Dilly Harcourt

The character and casting was announced on 30 June 2023.{{cite web|last1=Patterson|first1=Stephen|title=Hollyoaks newcomer Dilly arrives to destroy Ethan and Sienna|url=https://metro.co.uk/2023/06/30/hollyoaks-newcomer-dilly-arrives-to-destroy-ethan-and-sienna-19038901/|date=30 June 2023|access-date=3 May 2024}} Almost no information of Dilly's character was given to the public apart from being heavily involved with Sienna Blake (Anna Passey) and Ethan Williams (Matthew James-Bailey). Speaking about her casting, Johnsey-Smith said, "I'm very excited to have joined the cast of Hollyoaks. My time on the show so far has been great and all the cast and crew have been super welcoming. Dilly is fiery, quick-witted and a force to be reckoned with. Her kamikaze-like nature sees her in many a chaotic moment but deep down, there is a real vulnerable side that I’m excited for the audience to see."

Dilly arrives with a clear hatred for Sienna Blake (Anna Passey).{{cite web|url=https://www.ok.co.uk/tv/hollyoaks-dilly-sienna-emma-30621974|title=Meet Hollyoaks' new star - and her 'witty and savage' character|last=Penwill|first=Alice|date=8 August 2023|access-date=3 May 2024|work=Ok! Magazine}} Dilly spent a lot of time plotting and sabotaging Sienna, as she could no longer handle her hatred.{{cite web|url=https://www.italktelly.com/post/dilly-struggles-to-contain-her-jealousy-over-rafe-and-sienna-in-hollyoaks|title=Dilly struggles to contain her jealousy over Rafe and Sienna in Hollyoaks|date=12 December 2023|access-date=3 May 2024|work=I TALK TELLY}}{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a46178970/hollyoaks-sienna-warned-dilly/|title=Hollyoaks' Sienna Blake warned over Dilly Harcourt|last=Mitchell|first=Harriet|date=19 December 2023|access-date=3 May 2024|work=Digital Spy}} Fans often speculated whether there was going to be a major plot-twist that Dilly would somehow be related to Sienna or any member of her family.{{cite web|url=https://www.dailystar.co.uk/tv/e4-hollyoaks-dilly-secretly-related-31668598|title=E4 Hollyoaks' Dilly 'secretly related' to Sienna as fans 'rumble' Patrick return twist|last=Laurie|first=Dan|date=15 December 2023|access-date=3 May 2024|work=Daily Star}}{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/dilly-patrick-blake-hollyoaks-die-31913156|title=Patrick Blake's Hollyoaks past: Who is Dilly, who is she to Patrick and how did he die?|last=Tutton|first=Charlotte|date=18 January 2024|access-date=3 May 2024|work=Mirror|archive-date=10 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510184311/https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/dilly-patrick-blake-hollyoaks-die-31913156|url-status=live}} It was announced that Dilly is the long-lost daughter of deceased character Patrick Blake (Jeremy Sheffield).{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a46662520/hollyoaks-spoilers-sienna-dilly-sisters-twist/|title=Hollyoaks confirms huge Sienna and Dilly twist|last=Harp|first=Justin|date=6 February 2024|access-date=3 May 2024|work=Digital Spy}}{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/hollyoaks-dilly-patrick-blake-sienna-32069214|title=E4 Hollyoaks' Dilly's true identity and link to Sienna exposed in showdown - but fans 'solve twist'|last=Tutton|first=Charlotte|date=7 February 2024|work=Mirror}} Patrick abandoned Dilly when her mother, Margaret, discovers Patrick's double life and gave Patrick an ultimatum whether to stay with their current family and not administer contact with Sienna, Dodger Savage (Danny Mac) and Anna Blake (Saskia Wickham) or to leave her and Cordelia. He chose Sienna, which led to Dilly having a life-long rage targeting Sienna for her father not choosing her. It was all revealed in episode 6304, originally broadcast on 6 February 2024. Producers re-introduced Sheffield as Patrick as Dilly envisions him whilst breaking into the school.{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a46911678/hollyoaks-patrick-blake-return-dilly-hallucination/|title=Hollyoaks airs Patrick Blake return scenes in Dilly story|last=Sarrubba|first=Stefania|date=22 February 2024|access-date=3 May 2024|work=Digital Spy}} Dilly hit Sienna's half-sister Liberty Savage (Jessamy Stoddart) over the head with a blunt object in the basement at Harcourt Manor/Grove after Liberty finds her living underneath Sienna and her family, locking her in there in the process.{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a46651391/hollyoaks-dilly-twist-liberty-returns/|title=Hollyoaks airs new Dilly twist as Liberty returns|last=Sarkisian|first=Jacob|date=5 February 2024|access-date=3 May 2024|work=Digital Spy}} Sienna notices Liberty's suitcase after finding Dilly still living in the house.{{cite web|url=https://www.dailystar.co.uk/tv/hollyoaks-liberty-savage-star-teases-32070486|title=Hollyoaks Liberty Savage star teases future in village as she makes dramatic return|last=Laurie|first=Dan|date=7 February 2024|access-date=3 May 2024|work=Daily Star}} This sparks fear in Sienna. Sienna questions Dilly and later unlocks the basement for Liberty. Whilst confronting Dilly, Sienna pushes her over an interior balcony; learning Dilly is her half-sister. Sienna swears to Liberty she will help Dilly, as not so long ago she was in the same position.{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a46858423/hollyoaks-sienna-blake-dilly-discovery/|title=Hollyoaks' Sienna Blake makes a disturbing discovery in Dilly story|last=Brown|first=Jade|date=20 February 2024|access-date=3 May 2024|work=Digital Spy}} As Sienna is scammed out of £300,000 by James Nightingale (Gregory Finnegan), she assumes Dilly knew Rafe had nothing for their future, and bans her from Rafe's funeral.{{cite web|url=https://www.italktelly.com/post/sienna-bans-dilly-from-rafe-s-funeral-in-hollyoaks|title=Sienna bans Dilly from Rafe's funeral in Hollyoaks|date=5 March 2024|access-date=3 May 2024|work=I TALK TELLY|archive-date=10 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510184311/https://www.italktelly.com/post/sienna-bans-dilly-from-rafe-s-funeral-in-hollyoaks|url-status=live}}

