Frankie Osborne | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Hollyoaks character | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Portrayed by | Lexi (2011) Isabelle Smith (2024–present) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Duration | 2011, 2024–present | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
First appearance | Episode 3000 21 January 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Classification | Present; regular | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Introduced by | Paul Marquess (2011) Hannah Cheers and Angelo Abela (2024) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Frankie Osborne is a fictional character from the British E4 soap opera Hollyoaks and is portrayed by Isabelle Smith. She was born on-screen on 21 January 2011, which coincided with the show's 3,000th episode celebrations. [1] Frankie is the daughter of Suzanne Ashworth (Suzanne Hall) and Darren Osborne (Ashley Taylor Dawson). Frankie departed the serial in episode 3039, originally broadcast on 17 March 2011 at the end of Suzanne's return storyline. It was announced on 10 November 2023 that series producers Hannah Cheers and Angelo Abela had re-introduced Darren's twins into the serial and Frankie would return to the show in early 2024. Frankie returned permanently to Hollyoaks in episode 6291, originally broadcast on 18 January 2024. Since her return, executive producer Hannah Cheers and series producer Angelo Abela placed Frankie and twin brother JJ Osborne (Ryan Mulvey) at the forefront of a controversial issue-based storyline; with the both devised in a high-profile sibling sexual abuse storyline.
Her storylines since her 2024 return focus on her abandonment issues from Darren and Suzanne, family feuds with stepmother Nancy Osborne (Jessica Fox) and adoptive half-brother Charlie Dean (Charlie Behan), accusing her paternal grandfather Jack Osborne (Jimmy McKenna) of sexual assault, dealing with sibling sexual abuse when her twin brother JJ Osborne (Ryan Mulvey) assaults Frankie and rapes her, her friendship with Lucas Hay (Oscar Curtis) and self-harming.
In December 2010, it was announced that Suzanne Hall would be reprising her role of Suzanne. [2] It was announced that Suzanne would return pregnant with Darren's twin babies and give birth in the show's 3,000th episode. [2] [3] Speaking of his reaction to the storyline, Dawson commented: "I was shocked in the same way, but it's just typical Darren! It's great. Suzanne's return has come at a time when things are going alright for Darren for the first time in his life – he's settled down a bit, he's realised that he's going to go for it with Nancy (Jessica Fox) and everything seems to be going well. But in true Darren style, there's been a big spanner in the works. It makes for a very funny time ahead." [4] In March 2011, it was announced that Suzanne would be departing Hollyoaks, along with Jack and Francine. [5] Frankie was portrayed by a child actor named Lexi during her 2011 stint. Frankie departed the serial in episode 3039, originally broadcast on 17 March 2011.
On 8 November 2023, Hollyoaks announced the return of half-sister Hannah (Emma Rigby) as Rigby had reprised the role. [6] Huge speculation surrounding Darren's off-screen twins came to light on 10 November when it was announced that Hall had reprised the role of Suzanne. [7] Viewers would see the re-introduction of JJ and Frankie in early January 2024. [7] It was then announced that Isabelle Smith would take over the role of Frankie for a "huge storyline". [8] Smith was delighted of her casting, she told Digital Spy : "I'm so excited to be joining the cast of Hollyoaks, it still hasn't sunk in! You should expect a lot of ups and downs with Frankie but all I'll say is, don't judge her too soon…" [8] She returned in episode 6291, originally broadcast on 18 January 2024. [9] Frankie shows hostility to Darren upon her return as she has felt abandoned by Darren for a majority of her life. [10] In a scene from episode 6358, originally broadcast on 22 April 2024 revealed Frankie and JJ were rapidly aged by two years as Darren told Freddie Roscoe (Charlie Clapham) and Ste Hay (Kieron Richardson) that Frankie is 15.
