List of Hollyoaks characters introduced in 2016

Hollyoaks is a British television soap opera that was first broadcast on 23 October 1995. The following is a list of characters that appeared or will appear in the serial in 2016, by order of first appearance. All characters were introduced by executive producer, Bryan Kirkwood. The first character to be introduced was James Nightingale, a mysterious solicitor who begins manipulating Cindy Cunningham, in January. February began with the arrival of the Nightingale family's matriarch, Marnie. March saw the appearance of one of Grace Black's brothers, Liam Donovan, whilst April will see the appearances of the other two, Adam and Jesse, as well as the first appearance of Simone and Louis Loveday's missing daughter Lisa Loveday, who is currently being impersonated by Sonia Albright.

James Nightingale

James Nightingale
Hollyoaks character
Portrayed by	Gregory Finnegan
Duration	2016–
First appearance	12 January 2016
Classification	Present; regular
Introduced by	Bryan Kirkwood
In-universe information Occupation Lawyer Father Mac Nightingale Mother Marnie Nightingale Stepmother Cindy Cunningham (2014–) Brothers Nathan Nightingale Sisters Ellie Nightingale Half-brothers Alfie Nightingale Aunts Doris

James Nightingale, played by Gregory Finnegan, made his first on-screen appearance on 12 January 2016. The character and Finnegan's casting was announced on 24 December 2015. James works as a solicitor and in his first scenes he offers legal advice to Cindy about divorcing Mac. A Hollyoaks publicist said that James would cause "terrible trouble locally" upon arriving in the show and specifically target established character Cindy Cunningham (Stephanie Waring). Ste Hay (Kieron Richardson) and Harry Thompson (Parry Glasspool) will be confused as to why he spends time with Cindy as they believe that James is gay (which was later confirmed). They added that secrets about James would later be revealed.

Waring described James as a suave and very mysterious man. She told Laura Morgan of All About Soap that James overhears Cindy talking to Tony Hutchinson (Nick Pickard) about committing bigamy and he offers her legal assistance. She views him as a handsome man and uses her sexuality to get what she wants, James' help to escape bigamy charges. Waring added "he's very alluring and dashing, so of course Cindy is immediately taken in by his knight-in-shining-armour routine."

It was revealed that James is the eldest son of already established character Mac Nightingale (David Easter), the older brother of Nathan Nightingale (Jared Garfield) and Ellie Nightingale (Sophie Porley), and the half-brother of Alfie Nightingale (Richard Linnell). It was also revealed that James teamed up with his mum Marnie Nightingale (Lysette Anthony) with the help of Cindy so they could drain Mac of every penny.

Marnie, with the help of James, attempts to persuade Diane O'Connor (Alex Fletcher) and Tony Hutchinson (Nick Pickard) to sell The Hutch to her in an attempt to get closer to her children. However, their several attempts fail. The pair then steal Diane's laptop to see whether if the restaurant is close to bankruptcy. It is then revealed that the restaurant could be bankrupt by Easter, so she and James then return to the restaurant in a bid to persuade Diane and Tony into selling the restaurant. However, Diane's nephew Scott Drinkwell (Ross Adams) catches them with the laptop as they return it. Marnie later learns that Tony earned money from betting with Darren Osborne (Ashley Taylor Dawson). She later informs Diane of this, leaving her upset.

After Ste Hay (Kieron Richardson) and Harry Thompson (Parry Glasspool), he offers them a place to stay, which is the shack where Cameron Campbell (Cameron Moore) held his brother Lockie Campbell (Nick Rhys) hostage last year. When Ste is given a two week trial at The Dog in the Pond, James tampers with the drink dispenser so he can sabotage his chance of getting a job. When Ste pulls the dispenser, the alcohol goes everywhere. Ste and James then change their shirts, but when Harry sees them, he believes Ste is cheating on him, making him storm out in anger. James later reveals to Harry that it's not Ste he's after, but he is in fact after him. Ste and Harry later have an argument over Ste's job, which causes Harry to furiously storm out of The Dog. Harry later hitches a ride from James after the heated argument. James later offers Harry £10,000 so he can sleep with him for one night. Harry refuses the offer because he loves Ste too much to do it. However, James will not leave him alone until he says yes.

