Ro Hutchinson

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Ro Hutchinson
Hollyoaks character
Portrayed by
  • Mia-Rae (2013–2017)
  • Mollie Doherty (2014)
  • Isla Pritchard (2017–2023)
  • Ava Webster (2023–)
Duration2013–present
First appearanceEpisode 3718
23 October 2013 (2013-10-23)
ClassificationPresent; regular
Created byBryan Kirkwood
In-universe information
Other namesRose Clare Lomax
Rose Lomax
Rose Hutchinson
OccupationStudent
FatherTony Hutchinson
MotherDiane Hutchinson
Adoptive motherTegan Lomax
BrothersAnthony Hutchinson
SistersDee Dee Hutchinson (adoptive)
Half-brothersHarry Thompson
Beau Ramsey
Half-sistersEva Hutchinson
GrandfathersEdward Hutchinson
GrandmothersVictoria Hutchinson
UnclesEric Foster
Dom Reilly
Aunts
First cousinsLily Drinkwell
Scott Drinkwell (adoptive)

Ro Hutchinson is a fictional character from the British E4 soap opera Hollyoaks and is portrayed by child actress Ava Webster. He made his first appearance in episode 3718, originally broadcast on 23 October 2013. Ro is the son of Tony Hutchinson (Nick Pickard) and Diane Hutchinson (Alex Fletcher). In February 2024, executive producer Hannah Cheers along with series producer Angelo Abela announced the character was devised in a high-profile transgender storyline, deemed controversial as the character was only at the age of 12. The key episodes that focus on the storyline garnered 358 complaints to Ofcom but have also have received positive acclaim by the media and tabloids. The plot also earned him a nomination for "Inspiring Storyline of the Year" at the Radio Times soap awards 2024.

Since the characters debut, his storylines focused on him being switched at birth with his later adoptive-sister Dee Dee Hutchinson (Annabelle and Charlotte White) after Mariam Andrews (Helen Lederer), a midwife whom was drunk on the job, ended up inadvertently switching the babies[1], being stuck between a custody battle with the Hutchison's and Lomax's after Tegan Lomax (Jessica Ellis)'s death, moving in with Tony and Diane, coming out as transgender at the age of 12 and his friendships with Kitty Draper (Iz Hesketh) and Mercedes McQueen (Jennifer Metcalfe).

Casting[edit]

It was announced on 13 October 2023 in a "new" story for the Hutchinson family, they recast the roles of Ro and Anthony (now William Thompson).[2] The reasoning for so is a "never been done" storyline that Fletcher teased.[3] The recast was a first for many child actors and actresses in the long-running soap opera as the production team for Hollyoaks were attempting to resolve the issue of "disappeared" actors during covid transmissions, who had little to no screen-time. Fletcher added it was "something for the family to get their teeth stuck into" and referred to Webster as a "goregous little actress".[2] It was also revealed at some point in October 2023 the character was rapidly aged by two years in a bid for the character to enter more mature written storylines.

"This story is gonna be a slow burn, and like I said, I think people are going to really invest in Rose's character, she's just gorgeous and I think when the audience see what she's going to go through, they're going to really feel it with her."[2]

–Alex Fletcher on Ro's recast and upcoming storyline (2023)

Development[edit]

Identity storyline[edit]

On 26 February 2024, it was announced executive producer Hannah Cheers and series producer Angela Abela placed Ro at the forefront of a "groundbreaking" storyline that would oversee Ro exploring his gender identity.[4] Ro quizzes new barmaid Kitty Draper (Iz Hesketh) on her journey on coming out as transgender and the reaction she garnered before admitting to her that he doesn't feel comfortable with his gender.[5] Fletcher, who portrays Ro's on-screen mother Diane, praised the storyline.[4] In scenes from episode 6324, originally broadcast on 5 March 2024, Ro comes out as transgender to Tony and Diane.[6] Tony and Diane are struck by the news; struggling to adjust to Ro's decision. Tony and Diane's "biggest obstacle" were the new pronouns that Ro identifies with, he/him.[7] Tony, still struggling to adjust is advised by Kitty to take Ro to the hairdressers, Tony then makes the first step with Ro.[8] Carter Shepherd (David Ames), the headteacher at Hollyoaks High, contacts Diane and Tony ahead of Ro's return to school – suggesting help that is supporting a struggling Lucas Hay (Oscar Curtis).[9] Carter is a secret conversion therapist trying to convert Ro by suggesting he returns to his former name Rose and to "act" like his birth gender.[10] Clashing with Carter was already foreshadowed in the spring trailer for 2024.[11][12] In a heated showdown, Ro hit Carter for his transphobic suggestions.[13] Ro starts a friendship with Mercedes McQueen (Jennifer Metcalfe) and Mercedes gives Ro a hat of Bobby Costello (Jayden Fox)'s. Tony then continues to support Ro and takes Ro to shop for clothes that fits his identity – Diane is unhappy.[14] Ro overheard Kitty confess to Freddie Roscoe (Charlie Clapham) about escaping her conversion therapist father Declan Hawthorne (Alan Turkington), who is working with Carter.[15] Ro later has a heated confrontation with Declan, confronting him for his beliefs. Ro is almost attacked but is caught in time by Freddie to run.[16] Carter is later exposed at the Pride festival that Tony and Ro attend which later leads to his arrest.[17] The village then deals with the fall-out from Pride. Realising how impactful and influential Carter's words were, Diane and Ro finally have a breakthrough – Diane ensures Ro she accepts him and loves him unconditionally.[18]