The plot-twist paternity storyline is set to be re-visited in spring 2024 when viewers see the introduction of Patrick's estranged mother Martha Blake (Sherrie Hewson) and Jez Blake (who is also portrayed by Sheffield).{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a60673500/hollyoaks-spoilers-jeremy-sheffield-new-character/|title=Hollyoaks bringing back Patrick Blake actor in new role|last=Harp|first=Justin|date=3 May 2024|access-date=3 May 2024|work=Digital Spy|archive-date=3 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240503073232/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a60673500/hollyoaks-spoilers-jeremy-sheffield-new-character/|url-status=live}} Teasing the upcoming plot, executive producer Hannah Cheers stated: "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…". Johnsey-Smith expressed her delight at working with both Sheffield and Hewson.{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a60745804/hollyoaks-spoilers-emma-johnsey-smith-dilly-jeremy/|title=Hollyoaks star Emma Johnsey-Smith promises "dark" story with two new characters|last=Kilkelly|first=Daniel|date=9 May 2024|access-date=9 May 2024|work=Digital Spy|archive-date=9 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240509164530/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a60745804/hollyoaks-spoilers-emma-johnsey-smith-dilly-jeremy/|url-status=live}}

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|quote = "Oh my goodness, it's such a hard question because it's really complex as a story, and it's not linear. I would say just for the audience – look out for clues because all will be revealed, and it might not be what it seems at first. It gets dark and gets sinister, in true Blake fashion."

|source = –Johnsey-Smith when asked where she thought the storyline was heading (2024)

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Rafe was revealed to be suffering with a terminal illness.{{cite web|url=https://metro.co.uk/2023/09/18/hollyoaks-confirms-main-character-is-dying-in-heartbreaking-scenes-19518894/|title=Hollyoaks confirms main character is dying in huge tragedy|last=Patterson|first=Stephen|date=18 September 2023|access-date=27 April 2024|work=Metro}} Dilly's final wish to Rafe is to destroy Sienna's life before he dies, to which he accepted. Rafe eventually falls in love with Sienna as the storyline progresses, much to Dilly's annoyance and the storyline's culmination plot was announced in early January 2024. After being initially introduced as siblings, it was revealed Rafe and Dilly are husband and wife.{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a46083831/hollyoaks-star-more-shocks-dilly-rafe-plot/|title=Hollyoaks star promises more shocks in Dilly and Rafe plot|last=Mitchell|first=Harriet|date=10 December 2023|access-date=27 April 2024|work=Digital Spy|archive-date=10 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510191317/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a46083831/hollyoaks-star-more-shocks-dilly-rafe-plot/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a46202844/hollyoaks-dilly-rafe-secret-discovered/|title=Hollyoaks' Dilly and Rafe secret is discovered in shocking scenes|last=George|first=Lewis|date=21 December 2023|access-date=27 April 2024|work=Digital Spy}} During Sienna and Rafe's wedding day, Rafe confesses his love for Sienna and Dilly then attacked Rafe in retaliation, clutching at straws to keep him still in love with her. Rafe died in episode 6288, originally broadcast on 15 January 2024.{{Cite web |last=Lindsay |first=Duncan |date=15 January 2024 |title=Three Hollyoaks characters die - with one murdered and a fourth facing death |url=https://metro.co.uk/2024/01/15/hollyoaks-spoilers-three-characters-die-one-murdered-20118770/ |access-date=8 May 2024|website=Metro |language=en}} Dilly later goes on the run after being blamed for murdering Rafe, but she is later cleared when it is revealed he died of his terminal illness.{{cite web|url=https://metro.co.uk/2024/02/23/hollyoaks-confirms-major-new-rafe-dilly-twist-changes-everything-20333218/|title=Hollyoaks airs major Rafe and Dilly Harcourt twist that changes everything in a very unexpected way|last=Patterson|first=Stephen|date=23 February 2024|access-date=8 May 2024|work=Metro|archive-date=10 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510184318/https://metro.co.uk/2024/02/23/hollyoaks-confirms-major-new-rafe-dilly-twist-changes-everything-20333218/|url-status=live}}

