HOLLYOAKS babe Jennifer Metcalfe has swapped the village drama for a gritty new role in a nail-biting BBC thriller.
The soap star, best known as fiery Mercedes McQueen, is set to shock viewers as she dives into darker territory in a brand-new series that’s worlds away from the glitz of Chester’s wildest family.
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Jennifer, 41, stars in a bonkers new BBC drama is ruffling feathers — quite literally — as Just Act Normal, a Birmingham-set coming-of-age comedy with a twist, drops its first trailer.
The six-part series follows siblings Tiana, Tanika and Tionne, played by Chenée Taylor, Kaydrah Walker-Wilkie and Akins Subair, as they fend for themselves when their mum mysteriously vanishes — and things quickly spiral.
While Tiana tries to keep their lives ticking over, Tanika sets her sights on getting their teacher to adopt them, and little bro Tionne finds comfort in… a chicken.
Yep, you read that right — the trailer shows a chaotic home life made even madder when their mum’s dodgy dealer Dr Feelgood moves in and finds a feathered new housemate.
The cast is stacked with stars, including Hollyoaks favourites Jamelia and Jennifer as wild characters Fake Jackie and Candy, plus The Hour’s Romola Garai as teacher Ms Jenkins.
Dubbed “an irreverent portrait of Black working-class teenage life”, Just Act Normal promises laughs, heart and plenty of chaos — and we are SO here for it.
Meanwhile on Hollyoaks, Jennifer’s character Mercedes McQueen has been battling cancer in a harrowing storyline.
Things were looking up when she found love with Freddie Roscoe, but her happiness was short-lived after she was jailed when Grace Black framed her for Abe Fielding’s murder.
However, the new Spring trailer for the Channel 4 soap has teased a dramatic comeback, with a fit and well Mercedes set to make an epic return to the village.
Upcoming scenes will see Grace target Maxine, leaving the beautician terrified with only one way out.
She goes to extreme lengths to free Mercedes from prison with one wish in return, take down Grace Black, once and for all.
At the Osborne house, tragedy strikes as flames begin to emerge in the home.
A shocked Nancy and Frankie watch in horror as the fire takes hold, but will it be able to be stopped in time?
Just Act Normal is available to watch on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer from April 16.
Best soap affair love triangles
LOVE triangles are a fundamental part of soap-land, but which ones have become the most iconic?
EASTENDERS
Bradley/Stacey/Max: Stacey Slater began an affair with boyfriend Bradley Branning’s dad Max in 2007.
Despite their romps, Stacey still married Bradley, but their deceit came out in an iconic Christmas Day episode that year.
Grant/Sharon/Phil: Heading even further back in Walford history, EastEnders fans were gripped in the 90s as Sharon Watts had a one-night stand with her brother-in-law Phil Mitchell.
Sharon confided in best friend Michelle Fowler – not realising it was caught on tape – and her husband Grant eventually found out and played it in front of everyone at the Queen Vic.
Syed/Amira/Christian: Syed Masood was engaged to Amira before realising he had feelings for another man, Christian, which he confessed to him on his wedding day.
A devout Muslim, Syed refused to admit his true sexuality and went ahead and married Amira anyway, but when they returned, the two men started an affair before being caught in the act by Amira.
CORONATION STREET
Shelley/Peter/Lucy: Peter Barlow took the concept of a love triangle and ran with it in Coronation Street – extending it to bigamy.
He was in a relationship with Shelley Unwin but started dating Lucy Richards, and quickly married her after she fell pregnant with his son, Simon.
But it didn’t stop him also marrying Shelley, but he was eventually caught when Lucy turned up in Weatherfield and the two women confronted him.
Ken/Deidre/Mike: Back in 1982, Deirdre Barlow started sleeping with her husband’s nemesis Mike Baldwin in secret, before confessing all a year later.
When Mike turned up at the marital home, Deirdre was being throttled by her husband who then kicked her out, but years later they reconciled.
Maria/Aidan/Eva: In 2017, Aidan Connor started sleeping with girlfriend Eva Price’s best friend, Maria Connor.
Eva eventually found out and she decided to take revenge by faking a pregnancy, spending his money and planned to confront him on their wedding day.
But she had a change of heart when a remorseful Aidan confessed, and decided to marry him anyway, only for Maria to arrive and expose her fake pregnancy.
EMMERDALE
Ross/Debbie/Pete: Debbie Dingle found herself torn between two brothers, Ross and Pete Barton in 2015 in Emmerdale.
She eventually decided to marry Pete but yet again, a soap wedding day was ruined when the groom learned of his bride’s betrayal via a recording played at the wedding.
Chrissie/Robert/Aaron: Robert Sugden was married to Chrissie White and all seemed well – until he began a steamy affair with Aaron Dingle.
Robert’s ex Katie Sugden almost exposed the affair – but fell to her death before she had the chance.
However, a guilty Aaron eventually cracked and told Chrissie about the affair – after which she announced it to the whole pub.
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