James Sutton leaving "Hollyoaks"It was announced this morning that actor James Sutton will be leaving his role as gay character John Paul in the British soap opera Hollyoaks: James Sutton has thoroughly enjoyed his time on the show: "I've had a really great time working on Hollyoaks but after much thought I've decided that it's time to bring it to an end. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Bryan Kirkwood and everyone at Hollyoaks for making my time here so memorable. I'm also really grateful to the viewers for their continued support and commitment to the character and the storyline." There's no word yet on when he'll be leaving, or if it has anything to do with the character of Craig returning, but this is depressing news. James has created one of the greatest gay characters ever seen on television, and while I wish him the the best in his career (he's a wonderful actor), I hope he realizes what a void he's going to leave. Thoughts? Update - According to this article, he will be leaving in September, and it will coincide with the return of Craig. Submitted by on Mon, 2008-06-30 08:13. it was expectedSubmitted by
jjose712 (2500 points) (539 posts) on Mon, 2008-06-30 09:59.In fact it was rumoured at the begining of the season. It's a pity because i really like JP, but it's understable that James wants to move on in his career. I think i'm more pro sunset ending with Craig right now, first because i like this couple, and second because i want Kieron continues on Hollyoaks. Good luck to James in his career and i hope they left an open door to a posible return in the future UnderstandableSubmitted by
DiverTazSC (199 points) (38 posts) on Mon, 2008-06-30 10:01.After catching up with the story lines over the last several weeks, I understand his decision. The writers have taken the character to a point where a choice was natural. JP is now ready to leave home to make the most of himself and I would rather the character have a positive outcome than continued tumoil. Leave while we still love you and want more. James has done an amazing job making people care for JP and I believe he is doing what is best for the character and himself. We will all miss him and the positive, caring and commited way he took on this role. I hope the editors of After Elton will express our gratitude to him. [Let's get an interview guys] There had been whispers of this for some time, so it's not too much of shock. Hopefully the end for JP, Craig and Keiron will be good fun and satisfying. Thanks again James. James did a fantastic jobSubmitted by
cakefan (220 points) (59 posts) on Mon, 2008-06-30 10:25.James did a fantastic job portraying this regular bloke/gay teen John Paul and it's sad to see him leave Hollyoaks, but I guess this decision makes sense, still at the hight of his popularity and with the possibility of giving his character a positive exit with his first love. I'd love to see and AE-interview with James as a goodbye!!!! Thanks to James SuttonSubmitted by
dkellergrl2001 (1352 points) (274 posts) on Mon, 2008-06-30 10:47.
James' portrayal of John-Paul McQueen is what kept my interest in the show. What kept me coming back for more. If, it wasn't for his presence, I would have never been able to realize that HO was more than just a "teen show, with pretty people" in it. I'm glad that James' decided to move on to other things to try and achieve in his professional life. Wishing him the best of luck. Love me less, but love me a long time - Les Chansons D'Amour Right there with you, dkellergrl2001!Submitted by
jsg03jd (2672 points) (563 posts) on Mon, 2008-06-30 11:31.I'm a Hollyoaks newbie, and this is sad news for me as a viewer. Jean Paul is a relatable character, and James Sutton plays him beautifully. Hopefully, the ending of John Paul's story is satisfying, and will give us some must see TV/youtube clips. And I completely agree that Jake Hendriks is utterly delicious! He is all that. Who Is He? James Sutton/John-Paul McQueen fan videoSubmitted by
dkellergrl2001 (1352 points) (274 posts) on Mon, 2008-06-30 13:02.Here's a link to this fan video that was created this past February 2008, by kazymack. A fan of James' amazing portrayal of John-Paul McQueen. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHJ5w5GLly8 I think everyone might enjoy it. Love me less, but love me a long time - Les Chansons D'Amour Double Posting - SorrySubmitted by
dkellergrl2001 (1352 points) (274 posts) on Mon, 2008-06-30 13:02.Double posting - sorry. Love me less, but love me a long time - Les Chansons D'Amour The Gays of DaytimeSubmitted by
Megh (579 points) (115 posts) on Mon, 2008-06-30 13:27.quoted DigitalSpy as "His feelings for Craig begin to resurface and he's forced to make the biggest decision of his life - stay with his fiancé, Father Kieron Hobbs (Jake Hendriks), or reunite with his former love."
