Brookside returns with Hollyoaks crossover

Brookside teams up with Hollyoaks in a crossover to celebrate the Liverpool soap's legacy.

Brookside Returns in Liverpool Crossover

Brookside will come back this year in a special crossover with Hollyoaks to mark the 30th anniversary of the latter. Filming will take place in September on Brookside Close in West Derby, Liverpool, after permission was granted by the owner and the Liverpool Film Office. The episode is planned to air in October and will bring back iconic Brookside characters to see where they are now, more than two decades after the show ended in 2003. The production also notes that residents on the former set will be invited to share lunch with the cast and crew as part of the project.

Executive producer Hannah Cheers describes the project as a love letter to both shows and a bridge that honours Brookside while acknowledging Hollyoaks history. Sir Phil Redmond, Brookside creators, expresses anticipation for the tribute and the playful nods to the gardens and patios left behind on the old set. Writer Steve Hughes, who began his career on Brookside, has reimagined where these characters are now, giving fans a fresh look at familiar faces.

Nostalgia is a powerful driver in television, and this crossover leverages a beloved local memory to draw in both long time fans and new viewers who know Hollyoaks today. By reusing the Brookside Close site, the project taps into a sense of place that is uniquely Liverpool, while reinforcing ties between the two shows and their production teams. The strategy also signals a broader trend of regional heritage becoming a storytelling asset rather than a relic.

At the same time, the project relies on audience affection for a bygone era, which can backfire if the storytelling does not feel authentic or if the nostalgia overwhelms the narrative. The logistics of filming on a real neighborhood set with residents nearby will test production discipline and community relations. If the episode lands well, it could become a milestone that strengthens the region’s screen economy and invites further collaborations.

Highlights

The episode will add a new layer to a beloved local story.