Channel 4 teen soap Hollyoaks is to explore the issue of binge drinking in an online series of webisodes funded by the Home Office.
The initiative, entitled The Morning After The Night Before, will be produced by Lime Pictures and feature two of the soap's characters Josh (Sonny Flood) and Sasha (Natalie Emmanuel) as they take a month's break from school immediately following their exams.
Before leaving on their adventure, Josh meets a new friend called Dave Colburn (Elliot James Langridge) and the pair convince Sasha to go for a break with them in Manchester. They quickly learn, however, that their enjoyment comes at a price.
Following their trip, Dave returns to the village with his new-found friends and becomes a regular character in the main 6.30pm Channel 4 show.
(L-R: Top: Ruby (Nika McGuigan) and Josh (Sonny Flood) | Bottom: Sasha (Nathalie Emmanuel), Gabby (Charlotte Harwood), Dave (Elliot James Langridge) and Pippa (Chloe Crampton))
The 12-part series, which will only be available to watch online, launches on Monday, July 6 at 7pm on E4's official website. New three-to-four-minute episodes will be uploaded every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for a month.
The mini-series has been produced by Hollyoaks' current series producer Lucy Allan.
Speaking of the webisodes, she said: "It was an interesting project and a really challenging idea for us to take part in. It's telling an important message with regards to binge drinking, yet doing it in a compelling way so that the viewers are drawn along with the story rather than just the message."
Nathalie Emmanuel added: "I was really pleased when the producers asked me to take part. Hollyoaks has got a great history of tackling contemporary issues in a responsible way, and it's important for young people to be aware of the dangers of binge drinking. As the episodes are uniquely being shown online, we are sure to reach our audience."
Other members of the main cast involved include Anthony Quinlan (Gilly) and Andrew Moss (Rhys).
The initiative, entitled The Morning After The Night Before, will be produced by Lime Pictures and feature two of the soap's characters Josh (Sonny Flood) and Sasha (Natalie Emmanuel) as they take a month's break from school immediately following their exams.
Before leaving on their adventure, Josh meets a new friend called Dave Colburn (Elliot James Langridge) and the pair convince Sasha to go for a break with them in Manchester. They quickly learn, however, that their enjoyment comes at a price.
Following their trip, Dave returns to the village with his new-found friends and becomes a regular character in the main 6.30pm Channel 4 show.
(L-R: Top: Ruby (Nika McGuigan) and Josh (Sonny Flood) | Bottom: Sasha (Nathalie Emmanuel), Gabby (Charlotte Harwood), Dave (Elliot James Langridge) and Pippa (Chloe Crampton))
The 12-part series, which will only be available to watch online, launches on Monday, July 6 at 7pm on E4's official website. New three-to-four-minute episodes will be uploaded every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for a month.
The mini-series has been produced by Hollyoaks' current series producer Lucy Allan.
Speaking of the webisodes, she said: "It was an interesting project and a really challenging idea for us to take part in. It's telling an important message with regards to binge drinking, yet doing it in a compelling way so that the viewers are drawn along with the story rather than just the message."
Nathalie Emmanuel added: "I was really pleased when the producers asked me to take part. Hollyoaks has got a great history of tackling contemporary issues in a responsible way, and it's important for young people to be aware of the dangers of binge drinking. As the episodes are uniquely being shown online, we are sure to reach our audience."
Other members of the main cast involved include Anthony Quinlan (Gilly) and Andrew Moss (Rhys).
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