To which I have to say FIANCE?? FIANCE!! \o/ (I really hope he picks Kieron.) So we'll at least have lots of fun over the next three months. But damn you James, you heart breaker! HeartbreakingSubmitted by
duckiestoy (1325 points) (293 posts) on Mon, 2008-06-30 14:20.I was hoping he'd stay but it's been known for a long time he was probably exiting. I'm still hoping they don't go with the sunset ending with Craig because that was such a disaster and the character has grown beyond that. I guess we'll see. Just so long as he doesn't go out like Max did! Most of all I'll miss James' excellent performances and the chemistry with his onscreen family. james is greatSubmitted by
Bountiful (1285 points) (343 posts) on Mon, 2008-06-30 16:29.I wish him well in his career. It's a pity that I probably won't see most of his future projects, but he's a great actor, and he'll be good at whatever he does. I'll miss John Paul. He is a likable and endearing character. It has been very interesting to see him grow and mature with time. I suppose the character is at the right point to say goodbye. We can say that he has reached the end of one journey, and his next journey will have to take place offscreen. Not news!Submitted by
LoTr1985 (300 points) (63 posts) on Mon, 2008-06-30 16:44.This has been circulating for quite some time so I don't think anyone who actually watches the show and/or keeps up w/ what's going on is that surprised, although I'm sure I speak for a few when I say I was hoping he'd stay but I certainly wish James the very best. My only thoughts are about what they'll do w/ Father Kieron Hobbs (Jake Hendriks) whom many of us have grown to love. I hope he stays and they make a storyline for him because he's really quite fantastic and Hollyoaks needs confused/dramatic gay characters and boy...is he ever!! Again, I wish James the very best and hope that HO will continue with such great storylines in terms of their gay characters. This is SOAPy @ its very best. Good for James SuttonSubmitted by
Maxine (1295 points) (331 posts) on Mon, 2008-06-30 17:44.It has been rumored for a while that James was going to leave the show this year, so i'm not suprised. In fact, I think he was meant to leave a couple of months ago but extended his contract. Personally, i'm a huge John Paul/Craig Dean fan, so of course i'm elated to know that the master who is Brian Kirkwood is going to give us McDean fans the sunset ending we've been waiting for. I admitt not to being a fan of the 29 year old priest hook-up with the 18 year old John Paul, it seemed almost predatory to me. I thought it smacked of pure sensationalism for headline grabbing purposes, and made no sense since John Paul left Craig for hiding in the closet then jumped right back into an even more restrictive relationship. I know i'm also in the minority here, but I don't find Father Kieron (Jake Hendriks) attractive in the slightest. Anyway, I wish James all the best. He's done a terrifice job playing gay teen, John Paul. He will be dearly missed. Here's hoping we see him in some future projects. Its testament to JamesSubmitted by
Vague (85 points) (19 posts) on Tue, 2008-07-01 01:36.Its testament to James Sutton's awesome talent that he got people from all over the world hooked onto Hollyoaks and his storylines. I'm glad that we got to see him on screen and here's hoping for more James goodness in future. I'm really glad that there's a possibility of John Paul walking off into the sunset with his one true love. A happily ever after ending makes for great telly.Cheers McDean. You rocked my world. |
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good for him...
My thoughts are good for him. If he’s ready to leave, so be it.
Hopefully he succeeds in future projects. J
Not surprised
If it was up to him, it would have happend a long time a go. The only readon he stayed was to give the fans the ending they expected for John Paul and Craig.
He is a great actor and has played this character fantastically. Is a sad turn of events for the fans and really bad for gay representations on TV.
So it looks like Jean Paul
It still baffles me how some
It still baffles me how some people can see the genuine love between two teen lads, one of which was confused to the core and terrified to lose his family if he came out as purely founded on lies and deceit; while cheering a relationship between a teen lad and a 30-something Catholic priest who is the confidant of the teen lad's mother, gives her parenting advice, while lying to her, deceiving her and laughing at her.
Also: it's John Paul, like the pope, not Jean Paul, like the couturier.
Sad to see James go...
...but if he must, I hope they do it the right way: he flies solo. I can't stand Craig and, let's be honest, there's no future to the relationship with Father Kieron. Therefore, John Paul should just head off to the horizon by himself.
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I'm not sure why it baffles you
that some people (usually gay and bisexual men) voice how damaging John-Paul and Craig's relationship was at the time. I love that I'm seeing opposing viewpoints from gay and bisexual men, who may or may not have had their own "Craig's" in their lives and lived to tell the tale about it.
Yet - This really shouldn't be about the positives and negatives of Craig Dean. This is about the celebration of James Sutton's performance as John-Paul McQueen and his contributions to the show, Hollyoaks.
It still baffles me how some people can see the genuine love between two teen lads, one of which was confused to the core and terrified to lose his family if he came out as purely founded on lies and deceit; while cheering a relationship between a teen lad and a 30-something Catholic priest who is the confidant of the teen lad's mother, gives her parenting advice, while lying to her, deceiving her and laughing at her.
Also: it's John Paul, like the pope, not Jean Paul, like the couturier.
I think you misunderstood my post
that some people (usually gay and bisexual men) voice how damaging John-Paul and Craig's relationship was at the time. I love that I'm seeing opposing viewpoints from gay and bisexual men, who may or may not have had their own "Craig's" in their lives and lived to tell the tale about it.
I have no issue with anyone voicing their personal experiences, I even welcome it and have done so myself in regard to this storyline. I can understand why people say this affair was damaging at the time - we can all see how much it has damaged John Paul. Also, I am not talking about the positives and negatives of Craig. I won't get into it but let me assure you I hardly ever approved of anything Craig did at the time. But it does baffle me when that makes people say that John Paul and Craig were [i]purely based on lies and deceit[/i]. That simply isn't true.
Yet - This really shouldn't be about the positives and negatives of Craig Dean. This is about the celebration of James Sutton's performance as John-Paul McQueen and his contributions to the show, Hollyoaks.
Amen!
a note on comparisons
Not necessarily disagreeing
Not necessarily disagreeing with you on the comparisons, just to clarify my earlier post: Kieron and JP did have quite a few laughs at Myra's expense in both the babyphotos episode and the JP/Elliot episode. I cannot remember anything comparable with Sarah, but please correct me if I am wrong/forgetful. Jake Hendriks is indeed 26, but James Sutton is 25 so the actor's age doesn't really say anything. I based my comment on the casting calls, some sources say it was for someone in their ate 20's and in others that the priest was to be around 30. Even if it's just 27 or 28, the age difference is quite significant, IMO, although not as "sick" as some make it out to be, that is true.
I wasn't trying to start a debate about who is better, Kieron or Craig, I am sorry if it came across that way. And I agree that Kieron isn't worse as a person. I just wanted to express my frustration at how the JP/Craig relationship is misinterpreted as based on lies and deceit. It was based on love and it led to a lot of lies and deceit. Which is something entirely different.