While Ste is looking after his son and daughter, Leah and Lucas, they go to the Tug Boat so they can eat. After they've eaten the food, they run off as Ste doesn't have any money to pay. Cameron later calls the police and him and Ste have a fight, in which Ste accidentally hits a police officer. Ste is later arrested for assaulting a police officer and James says that he has been fined £300 as punishment. After his arrest, Amy Barnes (Ashley Slanina-Davies) turns up after Harry phoned her about what happened. Amy and Ste argue over what happened. Amy is so angry with Ste that she bans him from seeing his children for good. Ste later blames Harry for him from being banned from seeing his children and for everything that has happened since his arrest. Ste and Harry continue to fight over what happened, and Ste almost breaks up with Harry because of it. After their argument, Harry phones James and later accepts his offer and they later have sex. Unbeknownst to him, Leela has allowed him and Ste to move back in with them.

Marnie Nightingale

Marnie Nightingale
Hollyoaks character
Portrayed by	Lysette Anthony
Duration	2016–
First appearance	1 February 2016
Classification	Present; regular
Introduced by	Bryan Kirkwood
In-universe information Husband Mac Nightingale (backstory) Sons Nathan Nightingale James Nightingale Daughters Ellie Nightingale Adoptive sons Alfie Nightingale

Marnie Nightingale, played by Lysette Anthony, made her first on-screen appearance on 1 February 2016. The character and casting was announced on 24 January 2016. Marnie is Mac Nightingale's (David Easter) ex-wife, as well as being the mother to Nathan Nightingale (Jared Garfield), Ellie Nightingale (Sophie Porley) and James Nightingale (Gregory Finnegan). It has been said that Marnie will waste no time in causing "chaos for Mac" and has been billed as "a complex, intriguing and hilarious matriarch with a big broken heart" and that she can start a fight in an empty room. Marnie arrives in the village to help her son, James, take down Mac for events that happened in the past by using Cindy Cunningham (Stephanie Waring) against him, however she is unaware that Cindy is Alfie Nightingale's (Richard Linnell) biological mother and the reason for her divorce from Mac.

Marnie arrives in Hollyoaks revealing that she has been working with her son, James, with the inadvertent help of Cindy, to drain her ex-husband, Mac, of his finances as he was awarded everything by the courts when they divorced. She threatens to take away their daughter, Ellie, if he does not comply. Mac then gives her a large amount of money to keep her away from Ellie. Before she and James leave Hollyoaks, her other son, Nathan, accidentally reveals to her that Alfie is the biological son of Mac and Cindy. Marnie is furious and goes to The Dog in the Pond where she reveals to everybody that Alfie is Mac and Cindy's son.

Marnie then attempts to persuade Diane O'Connor (Alex Fletcher) and Tony Hutchinson (Nick Pickard) to sell The Hutch to her in an attempt to get closer to her children. However, their several attempts fail. Marnie, with the help of James, steal Diane's laptop to see whether if the restaurant is close to bankruptcy. It is then revealed that the restaurant could be bankrupt by Easter, so she and James then return to the restaurant in a bid to persuade Diane and Tony into selling the restaurant. However, Diane's nephew Scott Drinkwell (Ross Adams) catches them with the laptop as they return it. Marnie later learns that Tony earned money from betting with Darren Osborne (Ashley Taylor Dawson). She later informs Diane of this, leaving her upset. Marnie later helps Ellie open up a beauty parlour. At first, Ellie's beauty parlour is unsuccessful. However, when Ellie helps Freddie Roscoe (Charlie Clapham) and Tegan Lomax (Jessica Ellis) raise money for charity, her business starts to become a success.

