coming in as Richard Blackwood's son. It's been really really cool. I feel like there hasn't really been a character like Demarcus on the show yet, so I feel privileged to bring this sort of energy and level. I feel like it's new and fresh. Super exciting – I love it."
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Jamelia (Sharon)
"The most exciting thing about filming is definitely being around the other cast members. I'm a huge fan of Hollyoaks and of the director, Patrick Robinson, so to be in such esteemed company has been a dream. The smile that you see on my face is permanent, it's been on my face for the past few days and I don't want to go home. My favourite moment was doing the Candy dance with everyone. It just felt quite surreal and very enjoyable."
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Ki Griffin (Ripley)
"I mean the highlight for me is going to be a cheeky kiss that happened between two particular characters. But I think the highlight for everyone is going to be the big stunt moment with Martine and Felix, and I think it's going to get everyone on the edge of their seats, really wondering what's going to happen with these two characters. I think everyone's going to be very very happy with the result."
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Chelsee Healey (Goldie)
"I think it's so important in being able to bring awareness to equality and also show that there is a huge pool of talent both on and off-screen. Being together has just been pure vibes. Most of the people that I'm working with today I've realised, some of them, I've never had scenes with so it's amazing to all be working together and just vibing."
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Bobby Gordon (Toby)
"Meeting Jamelia was great, I was a big fan when I was growing up. The cast members – old and new – are all amazing so the synergy, the family vibe, is just incredible. So, working with everyone has been the highlight. Also, apart from the rain, the location is great."
The special Black To Front edition of Hollyoaks airs Friday, September 10 at 6pm on Channel 4 and Thursday, September 9 at 7pm on E4.
Neil Wilkes
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