For two decades, Brookside was the soap that never played it safe. Now, after 22 years off the air, it’s officially back, for one night only.
As Hollyoaks celebrates its 30th anniversary, Channel 4 is marking the occasion with something fans thought they’d never see again: the return of Brookside.
Tonight, Wednesday, October 22nd, Brookie is back on our screens in a special crossover episode that reunites old favourites and gives us a glimpse into life on Brookside Close two decades on.
Metro attended an exclusive screening of the special, and trust us, fans are in for a nostalgic treat.
Before you tune in, here’s a look back at Brookside’s dramatic fall, its lasting legacy, and how this long-awaited return might just spark something bigger.
Why did Brookside get cancelled?
When Brookside first aired in 1982, it quickly became one of the most talked-about shows on TV. Created by Phil Redmond (who later created Hollyoaks), it was known for its raw realism, groundbreaking plots, and characters that felt like people you actually knew.
But by the early 2000s, the show was on shaky ground.
Channel 4 had begun messing around with its time slots, making it nearly impossible for fans to keep track. Ratings plummeted. Promotion vanished. It was a downward spiral from there.
There were creative problems, too. While the first 10–15 years were celebrated for pushing boundaries, the final seasons felt like they were trying too hard, diving into gangland storylines, incest plots, and random character rewrites, such as Lindsey Corkhill going from single mum to mob boss. Even popular new characters, like Greg Shadwick, were written out in baffling ways.
The final desperate attempt to save the show involved a £1 million hostage plot and helicopter stunt, but before the dust settled, Channel 4 had already announced it was axing the primetime weekday airings, leaving only a weekend omnibus to limp the series to its end.
By November 2003, Brookside was gone. Jimmy Corkhill spray-painted ‘Brookside Closed’ on the street sign in the final scene, a not-so-subtle message that hit fans hard.
So why was it really axed?
Channel 4 had changed. They were chasing younger audiences, and Brookside, with its mature tone and complex issues, no longer fit the brief. Hollyoaks, which was cheaper to produce and skewed younger, was now the golden child.
Brookside’s legacy lives on
Despite its decline, Brookside helped shape modern British drama. It gave us the first pre-watershed lesbian kiss, it addressed topics other soaps wouldn’t touch, and it never forgot its Liverpool roots.
Many of its cast, including Sue Johnston, Ricky Tomlinson, Claire Sweeney, and Anna Friel, went on to massive success. And the show’s influence is still visible today in almost every soap.
In the years since, fans have long called for a revival. And tonight, that dream comes partly true.
Brookside returns tonight
As part of Hollyoaks’ 30th anniversary, a special crossover episode featuring Brookside will air tonight, Wednesday, October 22nd.
The episode is written by Hollyoaks’ own Steve Hughes, who began his career on Brookside, and is being billed as a tribute to the soap and its creator, Sir Phil Redmond.
Metro attended an exclusive screening of the episode, and without giving too much away, we can confirm it’s jam-packed with nostalgia.
Expect familiar faces, clever nods to past storylines, and a celebration of a show that meant so much to so many.
According to Hollyoaks Executive Producer Hannah Cheers:
‘This episode is a love letter to both Hollyoaks and Brookside. Brookside gave birth to Hollyoaks; it grew up on the same site and eventually took over its sets.’
What time is the Brookside Hollyoaks crossover on tonight?
This anniversary crossover episode will air at 7pm on E4.
Could this be the start of a revival?
With Brookside trending again, older episodes being released on streaming platforms like STV Player, and fan forums lighting up with excitement, it’s hard not to wonder: is a full revival next?
There’s no official confirmation yet, but tonight’s crossover could be a test balloon. If the audience shows up in big numbers, if the reaction is loud enough, and if the appetite is clearly still there… who’s to say?
