Prepare yourselves, soap fans: Hollyoaks is cranking its drama into overdrive as not one—but two—legendary
villains stage shocking returns that threaten to upend the peace of Chester Village. With one character recast and
another believed dead, the emotional and suspenseful stakes have never been higher. The pulse-pounding twists will leave viewers reeling—and desperate for more.
1. The Return of a Cold-Blooded Killer: Bobby Costello Reborn
It’s been a nail-biting three years since Bobby Costello, the troubled teen who plunged Hollyoaks into darkness, was last seen behind juvenile detention walls. His departure in 2023 followed a chilling spree of crimes: on his conscience lay the deaths of Sylver McQueen, Silas Blissett, and Verity Hutchinson, and an attempted murder of DeMarcus Westwood. Now, as the soap’s timeline fast-forwards into 2026, Bobby is back—and dangerously reinvented with a new face (thesun.co.uk).
In a move bound to shock longtime fans, Hollyoaks bosses have recast Bobby with actor Zak Sutcliffe, known most recently for his gritty turn in Waterloo Road and a guest stint in Casualty. Sutcliffe doesn’t shy away from the challenge. “It’s exciting to get into something gritty and complex,” he told Digital Spy, clearly relishing the role’s emotional and psychological depth (thesun.co.uk).
This is no fluffy reintroduction. Bobby, now older and more cunning, returns with a burning need for vengeance—or perhaps redemption. Sutcliffe’s Bobby carries an aura of unpredictability, promising a darker, more intricate performance. Fans of the character-driven storyline should brace themselves: this is a Bobby Costello determined to rewrite his legacy—whether that brings redemption or destruction is anyone’s guess.
2. Clare Devine Rises Again: Gemma Bissix’s Astonishing Return
As if one high-stakes comeback wasn’t enough, Hollyoaks is also reviving Clare Devine, arguably the soap’s most seductive and deadly bombshell. Played by Gemma Bissix, Clare was believed gone after being killed off in 2013—struck down by Doctor Browning in one of the village’s most notorious exits (thesun.co.uk).
But now, in a jaw-dropping blending of nostalgia and villainy, Clare is stepping out of the shadows for the show’s 30th anniversary in 2025. Bissix herself teases an explosive storyline: “She is delighted to be asked back, especially as she’s rising from the dead. The scenes will be explosive,” insiders reveal (thesun.co.uk).
Clare was never just a soap antagonist—she was a psychological force, manipulating everyone from her ex-husband Max Cunningham to the McQueens, leaving chaos in her wake. Despite her brutal death, the character’s cunning never really left the narrative. Now, her return introduces thrilling possibilities: is she a hallucination, a twin, a resurrection? And for whom does she now pose the greatest threat?
3. Clashing Legacies: What These Returns Mean for the Village
These simultaneous comebacks aren’t coincidences—they’re strategic, explosive reverberations designed to reignite the soap’s most potent storylines. Bobby and Clare both usher in new eras of terror and suspense, heralding a narrative rift that threatens the entire community.
- Character dynamics intensify: Bobby’s return puts the McQueen family—still scarred by past losses—back on edge. Clare, a psychological puppet-master, will recalibrate loyalties and fractures among long-established residents.
- Emotion vs. vengeance: Bobby’s arc teeters between guilt and rage. Will he reflexively lash out, or is he seeking absolution? Meanwhile, Clare’s return is not redemption—expect schisms, betrayals, and headier forms of manipulation.
- Nostalgia charged with danger: Fans will remember Clare’s reign of terror—her resurrection stirs nostalgia but mutates it into a new threat, never just a blast from the past.
- Network synergy: With overlapping timelines, potential clashes—or even alliances—between Bobby and Clare could set the stage for unprecedented cross-character confrontations. Imagine Clare tempting Bobby toward darker deeds, or Bobby seeking to neutralize Clare’s threat—this collision course promises to redefine Hollyoaks.
