Exclusive: Hollyoaks star Niamh Blackshaw on aftermath of Juliet sharing cancer diagnosis
Hollyoaks spoilers follow.
Hollyoaks star Niamh Blackshaw has spoken to Digital Spy about the fallout from her character Juliet Nightingale sharing news of her illness.
Juliet was recently diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma and has so far been receiving support from her brother James, Ste Hay and local doctor Misbah Maalik.
This week's Christmas episodes see Juliet share the news with most of her other loved ones, leading to mixed responses.
Speaking exclusively to Digital Spy, Niamh explained: "Without giving too much away, Donna-Marie does not respond well. She reacts in a way that I think you wouldn't expect her character to. It was a very emotional day on set.
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"Nadira is always resolution-focused and calm, though there is the underlying upset as her own mum passed from cancer.
"Peri is in denial, and I think that makes sense. She has lost Juliet to another partner, and now could be losing her to an illness forever. It's very overwhelming and the hostility is laced with fear and love.
"I think Juliet always knew she would have to say something eventually, but it's the encouragement from the people around her that determines the time. I don't think Juliet would have been able to tell others without the support of the people in the know."
Viewers are still waiting to find out whether Juliet's future lies with Peri, Nadira or neither after their twisty-turny love triangle.
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Discussing the ongoing uncertainty, Niamh continued: "I still think it's something that could go either way. Juliet has to prioritise getting better before she can commit to any relationship right now. She's not in the mental headspace to consider that yet.
"I think her flip flopping is completely justified. She has never experienced any other relationship and Peri is her first love. She acts on emotion and instinct and has always been true to that.
"If she hadn't acted on her feelings with Nadira, she would have grown to resent Peri, but yes of course she didn't realise what a good thing she had with Peri. That's a mistake most young people make."
Related: Hollyoaks exit for regular character in All 4 Christmas box set episodes
Juliet's story will be a focus for Hollyoaks in 2023. Digital Spy also understands that some special on-location scenes for the plot will air next year.
Niamh said: "It's going to be an emotional year, and I believe it will be a central story next year. It's going to be a long road and a tough journey and that's about all I can say.
"I know the fundamental journey, I just don't know how we are getting there. It is definitely something I am being told during the process, which adds to the reality in a way.
"I'm also very excited about going on location again, it's been a while. I'm not too sure if I can talk about it actually so I'll be safe and say nothing!"
Hollyoaks streams first on All 4, with new episodes dropping each weekday morning. The show airs Mondays to Fridays at 6.30pm on Channel 4, and at 7pm on E4.
Read more Hollyoaks spoilers on our dedicated homepage
If you would like more information or support about living with cancer or treatment, please click here for guidance from MacMillan Cancer Support, or click here to learn more from Stand Up to Cancer.
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