The stories during 'Hollyoaks' non-linear week

If you didn't already know, Hollyoaks is about to mess with the time continuum as it embarks on its first ever non-linear week. I've had quite a few emails asking what on earth a non-linear week is and how it's different from any other, so if you'd like to know more, then click here to read my in-depth interview with Hollyoaks' series producer Lucy Allan.

Read on, however, to hear what Lucy has to say about the stories which play out during the special week.

What are the strands during the week?
"We have the Newt and the teen strand where they go away to a cottage with Gaz who causes some mischief and it's the fallout from that. There's Mercedes and Malachy's strand which sees Malachy offered a job abroad in Canada, so what will they do? There's a student strand which predominantly features Leila, Elliot and Archie and is about the breakdown of Leila and Elliot's relationship."

How do we see the characters develop during the week?
"Obviously the big turning point for Newt at the end of that week is Eli returning, so that's a big key change for that character. That then leads us into more stories for Newt. For all the kids, the week's a bit of a coming-of-age story and is designed to reunite them as they've become quite splintered over the course of the summer. In terms of Mercedes and Malachy, the week takes a close look at their marriage and for the first time, I think Mercedes realises how much she needs Malachy but at the same time how wedded to her family she is. She's growing up, too – because Mercedes, God love her, never really stopped being 15, did she?! It's about time she realised what she stands to lose."

Newt kisses Anita during the week - he's worked his way through the entire gang now, hasn't he?! Who does he love?
"Newt loves Newt, I think! Newt's a 17-year-old lad who's out to enjoy life. He's searching for an identity and through that, different identities appear through different women. Who he actually loves, I don't think he knows. But then again, I don't think anyone knew who they loved when they were 17."

Hollyoaks' non-linear week begins next Monday, September 14 at 6.30pm on Channel 4.