Niamh Blackshaw’s ‘Hollyoaks’ character will face repercussions for bullying Brooke Hathaway.
The 19-year-old actress’ alter-ego Juliet Quinn has become friends with Brooke – played by Talia Grant – but regularly plays mind games with her, recently manipulating her into missing a crucial exam last month.
Niamh has told Inside Soap magazine: "There’s going to be a climax with Juliet bullying Brooke, and you’ll see her lose a lot of her friends. But what she loses in one respect, she gains in another – she has a lot of love from her family, and she finds that she’s not alone anymore."
The actress – who joined ‘Hollyoaks’ in November 2018 – explained that things will look up for Juliet as she "develops a sense of right and wrong".
She said: "Juliet’s going to grow as a person, develop a sense of right and wrong, and learn from her mistakes. I think viewers will sympathise to an extent, although it’s like anything – you do something wrong and there will be repercussions."
This bullying storyline has allowed Niamh to tackle her own experiences at the hands of a bully, and she says the plot has been "therapeutic".
She said: "As someone who was bullied at school, it’s therapeutic in a way to flip it and play the bully. It’s also important to show the vulnerability of autistic girls as well, and it’s great that Talia gets that opportunity – and I just love working with her."
Niamh is nominated for Best Newcomer at the upcoming Inside Soap Awards, as well as winning a nomination in the Best On-Screen Partnership category alongside Lysette Anthony, who plays Marnie Nightingale.
Niamh previously played tragic Lara Cutler on ‘Coronation Street’, a character who was preyed upon by Nathan Curtis’ grooming gang and ultimately took her own life while in the grip of depression.
Hollyoaks’ Juliet Quinn faces ‘repercussions’ for bullying
