Isabelle Smith’s Meteoric Rise: Hollyoaks Star Drowns in Praise as Accolades Flood In – But Can She Handle the Pressure?

The 22-year-old, who joined the cast of the Channel 4 soap earlier this year, was overwhelmed after learning she’d received recognition at two prestigious awards this week.

Isabelle’s portrayal of Frankie – who has been sexually abused by twin brother JJ (Ryan Mulvey) since she was just nine years old – has earned her a nod for the Caroline Aherne prize for Best Breakthrough Talent at the Royal Television Society Awards North West, as well as being named on the long list for Best Newcomer at the TV Choice Awards.

Celebrating the news on her Instagram Stories, Isabelle wrote: “I’m so honoured to have been nominated for best breakthrough talent at this year’s @royaltelevisionsocietynw awards alongside such amazing women! Thank you so much.”

The category sees Isabelle nominated alongside Dead Hot’s Vivian Oparah, Blue Peter host Shini Muthukrishnan and Morning Live’s life coach Mavis Ackerley.

Reacting to the TV Choice Awards nomination, she added: “Can’t believe this!! I’ve also been long listed for best newcomer at @tvchoicemagazine awards! Please get voting all these Hollyoaks (and me if you fancy).”

After years of torment, recent Hollyoaks scenes saw Frankie bravely open up to dad Darren (Ashley Taylor Dawson) about JJ’s abuse.

While JJ was subsequently banished from the Osborne family, their mother  Suzanne Ashworth (Suzanne Hall) believed his lies – that is, until the events of stunt week, which saw her share a heart-to-heart with daughter Frankie, confirming that she believed her.

However, Suzanne died in the aftermath of her admission, leaving Frankie devastated.

Since the soap jumped a year into the future last month, Frankie is now trying to get justice, but JJ has used their mum’s death to try and get her to tell the court that she’s lying.

A shock development has since seen doctors tell JJ that he has leukaemia, leaving the case against him with an uncertain future.