Patrick Blake (Hollyoaks)
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21 November 2012
23 February 2024
| Patrick Blake | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Hollyoaks character | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Portrayed by | Jeremy Sheffield | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Duration | 2012–2016, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| First appearance | Episode 3478 21 November 2012 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last appearance | Episode 6317 23 February 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Introduced by | Bryan Kirkwood (2012) Hannah Cheers and Angelo Abela (2024) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Patrick Blake is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Jeremy Sheffield. He made his first screen appearance on 21 November 2012.[1] The character's introduction to the serial and Sheffield's casting were announced on 7 October 2012.[2] Patrick is introduced as the biological father of established character Dodger Savage (Danny Mac). It was announced in December 2023 that Patrick would be returning to Hollyoaks in an unknown capacity.
Patrick's storylines have involved finding out that Dodger is his biological son, who he long thought was dead; a relationship with Maxine Minniver (Nikki Sanderson), whom he abuses and fathered her daughter, Minnie Minniver (Eva Lorente); being kidnapped by his stepson Will Savage (James Atherton); keeping his daughter, Sienna Blake (Anna Passey) locked up, as well as trying to prevent her from finding her biological daughter Nico Blake (Persephone Swales-Dawson); and being diagnosed with motor neurone disease. Patrick departed the show on 5 January 2016 after being murdered in a shocking twist by Nico. Sheffield briefly reprised his role as Patrick weeks later on 2 February 2016 when Maxine momentarily saw him as a figment of her imagination, much to her horror. On 9 September 2016, after Sienna was charged with his murder, she imagined spending Christmas with him.
It was announced on 7 October 2012 that Jeremy Sheffield would be playing Patrick Blake.[1] Of his casting, Sheffield said: "I'm very happy to be joining Hollyoaks at a time when things are getting very exciting".[2] Danny Mac, who played Dodger Savage, commented on the character saying that Dodger "needs to find out who his father is and get some questions answered."[2] In December 2023, it was announced that Patrick would make a comeback in 2024, although it was not explained how.[3] He returns in episodes 6316 and 6317, originally broadcast on 22 February and 23 February 2024.
It was announced on 3 May 2024 that Hollyoaks will "make a first" as Sheffield is cast as Jez Blake, the estranged twin-brother of Patrick.[4] Along with Jez, Patrick's estranged mother Martha Blake (Sherrie Hewson) are both set to make their debuts in spring 2024.[4]
Development
Blake's character is introduced when Dodger decides to find Patrick. Danny Mac said that Dodger is "shocked" when he finds Patrick as his house is "huge with expensive cars on the driveway. It's the opposite to the place where Dodger grew up".[5] Mac added that Dodger sees a girl when visiting Patrick who he learns is Patrick's daughter. Dodger is "struck by what a decent, charming, handsome bloke" Patrick is and reveals he is his son.[5] Patrick does not give Dodger the reaction he was hoping for and is "adamant that his son Mark - which is Dodger's real name - is dead, because that's what Dodger's mum Anna (Saskia Wickham) told him years ago. It's an afternoon of bombshells because after Dodger proves his real identity, Patrick reveals Sienna is his twin sister". Mac explained that Patrick and Sienna later arrive in the village and try to build a relationship with Dodger.[5] A writer for the official Hollyoaks website said "Patrick is a strong, conservative, disciplinarian head-teacher. However, the man that the world knows may not be the same behind closed doors..."[6] When Jeremy Sheffield appeared on Lorraine, he commented that Patrick was "nice", "intelligent, successful", but also said that "there's a whole other side to him which I'm not going to tell you."[7]
In an interview with Digital Spy, Sheffield said that he wanted to play a character "who is believable, but can also be horrifically evil at times", he also said he wanted Patrick to be seen as someone "who could be your neighbour, your child's headmaster, or somebody who lives around the corner."[8]
Domestic violence
Patrick's abusive nature was first revealed during the introduction of Anna, where it was revealed that Anna would tell her children that Patrick was an abusive partner, and that is why she ran away with Dodger.[9] Patrick's abusive nature is then seen, when he intimidates Anna into scaring away Dodger and Sienna by claiming that she does not know who her real children actually are.[10] Jeremy Sheffield said of his abuse toward Anna that dominance is what Patrick "strives for in all of his relationships and all aspects of his life", and commented that his character saw this as "completely normal" instead of abusive.[8]
