Brookside remains popular after 33 million streams and one-off TV return

More than two decades after Brookside ended its original run, the Liverpool soap continues to attract a substantial audience. Classic episodes have become a major success on STV Player, while a one-off return to Brookside Close in 2025 brought several familiar characters back to television.

Created by Phil Redmond, Brookside launched on Channel 4 in 1982 and followed the lives of families living on the famous Liverpool cul-de-sac. The television soap ran for 21 years and became known for tackling major social issues, producing memorable characters and pushing boundaries during its time on air.

Brookside ended on 4 November 2003, with Jimmy Corkhill, played by the late Dean Sullivan, memorably altering the Brookside Close sign to read “Brookside Closed” before leaving the estate. Despite the ending, interest in the programme has continued through repeats, fan communities and more recent returns involving former cast members.

STV Player began streaming classic Brookside episodes in January 2023, making the soap available free to viewers across the UK. In November 2025, STV confirmed that Brookside had accumulated 33 million streams and had become one of the platform’s most-watched titles.

That success led to a new three-year agreement with All3Media International, ensuring Brookside will remain available on STV Player into 2029. Five additional episodes continue to be released every Wednesday as viewers work their way through the original run.

STV Managing Director, Audience (Video & Technology) Richard Williams said Brookside “regularly dominates STV Player’s most-watched list” and described extending the partnership as a “no-brainer”. STV also said the response since bringing the soap back to streaming had demonstrated its enduring place in British television history.

The programme also made a one-off return to television in October 2025 as part of Hollyoaks’ 30th anniversary celebrations. Filming took place on Brookside Close itself, marking the first time the famous location had appeared on television since the soap’s final episode 22 years earlier.

Sue Johnston and Ricky Tomlinson were among those reprising their roles, alongside Paul Usher, John McArdle, Philip Olivier, Suzanne Collins, Louis Emerick and Michael Starke. Brookside creator Phil Redmond also made a cameo during the crossover.

The storyline connected Brookside directly with Hollyoaks through Louis Emerick’s character Donny Clark. It was revealed that Donny was actually former Brookside character Mick Johnson, allowing the crossover to acknowledge the history of both programmes while bringing several Brookside characters back together.

Some of those involved have since spoken positively about the possibility of seeing more from Brookside. John McArdle, who returned as Billy Corkhill after 35 years, said he would welcome a comeback and suggested Brookside and Hollyoaks could potentially remain connected.

He also spoke about the qualities which made the soap distinctive, including its close association with Liverpool, its humour and the loyalty and honesty of its characters. Sue Johnston has been even more explicit about her enthusiasm for seeing Brookside back on television.

Following the crossover, Sue posted on X: “We NEED #Brookside back on our screens. As its own show or bring the Brookie cast into #Hollyoaks.” Her comments reflected the wider enthusiasm surrounding the reunion, although there has been no announcement of a permanent Brookside revival.

Hollyoaks executive producer Hannah Cheers has also spoken about the possibility of further connections between the two programmes. She said “Never say never” when discussing Brookside’s future and added that she would like to continue referencing the programme and potentially see characters cross over again.

The renewed interest has coincided with another campaign from Brookside fans. Lee Brady and Kieran Mahoney are calling for the previously produced Brookside: 100 Greatest Moments documentary to finally be released, with their petition also proposing a new tribute to Dean Sullivan.

Lee runs the Brookside Close @brooksidefans Instagram account, which has more than 11,700 followers. Speaking exclusively to SoapLandTV, he said the popularity of the STV Player repeats had led to “a massive resurgence in the interest of Brookside” and believes viewers clearly want more from the programme.

There is currently no indication that Brookside is returning as a full-time television soap, and neither the streaming figures nor the crossover should be interpreted as confirmation that a revival is being planned. What they do show is that Brookside continues to attract viewers and remains capable of generating considerable interest more than 20 years after its original ending.

SoapLandTV would certainly welcome seeing Brookside return in some form, whether through further specials, appearances involving former characters or eventually something more substantial. For now, the continuing success of the classic episodes and the response to the crossover show that Brookside remains an important and much-loved part of British television history.

If you’re a Brookside fan, you can support Lee Brady and Kieran Mahoney by signing the Brookside: 100 Greatest Moments petition and following Brookside Close @brooksidefans on Instagram for campaign updates and more from the fan community.

You can also support the programme by heading to STV Player to watch classic Brookside, where five more episodes continue to be added every Wednesday.