So it seems we are turning a corner and moving into a transitional period for the show. Major casting changes abound with plenty of new arrivals, new credits and an autumn stunt planned as usual that will probably lead to a few departures. We also have new confirmed credits, and a heavy focus moving towards students again (though we do also seem suddenly inundated with policemen and lawyers).

I thought it might be a good idea to have a place where we can discuss all the changes happening- is this the start of a new golden era for the show...

New and Confirmed Characters:

Forgive me I cannot remember all the names.

Marnie's mum.
Grace's mum.
Cameron's Cousin.
Jacks Neice- Eva Osborne
Dirks Nephew- Nick Savage
The return of Jude. (Have I missed any) can anyone fill in the names?

Known storylines:

Kim's disappearance
A huge Nancy storyline.
The osbornes revenge story.
Point of view week.
The culmination of the cancer plot.
Autumn stunt.

Anymore? I'm quite excited lots going on - but we definitely need to trim the cast too...

Recast Joel
(Unfortunately) 3 new McQueens and Nana's return

I am wondering if Cameron's cousin coming in to find out what happened to Lockie is just to end his storyline and the cousin doesn't stay after.. Maybe the end of all the Lomax'.

I think it's come at the right time this change.

Hollyoaks was becoming the joke soap again with its unrealistic characters and over the top storylines.

I feel they are trying to grow it up a bit.. become serious again.... well hopefully anyway

Well I'm not too sure on the credits including the hot tub ha ha.

Can't believe I forgot the three new mcqueens, and new Joel.

Plus we have the double McQueen wedding and the stunt being link to Halloween too!

Bitkwood is still there though. For some unfathomable reason

I do wonder how much the show can change whilst he remains.

Also hoping my few favourites left are not ruined or on the departure list- I reckon we must be losing a sizeable number of people.

I kind of feel like like it has been intentional to regear it into a massive change and difference. Take E4s episode tonight, one of the best this year of any soap. How about him bringing Amy back to add normality to the show as Ashley told DS. Looks like theyre gearing up a 2006 style revamp - well were at the end of it and the launch of the new titles is the new era

The last couple of episodes have been really good.

With all the new castings, hope this is the start of something better for HO.

Just get rid of Nico, Cameron, the Lomaxes, Scott and Diego. I'd want Marnie to go but she seems to be a favourite of Kirkwood at the moment.

I like Marnie. She's meant to be camp and over the top (I hope). She was being vulnerable earlier this week (about mac) and she actually is a good actress.
James is a great character. Again absolutely horrible person, but the world isn't full of nice people.

I hope Nico, Freddie, Warren (no chance), Liam and Cameron all go.

Tonight's episode was truely fantastic and I do think character driven stories are the way forward but this is kirkwood so I'm not going to hold my breath. 🙄 I just think they need to limit the amount of murderers they have on the show. At one point there was Lyndsey, Cameron and nico killing everyone and two of those stories are yet to conclude! However HO can pull it out the bag when neccassary and the last few weeks have proven with the right stories and the right characters, the show can be watchable. I'm a fairly new viewer to HO and I know the soap has sensationalism and ott elements and that's fine. I don't mind that but when it gets to the realms of ridiculous, then it makes it difficult to care. I do however think Kirkwood is getting it right with HO - this year at least. He seems to understand the show and it takes a lot for me to say that because he messed up EE so bad. Yep, I won't ever be ok with the damaged he caused but I accept that he can deliver good drama on HO and tonight was proof of that. I think James and John Paul have a lot of promise and I am interesting in some of the up coming spoilers concerning Ellie and the Osbournes.

I agree with the majority about Freddie. The character is unneccassary and the actor isn't much to shout about. It appears HO are trying to get us behind him and Ellie but I can't find myself to care. I don't mind the Lomax family but I do think it's time up for them. I expect Nico will be gone before the year is out too.

I've never understood why people dislike the Lomaxes so much. I like all three of them. Leela is an idiot.

Wow so I'm I process of catching up after a week away. Why happened last night?

A cast cull is needed to bin the deadwood though

We could lose

Nico
Holly
Sonia
Harry
Cameron
Scott
Diego
Zack

and improve the show

I'm slightly annoyed Diego has a secret ex and a dark past. He may not be the best actor but it would've been nice for myra to have a decent man and be happy for a while. Though as we know, happy and hollyoaks are not two things that go together.

I think James has a nice side, there is more to him than meets the eye.

According to soapsquawk the autumn stunt involves a maze and it's at a Halloween party.

Characters sat around and talked for a change. But what they said was more powerful than any stunt or murder. Focused mainly on Grace/Sienna, James/JP, Lisa/Nathan, Simone, Zack, Celine and Scott. Was great acting and brilliant emotional scenes in parts. Good music too, the same piece played over scenes

I have noticed that one of the producers left the show? Could that be part of it ? I do see progress but the Worryhing this is more mcqueens and not enough axing of characters

The JP/James scenes and the Sienna/Grace scenes were amazing.

Is Nick Savage gonna be a longterm character from what I read of his storyline he's kinda gotta be temp. Tho I liked the actor in Waterloo Road and he sounds like he's essentially playing the same character again

I've been enjoying HO a lot more recently, they appear to be more character directed storylines with it being more emphasis on the drama instead of big stunts and murderers every week, some of the best episodes have been that.

I'm a little apprehensive about all theses new additions as it will mean cast clear out normally and why there is deadwood he normally get rid of the good characters!, tbh I'm not thrill about more McQueens really not needed imo.

However if we getting a feeling of 06-08 easily BK best era then that would be great.

Yesterday's Hollyoaks (E4) was fabulous. It was easily as good as anything the big three have put on this year and was character driven, wonderfully written and well acted. Good drama is not about explosions or special effects, but about truthful and emotional storytelling.

I've a feeling that a cast cull will probably be announced soon - new characters seem to be added daily.

Hopefully we will see a clear out of.
Cameron (because sadly he is beyond saving now they have ruined him)
Marnie
Nico
Scott

Sorry, but I LIKE Marnie and Scott. She's a brilliant wicked stepmother, and Scott has natural comedy.

Definately want to see more of:

James
John paul
Sienna
Grace
Lisa
Alfie
Jade
Sally
Myra
Esther
Kim
Warren
Peri

The new spoilers on the main site sound good. Intrigued to k ow what they're doing with the Osbornes, Nancy's storyline (MS)? , the secret behind James and who Celine is marrying. Seem the cancer storyline is also set to take an unexpected turn. Any ideas?

I'm all for as much Alfie and Nathan as possible. Two of my favourite additions.