Hollyoaks Later hailed 'one of the best episodes ever' as star calls for permanent return
EXCLUSIVE: Hollyoaks actress Anya Lawrence, who plays Vicky Grant in the Channel 4 soap, has opened up about filming Hollyoaks Later and what fans can expect from the late night episode
Anya Lawrence says Hollyoaks Later is "one of the best episodes" the Channel 4 soap has aired.
Bosses are bringing back the late night spin-off show as part of the 30th anniversary celebrations.
Filmed entirely on location in Liverpool city centre and Merseyside, Hollyoaks Later explores teenagers Dillon Ray (Nathaniel Dass), Lucas Hay (Oscar Curtis), Frankie Osborne (Isabelle Smith) and Anya's character Vicky Grant trying to navigate their lives and friendships amidst the confusing aftermath of child exploitation.
Framed by the intoxicating but looming cityscape, the youngsters try to blot out the events of the last year with mixed success.
Teasing what fans can expect, Anya explained: "I was a bit flabbergasted. I didn't know much about the Laters and I did a bit of digging and why is it the coolest thing ever and why have they been hiding this us?
"I want to do this every single week. It was so unreal to shoot and I'm really exciting about it. I feel very lucky to be involved in it.
"I think, dare I say, it's going to be the best episode that we've had in a while. It's going to be great."
Anya went on to share that filming away from the soap set has brought a lease of life to the feature-length episode.
She said: "I loved filming on location and the set was unbelievable. It felt like we were on a different show and it was good to work with different people.
"You can get away a bit more and it allows people to be in their element with a bit more creatively.
"It kind of gets you to a place where you can tell your story more accurately which is good. I've got taste for Laters now I want it every week."
Despite enjoying filming the special episode, Anya admitted that she asked producers to change one of her scenes.
She said: "There's definitely some sexy scenes. I was actually written a much more risque one but we did change it and they were really great and supportive about it."
Holyoaks Later allows for more sexual content, edgier storylines and stronger language than Hollyoaks.
Hollyoaks Later airs on Wednesday, October 22 at 10pm