Theresa McQueen
Played by: Jorgie Porter
Sassy Theresa knows exactly what she wants, and usually just how to get it. As a single mum who was screwed over by her own sister’s fiancé, Theresa famously shot Calvin dead on his wedding day, after he left her alone and pregnant to marry Carmel. Usually at the centre of Hollyoaks village drama, we love Theresa’s feisty nature!
Mercedes McQueen
Played by: Jennifer Metcalfe
Another member of the prolific McQueen family, Mercedes has also had her fair share of drama. Ballsy and unapologetic, this twice married character has gene come back from the dead - after seemingly being killed off in 2014. in 2015 she returned to the soap after a brief hiatus. She’s had more hard hitting storylines than most of the characters, including working as a prostitute, stabbing herself to frame another and soon - she will face a tragic stillbirth storyline.
John Paul McQueen
Played by: James Sutton
English teacher Paul has had many story lines surrounding his sexuality - starting from his original denial that he was gay, to eventually starting a relationship with best friend Craig Dean. Caught up in quick flings, drink spikings and even a controversial male rape plot line, John Paul has hardly had an east ride. John Paul also had a failed marriage to Ste Hay - with the union only lasting a matter of months.
Grace Black
Played by: Tamara Wall
Ruthless Grace Black is a gangster by nature. Open and warm with her friends, she instantly changes if you cross her or do something she doesn’t like. No stranger to drama, Grace has had relationships with both men and women, caused car crashes, fall outs and, as some thought - deaths.
Maxine Minniver
Played by: Nikki Sanderson
After arriving from Marbella to see her sister, Mitzeee, Maxine settled in Hollyoaks and soon sets about putting down roots in the village. her most famous storyline so far revolved around her violent relationship with Patrick, before she moved onto his son, Dodger.
Ste Hay
Played by: Kieron Richardson
Once a rebellious and violent teenager, Ste progressed into a drug dealer, thief and violent partner. Eventually realising the error of his ways, Ste turns into a nice guy, even managing to patch things up with his ex girlfriend and abuse victim, Amy. Things take another turn for Ste when he realises he’s gay, and begins a dark relationship with boss Brendan. He has relationships with others, too, eventually marrying John Paul McQueen. Sadly, their union doesn’t last long, and Ste quickly moves onto another.
Cindy Cunningham
Played by: Stephanie Waring
One of the longest serving members of the soap, Cindy Cunningham is more an institution than a character. Teen pregnancies, money scams and questionable parenting skills contributed to Cindy’s early story lines, with the character leaving the village in 2004 for a life in Spain. Luckily, she returns with baby Holly in tow years later for yet more drama. A Bipolar sufferer, Cindy has been bankrupt, been in police custody, and started several affairs - and famously has a relationship with Tony. This year, Cindy married Dirk, though many have questioned whether that was the right decision.
Tony Hutchinson
From Hollyoaks since the very beginning, Tony has been through cancer, the death of his baby daughter, affairs and marriages over his time in the village. He’s been with Cindy Cunningham, Jacqui McQueen and Gabby Sharpe - though their relationship ends when she leaves the village. His more recent story lines involve his dismay at his son, Harry, beginning a relationship with pal Ste Hay, which he discovers at a Gay Pride event in the village.
Nancy Hayton
Played by: Jessica Fox
Nancy has sure been through a lot. She’s had to deal with the death of her beloved sister, Becca, domestic violence, attempted rapes, and an attack that left her with brain damage. She came out as bisexual at one stage during her time in Hollyoaks, but has also been involved with her fair shaw of men in the village - including Darren Osbourne and Jake Dean. Now deputy head of the local college, we’re sure there will be plenty more twists and turns in store for Nancy.
Patrick Blake
Played by: Jeremy Sheffield
Handsome Patrick has been involved in some of the most dramatic story lines on the soap, including being violent towards Maxine Minniver. He is the biological father of Dodger, and is also diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. His kind ex Maxine agrees to care for him in his dying months, but this causes problems with her new love, Darren. With Patrick’s health quickly declining, who knows how much longer Blake will be in the village for.
Leela Roscoe
Played by: Kirsty Leigh Porter
Daughter of Sam and Danny Lomax, and the sister of Ste and Tegan, Leela is a young mum who works as a firefighter. Married to Ziggy Roscoe now, Leela was left reeling when her childhood sweetheart Cameron kills her parents, though she just can’t seem to stay away from him, despite their history.
Darren Osbourne
Played by: Ashley Taylor Dawson
Initially a bad boy, Darren Osbourne has been a regular on the Hollyoaks scene for longer than most of the characters put together. He’s romanced many of the ladies, including troubled Hannah Ashworth, Cindy Cunningham, Suzanne Ashworth, and Nancy Hayton. After a popular relationship with polar opposite Nancy, Darren starts romancing Maxine despite her having to nurse her former partner during his dying days. Originally a keen manipulator, village hunk Darren has now moved on to being a relatively responsible character - going through hell and high water to get there.
