Hollyoaks is a British television soap opera first broadcast on 23 October 1995. The following is a list of characters that appear in 2024, by order of first appearance. All characters are introduced by the soap's executive producers, Hannah Cheers and Angela Abela. Kitty Draper was introduced in January, followed by Abe Fielding. Declan Hawthorne made his debut in February. Arlo Fielding made his debut in March. Donny Clark will be introduced in April.
Kitty Draper edit
| Kitty Draper | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hollyoaks character | |||||||||
| Portrayed by | Iz Hesketh | ||||||||
| Duration | 2024–present | ||||||||
| First appearance | Episode 6288 15 January 2024 | ||||||||
| Classification | Present; regular | ||||||||
| Introduced by | Hannah Cheers and Angela Abela | ||||||||
| |||||||||
Kitty Draper, played by Iz Hesketh, made her first appearance on 15 January 2024. Kitty is involved in a four-vehicle collision and after realising that her travelling companion has died, steals her identity. Many details of Kitty have been kept under wraps, but executive producer Hannah Cheers teased a lot of "shock and intrigue" about the character. "We realised that we had the opportunity here to show the front-end of an impostor story," she told media. "Normally in an impostor story, you learn the secret after you've met the character. But to actually see the moment where somebody makes that momentary decision to take the identity of somebody else is huge."[1]
Speaking about her character on social media, Iz said: "Looks like the cats out of the bag… I'm so proud to announce that I'm the new girl on the block in the @hollyoaksofficial Village! My character is one that British TV has needed for a long time. She's fiery, independent and has a huge heart. I'm so excited to show that trans people are just like everyone else. We have flaws, we fall in love and sometimes we make bad decision for good reasons…Brace yourselves, a new arrival is about to come into Hollyoaks with a bang".[1]
Kitty later develops a romance with Beau Ramsey (Jon-Paul Bell).[2] Bell said his character enjoys being around Kitty, bringing Beau out of his "shell".[3] He thought the pair made a good match, however, he noted that they see the world differently which could cause issues in the future.[3] On what attracts Beau to Kitty, Jon-Paul told Inside Soap magazine: "He really enjoys her energy – Kitty's been like a firecracker coming into the village and shaking things up! He's intrigued by the way Kitty lives her life, and it's brought Beau out of his shell a bit."[4] He also added "Kitty's past, and the reason she's landed in the village, could escalate into bigger problems down the line, Beau has strong morals, but he's also very empathetic, so this could lead to us seeing darker shades of his character. It's about how far he's willing to go".[4] The relationship later ended after both of them couldn't make it work.[5]
In a plot-twist aired in scenes from episode 6358, originally broadcast on 22 April 2024, it was revealed that Kitty is the daughter of conversion-therapist Declan Hawthorne (Alan Turkington).[6] In episode 6367, originally broadcast on 3 May 2024, Kitty was kidnapped by Declan as part of a cliff-hanger.[7][8]
Abe Fielding edit
| Abe Fielding | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hollyoaks character | |||||||||
| Portrayed by | Tyler Conti | ||||||||
| Duration | 2024–present | ||||||||
| First appearance | Episode 6291 18 January 2024 | ||||||||
| Classification | Present; regular | ||||||||
| Introduced by | Hannah Cheers and Angela Abela | ||||||||
| |||||||||
Abe Fielding, played by Tyler Conti, made his first appearance on 18 January 2024. The character and casting was announced on 15 January 2024.[9] Abe is the ex-boyfriend of returning character Cleo McQueen (Nadine Mulkerrin), who left him due to his controlling behaviour.[10] Abe arrives in the village looking for Cleo after she is involved in a multi-vehicle collision, unaware that she is searching for her ex-fiance Joel Dexter (Rory Douglas-Speed). A press release for the character described Abe as: "Very loving, friendly, and approachable, but under the surface there’s more than meets the eye," and teased an "unexpected" family connection.[9]
Speaking about his character, Tyler commented: "Abe is a charming working-class young lad with a manipulative streak a mile-wide. The ingredients of a deeply troubled past and a complicated family life have brewed his dangerous temper, especially when things don’t go his way. I can't wait for Abe to explode into the Hollyoaks village, you can expect danger, manipulation, and one heck of a messy family that comes with it."[9]
Declan Hawthorne edit