In February 2024, a scene that displayed Frankie's grandfather Jack Osborne (Jimmy McKenna) and Frankie playfully dancing went horribly wrong, with Frankie accusing Jack of groping her. [11] Suzanne later reveals that Frankie has had past trauma related to this, as it is assumed that Frankie was sexually assaulted by Suzanne's last off-screen partner, Paul. [12] It was then announced on 8 March 2024 that Hollyoaks would "make a first" as they explore into Frankie's backstory when she suppresses memories of her childhood being sexually abused by twin brother, JJ Osborne (Ryan Mulvey). [13] [14] Executive producer Hannah Cheers said:
"It's one of the most infrequently disclosed forms of sexual abuse, yet the statistics are startling, Hollyoaks is shining a light on this issue for the first time in a long-term soap storyline because we need to get this conversation started amongst our multi-generational audience. Our research, story, script and writing teams have devoted themselves to telling this story truthfully and passionately. Huge thanks goes to SARSAS for their unwavering support in helping us take this on. The performances delivered by our brilliant newcomers Isabelle Smith and Ryan Mulvey are breath-taking. I believe this story will make an impact for years to come and I am proud that Hollyoaks is still breaking new ground almost four decades on. That's what we're here for." [13]
The storyline in question will explore the dynamics of the twins within in the family, with JJ often labelled the "golden boy" while Frankie is seen as the "problem child". [13] How the parents choose to investigate Frankie's distressing behaviour will also be explored as she continues to struggle with the abuse she has experienced. [13] [14] Claire Bloor of SARSAS shared praise for Hollyoaks' approach in dealing with such challenging subject matter. [14] "Continuing dramas such as Hollyoaks have the potential to reach huge audiences and create change in the national conversation," Bloor said. "This storyline is an opportunity to shine a light on the under-researched and under-discussed topic of sibling sexual abuse. We hope that it will raise awareness of both the prevalence of this issue and the devastating impact it can have on those impacted by it." [14]
The storyline commenced after JJ suggested they should "play school disco's" (a trauma trigger word for Frankie). [15] Prior to this, Frankie had been drinking after Darren had let Jack move back in. [15] The scenes confirming the sexual abuse were slammed with controversy. [16] As Frankie struggles, Suzanne promises to take her to get her nails done, but misses it to drink and flirt with Ethan Williams (Matthew James Bailey). [17] When Frankie watches them leaving together, she tries to cheer Frankie up by asking her to dance like she did during "school disco's", leading her to attack Suzanne and being interviewed by local police officer Zoe Anderson (Garcia Brown). [18] Frankie also starts a friendship with Lucas Hay (Oscar Curtis) during this time as they are both self-harming. [19] By this point in the storyline, Frankie is terrified by JJ, she writes so in a diary that JJ discovers and he immediately rips it up in a heated confrontation. [20] [21] JJ threatens to reveal the truth about her self-harm to obtain her silence on his abuse. [21] When the truth emerges about the self harm, Frankie blames Darren reasoning that it was his neglect and abandonment that led her to self-harm. [22] The story reached a climax in episode 6355, originally broadcast on 17 April 2024, where Frankie is raped by JJ. [23] This was deemed the storylines "most upsetting turn". [23] Scared of a future pregnancy, she asks Lucas to obtain the morning after pill. [24] They initially fail, however Lucas later gives her the contraception after he finds her in the park. [24] She didn't reveal anything to Lucas, but just admitted that her first time was not a positive one. [24] Darren makes a disturbing discovery when he finds Frankie's emergency contraception; he confronts her to no avail as she just claims she can not be protected. [25] The plot then seen Lucas accused of the rape by Darren in Frankie's issue-led based storyline. [26]
