Tortured Peri’s homeless horror – can she be rescued?
THE SHOCKING TRUTH ABOUT THE TEENAGE RUNAWAY IS REVEALED IN A SPECIAL EPISODE…
We cover 71 days of Peri on the streets – it explains everything”
The mystery of missing Peri Lomax is finally solved this week, in an instalment of Hollyoaks which covers everything that’s been happening since she ran away from life in the village. Actress Ruby O’donnell tells us what to expect from this very different episode…
“We cover 71 days of Peri’s time on the streets,” shares the star. “It runs from the moment she leaves the village right up to today. All I can say is that in this episode, everything’s going to be explained.”
Viewers have only been afforded brief glimpses of Peri in recent months, including visits to her comatose aunt Tegan, but this time – via flashback – we’ll see what happened to her before and after those sporadic visits.
While it all starts comfortably enough in a hotel, Peri’s money quickly runs out and she’s turned out on her ear. One night in homeless accommodation leads her to begging – and Peri makes a friend in Dean, who introduces her to Harley (see box). That’s when the story catches up with recent events in the village, and her family get involved.
“Obviously with all that’s been on screen, people are wondering what’s been going on and why Peri is in the state she’s in,” says Ruby.
“So throughout the episode, everything will become clear.”
Hollyoaks has been working closely with homeless charities to make sure that Peri’s experiences on the street
accurately reflect the reality of her plight. The harsh situation was certainly brought home to the cast and crew as they worked on freezing cold location shoots across the city.
“We were on roads and on corners, and it was hard,” shivers Ruby. “But I think it helped me get into character. While it was tough, it added a lot of drama to the scenes. We also talked to staff who work at The Whitechapel Centre [a Liverpool-based homeless charity], as well as some of the people who use the service.”
Ruby is justifiably proud of her character’s latest storyline, and knows it’s a highly relevant issue in modern society.
“Hands down, this has been one of my most challenging plots,” she shares. “I think it’s because this is important.”
Whether or not Peri makes it back to the village and normal family life is being kept under wraps for now. However, there’s little doubt that she’s been changed by an experience no one should have to face…