Mercedes plans her revenge?
HOLLYOAKS STAR JENNIFER METCALFE WANTS TO BE THE ONE TO DO AWAY WITH THE SERIAL KILLER…
From the moment we saw serial killer Silas’ reflection in the window of the Love Boat, and realised that he was the McQueens’ mystery stalker, we knew we were in for a dramatic ride! The murderer and Mercedes have been playing a game of cat and mouse that’s lasted for almost 10 years, and every time the two face off, there’s bound to be explosive action.
As we chat to Hollyoaks star Jennifer Metcalfe – who celebrates her 15th year of playing Mercedes in 2021 – she tells us that she was delighted to hear that Silas was back…
“Jeff Rawle [who plays Silas] is always fantastic to work with,” she grins. “He brings such an old-school sense of drama and energy to set. It’s just great having time with him, and working with such an experienced actor. Silas coming back is always going to be an exciting storyline!”
As the two characters do battle again, we wonder if the time has come for the serial killer to finally pay for his crimes. And if so, Jen believes that her alter ego should be the one to take down Silas.
“Oh, she should be there,” she insists. “I would love it if Mercedes bumped him off. She’s already whacked a spade over Dr Browning’s head – I reckon she could do it again! Or maybe Mercedes could let everyone else do it, while she just sits back and enjoys it.”
It’s not just Silas who needs to be dealt with, as this stalking saga comes to a head. Theresa has been feeding the killer information about her own family – and if Mercedes discovers her cousin’s betrayal, there will be hell to pay.
“She’s going to be fuming,” confirms Jen. “The McQueens forgive each other for all sorts – half of them have slept with one another’s husbands, they’ve stolen from each other, and all the rest of it! But this is a huge betrayal. It’s really destroying the family from the inside out. If Mercedes finds out that Theresa’s had a part in that, she’ll come down heavy on her. And I think Theresa deserves it!”
15 years is a long time to be in any soap, especially Hollyoaks, which tends to have a younger cast which changes more frequently than most. But for Jen, staying with the show has been a no-brainer.
“I don’t feel as though I work,” she tells us. “I just go in, see all my friends every day, have a nice time, then come home. And I make a living out of it! That’s the main thing that’s kept me there.
“I love the character too,” adds Jennifer. “We’ve shaken her up a few times – she’s been in the maternal role, she’s been the sassy, sexy girl. She’s the sort of person who can literally get away with murder! I never get bored of her. Just when you think she can’t get any naughtier, the writers come up with the goods.”
It’s fair to say that Mercedes has stepped in to the role of head of the family over the past couple of years, following the departure of mum Myra. Yet Jen is having a tough time getting her head around being in charge.
“They write the scenes like that, so I don’t know why I struggle with it,” she confesses. “I think I need to work on that, because the scripts demand that from me, and sometimes I feel as if I don’t take that presence strongly enough. Maybe I just need to believe in myself a bit more!”
And while Mercedes appears to have finally found her soulmate in fourth hubby Sylver, Jen hopes that her alter ego will soon be up to her old tricks again.
“Mercedes thinks every guy is her soulmate!” she groans. “She’s a right wet lettuce when it comes to men. But what’s different with Sylver is that he knows her like nobody else ever has, because they were childhood sweethearts. He’s quite patient and gentle with her, which I think she needs.
“She’ll probably be up to no good again in no time, though,” adds Jennifer. “As soon as that two-metre rule is gone, watch this space!”
Mercedes thinks that every guy is her soulmate!