Luke Morgan

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Luke Morgan
Hollyoaks character
Portrayed byGary Lucy
Duration1999–2002, 2017–
First appearance7 June 1999
ClassificationPresent; regular
Introduced byPhil Redmond (1999)
Jo Hallows (2002)
Bryan Kirkwood (2017)
Spin-off
appearances		Hollyoaks: Breaking Boundaries (2000)
Hollyoaks: Indecent Behaviour (2001)
In-universe information
OccupationFootballer
FatherAndy Morgan
MotherSue Morgan
BrothersAdam Morgan
SistersBeth Morgan
Zara Morgan
SonsOliver

Lucas "Luke" Morgan is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Gary Lucy. He was introduced by the show's creator Phil Redmond as part of the Morgan family, and made his first on-screen appearance on 7 June 1999. The character was involved in a male rape storyline, which was branded "groundbreaking" and met with controversy. Lucy opted to leave the role in 2001 after two years in the role, although he reprised the role for two episodes in August 2002. The character's reintroduction was announced on 21 May 2017 and he returned on 24 July 2017.

Development

Characterisation

The Mirror described him as "sullen face but loveable".[1] Luke has been described as a "heart-throb" and a "hunk" by the Daily Record.[2][3]

Male rape

Luke was bullied by Mark Gibbs and his friends for a while due to a football team rivalry. When Luke finally stood up to him Mark was incensed and he and his friends beat Luke up badly. When Luke tried to fight back Mark lost control and raped Luke to belittle and devastate him. Hollyoaks creator Phil Redmond defended criticism and said the storyline "aimed to tackle one of the last great social taboos responsibly".[4] In the lead up to the attack producers worked closely with rape-related support groups to help make the storyline as realistic as possible.[5] On the storyline Lucy said "When they first told me about the storyline I was dubious as to whether or not I should take it. Firstly because I was so young and secondly it hadn't been touched before so no-one knew how the public and press would take it. After thinking about it and doing research behind it I thought it was definitely a subject worth approaching. So we did it and reaped the rewards. I feel very lucky."[6] On why she wanted to tackle the subject series producer Jo Hallows said "The message is about banishing taboos - telling people it's OK to talk and there are people who can help. If this episode helps one person it will have been a worthwhile exercise."[5] Keith Greenaway, coordinator of Central Birmingham Victim Support welcomed the decision saying "we can show victims it is not something to be ashamed of and it wasn't their fault".[5]

Following the end of the storyline, Luke began to struggle with depression, which led to the character attempting suicide.[7]

Reintroduction

On 21 May 2017, it was reported by Ed Gleave of The Daily Star that Lucy had agreed to reprise the role after an absence of fifteen years and had signed an eighteen-month contract.[8] The longer contract allowed producers to create "some really meaty storylines" for the character, which would place him at "the centre of the action."[8] Lucy began filming in May 2017.[8] A show spokesperson confirmed the news to Digital Spy but refused to comment any further.[7] Sarah James (Digital Spy) praised the news and said she was looking forward to his return.[7]

"Luke is definitely not the same person and it is definitely not for the better. Hopefully it'll be make for good viewing though."[9]

—Gary Lucy on how Luke acts upon his return. (2017)

Sarah Jayne Dunn was announced to be returning to the serial as Mandy Richardson on 2 June 2017, with speculation that the two returns could be connected.[10] Further details surrounding Luke's reintroduction were also announced, with his return scenes scheduled for July 2017. Lucy expressed his joy at reprising the role, commenting that it "feels like being home".[11] He added that he is enjoying his storylines and filming with Ashley Taylor Dawson, who appeared alongside Morgan in his original stint as Darren Osborne.[11] On the character, Lucy said, "There are a lot of things he's struggling with. All is not as it seems. He's holding it together but as time goes on, he will start to struggle."[11]

Executive producer Bryan Kirkwood suggested some storylines to Lucy, which persuaded him to accept the return. The actor also cited Kirkwood's enthusiasm and the ability to film with Dunn, Dawson and Nick Pickard (who portrays Tony Hutchinson) as other reasons for his return.[9]

Storylines

1999–2002

Luke arrives with his family: parents Andy Morgan (Ross Davidson) and Sue Morgan (Eve White); brother Adam Morgan (David Brown); and sisters Beth Morgan (Elizabeth O'Grady, Kate Baines) and Zara Morgan (Kelly Greenwood). He begins a friendship with Darren Osborne (Ashley Taylor Dawson) and a relationship with Mandy Richardson (Sarah Jayne Dunn). During a game of football, Luke tackles Mark Gibbs (Colin Parry) which ends Mark's chances of becoming a professional footballer and leads to Mark resenting Luke and bullying him. When Luke stands up to Mark, he becomes annoyed and beats him up, before raping him. Luke remains silent about the rape, afraid of the consequences and his relationship with Mandy deteriorates as a result. They separate and she begins a relationship with Darren, aware it will upset Luke. When he tries to tell Mandy about the rape, she ignores him and tries to punish him for their separation.