Continuing his manipulation to his twin sister, JJ keeps entering her room at night, until he is caught by Nancy. [27] At a desperate attempt to retain Nancy to her bedroom at night, she overdoses Morgan Osborne on Antihistamine's to keep her sedated so she would not wake up to interrupt Nancy, however Morgan is discovered by Darren severely ill and choking on her vomit, an incident that was initially reported on 7 May 2024. [28] Later, Nancy asks Frankie if she knows anything about the incident, to which JJ tells her it was Oscar Osborne (Noah Holdsworth). [29] He later manipulates Frankie into thinking this is a way of her owing him, and she later applies to a dancing school in an escape plan to get away from her brother after a warm conversation with Charlie Dean (Charlie Behan). [30] [31] It was further reported on 23 May 2024 that JJ would discover her exit plan in a "new twist". [32] Frankie is sexually assaulted once again by JJ in-school as he felt she should have learned a lesson for trying to leave him for London – she makes a desperate plea for him to stop abusing her. [33] Isabelle Smith "broke her silence" on the storyline, talking to Inside Soap on "giving a voice" to those affected. [34] She mentioned she felt privileged when they pulled [Frankie and JJ] into a meeting, adding it was an honour to be trusted to portray the storyline. [34] Smith went on to say Frankie "is becoming more sure of herself" when she starts to defend herself against JJ. She added how protective Frankie is over her siblings, and that "leaning into JJ's narrative's" helps her protect those around her. [34] When speaking on who she may tell, Smith indicated Nancy and Frankie's relationship is stronger and Frankie "could tell her anything". She then added that a "big moment" in the storyline would test the characters' relationships. [34] Smith teased a "stronger side" to Frankie emerging. [34]
"The only reservation was being able to do it justice. I wanted to give victims of sibling sexual abuse a voice — it's something that isn't talked about so it was important that they were seen. It's such a taboo subject that people don't even really want to think happens, but help is out there." [34]
–Isabelle Smith on portraying the storyline (2024)
In January 2011, Suzanne returns from Spain heavily pregnant and tells Darren that she is expecting his twin babies. Suzanne goes into labour inside Look Sharpe and gives birth to a boy and a girl. Suzanne and Darren name the twins Jack and Francine, after Darren's father Jack Osborne (Jimmy McKenna) and his wife Frankie Osborne (Helen Pearson). Darren's ex-girlfriend Cindy Longford (Stephanie Waring) learns of Jack and Francine and offers Suzanne £100,000 to leave with them. Suzanne then refuses the money. She later tells Cindy she will leave in return for £200,000, to which Cindy agrees and Suzanne returns to Spain with Jack and Francine. At Suzanne's son Rhys Ashworth's (Andy Moss) funeral, when Darren asks how the twins are, Suzanne says they have started talking, and he should come over and see them, but Darren's wife Nancy Osborne (Jessica Fox) said they have Oscar to think about. In February 2014, Darren went to visit Suzanne and the twins.
In January 2024, the twins both returned to Hollyoaks. They have been taken from Suzanne's care by Hannah Ashworth (Emma Rigby), unbeknownst to Darren and Nancy Osborne (Jessica Fox). They move in and Darren begins to know his children, who are hostile in return for his absence in their lives. They returned during Ella Richardson (Erin Palmer)'s memorial and they both argue with residents due to their disrespect. Charlie Dean (Charlie Behan) and JJ Osborne (Ryan Mulvey) end up in a fight. Darren does not recognise the twins and defends Charlie. Hannah then reveals that Darren is their father. Jack Osborne (Jimmy McKenna) invites Frankie to playfully dance whilst listening to her deceased step-grandmother Frankie (Helen Pearson), it goes horribly wrong and she later tells Nancy that she was sexually assaulted. Due to Nancy's position in her school, she had to report Jack for the safety of her job. Jack is later released with no charge. Jack faces backlash in the village and only Charlie believes him. Darren and Nancy try their best to support Frankie's behaviour to no avail as she completely shuts Jack out. When Jack eventually moves back in, she throws Frankie Sr's CD records but is stopped by Darren. She started a friendship with Lucas Hay (Oscar Curtis).