Reception[edit]

The gender plot received 358 individual complaints to Ofcom between 4 and 7 March.[19] Stephen Patterson from Metro branded the storyline to be "moving" and has a "powerful narrative".[19] Ugla Stefanía Kristjönudóttir Jónsdóttir, also from Metro, added: "At the end of the day, no one deserves to live their life in shame. We've seen the consequences that this has had on past generations and we cannot continue making the same mistakes. Storylines like Rose and Kitty's can help us remedy these mistakes – and create positive futures for all trans people."[20] The plot also earned Ro a nomination for "Inspiring Storyline of the Year" at the Radio Times soap awards 2024.[21][22]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (26 March 2015). "Tegan tells Diane the shocking truth". Digital Spy. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Dainty, Sophie (13 October 2023). "Hollyoaks confirms new story for Tony and Diane's children as roles are recast". Digital Spy. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  3. ^ Dainty, Sophie (14 October 2023). "Hollyoaks star Alex Fletcher reveals huge new story for Tony and Diane". Digital Spy. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  4. ^ a b Alexander, Susannah (26 February 2024). "Hollyoaks to explore gender identity in new storyline for Rose Lomax". Digital Spy. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  5. ^ Patterson, Stephen (26 February 2024). "Hollyoaks confirms groundbreaking trans storyline for 12-year-old Rose Lomax". Metro. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  6. ^ Anderton, Joe (5 March 2024). "Hollyoaks airs big scene in Rose's gender identity storyline". Digital Spy. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  7. ^ Anderton, Joe (6 March 2024). "Hollyoaks airs emotional scenes in Rose gender identity storyline". Digital Spy. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  8. ^ Seddon, Dan (7 March 2024). "Hollyoaks airs a turning point for Rose, Diane and Tony story". Digital Spy. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  9. ^ Patterson, Stephen (25 March 2024). "Ro Lomax, 12, makes huge change in powerful Hollyoaks child trans story". Metro. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  10. ^ Sayce, Rebecca (28 March 2024). "Hollyoaks' Ro Lomax to face prejudice from Carter in gender identity story". Digital Spy. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  11. ^ Tutton, Charlotte (2 April 2024). "E4 Hollyoaks trailer teases pregnancy shock, wedding tragedy and four huge returns". Mirror. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  12. ^ "Freddie and Grace are BACK! But they're not the only duo to be stirring up trouble this Spring! #HollyoaksSpringTrailer #Hollyoaks". Twitter. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  13. ^ Anderton, Joe (3 April 2024). "Hollyoaks' Ro clashes with Carter in tense scenes". Digital Spy. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  14. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (9 April 2024). "Tony's support of Ro continues". Digital Spy. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  15. ^ Lewis, George (22 April 2024). "Hollyoaks' Kitty Draper has backstory revealed". Digital Spy. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  16. ^ Lewis, George (23 April 2024). "Hollyoaks' Ro Hutchinson confronts Declan in tense scenes". Digital Spy. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  17. ^ Patterson, Stephen (1 May 2024). "Hollyoaks confirms major twist as character is arrested at Pride: 'You disgust me!'". Metro. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  18. ^ Patterson, Stephen (2 May 2024). "Hollyoaks confirms major breakthrough for Diane Hutchinson and 12-year-old Ro in child trans story: 'My son!'". Metro. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  19. ^ a b Patterson, Stephen (21 March 2024). "Hollyoaks slapped with 358 complaints over moving transgender child story". Metro. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  20. ^ Kristjönudóttir Jónsdóttir, Ugla Stefanía (8 March 2024). "Trans children are rarely represented on TV. Hollyoaks has changed that". Metro. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  21. ^ "Vote now for Inspiring Storyline of the Year at the RadioTimes.com Soap Awards 2024!". Radio Times. 13 May 2024. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  22. ^ "RadioTimes.com Soap Awards 2024 nominations revealed". Radio Times. 13 May 2024. Retrieved 23 May 2024.


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