Hollyoaks star Matthew James Bailey confirms ‘unexpected’ aftermath following major Ethan and Dilly twist

Stephen Patterson

Published February 7, 2024 7:30pm Updated February 9, 2024 9:46am

Ethan and Dilly promo picture in The Dog in the Pond for Hollyoaks — Ethan made a big decision in helping Dilly that will inevitably have ramifications (Picture: Lime Pictures)

Hollyoaks spoilers follow for Wednesday’s (February 7) episode that is now available to view on Channel 4 streaming. The episode in question will air on E4 on Thursday February 8 at 7pm.

Ethan Williams (Matthew James Bailey) came to the aid of fugitive Dilly Harcourt (Emma Johnsey-Smith), assisting her in getting out of the eponymous village and away from the long arm of the law.

Ever the hero!

Dilly, who killed Rafe (Chris Gordon) a number of weeks ago, is wanted by the police in connection with her husband’s death, after Sienna Blake (Anna Passey) found his decomposing body in the cellar.

News of Rafe’s demise hit Sienna like a tonne of bricks, especially given that it came shortly after she discovered that Dilly, who has been on a mission to destroy her for months, is actually her sister.

With Dilly having wound up in hospital with a head wound, she wasted little time in fleeing the scene before the police could locate her, seeking out the one person who, despite everything, always has always had back.

Enter Ethan.

‘I think Ethan’s got his foot in two separate worlds here,’ actor Matthew James Bailey told Metro.co.uk in an exclusive chat, discussing the latest twist in the storyline. ‘He still has his adoration for Sienna and he’ll still do anything for her happiness, but he has now formed this friendship with Dilly.’

Up Next

Ethan’s fondness of Dilly extends way back to shortly after her debut, with his loyalty towards her never being more apparent than when he threatened to break up with love of his life Sienna if she didn’t stop using her as a pawn in their game.

That’s how strong their connection is.

‘They’ve created this really nice little relationship between the two of them and Dilly plays on that because she doesn’t have anyone to turn to in the village after what she’s done with Rafe,’ admitted Matthew. ‘She turns to Ethan and pulls on his heartstrings there a little bit. At the end of the day, Ethan does do a lot of things for the people he loves.’

Ethan stunned in an alleyway to find Dilly in Hollyoaks — Ethan’s face was all of us when we found out that Dilly and Sienna were sisters (Picture: Lime Pictures)

Yes, against his better judgment, Ethan came to Dilly’s rescue once more, getting her out of the village before detective Zoe Anderson (Garcia Brown) and Liberty Savage (Jessamy Stoddart), who was also held captive by Dilly, could catch her.

But just what happens next? If you’re desperate to know what’s coming up then you’re in luck as I did ask my man Matthew – and be prepared for some ‘unexpected’ scenes!

‘Ethan ends up harbouring Dilly!,’ he told me. ‘Which is obviously another spanner in the works for the relationship between him and Sienna. It’s a really interesting dynamic between the two of them.

Dilly in a van in Hollyoaks — Dilly is on the run for her role in Rafe’s death – and she sought help from the one person she knows will help her (Picture: Lime Pictures)

Ethan’s actions will throw a spanner in the works where Sienna is concerned (Picture: Lime Pictures)

‘We filmed a lot of comedy stuff, a lot of dramatic stuff. A lot of unexpected things happen in these episodes as well. Certain characters come into the fold that you wouldn’t expect.

‘It’s a difficult time for Ethan. He’s got his allegiances at the time while he’s trying to maintain a healthy balance and live a normal life. Which I don’t think he ever will!’.

Matthew was also quick to heap praise on Hollyoaks in general, telling me that, under new producers Hannah Cheers and Angelo Abela, the show is exactly ‘where it should be’.

‘We’ve got so much exciting stuff coming up that people need to tune back in for,’ he enthused. ‘There’s never been a better time to tune back in or start watching for the first time and just get involved in something really great.

‘There’s a lot of love behind it and the people who make the show – and take their time and work on it every single day – they adore the show and I think you can really see that.’

Hear, hear!

Hollyoaks picture shows Dilly speaking to Ethan — Ethan has grown quite fond of Dilly (Picture: Lime Pictures)

And as for a reunion with Sienna, is there any hope?

The much-loved couple, known to fans as Ethenna, lit up the screen for many months and won a legion of fans with their undeniable chemistry but the plot to get their hands on Rafe’s fortune ultimately drove them apart.

With Rafe officially out of the picture (RIP Rafe), can we expect a reunion in the not-too-distant future? That is the question and, while I’m keeping tight-lipped on what’s to come, I can tell you that Matthew is just as keen as the rest of us.

‘I don’t think Ethan and Sienna really got started!,’ he exclaimed. ‘They built that relationship and it was beginning to peak when Rafe came in. They started all this scheming.

Ethan stops by Sienna's flat in Hollyoaks — Has the ship really sailed for Ethan and Sienna? (Picture: Lime Pictures)

‘The thing with Sienna is that she and Ethan can have all these really fun moments that the audience love to get behind. The amount of love that both me and Anna [Passey] receive every single day for the characters is phenomenal. You can’t deny that, which is why I’m such an advocate for it!

‘It’s so rare that you get those moments between two people on screen and working with Anna is always an absolute treat.

‘Coming in and working with your best mate, you can’t compare it! I do still think there’s a door open there and I think that’s what a lot of people want to hear and we’ll both continue to fight for it as much as we can!’