| Declan Hawthorne | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hollyoaks character | |||||||
| Portrayed by | Alan Turkington | ||||||
| First appearance | Episode 6320 28 February 2024 | ||||||
| Classification | Present; recurring | ||||||
| Introduced by | Hannah Cheers & Angela Abela | ||||||
| |||||||
Declan Hawthorne, played by Alan Turkington, made his first appearance on 28 February 2024. The character and casting was announced on 6 February 2024. Declan is a practitioner of conversion therapy alongside Carter Shepherd (David Ames), and assists Carter in attempting to influence the sexuality of Lucas Hay (Oscar Curtis).[11]
Speaking about joining the soap, Declan said: "I'm absolutely thrilled to be joining the Hollyoaks family, who have made me feel so welcome – even as a very unwelcome character! We've already filmed some incredibly intense scenes, including those in Declan's first episode. He's a toxically religious man who fervently believes in the therapy he is advocating. He feels that these men have lost their way, when really it's he who has 'strayed from the righteous path'. I feel very privileged as an actor to be able to highlight the evils of conversion therapy with this storyline and I can't wait to see how tensions play out with Carter, Lucas, and maybe some others in the village."[11]
Arlo Fielding edit
| Arlo Fielding | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hollyoaks character | |||||||||
| Portrayed by | Dan Hough | ||||||||
| Duration | 2024–present | ||||||||
| First appearance | Episode 6334 19 March 2024 | ||||||||
| Classification | Present; recurring | ||||||||
| Introduced by | Hannah Cheers and Angela Abela | ||||||||
| |||||||||
Arlo Fielding, portrayed by Dan Hough, is the son of Marie Fielding (Rita Simons) and the half-brother of Joel Dexter (Rory Douglas-Speed) and Abe Fielding (Tyler Conti). He made his debut in spring 2024.[12] He previously made a cameo appearance in episode 6334, originally broadcast on 19 March 2024 as part of a major plot-twist that his half-brother Abe is actually his kidnapper.[13] Marie wants to obtain Arlo back after Abe secretly sent him to stay with his father and an unknown woman, disguising it as a kidnapping.[14] When Marie hires a private investigator, she finds a lead in Ireland, though is stopped on her way by the police as Abe has framed her for drugging Arlo with sedatives.[15] Marie is then released and overhears a conversation between Abe and his girlfriend Cleo McQueen (Nadine Mulkerrin), confessing that he set Marie up. Cleo covers for Abe and lets Marie believe it was her. In early April 2024, Marie is told that a body has been found in Ireland that they may believe is Arlo[16] (this is confirmed untrue as Arlo appears in the spring trailer released by Hollyoaks).[12] Abe then rushes to Dublin in a bid to search for his half-brother, knowing he is alive.[17]
Donny Clark edit
| Donny Clark | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hollyoaks character | |||||||
| Portrayed by | Louis Emerick | ||||||
| Duration | 2024–present | ||||||
| First appearance | Episode 6348 8 April 2024 | ||||||
| Classification | Present; regular | ||||||
| Introduced by | Hannah Cheers and Angela Abela | ||||||
| |||||||
Donny Clark, played by Louis Emerick, made his first appearance in episode 6348, originally broadcast on 8 April 2024. The character and casting was announced on 2 April 2024. He is the father of established characters Vicky Grant (Anya Lawrence) and Andre Clark (David Joshua-Anthony). Donny makes his first appearance when he unexpectedly arrives at Vicky's 18th birthday party.[18]
The character has been billed as "charisma personified", who is "determined to build a relationship with Vicky upon his arrival in the village". Discussing Donny's arrival in Hollyoaks, Emerick commented: "Donny is coming back to see his son and it collides with his daughter's birthday, which is very emotional as it's the first time he has met her". On joining the soap, Emerick stated: "It has equally been moving for me personally. I was there when Hollyoaks began. We sat with the Brookside and Hollyoaks crew and watched a screening of the first ever episode in 1995. It is so exciting to be back with this vibrant cast and crew, back on the set where it all began."[18]
Donny unexpectedly arrives at Vicky's 18th birthday party, much to the dismay of her and Scott. Vicky assumes his arrival was because he sabotaged Scott adopting her. Andre later admits it was him that invited Donny as he thought Vicky would be delighted. Vicky claims that Scott has been a better father in the past two years then Donny has eighteen. He later explains he knew nothing about the adoption and that abandoning her was not by choice, but by force.
