Nikki Sanderson has officially said goodbye to her role as Maxine Miniver on Hollyoaks after 12 years.
The 41-year-old actress, who first appeared on the Channel 4 soap in November 2012, has been central
to some of the show’s most gripping storylines.
Her final scenes were broadcast on Wednesday (April 16), showing Maxine leaving the village by taxi with her daughter Minnie Minniver, but not without a twist. In a dramatic turn of events, it was revealed that Dodger Savage (Danny Mac) and Maxine had staged her death after he shot her to prove his loyalty to Grace Black (Tamara Wall), reports the Mirror.
As Dodger took his girlfriend’s body to “dispose” of, it was unveiled that Maxine was still alive. Plans were later made for Maxine to flee the country with Minnie, who was brought to her by Sienna Blake (Anna Passey).
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Before departing the village, Maxine visited Mercedes McQueen (Jennifer Metcalfe) in prison under a different identity, promising to confess to Abe Fielding’s murder via video to secure her freedom – but only if she sought revenge on Grace, according to the Liverpool Echo. Maxine told Dodger that he couldn’t join them once they’d left and must stay to complete the undercover operation he began and find the answers he needs.
There were emotional goodbyes as Sienna, Dodger, Maxine and Minnie all bid each other farewell. Reflecting on her exit from the show, Nikki said: “It’s the weirdest feeling because it’s an end of an era.”
She continued: “It’s exciting but also really sad. It’s hard to describe how I’m feeling about it. It’s going to be very different and I’m kind of getting used to it I guess. It’s a different normal for me now.
On her character’s journey, she said: “I think she’s done everything she can possibly do and I’ve been very fortunate and extremely grateful for the things that I’ve been able to do within the character.
“When I went in for the meeting to say I thought it was my time to exit the show production were wonderful. We got discuss how it would work and they had ideas and I had ideas for it and what we ended up with I was really pleased with it.”
Looking ahead after saying goodbye to the series, she remarked: “I was very lucky I was given a dramatic last week. I will really miss Hollyoaks. It took a lot to make the decision and I will miss it so much but I’m excited to see what the future holds for me.
“For myself, as Nikki, as an actor, I’ve been acting since I was a little girl. I don’t know any different, it’s what I love to do and it’s my passion.”
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