Former Casualty actress Cathy Shipton has been cast in Luke Morgan’s bereaved aunt in Hollyoaks, Digital Spy exclusively reports. Cathy is well recognised for her three-decade role as Duffy in the BBC medical drama.
Cathy will take on the role of Lydia, the widow of Luke and Zara’s deceased uncle, in Hollyoaks after retiring from the show in 2020. Future scenes will have Luke and Zara saddened after learning that their uncle had died from FTD, Luke’s same ailment.
A diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), often known as FTD Pick’s disease, was given to Luke over two years ago. However, Cindy’s concern over Luke’s illness has increased in recent moments.
In response to Cindy’s increasing anxiety, Lydia will appear in the village to offer Cindy some guidance on how to support a partner who is ill. For Casualty fans, Duffy’s death early last year due to dementia marked the end of an illustrious career.
“There was a movement within the programme to take on long lead storylines — stories that lasted more than one episode or a month,” she noted at the time.
They were meant to play out over time, like Iain’s experience of sadness. My opinion was sought after when they approached me. Even though I hadn’t spoken to them four years ago, I had already made up my mind that I wouldn’t want to stay there indefinitely. I knew I’d like to see the story through because that was coupled with this. In a sense, it was a mutual agreement that had been worked out over the past two years.”
A new episode of Hollyoaks is broadcast on Channel 4 every Monday through Friday at 6.30 pm, with first-look screenings beginning at 7 pm on E4. In addition, Amazon Prime Video offers certain omnibus episodes.