Martha Blake edit
| Martha Blake | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hollyoaks character | |||||||||||
| Portrayed by | Sherrie Hewson | ||||||||||
| Duration | 2024–present | ||||||||||
| Classification | Future; regular | ||||||||||
| Created by | Hannah Cheers | ||||||||||
| Introduced by | Angela Abela | ||||||||||
| |||||||||||
Martha Blake, portrayed by Sherrie Hewson, is introduced as the estranged mother of deceased Patrick Blake (Jeremy Sheffield).[19] Martha, along with son Jez (also portrayed by Sheffield) are set to make their debuts in spring 2024.[19] Their casting and characters details were announced on 3 May 2024.[19]
Hewson, delighted of her casting said: "It's been a rollercoaster joining Hollyoaks! The character is just wonderful to play. Everyone is so lovely, such a great atmosphere to work in and so welcoming. We laugh a lot, what more could you ask for?"[19]
Teasing the upcoming plot, executive producer Hannah Cheers added: "To be a Blake, you must be clever, captivating and charming on the outside… and calculating, cold and cynical on the inside, with a family dynasty so rich in history, it should come as no surprise that there are still many secrets to be uncovered. But for Sienna, Dilly, Liberty and Maxine, what happens next is not what anyone could have expected…."[19]
Jez Blake edit
| Jez Blake | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hollyoaks character | |||||||||||||||
| Portrayed by | Jeremy Sheffield | ||||||||||||||
| Duration | 2024–present | ||||||||||||||
| Classification | Future; regular | ||||||||||||||
| Created by | Hannah Cheers | ||||||||||||||
| Introduced by | Angela Abela | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
Jez Blake, portrayed by Jeremy Sheffield, is introduced as the long-lost twin-brother of deceased Patrick Blake, who was also portrayed by Sheffield.[20] Jez, along with mother Martha (Sherrie Hewson), are set to make their debuts in spring 2024.[20] Their casting and characters details were announced on 3 May 2024.[20]
Sheffield, who knew he would be introduced back into Hollyoaks later in the year, did not know he would play a new character. Delighted at the news, he stated: "I'm so excited to be back in the village and have the opportunity to play a great new character, Jez might be Patrick's twin but he couldn’t be more different; he's charming, enigmatic, complex and full of mystery. Working with the wonderful Sherrie Hewson means we get to explore even more of the famously twisted Blake family secrets."[20]
Teasing the upcoming plot, executive producer Hannah Cheers added: "To be a Blake, you must be clever, captivating and charming on the outside… and calculating, cold and cynical on the inside, with a family dynasty so rich in history, it should come as no surprise that there are still many secrets to be uncovered. But for Sienna, Dilly, Liberty and Maxine, what happens next is not what anyone could have expected…."[20]
Other characters edit
| Character | Episode(s) | Original broadcast date(s) | Actor | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nathan | 6281–6282 | 2–3 January | Mark Beswick[21] | A cellmate of Prince McQueen (Malique Thompson-Dwyer) who attempts to threaten him into assisting with his drug-selling business inside prison. Prince refuses until Nathan begins threatening his family, but Nathan decides Prince took too long to answer and intimidates him. |
| Candy | 6284 | 9 January | Claudia Adshead[22] | A prostitute hired by Lucas Hay (Oscar Curtis), however, she leaves when Dillon Ray (Nathaniel Dass) reveals that he's underage. |
| Driver | 6288 | 15 January | Alyssia Jarvis[23] | A driver who along with Kitty Draper (Iz Hesketh) is involved in a multi-car collision. The driver dies in the crash, prompting Kitty to steal her identity. |
