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Soap Fans Rejoice: Beloved Drama Makes Return After 22 Years<\/a> originally appeared on Parade<\/a>.<\/i><\/p>\n Twenty-two years after it\u2019s cancellation, the beloved British soap opera Brookside <\/em>is about to make a return to viewers television screens, in a very interesting way.<\/p>\n The Channel 4 soap opera was canceled in 2003, meanwhile it\u2019s sibling soap Hollyoaks<\/em> continues on today. With Hollyoaks<\/em> celebrating its 30th anniversary later this year, in a nostalgic twist of fate, it was announced today that the series will be honoring its sibling soap with a trip to the iconic close.<\/p>\n Discussing this iconic crossover event, executive producer Hannah Cheers<\/strong> said, \u201cThis episode is a love letter to both\u00a0Hollyoaks<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0Brookside. \u00a0Brookside<\/em>\u00a0gave birth to\u00a0Hollyoaks<\/em>\u00a0\u2014 it grew up on the same site and eventually took over its sets.\u201d<\/p>\n The show runner explained that the episode is a special that they don\u2019t take litely, sharing, \u201cThis special feels like both a moving and fitting tribute to our origin story and a chance for fans to revisit much-loved\u00a0Brookside <\/em>characters in honour of that legacy.<\/p>\n Cheers made sure not to give anything away as to who will be returning, but added,\u00a0 \u201cThese iconic Brookside characters are soap archetypes that helped define British TV; soap archetypes that new generations are still discovering now through\u00a0Hollyoaks<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n The crossover was something that got approval and support from Channel 4 as well as the series original creator Sir Phil Redmond.<\/strong> Cheers explained, \u201cAs a lifelong soap fan who grew up watching with my mum, I was passionate about revisiting\u00a0Brookside <\/em>for the anniversary. With Sir Phil\u2019s blessing \u2014 after I had the privilege of pitching the idea to him \u2014 and the support of Channel 4, we\u2019re able to make it happen.\u201d<\/p>\n The episode is being penned by writer Steve Hughes. Cheers spoke highly of his contributions adding, \u201cWriter Steve Hughes, who began his career on\u00a0Brookside<\/em>, has reimagined where these characters are more than twenty years on. We hope audiences will enjoy welcoming these old friends back into their homes once again.\u201d<\/p>\n Discussing the one episode revival Sir Phil said, \u201cIt is always bitter sweet thinking back to Brookie, the reminders of its success and impact, but the thoughts of many, like Dean Sullivan and Bill Dean, who are no longer with us.\u201d<\/p>\n The award winning show runner added, \u201cBut it is great that Lime Pictures are paying homage in their Hollyoaks anniversary cross over episodes.<\/p>\n He explained how he\u2019s excited to see how things are handled and made acknowledgement to one of the soaps most iconic storylines with a wink to the patio, sharing, \u201cI can\u2019t wait to see how all the gardens are coping in the heatwave and, who knows, what might pop up if someone decides to re-lay their patio. I know we left something else down there.\u201d<\/p>\n Filming for the special will take place in September with exceptional permission granted by the owner of the close and the Liverpool Film Office – as the former set and production offices, as the unadopted road in West Derby is now home to residents.<\/p>\n Residents of the close have been invited to share lunch with the cast and the crew from Lime Pictures.<\/p>\n Brookside<\/em> was a groundbreaking soap opera that aired between November of 1982 through November of 2003. The series was known for telling stories of the working class and giving a viewers a realistic look into life at that period of time.<\/p>\n The series was filmed in actual homes on the iconic “Brookside Close” residence. These homes were later auctioned off after the series cancellation.<\/p>\n A promotional video for the British re-airing of the series can be viewed below.<\/p>\n Hollyoaks\u00a0will celebrate it\u2019s 30th\u00a0anniversary on October 23 in the U.K. Episodes air at a one week delay globally on YouTube.<\/em> No current date was given for when the special Brookside episode will air.<\/p>\n Hollyoaks\u00a0streams Monday-Wednesday\u2019s on YouTube.<\/em><\/p>\nWhat Was Brookside?<\/h2>\n