It was later revealed that Frankie was sexually abused when she was younger, by JJ. Suzanne briefly mentioned in a past conversation with Darren that Frankie has a traumatic past as it is believed she was sexually abused by Suzanne's former boyfriend, Paul. JJ asks her to play "school discos", which is a trigger word for Frankie. Frankie has began drinking heavily and has been hospitalised due to this and then self-harming to cope with JJ starting to abuse her again. The abuse begins to worsen as JJ becomes more manipulative, coercive and verbally aggressive. Upon discovering his twin sister's scars from self-harming, Frankie begs JJ to leave her alone as she no longer wants to be put through anymore abuse. JJ reluctantly agrees, but after hearing the news that he could lose a potential career in football, prior to Frankie injuring his leg when he tried to kiss her, JJ takes his anger out on Frankie by raping her, leaving her crying hysterically in the park after the rape had happened. Realising that JJ did not use contraception when he assaulted her, Frankie reaches out to Lucas for help to get the emergency contraceptive pill. She gets the pill from Lucas after running out from the nurse's office at the hospital. However, Frankie tries to confide in Darren about her recent ordeal and Darren is led to believe that Lucas is the one who assaulted Frankie. After JJ convinces her to change her story, Frankie tells Darren that her having sex with Lucas was consensual. Her new found friendship is ruined with Lucas after he tells her to stay away from him because she threatened to tell his family that he used her to prove that he was not gay. In an attempt to "cheer" his sister up, JJ buys Frankie a dress for her dance recital, but after seeing herself in the mirror with the dress, she throws it on her bed in disgust because JJ bought it for her.
Viewers of the show were in "utter shock" and "anger" when the sibling sexual abuse storyline had commenced. [16] A viewer commented on a social media platform:
"This is an unnecessary storyline that could've gone differently, you could've had the brother be very protective because of what they've both gone through with their mum, you could've had a depressing storyline, like the brother going through depression and the sister being able to help him. The possibility is endless of what storyline you could've done for these two twins, but you decided to do a completely unnecessary storyline. Don't get it twisted these things happen in real life but you wanna show things that people will want to watch not be sick from." [16]
Francine "Frankie" Osborne is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Helen Pearson, making her first on-screen appearance on 20 August 2002. Frankie was once the longest-serving female character in the show. On 9 October 2017, Pearson announced that she would depart the show, and Frankie was killed off on 1 November 2017, after suffering a stroke, making her the second member of the Dean family to be killed off after her daughter Steph Cunningham in 2010. She made her final appearance on 27 November 2017, as a ghost to Jack Osborne.
Jack Osborne is a fictional character from the British soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Jimmy McKenna. The character debuted on-screen during the episode broadcast on 18 November 1996 and is the second longest featured character in the show. He was introduced as part of the Osborne family, which also consisted of Jack's wife Celia and their children Darren and Ruth. His storylines include an affair with Dawn Cunningham, four marriages and faking his own death in an insurance scam. For numerous years, Jack's role in the show is the landlord of the pub, The Dog in the Pond.
Darren Osborne is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks. He was introduced by executive producer Phil Redmond as part of the Osborne family, making his first screen appearance on 18 November 1996, portrayed by Adam Booth. Booth left the role in 1997, and the character was later recast to Ashley Taylor Dawson who first appeared in September 1999. Dawson left the role in 2000 to concentrate on his music career, though returned in 2003 and has remained in the role ever since. He remains one of the longest-running characters in the programme.
Jake Dean is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Kevin Sacre. Sacre portrayed the character between 2002 and 2008, before making a return on 5 October 2009. In March 2010, Sacre was axed from the series by Paul Marquess during his major revamp and cast cull. Jake made his last appearance on 6 August 2010.
Hannah Ashworth is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Emma Rigby. Hannah first appeared on-screen on 27 September 2005 and her last appearance was on 12 February 2010. It was announced on 8 November 2023 that she was to return after 13 years away for a number of episodes in early January, and was later announced to be making a permanent return. Hannah briefly returned for a short stint from 19 to 23 January 2024, before a permanent return on 26 April of the same year.
