Detective Inspector Mark "Dodger" Savage is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 serial drama, Hollyoaks, played by Danny Mac. He made his first on-screen appearance on 7 April 2011 and was introduced as part of the Savage family by creator Paul Marquess. Dodger is played as being a bit "cocky" and as thinking he has "got it all". For his portrayal, Mac has won and been nominated for various awards. In November 2014, Mac opted to leave the role and Dodger made his last appearance on 20 January 2015. Dodger is the biological son of Patrick Blake (Jeremy Sheffield) and Anna Blake (Saskia Wickham), the twin brother of Sienna Blake (Anna Passey), the adoptive son of Anna's husband Dirk Savage (David Kennedy), the half-brother of Will Savage (James Atherton), Liberty Savage (Abi Phillips) and Minnie Minniver and the father of Nico Blake (Persephone Swales-Dawson) and Myra-Pocahontas Savage-McQueen.
His storylines have included a relationship with Texas Longford (Bianca Hendrickse-Spendlove), discovering that Dirk is not his biological father, had a relationship with Theresa McQueen (Jorgie Porter) in which she gave birth to their daughter Myra-Pocahontas Savage-McQueen, discovering Patrick and Sienna are alive, a feud with Will, having a relationship with Patrick's wife Maxine Minniver (Nikki Sanderson), being involved in a train crash, discovering Sienna's daughter Nico Blake (Persephone Swales-Dawson) is also his daughter and fleeing the country after covering for Nico after she pushes Will off the roof of the hospital. Mac later reprised the role and Dodger returned in 2025. In September 2025 it was confirmed that Mac would also be appearing as Dodger in the upcoming Hollyoaks Later one-off special for the 30th during anniversary celebrations due to air in October of that year. Dodger appears in the Hollyoaks 30th anniversary celebrations with the main episode airing on 22 October 2025 seeing Dodger capture his serial killer father Jeremy Blake (Jeremy Sheffield) during an episode that also crossover with Brookside. The events of Hollyoaks Later followed and it kicked off a huge sexual assault storyline for Dodger.
Casting In March 2011, it was announced that Liberty Savage's (Abi Phillips) family would be introduced to Hollyoaks. Actor Danny Mac was cast in the role of Dodger Savage, the half-brother of Liberty and Will (James Atherton) and the adopted son of Dirk (David Kennedy), following a stint in the West End musical Wicked. Of his casting, Mac commented: "I am over the moon, the last few weeks have been crazy and Dodger's kept me on my toes every second. It's exciting never knowing what he's going to get up to next, and believe me the limits are endless. I can't wait for people to meet him! [...] I am proud to be a Savage and live in anticipation every moment to see what the next move is for the family!" Of the family and their introduction, a Hollyoaks spokesperson added: "The new family will take the village by storm and are set to rub all the McQueens up the wrong way. The Savage family get evicted from their home when Dirk can't keep up with the payments. [...] big brother Dodger has a new house for them to live in! While the McQueens are away on holiday, Dodger moves his family into the empty house and declares squatters' rights!"
Development Characterisation and family
Mac described Dodger as having the ability to "always find his way out of any mess" adding that Dodger was like "a crap Jack Bauer". He has explained that his character is "a bit cocky and he thinks that he's got it all". Speaking of Dodger's capability to settle down, Mac said he is "human being and as he meets people and forms relationships" so the character is capable of settling down. He added that there is more to Dodger than "just sleeping around and being cocky" which would be further explored in future. On the different sides of Dodger, Mac said they had been developed since he initially appeared citing the fact that people initially thought of the character as two-dimensional as proof. Dodger is described as "cheeky", a "charmer" and the "local womaniser". He has also been described as a "wily and quick-witted character".
Mac hoped that his future storylines would include his character's relationship with his family, adding that he felt the chemistry between his onscreen family is "really good". Mac explained that there is not "much drama" in the Savage family and that they are "loyal to each other and very straight with their morals". Mac went on to add that future storylines would see the family brought together and would allow the audience to "discover more about them as a family". Dennis Savage (Joe Tracini) is later introduced as Dodger's cousin. Tracini explained that the family dynamic is "quite a real one" adding that people can relate to the family. Explaining the character's relationship with Dodger, he said Dodger is "not very happy" to see Dennis when he arrives and he tells Dennis he can not live with the family but despite this Dennis would usually side with Dodger in family disputes. Atherton said that Dennis "idolises" Dodger which leads to Will ignoring Dennis. Atherton said that there is a "brotherly rivalry" between Dodger and Will, explaining that it is due to Will becoming tired of Dodger getting all of their father's affection. He went on to add that the tension between the pair has been building and will soon come to a conclusion. During the conclusion Dodger and Will fight, which Atherton explained is a "proper brotherly scrap" as neither want to hurt the other but they show much anger and frustration during the fight.
