Hollyoaks legend lands huge new job sparking fears she has secretly quit the soap after 18 years
A HOLLYOAKS legend has landed a huge new job – but has sparked fears she has quit the soap.
Jennifer Metcalfe has been cast in a brand new BBC drama, which has been green-lit by execs.
Called We Go Again, Jennifer will play a guest role in the six-part show set to air in 2025.
The drama see – based on Janice’s 2011 play Three Birds – follows three optimistic siblings with a dark secret.
Chenée Taylor, Kaydrah Walker-Wilkie and Akins Subair lead the cast.
Despite fears Jennifer’s new role in the show could see her depart Hollyoaks after 18 years, fans don’t have to worry.
The Sun understands that Jen is not leaving the Channel 4 soap and will remain front and centre of the show as Mercedes McQueen.
Jennifer recently spoke to The Sun about the future of Hollyoaks following its epic cast cull.
The actress, 40, revealed stunts the show has ‘never done before’ in an exclusive chat with The Sun at the Radio Times soap awards.
Jennifer said: “Do you know what, we’re just filming the last lot of the five episodes and the start of the three episodes.
“I’ve never felt so excited about Hollyoaks – how it’s wrapping it up is like something we’ve never done before and how it’s introducing the ‘new show’ as I call it is just unbelievable.”
Jennifer added: “You’ll see characters in a position where you’ve never seen them before, like literally ever.
“I think we’ve had times over the last 20 years with Mercedes where I’ve gone ‘oh I’ve not done this before, I’ve not explored this avenue and it is just I haven’t but to this depth with my character is going to be something different.
“Personally as an actor I can’t wait to smash it.”
From Hollyoaks to Hollywood
James Corden played a caretaker in the early days of the soap.
The former American TV host doesn’t have much positive to say about his time on the soap, claiming it was “hell on earth.”
Since his short-lived time on the show he has gone on to bigger things including smash hit comedy Gavin and Stacey.
Rachel Shenton joined the soap as aspiring glamour model Mitzeee Minniver in 2010.
Over two years her character was sent to prison, got pregnant and had a number of romantic affairs.
Since leaving Hollyoaks she has won an Oscar for best live action short film, The Silent Child.
Rachel has also starred in White Gold and All Creatures Great and Small
Emmett J. Scanlan played gangster turned anti-hero Brendan Brady.
Emmett played the love interest of Steve Hayes, with their romance delighting fans until it turned violent.
Since his departure Emmett has appeared in Peaky Blinders, The Fall, Gangs of London and even appeared in Guardians of the Galaxy
Emma Rigby joined Hollyoaks when she was 15 as Hannah Ahsworth.
Hannah’s eating disorder storyline was the first of it’s kind on TV while other plots included being caught in a fire, gangland drug dealing and running away.
Since leaving the soap in 2010 Emma has gone on to star in ABCs Once Upon a Time in Wonderland as the Red Queen. Other roles include guest appearances in Death In Paradise, Ripper Street and Fresh Meat
Nico Mirallegro got his big break with Hollyoaks starring as emo Barry ‘Newt’ Newton.
Nico’s main storyline in the soap was developing schizophrenia which culminated in a suicide pact.
He left the soap in 2010 and went on to star in My Mad Fat Diary, Our Girl, Rillington Place, The Ark and Common, Penance, as well as the Mike Leigh movie Peterloo and was nominated for a Bafta for his role in period drama The Village.
Ricky Whittle used Hollyoaks as a stepping stone to break America.
He played one of the soap’s resident hunks, Calvin Valentine, from 2006 to 2011 – when he was killed off at his wedding.
After leaving the soap Ricky cracked America starring in teen drama The 100 and America Gods.
He also appeared in Strictly Come Dancing in 2009.
Warren Brown joined Hollyoaks in 2005 for a year as evil Andy Holt.
His stint on the show consisted of date rape storylines and a crime spree, before eventually being killed off.
After leaving Hollyoaks, Warren became a big hitter in TV playing DS Justin Ripley in Luther, as well as major roles in a number of dramas including Liar, The Responder, Homefront and Good Cop.
Wallis Day played Holly Cunningham in the soap for years before leaving.
In 2021 Wallis won the role of Batwoman in DC’s series, taking over from Ruby Rose.