After initially being nice toward Maxine, Patrick eventually started showing his sinister side toward her by first reveling in her failure as a coffee shop manager, before grabbing her wrist as he feels that she had embarrassed him due to her trying to dance with him. Daniel Kilkelly wrote, "how this would look set to create problems for the couple over the coming weeks."[11] It was announced on 22 October 2013 that Patrick would start domestically abusing Maxine after discovering her one-night stand with Patrick's son, Dodger. Nikki Sanderson, who plays Maxine, commented that the storyline had been subtlety brewing over the past few months with Patrick buying her house, alienating her from her friends and forcing her to quit her job.[12] Sanderson later commented in an interview that Patrick twists it in his head to make it Maxine's fault so that he may feel remorse, but not blame.[13] Later when Maxine fell pregnant, Patrick continued his abuse against her with Sanderson commenting that "Just because Maxine is expecting a baby, it doesn't mean the abuse will stop. It's a horrible situation."[14] In the build-up to their wedding, when Maxine rejects Patrick he breaks down. Jeremy Sheffield commented that whilst he is using emotional blackmail, the breakdown is "genuine". He also reveals that the reason Patrick abuses his partners is because "everybody he loves leaves him. Whenever he's close to anyone he has to be in control of them because he has too much fear he'll be rejected."[15]
Christian Today reported that the domestic abuse storyline "should challenge us all" it was also written "Hollyoaks couple Maxine Minniver and Patrick Blake are at the centre of what has been described as "one of the UK Soap's darkest storylines"."[16] Speaking to the Mirror, Nikki Sanderson (Maxine Minniver) said that the storyline has helped real victims.[17]
During the storyline, several adverts, both digital and radio, were produced to highlight the issue of domestic violence. The soap also created a timeline on their official Facebook page to highlight key moments in the storyline. Lee Mason, the drama commissioning editor at Channel 4, commented that the aim of the adverts was to "help broaden the awareness of the 'This Is Abuse' campaign with our younger audience."[18] Another advert later aired, showing Patrick rape Maxine. The advert's intention was to highlight that rape can happen within relationships, with Crime Prevention Minister Norman Baker saying that the advert "will encourage teenagers to re-think their views about rape, consent, violence and abuse." Chief Executive Officer of the NSPCC, Peter Wanless said that "too many young people assume violence or emotional abuse is a normal part of relationships. It's vital that we get the message across that it isn't right."[19] Although, the majority of the storyline was well received, Daniel Kilkelly criticized the lack of fallout against Patrick, saying that "most of the village barely batted an eyelid" and that the only reaction was "Darren, who inexplicably decided that this was the best possible moment for Patrick to become his best friend."[20]
Motor Neurone Disease
On 29 March 2015, it was announced that an upcoming storyline would see Patrick diagnosed with the incurable condition of motor neuron disease. Patrick would reveal his condition to his secretary, Theresa McQueen (Jorgie Porter) in emotional scenes airing in early April.[21] Prior to the announcement, it was shown on-screen that Patrick was hiding a medical condition, after threatening Dr. Charles S'avage (Andrew Greenough). Patrick will choose to keep the truth over his condition a secret from Maxine so that he does not ruin his chances of securing custody of their daughter, Minnie. As the storyline continues, Patrick will find the secret very hard to keep.[21] It was also announced that following the conclusion of the storyline, Sheffield would be leaving the programme as Patrick will die. However, producers are not revealing when and how Patrick leaves. Motor neurone disease is a disorder that heavily affects the brain and spinal cord and attacks the movement nerves. It will leave Patrick unable to move, talk, and after a period of time, breathe.[21]
Sheffield spoke about how "honoured" he was to be involved in some of the show's biggest storylines and how he wishes Patrick's new storyline will "captivate people's hearts and minds."[21] Speaking of his final storyline, Sheffield said: "Patrick recognises his symptoms of MND, but he is in denial. Having seen his father deteriorate and die of the same illness, he is unable and unwilling to fully accept the truth. He endeavours to keep his diagnosis secret, as admitting the truth could jeopardise his chance of getting full custody of his beloved baby daughter Minnie.[21] "For Patrick the idea of not being in control, of relinquishing his power is unthinkable and it will be interesting to see how the man who needs to control everything and everyone in his life copes with something that he cannot influence. Working with the Motor Neurone Disease Association has proved invaluable for researching this role."
The CEO of the MND Association, Sally Light, spoke of the storyline: "It's been a great year for raising awareness of motor neurone disease. Following on from the success of the Ice Bucket Challenge last summer and the film release of The Theory of Everything, I'm sure that Hollyoaks will show the reality of living with MND on the small screen too. It's vital that we educate a young audience. Some of them will have done the Ice Bucket Challenge and now through the drama unfolding week by week will realise the devastating impact of MND and just why that was so important. I know of a family that sadly has experience of losing someone to MND and who has already recognised the subtle symptoms in Patrick as MND, which shows just how realistic Jeremy's portrayal is."[21]
It can also be noted that Patrick is the first ever soap character to have Motor Neurone as well as the first soap character to die from it.[22]
The 2015 Hollyoaks Autumn trailer showed Patrick asking Maxine to help him die.[23]