Luke becomes depressed and attempts suicide so Adam encourages him to talk to someone and Luke tells his family that he was raped. Sue, Adam and Mandy are supportive, whereas Andy struggles to believe his son. Darren is spiteful towards Luke and believes Luke is gay and lying about the rape. Annoyed at Darren's behaviour, Mandy ends their relationship and supports Luke. Sue begins to struggle with the pressure of the rape and begins taking medication. After Mark intimidates him, Luke decides to inform the police he was raped and Mark, along with his two friends, are charged with assault and rape. Believing the family will be disowned by the community, Andy asks Luke to drop the charges and later, Mark harasses Luke and tells him that he won't be believed. At the trial, Mark and his friends are found guilty and Mark is sentenced to eight years imprisonment, whereas the friends are sentenced to three years imprisonment.

Luke and Andy's relationship becomes estranged and he sells the story of his rape to the press to humiliate Andy. Eventually, they reunite but Luke struggles with Andy and Sue's inability to discuss the rape so decides to move out. Luke later expresses an interest in reconciling with Mandy but she decides not to as he is still overcoming the rape and secretly dates Ben Davies (Marcus Patric), Luke's close friend. Luke discovers their affair and briefly disowns them. Hoping to move on, Luke begins a relationship with Laura Burns (Lesley Crawford), who is mentally unstable. He begins to believe Laura is using him and is pleased when they separate, although Laura begins to secretly obsess over Mandy.

At a party, Scott Anderson (Daniel Hyde) teases Luke over the rape and with his friends, he chases Luke and pretends to rape him. Luke is traumatised by the attack and breaks down with Adam, admitting that he will not be able to move past the rape. He later tells Adam that he plans on leaving the village to escape his past. Luke is offered a job in Canada as a school football coach, which he accepts. As he prepares to leave, Beth admits that Scott raped her at the party, devastating Luke as he blames himself. After deciding to stay in the village to support Beth, she insists he leave to rebuild his life, which he eventually decides to do. Luke leaves and after he settles in Canada, Beth informs their family of her rape. Luke later returns to the village for his parents' second wedding. Despite being in a relationship with Adam, Mandy has a fling with Luke after realising they have feelings for each other. Luke offers Mandy the chance to return to Canada with him, but she declines and he returns alone.

2017–

Fifteen years later, Darren spots Luke in a bar near Hollyoaks village and they have lunch together; when Darren disappears momentarily, Luke steals money from his wallet and absconds. Darren tracks Luke down and discovers he is unemployed so offers him a job at his taxi firm, Daz Cabs. A drunk Luke later returns home to his partner, who is revealed to be Mandy; she warns him to stop drinking. When Darren discovers Luke drinking alcohol whilst working, he sacks him; they discuss Luke's situation and Luke denies being an alcoholic. Darren invites Luke to an AA meeting but he does not arrive as planned. Luke leaves Mandy's daughter by herself when he goes to buy alcohol and the neighbours call social services. Tony and Mandy return to the house and find social services waiting for them. They take Ella in to care and when Luke returns drunk again Mandy leaves him.

Five weeks later, Luke returns to the village to see Mandy and he isn't drunk. He tries to win her around but she rejects him so he walks away. However he meets Tony's wife Diane for the first time and she reveals Tony kissed Mandy so Luke heads over to Tony's restaurant and has a fight with him.

When Darren is released from prison and he discovers Luke is homeless and living out of his car. After Luke emotionally reveals to Darren that has has a drink problem, Darren moves him in with the Osbornes. After setting into life with the Osbornes, Luke gets a trial at Hollyoaks High as a PE teacher. But on his first day he is haunted by flashbacks of his torment at the hands of Mark Gibbs years before. Just as Luke is about to have a drink for the first time in over a month an explosion rips through the school leaving Darren and Luke trapped. As Darren and Luke go through a air vent Luke reveals to Darren that he has a secret son.

In November, Mandy decides to give Luke a second chance and they go on a date to Chester. However, when Mandy goes to get ice cream Luke runs away after seeing his rapist Mark Gibbs.