Mandy Richardson is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Sarah Jayne Dunn. She first appeared on 7 October 1996 and has been involved in various storylines, including dealing with sexual abuse while she was a child by her father Dennis, the suicide of her brother Lewis, and an on-off relationship with Tony Hutchinson before the couple married. Mandy had a miscarriage causing her to hit Tony. Mandy and Tony had a daughter together who they named Grace, only for her to die from sudden infant death syndrome. This led to the character and Dunn's exit from the serial in 2006. Dunn made a brief return in 2007 before making a return for six months in 2008. Dunn reprised her role as Mandy in 2010; in September 2011, Dunn announced her departure from the soap, and Mandy made her last appearance on 2 September 2011 before departing off-screen. Dunn later returned to her role in the sixth series of Hollyoaks Later in October 2013. In June 2017, it was announced that Dunn had reprised the role again and that Mandy would appear from July alongside Luke Morgan, played by Gary Lucy. Mandy returned on 26 July 2017. In November 2021, it was announced that Dunn's contract with Hollyoaks had been terminated due to starting an OnlyFans; viewers of the soap criticised the decision and Dunn herself voiced her disappointment with the production team. Her final scenes aired on 27 December 2021, and Mandy was given an off-screen departure on 31 January 2022.
Nancy Osborne is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Jessica Fox. The character first appeared on 6 July 2005. Since the character's inception she has been involved in many notable storylines such as a love triangle; coping with the death of her sister Becca ; marrying Jake Dean ; drug abuse; domestic violence; being the victim of two attempted rapes by Jake and Finn O'Connor ; marrying Darren Osborne ; suffering a miscarriage; prematurely giving birth to Darren's son, Oscar Osborne, who is deaf; an addiction to painkillers; a highly-publicised storyline where Sienna Blake attempts to steal Darren and her family away from her; getting brain damage after an attack from Sienna; an affair with Rick Spencer ; and a fling with Rick's son Robbie Roscoe. Her later storylines have seen the character be diagnosed with multiple sclerosis; discovering Darren's affair with her friend Mandy Richardson, leading to the couple's separation; a relationship with Kyle Kelly ; miscarrying Kyle's baby after being stabbed; and dealing with Kyle's suicide. In the character's early stages, she was portrayed as a less conventional character compared to the rest of the Hollyoaks teenagers. Fox left the series on 23 March 2023 due to going on maternity leave, and she returned on 15 January 2024.
Suzanne Ashworth is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Suzanne Hall. She made her first on-screen appearance on 30 September 2005. Suzanne was introduced by series producer David Hanson as part of the Ashworth family. In February 2010, Suzanne was axed from the serial by new series producer Paul Marquess. Suzanne made her final appearance on 14 July 2010. Marquess stated in an interview that he was a big fan of Hall's work in the serial. In late 2010 it was revealed that Hall had returned to filming and Suzanne would be pregnant with twins. Suzanne's storylines have included trying to keep her family together, fathering a son Rhys Ashworth secretly with another man, other affairs and a feud with Kathy Barnes. Suzanne returned to Hollyoaks on 14 January 2011 for a period of 2 months. In 2012 it was announced that Hall had reprised the role once again. It was announced in November 2023, that Hall would be reprising the role once again and would be returning "for the foreseeable" with her return scenes airing on 23 January 2024.
Loretta Jones is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, and its spin-off series, Hollyoaks Later. The character is played by Melissa Walton and first appeared on-screen on 26 November 2008 during the first series of the Hollyoaks spin-off Hollyoaks Later as a new love interest for the character Dominic Reilly. She made her first appearance in the Hollyoaks series in February 2009 and was the first character to be introduced to the series by producer Lucy Allan. In 2010, Loretta was axed from the series, along with 15 other characters, during a cast cull by executive producer Paul Marquess.
