User:Servz/Martha Blake

Martha Blake is a fictional character from the British soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Sherrie Hewson. Martha made her first appearance in episode 6385, originally broadcast on 29 May 2024. The character was created onto an extension into the backstory on the pre-existing Blake family, being introduced alongside her son Jez Blake (Jeremy Sheffield). Martha is the estranged mother of Patrick Blake (also portrayed by Sheffield) who died of Motor Neurone Disease before her first appearance. Hewson's casting and character details were first reported on 3 May 2024. The production team for Hollyoaks "made a first" re-introducing Sheffield into the serial, and Hewson noted accepting the role was down to her "adoration" of Sheffield. The character was originally credited as Martha whilst withholding her identity that was later revealed in episode 6387, originally broadcast on 31 May 2024.

Storylines
Martha first appears when she watches the public dispute between Sienna Blake (Anna Passey) and James Nightingale (Gregory Finnegan) over the contents of £300,000 left to Sienna by her deceased fiancé Rafe Harcourt (Chris Gordon). She calls Jez (Jeremy Sheffield) that she had "found" Sienna. Liberty Savage (Jessamy Stoddart) later offers to sell the Love Boat to replace the money from Rafe in order to secure Sophie (Scarlett Kerr) and Sebastian (Teddie Williamson)'s future in their current private school. After the pair argue whilst cleaning, Liberty storms off in a rage whilst Sienna fell asleep in the Love Boat – Martha walks in and spikes Sienna with a sedative. After waking up with Freddie Roscoe (Charlie Clapham), Sienna goes to the hospital where Peri Lomax (Ruby O'Donnell) gives her the news she was spiked, recommending she go to an STI screening incase of signs she was sexually assaulted – unclear at the time. After witnessing another argument with Sienna and James, she later introduces herself to Sienna whilst offering to walk her home. She suspiciously talks down previous comments she had made clearly connecting her to the family – Sienna goes through her bag and finds a letter Dilly Harcourt (Emma-Johnsey Smith) had sent prior to meeting Sienna.

Creation and casting
Martha is introduced as the estranged mother of deceased Patrick Blake (Jeremy Sheffield). Martha was introduced alongside son Jez (Jeremy Sheffield), who were the secret family of Patrick. Their casting and characters details were announced on 3 May 2024. Hewson, delighted of her casting said: "It's been a rollercoaster joining Hollyoaks! The character is just wonderful to play. Everyone is so lovely, such a great atmosphere to work in and so welcoming. We laugh a lot, what more could you ask for?" Teasing the upcoming plot, executive producer Hannah Cheers added: "To be a Blake, you must be clever, captivating and charming on the outside… and calculating, cold and cynical on the inside, with a family dynasty so rich in history, it should come as no surprise that there are still many secrets to be uncovered. But for Sienna, Dilly, Liberty and Maxine, what happens next is not what anyone could have expected…." Anna Passey (who plays her on-screen granddaughter Sienna Blake) praised the casting of Hewson.

Daniel Kilkelly from Digital Spy confirmed in a report announced on 23 May 2024 viewers would see "a first glimpse" of the character when she first appears with a "hidden agenda". Speaking to Digital Spy, Hewson was interviewed on obtaining the role of Martha, which she mentioned she had received a phone call from the production team asking if she would consider the role, working with Sheffield. She added she "adored" Sheffield and accepted the role regardless. Her reasoning for why was named to be how "interesting" Martha is to Hewson, especially surrounding "her relationships with other people", notably mentioning the relationship she would have with Jez. She also added: "Psychologically, I think mothers and sons do have difficult relationships very often. It's great to explore that and find the different places this story could possibly go to next."

Characterisation and the Blake family
When asked on her characters characterisation, she briefly claimed her character would be "deceptive". She added to the description: "She can seem like a sweet little old lady at first, but then you'll see a very different side of her. You'll see a manipulative, controlling woman who can be quite stoic and quite formidable." Whilst talking of her main interest in Martha, Hewson claimed it was her "manipulation" that "seemed most interesting" to her. The only person that knows of Martha's true behaviour is Jez. Describing why Martha is like that, she mentioned that it was "down to fear". Martha does not like being controlled, so when it comes to being controlled she is noted to have it come as a "shock". When talking of Martha's first appearance, Hewson said viewers would see Martha "furtively sneaking around", phoning Jez with the news of "finding Sienna" (Anna Passey), spiralling from that point. As the story would progress, it is a challenge of keeping Jez away from Sienna. A reasoning for why is "knowing Jez's capabilities". The meeting of Sienna and Martha would be "explosive". She also praised the "bonding" with the new family. It was revealed she would be first appearing sometime from the week beginning 27 May 2024. Her first scenes aired in episode 6385, originally broadcast on 29 May 2024.

Details about the characters the first scenes were announced on 28 May 2024. Martha initially turns up at the law firm owned by James Nightingale (Gregory Finnegan), where she crosses paths with Sienna and it's "clear the pair have a connection". Oblivious to Martha, Sienna targets James for noticing the £300,000 he had stolen off of her previously, left to her by Rafe Harcourt (Chris Gordon). The next day, Sienna was confused as to why she had woken up onto the Loveboat alongside Freddie Roscoe (Charlie Clapham), and later visits the hospital to be checked out after finding blood on her arm despite being ill too. Peri Lomax (Ruby O'Donnell) finds a trace of sedatives in her blood stream and was helping Sienna to discover who may be behind drugging her, to which Sienna goes to accuse James in a row that Martha spectates from a distance – introducing herself to Sienna in the process whilst concealing her identity. Sienna subsequently figures out that Martha drugged her and discovers that she's an estranged member of the Blake family. Sienna, struggling to come to terms with the recent events, confides in Dilly. In the end, Sienna, Dilly and Liberty Savage (Jessamy Stoddart) get a chance to confront Martha and demand answers. Martha does a disappearing act, leaving only a note behind. This upsets Dilly, who's desperate for a connection to her family. Kilkelly reported further on 31 May 2024, Sienna, Dilly and Liberty unite to question Martha in the village on her intentions, drugging Sienna and the disappearing act after.

Serial killer storyline
On 25 June 2024, it was reported Martha is set to become the programme's oldest ever serial killer. A spokesperson for the Hollyoaks production team claimed Martha would "tear through characters like a knife through butter". The killing-spree would begin in September 2024, co-including with the programmes transition from five to three episodes a week – a change that left over twenty cast members suddenly axed. The spokesperson for the show later added: "Hollyoaks is at its best when there's a major villain on the loose and Martha is going to top them all. She's just as twisted as her murderous great-granddaughter Nico. She may be worse. No one's safe with Martha around."