Reception

For his portrayal of Luke, Lucy was awarded "Best Newcomer" at the 2000 British Soap Awards.[12] This award is the first award won by the soap at the British Soap Awards.[13] The trial was nominated for "Most Dramatic Storyline" at the 2001 Inside Soap Awards.[14] A BBC columnist included Luke's rape storyline in their article about controversial issues portrayed through soap opera.[15] Daily Record praised the storyline saying Lucy's was "great at portraying Luke's harrowing ordeal".[16] The story even attracted the attention of Coronation Street actress Julie Goodyear who opined that it "was portrayed with the right amount of sensitivity".[16]

A writer from MSN described his rape storyline as "groundbreaking" material.[17] But the storyline received criticism from Watchdog and some churches.[18] A reporter from Virgin Media branded it "devastating and frightening" and placed it on their "soap's scariest storylines" list.[19] Gareth McLean of the Radio Times listed the male rape plot amongst "the top five soap scandals - ever" and added that "with fewer than one in ten male rapes reported, the storyline was praised for raising awareness, but also criticised for doing so in a soap aimed at teenagers".[20] In addition a BBC reporter noted that Lucy's portrayal garnered praise from a performance which "showed him retreating from the situation and eventually attempting suicide" and adjusting to life after the trial.[21] Elizabeth Joyce of the Shropshire Star said that Luke was a "genuinely memorable" and "decent character", who still holds "a place in the heart of many a late-twentysomething".[22]

An Inside Soap columnist included Luke's rape in a feature, highlighting memorable moments in 2000. They noted the story accumulated criticism from viewers who found the scenes "too upsetting".[13]

References

  1. ^ Sutton, Caroline (14 January 1996). "TV's 'Leah' tragedy; Drug death shocker for Hollyoaks". The Mirror. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  2. ^ McDougall, Dan (20 April 2000). "Hollyoaks fever brings out all the soap hopers; Our man Dan decides that he can be a teen idol in Channel 4's big hit ... but finds a lot of young competition". Daily Record. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
  3. ^ Mcgivern, Mark (8 September 2000). "In at the deep end; Elize just wanted extra cash for college but ended up wearing a skimpy bikini as part of a teen love triangle on Hollyoaks". Daily Record. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
  4. ^ "Hollyoaks goes for one-off X-rated episode". Birmingham Post. Trinity Mirror. 1 March 2000. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
  5. ^ a b c Miles, Lucy (12 March 2000). "Can TV scene break taboo of male rape?". Sunday Mercury. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
  6. ^ "Just Luke what I'm doing now!; Ex-Hollyoaks star who's scoring with the wives". Liverpool Echo. Trinity Mirror. 7 January 2002. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
  7. ^ a b c James, Sarah (21 May 2017). "Hollyoaks is bringing back Luke Morgan as actor Gary Lucy returns to the soap after 15 years". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  8. ^ a b c Gleave, Ed (21 May 2017). "Hollyoaks: Soap hunk Gary Lucy back on set after 15 years". The Daily Star. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  9. ^ a b Hughes, Johnathon (3 June 2017). "Hollyoaks: Mandy and Luke will be "different people" when they return - actors tease more on comeback". Radio Times. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  10. ^ Dainty, Sophie (2 June 2017). "Hollyoaks is bringing back Mandy Richardson as Sarah Jayne Dunn reprises her role". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  11. ^ a b c Harp, Justin (2 June 2017). "Hollyoaks' Gary Lucy hints at Luke Morgan crossing paths with Mandy Richardson as he confirms return". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  12. ^ Hyland, Ian (28 May 2000). "The diary at the Soap Awards: The winners". Sunday Mirror. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
  13. ^ a b "2000: A year in the life!". Inside Soap. 2017 (23): 52–53. 10–16 June 2017.
  14. ^ "The Inside Soap Awards 2001". Inside Soap (33). Attic Futura (UK) Ltd: 34. 18–31 August 2001. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  15. ^ "The drama and crisis of soaps". BBC News. (BBC). 2 October 2001. Retrieved 3 September 2011.
  16. ^ a b "Soap's finest hours; Bet Lynch's verdict on the scenes that reduced you to suds of tears". Daily Record. Trinity Mirror. 2 May 2001. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
  17. ^ Cooper, Lorna. "Hollyoaks: where are they now? Gary Lucy". MSN. (Microsoft). Retrieved 4 September 2011.
  18. ^ Vicky, Spavin (1 March 2000). "Hollyoaks under fire for male rape plot". Daily Record. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
  19. ^ "Soap's scariest storylines". VirginMedia.com. (Virgin Media). Retrieved 25 October 2011.
  20. ^ McLean, Gareth (9 April 2011). "The top five soap scandals - ever". Radio Times. (BBC Magazines). Retrieved 25 October 2011.
  21. ^ "The drama and crisis of soaps". BBC Online. (BBC). 2 October 2001. Retrieved 25 October 2011.
  22. ^ Joyce, Elizabeth (27 April 2012). "Hollyoaks – TV review". Shropshire Star. (Midland News Association). Retrieved 28 April 2012.
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