Hollyoaks star Anna Passey addresses backlash to controversial Sienna storyline

Hollyoaks star Anna Passey has addressed the controversial decision to ‘retcon’ Sienna Blake’s terrific backstory.

Sienna, as viewers know, was introduced as the daughter of disturbed Patrick (Jeremy Sheffield), whose controlling and manipulative ways proved instrumental in forging her into the TV legend she is today.

Earlier this year, however, bosses decided to retcon this incredibly layered storyline in order to introduce a new wave of the Blake dynasty, including an estranged ‘uncle’ named Jeremy, who was Patrick’s twin brother.

Jeremy – played by former series star Jeremy Sheffield – was thought to be a fun and loving uncle, but it turned out that he was even more twisted than Patrick, which didn’t go down too well with fans.

The bigger disappointment, however, came in the form of the aforementioned retcon, with bosses deciding to re-write Sienna’s parentage, with a twist confirming that Jeremy was actually Sienna’s biological father – not Patrick.

The story change was criticised by ardent fans of the show – understandably so, given the difficult relationship Sienna shared with Patrick and the impact it had on her. But just what does Anna – who knows Sienna better than anyone – think of the decision?

‘I was with the audience on it’, she admitted in an exclusive interview with Metro.co.uk. ‘When I read [about Jeremy’s introduction] I thought: “Great, this is brilliant. We get another chapter. We get to see this warm, open gardener. What’s he going to bring out of Sienna?’

‘It’s also a really great way to delve back into the history. The fans that were there – it’s staggering the details they remember of that story, they know that family tree as well as I do, and I did it – and I love that.

‘But I also felt a bit… cheated is the wrong word, but like something was taken away. I felt a bit robbed of something and I was very confused by [the changes], because I thought: “Why am I having such a strong reaction to it?

‘I sat down and thought about it. It made me feel like the history didn’t happen but actually when you think about it that’s nonsense because Patrick was the father. He fathered Sienna, didn’t he? She is only who she is because of Patrick.

‘Of course if she’s had Jez she’d have been a very different person but I don’t think we’d have wanted that – I think we’d want the one we got! In a way you’re weirdly grateful that Patrick raised her, though that’s an awful thing to say because she’d have had a much nicer time with a nice dancing in the kitchen man.

‘I was worried it changed history but when you think about it, it doesn’t change anything. It just gives us a new opportunity to see a different side. So – at that point – I felt at peace with it. But I was interested to see the audience’s reaction, but when they got that reaction I wasn’t really very surprised.

‘People have some ownership of it, they care about it – and they’re invested in it. What more could you want?

‘It was such a good story “back in the olden days” and I would encourage anyone who hasn’t watched it to go back and see some of those big Sienna and Patrick episodes. It’s such a rich story and you get a lot more of the character.’ 

It wasn’t just that Patrick is no longer Sienna’s father that left fans up in arms but also the fact that this retcon means that Dilly Harcourt (Emma Johnsey-Smith) is no longer her sister.

Dilly being Sienna’s biological sibling was a retcon in and of itself and – unlike the Patrick/Jeremy re-write – viewers seemed to really get on board with that one, so losing this newfound sisterly connection came as another blow to audiences.

Discussing this element of the retcon, Anna told me: ‘I think for Sienna, Dilly is her little sister no matter what. You can call it what you want but the relationship is the same.

‘And with Liberty, that relationship is such a beautiful thing, it really changed Sienna. Liberty is such an essential other half of Sienna, really. And Dilly, she’s got this innocence and this youth about her, it makes such a lot of sense.

‘You need to see Sienna with somebody else to help her along the way. She’s just added this lovely pure side to the Blakes.

‘You know elephants when they put the little one in the middle to look after it? I feel like that’s what we’re all like around Dilly and Emma [Johnsey-Smith]. We love her as a character and we love her as an actress. She’s brought something really lovely to the Blake family. They’re cousins, officially, but always a little sister.’ 

But while this twist left fans with little to smile about, another more uplifting one came in the form of an unexpected reunion for Sienna and one true love Ethan Williams (Matthew James Bailey).

Fans have been begging bosses to put the couple – one of the show’s most popular ever – back together for almost a year now so, following Hollyoaks’ historic time jump, viewers have finally got their wish.

Viewers aren’t the only ones delighted by the development as Anna – who has long voiced her support for Ethenna – was very happy to see happiness on the cards for the couple.

‘They were just beginning when they ruined it [with the Rafe story],’ she said. ‘Looking back, I wish we’d had a bit more of them before that happened – but we didn’t! So it is nice to be getting close to it now.’

Anna revisited all of Sienna’s previous flames during our chat and, much like the fans, she came to the conclusion that Ethan is her soulmate.

Hollyoaks streams Mondays to Wednesdays from 7am on Channel 4’s streaming platform, or catch episodes on TV at 7pm on E4.

If you’ve got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us [email protected] – we’d love to hear from you.

Join the community by leaving a comment below and stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage.

MORE : Hollyoaks reveals who is staying and leaving as sad deaths are confirmed

MORE : Emmerdale legend’s fate ‘sealed’ as Coronation Street hints at exit in 25 soap spoilers

MORE : Hollyoaks confirms multiple deaths and unexpected baby twist as time jump changes everything