| DS Peel | 6290 | 17 January | Samantha Siddall[24] | A police officer who interviews Felix Westwood (Richard Blackwood) following a multi-car collision in which an unnamed driver and Ella Richardson (Erin Palmer) died. |
| Kane | 6290–6331 | 17 January–14 March | Ben Castle-Gibb[24] | A drug dealer who disposed of the car that Ste Hay (Kieron Richardson) accidentally killed Ella Richardson (Erin Palmer) with. After discovering that the car killed Ella, Kane threatens Ste, prompting Ste to beat him up. Kane returns the car and calls the police. Ste's husband, (James Nightingale (Gregory Finnegan) later meets with Kane posing as a customer, but plants Ella's boot in his car, getting Kane arrested. James visits Kane in prison, threatening to harm Kane's daughter if he did not plead guilty. Kane later sees James visiting Romeo Nightingale (Owen Warner) in prison, discovering that James is Romeo's father. Kane deals Romeo's cellmate a dodgy batch of drugs that kills him, allowing Kane to become Romeo's new cellmate and threaten his life. Kane demands £250,000 from James to ensure Romeo's safety, which James is forced to steal from the estate of the recently deceased Rafe Harcourt (Chris Gordon). However, once Kane receives the money, he goes back on his word and stabs Romeo as revenge for James framing him and threatening his family. After Romeo survives the stabbing and manages to escape from prison, Kane is visited by Ella's father, Warren Fox (Jamie Lomas), who demands to know who is responsible for Ella's death. Kane proposes a deal where if he tells Warren who is behind Ella's death, Warren will help him get out of prison. After punching Kane, Warren agrees to the deal. Kane reveals that Ste and James were responsible for Ella's death, although he is unsure which one killed her. James later spots Warren shaking hands with Kane. |
| Dr Reed | 6306 | 8 February | Jasmine Kerr[25] | A therapist who speaks with Leah Barnes (Ela-May Dermican) following the death of Ella Richardson (Erin Palmer). |
| Leech | 6313–6314 | 19–20 February | Jake Haynes[26] | The cellmate of Romeo Nightingale (Owen Warner) who bonds with him during their time in prison. Leech is a drug addict and reveals to Kane that James Nightingale (Gregory Finnegan) is Romeo's father. Kane then purposefully gives Leech a dodgy stash of drugs causing him to overdose and die. |
| Demi | 6323 | 4 March | Ainsley Howard[27] | A woman who arrives in the village asking money from Abe Fielding (Tyler Conti). Abe pays her off in order for Demi to leave. |
| PC Harvey | Lucy Lowe[27] | A police officer who arrests Diane Hutchinson (Alex Fletcher) for driving under the influence of alcohol after she runs a red light. When Diane's husband Tony Hutchinson (Nick Pickard) attempts to claim he was driving and then destroy PC Harvey's dash-cam, she arrests him as well. | ||
| Murphy | 6330–6332 | 13–15 March | Rick S. Carr[28] | An associate of Warren Fox (Jamie Lomas) who arranges a meeting for him with Kane where Warren learns that Ste Hay (Kieron Richardson) and James Nightingale (Gregory Finnegan) were responsible for the death of Warren's daughter, Ella Richardson (Erin Palmer). Murphy later joins Warren in kidnapping James and confronting him and Ste on the roof of a disused school. |
References edit
- ^ a b Kilkelly, Daniel (15 January 2024). "Hollyoaks confirms gripping impostor storyline as Iz Hesketh joins the show". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
- ^ Mitchell, Harriet (30 January 2024). "Hollyoaks hints at new romance story for Beau Ramsey". Digital Spy. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ a b Ellis, Sarah (23–29 March 2024). "'Kitty has brought Beau out of his shell!'". Inside Soap. No. 12. pp. 52–53.
