Andrew Hayden-Smith has joined Hollyoaks' cast as police detective DS Armstrong.
Hayden-Smith, who recently starred in Channel 4's Banana and Cucumber, will play an investigator who joins the investigation into Patrick's mysterious disappearance.
Billed as a "young and eager detective" raring to crack the Patrick case, viewers will be left wondering if the writing is on the wall for Maxine and Darren - who hid Patrick's body in the city wall.
"I am over the moon. I have watched Hollyoaks since it began, so to be here in the village is surreal," said Andrew.
"It is a dream job to be thrown in to the heart of such a gritty storyline, and I am looking forward to having the villagers quaking in their boots."
"DS Armstrong is young, driven, and ambitious and has been drafted in to make progress on the mystery of missing Patrick," said a Hollyoaks spokesperson.
"With the Gloved Hand Killer death toll at seven and counting, DS Thorpe didn't exactly cover himself in glory - but this injection of fresh blood should reignite the investigation."
Viewers know that villainous Patrick was murdered by his serial killer granddaughter Nico Blake earlier in the year.
Darren then helped Maxine place the former headmaster's body in the City Wall in a bid to protect her.
Hayden-Smith's other past acting credits include Byker Grove and Doctor Who, and he's also been a presenter on CBBC and This Morning.
Digital Spy