Lucas Hay is a fictional character from the British E4 soap opera Hollyoaks and is portrayed by Oscar Curtis from 2023 onwards. Lucas is the son of Ste Hay and Amy Barnes, and the half-brother of Leah Barnes and Hannah Hay-O'Connor. He was born on-screen in episode 2530, originally broadcast on 3 April 2009. The character was of recurring status from 2009 to 2023, being portrayed by three different child actors, but the role was promoted to regular when the recast of Oscar Curtis was announced. Since the characters' recast, series producers Hannah Cheers and Angelo Abela placed Lucas at the forefront of a conversion therapy issue-based storyline that saw Lucas subsequently struggling to come to terms with his sexuality whilst being incorrectly influenced by his headteacher Carter Shepherd to hate homosexuality. The pairing of Lucas and Dillon by writers has been dubbed "HayRay" by fans.
Ruby Button is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Anna Shaffer. Shaffer's casting was announced in December 2010 and it was revealed that Ruby would be introduced as the sister of Duncan Button. Shaffer originally auditioned for the role of Leanne Holiday, in which she was not successful. Shaffer began filming her scenes in late 2010 and relocated to Liverpool for filming. Ruby made her first appearance in the episode broadcast on 3 January 2011. In October 2013, it was announced that Shaffer had quit the role and would leave in February 2014. In October 2017, speculation emerged indicating Shaffer was to reprise the role very soon and on 16 November 2017, it was confirmed that Ruby would be back for Frankie Osborne's funeral later that month. She returned on 23 November 2017, departing in the following episode, broadcast on 24 November. She made another return for a guest stint at the end of April 2018, making her final appearance on 30 April.
The Osborne family are a fictional family in the long-running Channel 4 soap opera, Hollyoaks. Introduced to the show in 1996, The family moved to Hollyoaks village in 1996, although Ruth Osborne had previously lived in the Village. The characters have been involved in storylines such as dealing with a Gambling addiction, Ruth relationship with Kurt Benson, Jack's affair with Dawn Cunningham, a fake death scam for insurance money, financial troubles, Jack three marriages and fostering a child. Throughout their tenure on the serial, the Osbornes have owned the Dog in the Pond. Hollyoaks″ official website has described the Osborne family as belonging in the Dog in the Pond and as being the " rightfully at the helm" of the public house.
Patrick Blake is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Jeremy Sheffield. He made his first screen appearance on 21 November 2012. The character's introduction to the serial and Sheffield's casting were announced on 7 October 2012. Patrick is introduced as the biological father of established character Dodger Savage. It was announced in December 2023 that Patrick would be returning to Hollyoaks in an unknown capacity.
Esther Bloom is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by actor Jazmine Franks. The character made her first on-screen appearance on 18 January 2011. Franks had previously auditioned for roles in the show. She did not think that she had secured the part of Esther and concentrated on her studies until she was informed. As an open lesbian, Esther is comfortable with her sexuality. Since her inception she has shared a friendship with the character Ruby Button but has long been subjected to her "bitchy" comments. She is characterised as having a "selfless consideration for others" despite being a "proverbial punchbag" for many characters. Esther found confidence when she decided to pursue a fashion career. Franks has said that upon doing so Esther's style also changed.
Pete Buchanan is a fictional character from the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Kai Owen. From his debut appearance on 2 June 2015, he has been involved in the sexual abuse plot within the McQueen family. After being imprisoned for his crimes, Pete left the series on 29 June 2016. Pete returned for a one-off appearance on 12 October 2018. On 29 March 2021, it was announced that Owen would be reprising the role, with Pete returning on 6 April 2021.
Darcy Wilde is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Aisling Jarrett-Gavin. Her casting and the introduction of Darcy was announced in January 2017, with the character making her first appearance on the episode broadcast on 13 March 2017. Darcy has been characterised as scheming, which has earned the character a reputation for being devious in British media, with the character been referred to as Devious Darcy in Hollyoaks media and by critics. Darcy was first mentioned in 2016 as the former fiancée Adam Donovan, who had disappeared and was presumed dead. Adam's new girlfriend, Maxine Minniver, begins digging into Darcy's disappearance and tracks Darcy down, which leads to Darcy moving to Hollyoaks in order to win Adam back.