Trigger warning: This article contains discussion of child sexual abuse.
JJ Osborne’s (Ryan Mulvey) trial commences in Hollyoaks next week as Frankie Osborne (Isabelle Smith) takes to the stand to bravely tell her story.
Frankie, as viewers know, was sexually abused by twin brother JJ for years, with the ordeal coming to light last year when they moved to the eponymous village.
JJ gaslit his sister into keeping quiet, claiming no one would believe her. Frankie, however, bravely opened up to dad Darren (Ashley Taylor Dawson) and he never doubted her for a second.
Following the Channel 4 soap’s time jump, JJ was diagnosed with leukaemia and he recorded a video confession, in which he admitted to his crimes.
Frankie, meanwhile, donated her bone marrow to the abuser,who is now well enough to stand trial, with the long-awaited courtroom showdown set to take place next week.
On the morning of the trial, Frankie tells Nancy (Jessica Fox) and Darren that she’s ready as she heads to court to get justice for what she went through.
Heartbreaking scenes ensue, with Frankie taking to the stand as she recounts the horrific trauma and abuse she suffered at the hands of her twin brother.
She also reveals why she finally felt safe enough to reveal the truth to her dad Darren, who watches from the gallery.
Darren is later quizzed on the stand, as is Nancy and Jack (Jimmy McKenna).
Things then take quite a turn as JJ takes to the stand and shocks the court with his testimony. The scenes, which were previewed in Hollyoaks’ New Year Trailer, leave Frankie devastated.
As the dust settles, the Osbornes await the jury’s decision and soon afterwards, the jury returns with a verdict.
The question is: will JJ be found guilty? And will Frankie finally get the justice she deserves?
Hollyoaks streams Mondays to Wednesdays from 7am on Channel 4’s streaming platform, or catch episodes on TV at 7pm on E4.
