Hollyoaks and Brookside actor Louis Emerick has been in the public eye for almost four decades
Dan Laurie Deputy Editor of Screen Time
19:25, 22 Oct 2025
Louis Emerick is most recognised for his portrayal of Mick Johnson in Brookside (Image: Handout)
Louis Emerick is most recognised for his portrayal of Mick Johnson in Brookside across a remarkable 12-year stint.
The performer brought Mick to life throughout 1037 episodes, despite initially being cast for merely one appearance in the Channel 4 Merseyside-based series.
Mick began his journey as a cab driver before transforming into a local businessman, operating neighbourhood establishments including the corner shop and fish and chip shop.
Louis inhabited the character from 1989 through to 2001, stating at the time his desire to focus on cinema and stage work.
His subsequent career saw him feature in Benidorm, Waterloo Road, Casualty and Last of the Summer Wine before securing a role in Hollyoaks as Donny Clark in 2024, reports the Liverpool Echo.
It’s been confirmed that Mick is alive and has been pretending to be Donny Clark in Hollyoaks(Image: Lime Pictures)READ MORE: Hollyoaks favourite Isabelle Smith teases new romance for Frankie OsborneREAD MORE: Hollyoaks’ Nadine Mulkerrin addresses fan theory Cleo McQueen dreamt time jump
From September 2014, the performer took on the character of Horse in the travelling stage version of The Full Monty.
To commemorate Hollyoaks’ three-decade milestone, Channel 4 executives have crafted a special crossover episode with Brookside, unveiling the bombshell revelation that Donny is actually Mick.
Mick was presumed deceased two decades ago, yet he has been maintaining a dual existence as detective Donny, with his secret poised to create enormous upheaval amongst his loved ones in Hollyoaks.
Louis and his wife Maureen attend the Hollyoaks 30th anniversary celebration at St George’s Hall, Liverpool on October 20(Image: PA)
Discussing the crossover instalment, Louis revealed: “All is not as it seems and we can safely say it’s connected to the Brookside crossover. The house of cards is going to start collapsing.
“I was taken to a park to meet with Hollyoaks’ Executive Producer Hannah Cheers one day, I thought I was getting my P45. We walked and talked and she explained the story.
“At the time I thought it was an April fool! She was so excited and I got swept away with it. This will be fun for the viewers.”
Louis, the youngest of 10 children, was born in Toxteth, Liverpool, to a Liberian father and British mother. The actor, who is married to Maureen Emerick, is a father to five children.
Hollyoaks airs Monday to Wednesday on E4 at 7pm and first look episodes can be streamed Channel 4 from 7am