- ^ a b Brown, Jade (23 March 2024). "Hollyoaks star Jon-Paul Bell hints at darker side to Beau Ramsey". Digital Spy. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ Harp, Justin (20 March 2024). "Hollyoaks' Kitty Draper to be left devastated in Beau romance story". Digital Spy. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ Lewis, George (22 April 2024). "Hollyoaks' Kitty Draper has backstory revealed". Digital Spy. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ Cooper, Brenna (3 May 2024). "Hollyoaks airs sinister twist for Kitty and Declan". Digital Spy. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ Patterson, Stephen (3 May 2024). "Hollyoaks danger for much-loved icon as she's kidnapped by violent father". Metro. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ a b c Lewis, George (15 January 2024). "Hollyoaks casts Safe actor Tyler Conti as newcomer Abe". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
- ^ Lewis, George (20 January 2024). "Hollyoaks star Nadine Mulkerrin hints at dark story for Cleo McQueen". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
- ^ a b Kilkelly, Daniel (6 February 2024). "Hollyoaks casts Alan Turkington for role in Carter and Lucas storyline". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
- ^ a b Tutton, Charlotte (2 April 2024). "E4 Hollyoaks trailer teases pregnancy shock, wedding tragedy and four huge returns". Mirror.
- ^ Harp, Justin (19 March 2024). "Hollyoaks reveals Abe Fielding's massive lie". Digital Spy.
- ^ Patterson, Stephen (19 March 2024). "Hollyoaks confirms savage Abe and Marie Fielding twist that turns everything upside down". Metro.
- ^ Rowan, Iona (26 March 2024). "Hollyoaks airs arrest for Marie Fielding after shock Abe scheme". Digital Spy.
- ^ Baalla, Sara (5 April 2024). "Hollyoaks airs upsetting Arlo update for Marie Fielding". Digital Spy.
- ^ "Abe worriedly heads to Dublin in search of Arlo in Hollyoaks". I TALK TELLY. 2 April 2024.
- ^ a b Kilkelly, Daniel (2 April 2024). "Hollyoaks casts Brookside star Louis Emerick as Vicky's dad Donny". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "Hollyoaks bringing back Patrick Blake actor in new role". DigitalSpy. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "Hollyoaks bringing back Patrick Blake actor in new role". DigitalSpy. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ Executive producer: Angelo Abdela and Hannah Cheers; Director: Nichola Wong; Writer: Karissa Hamilton-Bannis (2 January 2024). "Episode 6281". Hollyoaks. Channel 4.
- ^ Executive producer: Angelo Abdela and Hannah Cheers; Director: Chantelle Kayll; Writer: Jane Wainwright (9 January 2024). "Episode 6284". Hollyoaks. Channel 4.
- ^ Executive producer: Angelo Abdela and Hannah Cheers; Director: Duncan Foster; Writer: Alanna Hallum (15 January 2024). "Episode 6288". Hollyoaks. Channel 4.
- ^ a b Executive producer: Angelo Abdela and Hannah Cheers; Director: Duncan Foster; Writer: Zoë Lister (17 January 2024). "Episode 6290". Hollyoaks. Channel 4.
- ^ Executive producer: Angelo Abdela and Hannah Cheers; Director: Sean Glynn; Writer: Katie Lythgow (8 February 2024). "Episode 6306". Hollyoaks. Channel 4.
- ^ Executive producer: Angelo Abdela and Hannah Cheers; Director: Lloyd Eyre-Morgan; Writer: Jonathan Boam (19 February 2024). "Episode 6313". Hollyoaks. Channel 4.
- ^ a b Executive producer: Angelo Abdela and Hannah Cheers; Director: Tim Hopewell; Writer: Rebecca Ramsden (4 March 2023). "Episode 6323". Hollyoaks. Channel 4.
- ^ Executive producer: Angelo Abdela and Hannah Cheers; Director: Ellie Brent; Writer: Emma Morgan (13 March 2024). "Episode 6330". Hollyoaks. Channel 4.