She begins a romance with Ethan Williams (Matthew James-Bailey) upon introduction but the romance is shortly lived.{{cite web|url=https://metro.co.uk/2023/08/30/ethan-cheats-on-sienna-with-dilly-in-hollyoaks-as-they-share-kiss-19420282/|title=Hollyoaks spoilers: Ethan Williams cheats on Sienna Blake with Dilly Harcourt as they share passionate kiss|last=Patterson|first=Stephen|date=30 August 2023|access-date=27 April 2024|work=Metro}} The romance is presumably rekindled and revisited as the pair have noted chemistry and Ethan helped her whilst she was on the run for the involvement surrounding Rafe's death.{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a46674638/hollyoaks-ethan-helps-dilly-sienna-rafe-storyline/|title=Hollyoaks reveals surprise new ally for Dilly in Sienna storyline|last=Cooper|first=Brenna|date=7 February 2024|access-date=27 April 2024|work=Digital Spy|archive-date=10 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510192820/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a46674638/hollyoaks-ethan-helps-dilly-sienna-rafe-storyline/|url-status=live}} After piling pressure on Ethan,{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a46686423/hollyoaks-dilly-harcourt-pressure-ethan-williams/|title=Hollyoaks' Dilly Harcourt piles pressure on Ethan Williams after death drama|last=Lewis|first=George|date=8 February 2024|access-date=27 April 2024|work=Digital Spy|archive-date=10 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510194323/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a46686423/hollyoaks-dilly-harcourt-pressure-ethan-williams/|url-status=live}} he later grows tired of Dilly.{{cite web|url=https://www.italktelly.com/post/ethan-gives-dilly-some-home-truths-as-she-starts-running-out-of-options-in-hollyoaks|title=Ethan gives Dilly some home truths as she starts running out of options in Hollyoaks|date=13 February 2024|access-date=27 April 2024|work=I TALK TELLY}}

In February 2024, the writers placed Dilly in another relationship as she embarks on a romance with Prince McQueen (Malique Thompson-Dwyer).{{cite web|url=https://metro.co.uk/2024/02/26/hollyoaks-confirms-surprise-unexpected-new-love-interest-dilly-20348688/|title=Hollyoaks confirms surprise and unexpected new love interest for Dilly Harcourt as sparks fly|last=Patterson|first=Stephen|date=26 February 2024|access-date=3 May 2024|work=Metro}} They strike a bond whilst competing for a job in The Loft nightclub. They are both later hired and their romance is "heated up" in the spring trailer 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/e4-hollyoaks-trailer-teases-pregnancy-32496494|title=E4 Hollyoaks trailer teases pregnancy shock, wedding tragedy and four huge returns|last=Tutton|first=Charlotte|date=2 April 2024|access-date=3 May 2024|work=Mirror}} The trailer featured the both flirtatiously arguing with each other, which ends with the pair passionately kissing.{{cite web |title=Freddie and Grace are BACK! But they're not the only duo to be stirring up trouble this Spring! #HollyoaksSpringTrailer #Hollyoaks |url=https://x.com/hollyoaks/status/1775176366100480508?s=46 |website=Twitter |access-date=3 May 2024}} Prince later cheats on Dilly after proposing to her whilst sleeping with his brothers fiancée Zoe Anderson (Garcia Brown).{{cite web|url=https://metro.co.uk/2024/05/01/two-unexpected-hollyoaks-couples-get-engaged-a-major-twist-confirmed-20754296/|title=Two unexpected Hollyoaks couples get engaged – but a major twist is confirmed|last=Patterson|first=Stephen|date=1 May 2024|access-date=10 May 2024|work=Metro}} They later call the engagement off after admitting it was a drunken mistake – Zoe and Hunter stay engaged.

