Yahoo Movies Exclusive: Hollyoaks star Angus Castle-Doughty explains Eric and James story twist
Hollyoaks spoilers follow.
Hollyoaks star Angus Castle-Doughty has spoken to Digital Spy about his character Eric Foster's big new storyline.
Wednesday's first-look episode (March 29) ended with a twist, as Eric made contact with James Nightingale from prison.
Eric was recently sentenced to 15 years behind bars as punishment for the terrible crimes he committed during the show's radicalised misogyny storyline, which ended at the start of this year.
Related: Hollyoaks villain Eric issues a new ultimatum in 25 new spoiler pictures
The villain now wants James' expertise to get this sentenced reduced – and he has made it clear that he'll offer the lawyer any amount of money in return for his freedom.
Speaking exclusively to Digital Spy about the plot twist, Angus explained: "Juliet is ill and James will do anything to help her. Eric is desperate to get a reduced sentence – so he's offering James the opportunity to make the money that would help Juliet, in return for representing him to get a reduced sentence.
"With that comes a moral quandary for James. Not only is he helping a man who's caused so much hurt to his community, but there's a legal aspect as well.
"The way Eric is going to pay James is to manipulate James into stealing his sister's necklace from inside the caravan, which is being held by the police. That puts James firmly into the palms of Eric's hands.
Related: Hollyoaks' Ste Hay issues an ultimatum in Eric return story
"I think for all the original reasons that James gets involved, there's another reason – that if he stops helping Eric, then Eric can get him charged with a crime. Which would not only ruin his reputation, but it would probably get him sent to prison himself.
"It's a horrible marriage of convenience. James doesn't want to lose Juliet. He'd do anything to save her. We're going to see how it unfolds over the next few months."
However, Angus also reassured fans by casting doubt on Eric's chances of getting back into the village anytime soon.
He said: "Never say never. One day. But what would it say to the women and girls of the village, and to the women and girls who watch the show if, in six months' time we had Eric trotting out of prison and being a rehabilitated character?
Related: Hollyoaks confirms Eric Foster's sentence ahead of on-screen return
"I think it's important that we show that there's consequences to actions, and particularly action against women and girls.
"I wouldn't say it's not possible for Eric to have a redemption arc – I think there'd have to be some space and time. It wouldn't be something you could rush. But I think everyone has the capacity to learn and grow, and be educated, and redeem themselves.
"I don't think it would be helpful to any kind of conversation if you said someone was just bad, and to say they could never be changed.
"But I think you need a chunk of time, and then he can spend that time rehabilitating himself in prison."
Hollyoaks streams first on All 4, with new episodes dropping each weekday morning. The show airs Mondays to Fridays at 6.30pm on Channel 4, and at 7pm on E4.
Selected omnibus episodes are available via Prime Video.
Read more Hollyoaks spoilers on our dedicated homepage
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