| Character Profile | List of appearances |
Madeline Martha Blake was the widow of Charles Blake and mother of twins Patrick and Jeremy Blake.
Biography[]
Until 2024: Life Before Hollyoaks[]
Martha, a former nurse, endured abusive behaviour from Charles throughout their marriage. In 1967, Martha gave birth to twins Patrick and Jeremy. She and Patrick disliked each other and she sent him to boarding school at four years old. Martha was left a widow when Charles died from motor neurone disease, and Jeremy grew protective over her when she developed memory issues. After Basil Martin crashed into Martha's car and told the police Martha had caused the crash, Jeremy murdered him and buried him in his allotment.
2024-2026: Deathly Secrets[]
Martha has a DNA test taken with Sienna.
Martha arrived in Hollyoaks in May 2024, stalking Sienna Blake. After spiking Sienna, she took blood from her for a DNA test. She later introduced herself to Sienna, claiming that she was a second-cousin of their grandfather and had terminal cancer. Martha had no interest in connecting with Sienna or her half-sister Dilly Harcourt until they discovered that their father Patrick had a twin brother named Jeremy. In July, Martha revealed that she was Jeremy and Patrick's mother. Jeremy claimed that Martha had dementia and had a nurse sedate her at a care home. When Sienna discovered that Jeremy was her biological father, she had Martha move into her flat.
In November 2025, Jeremy visited Martha and told her that she had killed Sienna's husband Ethan Williams. After stopping Martha from confessing to the police, Martha visited Sienna and mistook her twins for Patrick and Jeremy. A concerned Sienna insisted that Martha moved back in, and she agreed. Whilst reporting Abe Fielding's kidnap of Cleo McQueen to the police, Martha was reminded that she had killed Ethan and confessed to D.S. Banks, but Sienna took her home and confessed to killing Ethan herself. In January 2026, Martha witnessed Jeremy murdering Dilly and became concerned, revealing that he had killed before. After Jeremy murdered Abe, Martha encouraged him to speak to therapist Tommy Odenkirk.
Jeremy's kills continued and Martha struggled to cope. She managed to convince him to spare Leela Dexter but after he murdered social worker Ian Stone, Martha told him that he was too hard to love. In her confused state, she mistook Bobby Costello for Jeremy and discussed the murders with him. Jeremy found out and murdered Bobby. After Sienna discovered human remains in Jeremy's allotment, Jeremy asked Martha to kill her. Martha backed down so Jeremy supposedly killed Sienna, and Martha expressed her upset to him.
In October 2026, Jeremy's murderous ways were uncovered by Dodger Savage. Jeremy made plans to flee the village with Martha and Sienna so that they could start afresh elsewhere, but when Martha tried to talk her son into handing himself in, he accused her of betrayal and stabbed her to death.
Kill Count[]
Murder Victims[]
None
Attempted Murder Victims[]
- Jeremy Blake, 21st June 2024 - Attempted to overdose him on morphine, but was stopped by Dilly Harcourt.
- Sienna Blake, 24th March 2026 - Poisoned, but Sienna was discovered and taken to hospital by Joel Dexter.
- Sienna Blake, 12th August 2026 - Sienna had found out about Jeremy being a serial killer and accidentally hospitalised them both after she pushed Jeremy while on the City Wall, causing Jeremy to grab Sienna and they fell to the ground below. Jeremy then instructed his mother to kill Sienna before she woke up to prevent her from revealing his secret. Martha failed to kill Sienna as she woke up before Martha could administer a fatal overdose.
Appendices[]
Residences[]
| Address | Duration |
|---|---|
| Beinheureux Retirement Village | Until 21st August 2024 |
| 5 Oakdale Drive, Flat 1 | 21st August 2024 to 23rd August 2024 |
| Unknown | 23rd August 2024 to 27th November 2025 |
| 5 Oakdale Drive, Flat 1 | 27th November 2025 to 1st October 2026 |
Employment History[]
| Job | Duration |
|---|---|
| Nurse | Unknown |
Background Information[]
- Sherrie Hewson's casting as Martha was announced alongside Jeremy Sheffield's new Hollyoaks role as Jeremy Blake in May 2024. Hewson revealed in October that Martha had been temporarily written out for reason related to the time-jump.
- Hewson's departure from the role was announced in July 2025 as Martha was intended to be a limited-duration character.
Introduction Sequence[]
- 2024-: Martha sits down and Sienna Blake hands the flowers to her at a high tea with Jeremy Blake, Dilly Harcourt, Maxine Minniver and Liberty Savage. (Dilly is removed following her 2025 exit)
Quotes[]
| “ | At my age, I'm used to stumbles and falls. You seem more shaken up than I am! Has it been one of those days? | ” |
— First line, to Sienna Blake.
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| “ | It's all over, Jeremy. It's all over. | ” |
— Final line, just before being stabbed by Jeremy Blake.
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