Relationship with Texas and Jodie Dodger has a casual relationship with Texas Longford (Bianca Hendrickse-Spendlove). Dodger also begins a casual relationship with Jodie Wilde (Montana Manning). Texas and Jodie are also attracted to each other. Mac explained that the relationship between the trio is a "friends with benefits" relationship. He added that the three characters are "so different" yet they share the trait of not wanting to be "tied down". On who his character is more attracted to of the two, Mac said it "literally depends on the day". He has a long history with Texas and is "massively attracted" to her although he likes that Jodie is attracted to both sexes. Mac cited Jodie's dance exams as developing the relationships. Mac revealed that the relationship would continue to develop although he felt that Dodger needed to remain a "lone ranger" for the present. Mac hoped that there would be an eventual climax to the relationships.
Biological family In 2012, it was announced that Dodger real family The Blakes will appear in the series. On October 7, it was announced that former Coronation Street star Jeremy Sheffield would be playing Patrick Charles Blake. Of his casting, Sheffield said: "I'm very happy to be joining Hollyoaks at a time when things are getting very exciting". Mac, commented on the character saying that Dodger "needs to find out who his father is and get some questions answered.". At the same time, his sister Sienna Blake will appear in the series. The character was to have been played by Emily Lawrance. However, the role was recast with actress Anna Passey before the character made her on-screen debut. It was revealed that Sienna was Dodger's twin sister, the twin sibling Dodger never knew he had. Both characters made their first on-screen appearance on 21 November 2012.
On 20 May 2014, it was announced that actress Persephone Swales-Dawson had been cast as Nico Blake. Daniel Kilkelly from Digital Spy reported that Nico arrives in Hollyoaks and meets Dodger. He takes pity on her and gives her food. A show spokesperson added "Is this girl just a passing tearaway teenager? Or could there perhaps be something more?". At first, she was taught to be his niece until on 4 September 2014, it was announced that Dodger was Nico's father and had a daughter with his twin sister Sienna. It was discover that Dodger and Sienna had met briefly years ago, and slept together, without knowing they were twins. A spokesperson told Digital Spy today: "Sienna and Dodger were estranged as children and each did not discover they had a twin until adulthood. When Nico was conceived 14 years ago, it was a chance meeting and they did not know that they were related." In an interview with Danny Mac, conducted at the Inside Soap Awards 2014, Daniel Kilkelly noted how some fans loved the twist with Dodger being Nico's father, whereas others hated it. Mac commented that when Dodger finds out he will feel "physically sick", as he never could have "thought this could have been possible." He also said that Dodger would strive to do the right thing, even if he didn't know what that was. In an interview with Digital Spy, Bryan Kirkwood stated that Dodger being the father of Nico had been discussed "right from the start", and that they pushed Dodger being the father due to the audience thinking that it was going to be Patrick, Sienna's father.
Departure and return On 21 November 2014 it was announced that Mac had decided to leave the show; his final scenes are due to air in early 2015. It was revealed that Mac had decided to leave the show in October 2013, but producers kept his departure a secret until November 2014.
On 27 October 2024, it was announced that Mac would return to the show and had already began filming his return scenes due to air in January.
Storylines Dodger and his family are evicted from their home. Dodger decides to take residence in the McQueen family's home while they are selling themselves on the street. Myra McQueen (Nicole Barber-Lane) returns and demands the family leave straight away. Myra changes her mind upon meeting Dirk and allows the family to stay. Dodger takes Myra's pet lamb to be slaughtered, planning to sell the meat for money. Afterwards Dodger is told the meat can't be sold and stages a barbecue. After eating some of the meat Myra discovers its origins and makes the family leave. Dodger begins living in a caravan along with his family.
Dodger and Texas Longford (Bianca Hendrickse-Spendlove) begin casually dating; Texas attempts to make the relationship more exclusive. This leads Dodger to refusing, stating it is easier if the relationship remains open. Dodger assists in setting Will and Theresa McQueen (Jorgie Porter) up on a date. Dodger gives Amy Barnes (Ashley Slanina-Davies) driving lessons in order to help her get a job. An engaged Amy becomes attracted to Dodger and sexual tension leads to the pair sleeping together. Amy's fiancé Lee Hunter (Alex Carter) later discovers Amy's affair with Dodger and attempts to fight with Dodger. Texas and Mandy Richardson (Sarah Jayne Dunn) enlist Dodger in helping to scam money from Cindy Cunningham (Stephanie Waring). Dodger helps Theresa uncover Ethan Scott's (Craig Vye) cheating. Will becomes angry at Dodger when he sells Barney Harper-McBride (Tom Scurr) a tablet computer which doesn't work. Will tells Dodger to stop embarrassing him by selling bad merchandise. Dodger reveals to Will that he has sacrificed the opportunity to carry on with his education so that he could get a job and support his family.
Dodger and Scott Sabeka (Calvin Denba) make a bet to see who can have sex with Texas first. Dodger's cousin Dennis Savage (Joe Tracini) arrives in the village and moves in with Dodger and his family. Dodger convinces Texas to allow Dennis to move in with her. Dodger is introduced to Texas's friend, Jodie Wilde (Montana Manning). Jodie takes a liking to Dodger but is warned by Texas that Dodger is only interested in one night stands which Jodie says she is also interested in, to which Jodie and Dodger sleep together in his caravan. Dodger convinces Dennis to take a job opportunity in Mumbai despite Dennis' worries. When Texas and Jodie begin a relationship Dodger is jealous.