TV: Hollyoaks Hit Hard With Male Rape Storyline

Hollyoaks has revealed that an upcoming show, to air this week, will cover the difficult subject of male rape.

by Newsdesk | 7th January 2014

The hard hitting storyline happens this week on Thursday and Friday, as John Paul McQueen (played by James Sutton) is assaulted by Finn O'Connor (Keith Rice) in order to keep him quiet.

James Sutton spoke with BBC Radio Manchester this week saying:

'For me as an actor, the more interesting part is the aftermath of the rape and the choices I can make as an actor. It changes people and that's what I was keen to get across.

'We're currently shooting all the way up to April at the moment. We're very keen to make it as real as we can, as interesting as we can and find all the different depths and levels.

'I was very keen not to spend six months crying. Men in this country have a stiff upper lip, so I wanted to get across that John Paul will be very brave and stoic. He's got a baby son and wants to be strong for him.

'There's a brave, hard shell but inside he's falling apart. That's what I've been playing in the month and a half since we filmed the rape.

If you are affected by the themes of the Hollyoaks Survivors UK is a dedicated helpline and service for men, their number is 0845 122 1201

Hollyoaks is aired daily on Channel 4 at 6:30PM