Dilly attends the wedding of Dave Chen-Williams (Dominic Power) and Cindy Cunningham (Stephanie Waring) in episode 6368, originally broadcast on 7 May 2024. Warren Fox (Jamie Lomas) has supplied dodgy ecstasy tablets.{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a60640559/hollyoaks-spoilers-dave-cindy-wedding-tragedy/|title=Hollyoaks confirms new details on Cindy and Dave wedding tragedy|last=Harp|first=Justin|date=30 April 2024|access-date=10 May 2024|work=Digital Spy|archive-date=10 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510191318/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a60640559/hollyoaks-spoilers-dave-cindy-wedding-tragedy/|url-status=live}} Dilly purchased them under the pretence that they had no harmful effect. The drugs soon get passed round, Dilly, Prince, Hunter McQueen (Theo Graham), Lizzie Chen-Williams (Lily Best) and unassumingly Zoe Anderson (Garcia Brown) consumed the drug. Lizzie dies during the wedding party and the grief-stricken group make a pact in the toilet to not say a word.{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a60720517/hollyoaks-spoilers-lizzie-dead-wedding/|title=Hollyoaks kills off regular character at Cindy and Dave's wedding|last=Harp|first=Justin|date=7 May 2024|work=Digital Spy|publisher=Hearst Magazines UK|access-date=10 May 2024|archive-date=10 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510010942/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a60720517/hollyoaks-spoilers-lizzie-dead-wedding/|url-status=live}} They all agree however later that night, Hunter also dies unknowingly next to Prince.{{cite web|url=https://metro.co.uk/2024/05/08/second-major-hollyoaks-character-dies-two-days-a-third-star-exits-20798371/|title=Hollyoaks confirms second major character death in two days – and a third star exits|last=Patterson|first=Stephen|date=8 May 2024|work=Metro|publisher=Associated Newspapers Ltd.|access-date=10 May 2024|archive-date=9 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240509230423/https://metro.co.uk/2024/05/08/second-major-hollyoaks-character-dies-two-days-a-third-star-exits-20798371/|url-status=live}} Whilst assuming Hunter was simply asleep, he started to confess about sleeping with Zoe behind his back, which was also featured in the spring trailer.

Sienna Blake (Anna Passey) spots Dilly taking the portrait of her and Rafe Harcourt (Chris Gordon)'s father out of Rafe's car and accused her of stealing from his car, injuring her in a struggle. Unimpressed by her brother's new lover, Dilly accused her of being a gold digger and rejected Sienna's attempts at friendship. In an attempt to get dirt on Sienna, she turned her attentions towards her supposedly-'ex' boyfriend Ethan Williams (Matthew James-Bailey). However, Dilly ended up befriending Ethan (who was initially sour towards her), especially after confiding in him - following an incident with Donna-Marie Quinn (Lucy-Jo Hudson) - that she was a recovering drug addict. Despite keeping her secret from Sienna, Sienna ended up finding out the truth and planted cocaine in Rafe's car in order to get Dilly sent back to rehab. Dilly returned, initially exhibiting some animosity towards Rafe and finding comfort in Ethan. Ethan and Dilly grew closer as Sienna and Ethan's secret relationship broke down, but Ethan repeatedly disappointed Dilly by refusing to progress further than a 'fling'. Combined with her struggles over Rafe's terminal illness, Dilly drunkenly invited Rafe's ex-girlfriend Camilla Bassington-Hart (Dylan Morris) to the village. Sienna and Camilla both fought for Rafe, but Rafe proposed to Camilla at the Masquerade Ball, leaving Sienna humiliated. Rafe proposed to Sienna at the same time as Ethan and Sienna chose Rafe. Dilly and Rafe paid Camilla and sent her away: Camilla was, in fact, a hired actress and Dilly and Rafe were husband and wife with a revenge plot against Sienna. In the lead-up towards the wedding, Dilly drove the revenge campaign and attempted to sabotage Sienna's friendships with Maxine Minniver (Nikki Sanderson) and Ste Hay (Kieron Richardson), only briefly succeeding until the final weeks before the big day.

