Danny Mac as Dodger in Hollyoaks / Lime Pictures
Hollyoaks favourite Dodger (Danny Mac) was the victim of a brutal rape in this week’s special Later episode.
The post-watershed episode had dual storylines following the village’s teens on a night out in Liverpool as well as Dodger and police partner Donny (Louis Emerick) being caught up in gangland activities.
At one point, Dodger and Donny were brutally beaten by thugs Griff (Nathan Hubble) and Sully (Harry French) before Griff horrifically raped Dodger over a bed as Donny was forced to watch.
The storyline – 24 years after the soap first portrayed male rape with Luke Morgan (Gary Lucy) – has been developed in conjunction with the charity We Are Survivors.
“There was a massive duty of care to get the storyline right and we worked with We Are Survivors,” said Mac.
“I’ve felt very emotionally attached to this storyline and the people we are speaking to and for. It has been a real journey.”
He continued: “Hollyoaks have explored similar storylines before. There is something about the way this story is going to be explored. It is definitely going to be a new version of what is unfortunately an age-old horrific event.
“It’s a character no-one would be expecting it to happen to. N- one will see this coming.”
Hollyoaks continues Monday to Wednesday from 7am on Channel 4 streaming and at 7pm on E4.