4. Recasting Sparks Excitement—and Questions
Recasting is always risky in soap-land, but casting Zak Sutcliffe infuses Bobby with fresh menace. At 21, Sutcliffe brings maturity and intensity well-suited for a post-incarceration Bobby. Fans will be watching closely to see if he channels the coldness of Fox’s original portrayal or redefines the killer as more calculating and reflective.
By contrast, Gemma Bissix is reprising her signature role—quadrupling the dramatic weight of Clare’s return. Her performance is expected to match or surpass past gold standards, reminding viewers of Clare’s cunning and charm. The contrast between a recast and a returning original sets up fascinating parallels: fresh-faced menace versus legacy villain.
5. Trajectory Calibration: Plot Implications & Fan Speculation
What might be next, now that these adversaries have embraced the spotlight?
Bobby’s possible trajectory:
- A revenge tour? Half the village might believe justice has been served; Bobby believes otherwise. His return could involve cold-blooded vengeance or a chilling justification narrative.
- Inner conflict: Might Bobby seek redemption? Or will he double-down on violence, framing his actions as survival in a village that never forgave him?
- Fractured relationships: His interaction with DeMarcus Westwood, who he once tried to kill, might trip old trauma—or ignite unexpected alliances.
Clare’s battlefield:
- Psychological games: Clare loves manipulation; upcoming plotlines may center on sowing doubt among characters like Mercedes, Maxine, or Warren.
- Resurrection mystery: Was she resurrected by surgery, a twin twist, or identity theft? The mystery is ripe for intrigue and speculation.
- Villainous crossfire: If Clare interacts with Bobby, expect explosively twisted alliances—two killers with diverging ideologies navigating power plays.
6. A Milestone Anniversary, a High-Octane Reboot
Hollyoaks marks 30 years in 2025—a milestone met head-on with these seismic narrative shifts. Networks rarely invest in so many returning villains at once unless they’re aiming for maximum impact. With two of its most notorious characters returning, plus recasting that ignites story potential, Hollyoaks is boldly leaning into shock, suspense, and fan nostalgia.
This isn’t throwback filler—it’s a calculated, electrifying relaunch aimed at reminding viewers why they fell in love with the series in the first place. As Chester Village braces for chaos, loyal followers and newcomers alike have weeks of speculation—and betrayal—to look forward to.
7. Looking Ahead: What to Watch For
As both villains breathe new life into the screen, here’s what to keep an eye on:
| Watching For… | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Bobby, darker than ever? | Sutcliffe’s performance will define whether Bobby remains a wild, rage-fueled teen or becomes a calculated predator. |
| Clare, alive—and cunning | Bissix’s return is a high-wire act—expect Claire at her manipulative best, bending everyone to her will. |
| Storyline overlap | Will Bobby and Clare clash, collude, or remain on parallel paths of terror? Soap storytelling gold could follow. |
| Character fallout | Families like the McQueens, Ashworths, and Westwoods will be torn, tested, and shaken—but perhaps reborn through conflict. |
| 30th anniversary payoff | With such explosive plotlines, expect celebratory stunts, special episodes, and legacy callbacks peppering the year. |
Final Analysis
At its core, soap operas survive on one brutal truth: conflict drives engagement. By resurrecting Clare Devine and recasting the chilling Bobby Costello, Hollyoaks isn’t just returning to familiar ground—it’s turning up the heat to a fever pitch. The incoming storylines promise interrogation of guilt, revenge’s moral ambiguity, psychological chess, and emotional ruin.
Because these villains don’t come back as lighthearted ghosts—they emerge as tempestuous disruptors. Their presence gives the narrative permission to push harder, run darker, and dig deeper. As Chester Village braces for this maelstrom, viewers should prepare for relationships to crack, alliances to explode, and friendships to fracture.
One thing is certain: with these two villains back in play, Hollyoaks is set to enter a chapter of its history marked by darkness, suspense—and unforgettable drama. The countdown to the next episode has never been more essential.
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