‘Hollyoaks’ is to air a special episode entirely written, directed and performed by the show’s black talent.
Channel 4 have announced plans to showcase talent as part of a Black Takeover Day, which is scheduled for autumn 2021, during which the soap will feature an hour-long episode.
The well-established Deverauxs – who include Kelle Bryan’s character Martine Deveraux – will be among the characters to feature in the episode.
During the day, Channel 4 will showcase black talent on and off screen.
Other shows to feature will include Mo Gilligan fronting a return of ‘The Big Breakfast’, as well as ‘Celebrity Gogglebox’, ‘Countdown’ and ‘Channel 4 News’ all featuring black talent.
This comes after Rachel Adedeji – who plays Lisa Loveday on the show – previously hit out at the soap for its response to the Black Lives Matter movement, and alleged she had experienced racism on the programme.
She wrote: "I am disappointed with Hollyoaks’ approach with showing solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement yesterday. Did black lives matter when I was told ‘you’re all the same’ via a make up artist you employed and remains in employment to this day? Did Black Lives Matter when a number of female black actors were forced to drastically change their hair, because if not, the viewers ‘would not be able to tell them apart’? Do Black Lives Matter when my fellow black castmates are deemed ‘angry, aggressive and too vocal?’ Did Black Lives Matter when referred to as ‘b*******’ by a senior member of the production team? Do Black Lives really matter to you if over the last four years at ‘Hollyoaks’, I have only worked with one black director? (sic)"
Following Rachel’s claims, ‘Hollyoaks’ announced they are "investigating", and insisted they have "zero tolerance on racism".
A post on their social media channels read: "Hollyoaks has zero tolerance on racism. We are taking Rachel Adedeji’s comments extremely seriously and are investigating."