viewers were left in tears as Franke Osbourne courageously disclosed that she's being sexually abused by her twin brother. In the episode aired on Thursday (August 15), now available on Channel 4 streaming, Frankie (played by Isabelle Smith) broke down and confided in her father Darren Osborne (Ashley Taylor Dawson) about the abuse she's been enduring from JJ Osborne (Ryan Mulvey). Audiences are aware that JJ has been sexually abusing Frankie for months, with the Channel 4 soap addressing a storyline that delves into the prevalent but often overlooked issue of child sibling sexual abuse.
Frankie first experienced such abuse which JJ referred to as "school discos" when she was merely nine years old. Her plight was unveiled to viewers back in March when JJ intruded into his sister's personal space late at night. The teenager has been suffering in silence, feeling unable to share her ordeal with anyone, as JJ has manipulated her into believing that no one would trust her word, reports .
In the most recent episode, JJ's significant day arrived as he and his family went to a football stadium for a photo opportunity as he signed with United. As the abuser placed his arm around her, Frankie recoiled, an action that did not escape their father Darren's notice. Soap opera drama hit new heights as Frankie got cornered by JJ in the changing rooms, who viciously threatened to attack her once more, declaring she was "unloveable".
Bravely fighting back, Frankie gave JJ the knee before darting into a toilet stall, where she broke down in sobs. From her window vantage point, Frankie signalled her distress to Oscar Osborne (played by Noah Holdsworth), leading to Darren rushing over just in time to confront a raging JJ. Despite JJ's excuse that Frankie had accidentally locked herself in, she went along with his fib, leaving Darren puzzled.
Back at The , while an upstairs celebration for JJ was hampered by electrical issues, a clearly shaken Frankie chose to stay below, far from the revelry. Sensing his daughter's pain, Darren grabbed some grub from the party and joined her, aiming to coax her into sharing her troubles. Encouraged by her father's care, Frankie began to feel at ease, visibly moved by Darren's gesture of support.
As he sat beside her, Darren promised his support, gently probing what was wrong. Emotional scenes followed as Frankie, on the verge of tears and taking a steadying breath, opened up about the ordeal she'd been enduring. Hollyoaks viewers are absolutely buzzing on social media after a particularly gut-wrenching episode aired, leaving fans rushing to X the platform formerly known as Twitter to rave about the performances.
One fan got all emotional: "Omg Frankie and Darren have me in tears for real". Another was in awe, tweeting: "God one of best episodes of Hollyoaks in a long time! ! Isabella was phenomenal! The way Frankie slowly crumbles throughout the episode has the courage to open up to Darrren I was incredible!" A third viewer couldn't hold back their praise: "Just to say @Hollyoaks is at the best at moment with climate collusion with Frankie storyline since Blue reveal it's been amazing soap opera so far love it most telling most chilling storylines and best ones can't wait what's to come in September." Yet another fan reflected on Frankie's journey: "What a powerful episode.
I remember hating Frankie when she first arrived, but now it all makes sense. Darren will believe her. Suzanne will not.
She is a brave girl and a fantastic actress." The twist left Darren gobsmacked, and spoiler alerts for the upcoming episode suggest that despite the bombshell, he's sticking by his daughter's side, fully backing her and ready to take on the abuser, JJ, head-first..
