In a powerful and devastating new storyline, Hollyoaks will next week see Cleo McQueen receive a life-altering diagnosis after a harrowing struggle with her mental health following the birth of her son.
A Mother in Crisis
Viewers have watched with growing concern as Cleo, played by Nadine Mulkerrin, has been battling immense pressure since her son Joseph was born prematurely and required care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. After being allowed to return home, with her girlfriend Sienna Blake moving into the McQueen residence to support her, Cleo's mental state began to deteriorate significantly.
She started losing track of time and was consumed by guilt when she found herself unable to produce milk for her baby. The situation took an even more disturbing turn when Cleo became convinced she could hear the voice of Dodger Savage speaking to her through the baby monitor camera.
The Breaking Point
The upcoming episodes see the crisis reach a critical point. Sienna, portrayed by Anna Passey, becomes seriously worried when Cleo snaps at her unexpectedly. Her concern deepens when she overhears Cleo talking to herself, and when she questions her girlfriend about who she was speaking to, Cleo lashes out once more.
Alarmed by this behaviour, Sienna investigates Cleo's notepad and makes a chilling discovery: the same sentence written over and over again. Realising the severity of the situation, Sienna attempts to get Cleo to open up about what she's experiencing, but her efforts prove unsuccessful.
Turning to John Paul for help, Sienna sets in motion a family intervention. John Paul immediately calls in the rest of the McQueen clan, who rally together to await Cleo's return home, united in their determination to offer her support.
A Path to Treatment and Village Updates
In a poignant conclusion to this chapter of the storyline, Sienna, with crucial assistance from Dodger, helps Cleo get the professional help she desperately needs. They take her to the psychiatric unit at Dee Valley hospital, where she is formally diagnosed with postpartum psychosis.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the village, Mercedes McQueen's suspicious behaviour has Goldie convinced that Warren Fox is dealing drugs again. After Gemma relays Goldie's suspicions to a unaware Warren, she attempts to build bridges with Mercedes. Gemma also prepares for her interview at Dee Valley hospital, quizzing Misbah Maalik about village residents before introducing herself to Diane Hutchinson.
In other developments, Sully defies Donny at work, worrying Dodger. Donny shares a moment with Misbah, who admits she never stopped loving him. An overwhelmed Sienna breaks down and asks her sister Liberty for support, leading the siblings to head to the hospital to care for baby Joseph while the McQueens visit Cleo.
John Paul arranges for the family to take Sienna out for a much-needed break, asking Goldie and Warren to put their differences aside for the occasion.
Commitment to Accurate Portrayal
To ensure this sensitive storyline is told with the utmost accuracy and respect, Hollyoaks has worked closely with the charity Action on Postpartum Psychosis (APP). The organisation's peer support forum includes over 3,800 people with lived experience of the condition, providing invaluable insight.
Actress Nadine Mulkerrin commented on the challenging narrative, stating, "It's been a new challenge taking on the role of motherhood and the difficulties that being a new mum can bring, especially the strain it can have on your mental health." She added, "We had a consultation with APP whilst filming this storyline, and it was helpful to hear other people's experiences – my heart breaks for poor Cleo."
Hollyoaks streams from 6am on Mondays to Wednesdays on Channel 4's streaming platform, with television broadcasts at 7pm on E4.
