The actor, who plays John Paul McQueen, is “thrilled” about the new venture.
Hollyoaks spoilers follow.
Hollyoaks star James Sutton has revealed that he is working on a brand new “thought provoking” project away from the soap.
Sutton, who plays John Paul McQueen, shared on Instagram that he is “thrilled” to be launching a new podcast called Male Mind Matters.
The actor has described the podcast as “a series of thought provoking conversations with incredible men from all walks of life”.
Each episode will feature a different guest and will explore “career journeys, relationships, personal growth, values, vulnerability, mental health, the evolving role of men in today’s society, and much more”.
It has not been confirmed when the new series will debut, but Sutton has teased that the podcast is “coming very soon”.
Several of Sutton’s current and former co-stars have shared their excitement over the news. Tamara Wall, who plays Grace Black, commented: “Love this! Can’t wait!” and Erin Palmer, who played Ella Richardson, writing: “I’m so excited.”
Natalie Anderson and Lucy-Jo Hudson also shared their excitement for the podcast launch.
Sutton spoke publicly about his mental health earlier this year, sharing that getting into fitness training, journaling and meditation transformed his life.
“[The gym] sucks when you’re doing it. You have to know it’s going to feel brilliant. And that’s a really addictive feeling. After a few weeks, you start to look fitter,” he said.
“The benefit for your mental health is enormous. I have never felt better and I have never looked better. I feel proud of myself.”
This week marks a major change for Hollyoaks, as it moves to its new three-day-a-week release schedule, with new episodes being released on streaming in the mornings.
Stunt week has now got underway with dramatic scenes for Cleo McQueen and Dave Williams, and more shocking developments to come later in the week.
As the soap prepares to air its one-year time jump next week, Sutton has confirmed that John Paul is one of the characters who will be sticking around in the village, and that viewers will see him in a new relationship.
“After the time jump, we find John Paul in a brand-new relationship, with someone who I think people will be quite surprised by,” he said. “I don’t think it’s who people will expect, which is a joy to film.”
Hollyoaks airs on Mondays-Wednesdays with its Channel 4 streaming premiere at 7am, then an E4 broadcast the same night at 7pm. Full episodes are also released on YouTube a week after their Channel 4 release.