On the day of the wedding, Rafe changed his mind and planned to cancel the event. Dilly struck him with a bell and hid him in the basement, telling Sienna that Rafe had run away. Upon returning to the basement, Dilly was distraught to discover that Rafe had died and moved his body to the sofa, tucking him in with a blanket. Sienna later found Dilly's locket necklace with a photo of Patrick Blake inside, but Dilly claimed it was a wedding present for Sienna.

It was revealed that Dilly was in fact the half sister of Sienna, and was the late daughter of Patrick Blake (Jeremy Sheffield) after he abandoned her and her mother Margaret Williams after she found out about his double life. He chose Sienna and his family, leading to Dilly having an underlying hatred for Sienna for years. Dilly is pushed off a Balcony by Sienna whilst being confronted and Liberty Savage (Jessamy Stoddart) reveals to Sienna that she is her sister. She then tries to incite a relationship with much younger half-sister Minnie Minniver (Ava Lorente) but Minnie calls the police under Maxine's orders, allowing Dilly to escape to the school.

Sienna obtains a confession from Warren Fox (Jamie Lomas) that explains the truth about Ste Hay (Kieron Richardson)'s attack. Warren left Ste to die after pushing him off a building and is making Ste suffer in retaliation for Ste accidentally killing daughter Ella Richardson (Erin Palmer). He forces Ste, along with Murphy (Rick S. Carr), to threaten Sienna whilst she is having a girls night in with Dilly, Liberty and Maxine Minniver (Nikki Sanderson). Maxine shot Murphy after he attacks Dilly and he is later found by Dilly whilst she is on a run. Maxine calls an ambulance for him much to the annoyance of the group.

She attends the wedding of Dave Chen-Williams (Dominic Power) and Cindy Cunningham (Stephanie Waring). She buys dodgy ecstasy tablets for the wedding party. She later passes the drugs round to Prince McQueen (Malique Thompson-Dwyer), Hunter McQueen (Theo Graham), Lizzie Chen-Williams (Lily Best) and Zoe Anderson (Garcia Brown). They all consume the drug and are initially enjoying their time. Lizzie subsequently dropped to the floor whilst dancing with Dave, and the group watch as she died instantly. A panic-stricken Dilly, Prince, Hunter and Zoe then are overheard by Lizzie's adoptive brother Mason Chen-Williams (Frank Kauer) discussing the events in disbelief. They later make a pact to "protect" themselves as they believe Lizzie would have wanted that – Hunter dies the same night. Zoe admitted to Hunter previously she did not take the pill. A grief-stricken Prince enforces Dilly to set up a meeting with the dealer who supplied the drug to her; she intervenes as Prince instantly attacks him.

Prince and Dilly began an affair behind Zoe's back, much to the disapprovement of her family. When Sienna chastises Dilly about it, they argued and in the heat of the moment, Sienna admitted that she killed Ethan. A devastated Dilly started to pack her bags to start a new life with Prince, but Jez caught her and asked why she was leaving. She then told Jez that Sienna killed Ethan, however, his cold reaction and showing her Ethan's photo as well as his 'collection' in his book made her realise that he knew about it. Dilly, fearing for her life, tried to escape, but Jez locked her in the flat and strangled her with Martha's apron strings, killing her. The following day, Jez showed Sienna her dead body in a picnic basket, much to her horror, and asked her to help bury her. A horrified Sienna had no choice but to help him and they buried her in Jez's allotment.

The twist of being Rafe's wife and Patrick's daughter led her to being nominated for "Best Twist" in the Radio Times soap awards 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/radiotimes-com-soap-awards-2024-nominations-revealed-exclusive-newsupdate/|title=RadioTimes.com Soap Awards 2024 nominations revealed|date=13 May 2024|access-date=23 May 2024|work=Radio Times|archive-date=23 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523000707/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/radiotimes-com-soap-awards-2024-nominations-revealed-exclusive-newsupdate/|url-status=live}} Sarah Ellis from Inside Soap wrote that she could sense "menace" behind Dilly's manners, and joked that Dilly could be the one to tie Sienna to a radiator this time.{{cite magazine |last1=Ellis|first1=Sarah|title=Soapbox |magazine=Inside Soap |date=29 July – 4 August 2023 |page=36|issue=30}}

{{reflist}}

{{Hollyoaks characters|past}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Harcourt, Dilly}}

Category:Hollyoaks characters

Category:Television characters introduced in 2023

Category:Fictional blackmailers

Category:Fictional female murderers

Category:Fictional characters with mental disorders

Category:Fictional criminals in soap operas

Category:British female characters in soap operas

Category:English female characters in television

Category:Female villains

Category:Fictional murdered people