After informing Alfie's family, Cindy then tells Marnie that Alfie's cancer had returned. This leaves Marnie shocked and upset. Marnie then tells Cindy that she had tried to be a good mother to Alfie, but she couldn't love him as much as she loved Nathan, James and Ellie. Marnie, Cindy and Neeta then put aside their differences so that they can all be there for Alfie. After learning about Rachel's death, Marnie becomes devastated. She later meets Freddie at The Loft. The pair start talking and they then both go back to Freddie's house, where they have sex. The next day, Marnie learns that Freddie is going on a date with Ellie. She pretends that she and Freddie haven't met before and she introduces herself as Ellie's mother, leaving Freddie horrified. Marnie follows Ellie and Freddie as they go on a date at The Loft. While Ellie leaves, Marnie tells Freddie if she doesn't back away from her daughter, then she will tell her everything that happened between them. The next day, Freddie breaks up with Ellie, leaving her devastated. However, Ellie and Freddie later get back together again, much to Marnie's dismay. Since they got back together, Marnie has been constantly threatening Freddie to leave Ellie alone, but Freddie refuses. Freddie even blackmails her at one point by using a picture of Marnie kissing him. He said if she tries to break them up, he will show both Ellie and Mac the picture and they will never forgive her for what she did.

Marnie and James continue their plan into getting The Hutch. Some of their plans have include getting Scott to distil alcoholic drinks, using Myra McQueen (Nicole Barber-Lane) to bankrupt Tony as she wants £8,000 from Tony as compensation for having a neck injury caused by Scott and manipulating Scott into burning The Hutch down.

Liam Donovan

Liam Donovan
Hollyoaks character
Portrayed by	Maxim Baldry
Duration	2016–
First appearance	28 March 2016
Classification	Present; regular
Introduced by	Bryan Kirkwood
In-universe information Father Fraser Black Brothers Adam Donovan Jesse Donovan Half-sisters Grace Black Clare Devine Dee Dee Hutchinson Nephews Curtis Royle

Liam Donovan, played by Maxim Baldry will make his first on screen appearance on 28 March 2016. The concept for the character was announced on 16 February 2016 whilst further details, such as the character's name and casting were announced on the 21 March 2016. Liam, as with the rest of the Donovans will be Grace Black's (Tamara Wall) brothers. Liam will arrive in the village when he is admitted to hospital, where he catches the eye of both Tegan Lomax (Jessica Ellis) and Celine McQueen (Sarah George). Baldry said if his first scenes were anything to go by, then Liam will "get to know some of the Hollyoaks ladies very well." It's been said that Liam "bails on relationships before things get too serious."

Liam first appears in Hollyoaks at Dee Valley Hospital after his now ex-girlfriend accidentally burned his bum with a pair of hair straighteners. While receiving treatment for the burn, he catches the eyes of nurses Tegan and Celine. They pretended to disinterested with him, but when they see him at The Loft, Celine makes a move on him when Tegan reacts to having too many alcoholic drinks. Celine and Liam make out in a hot tub but when she realises it was a girls' night, she heads back home with him. Later on, Tegan and Liam start to hang out and when they arrive at her house, they start kissing on the sofa. Liam ditches Tegan before she wakes up. After both dates, Celine and Tegan text Liam behind each others backs. After learning about what happened, Celine and Tegan start fighting over him. When Lindsey Butterfield (Sophie Austin) gets annoyed with their behaviours, she makes them give their work badges to her and randomly selects who should go on the next date with him. Lindsey randomly selects Celine for the next date, which makes Tegan annoyed and jealous. However, Liam doesn't turn up to the date, leaving Celine angry. After Liam doesn't show up to the date, Celine and Tegan swear that they won't speak to another man until the summer. Unbeknownst to them, the pair text Liam constantly behind each others backs. Later on, while Liam is in the hot tub, Tegan and Celine steal and make off with his clothes as revenge for two-timing them, leaving him naked in the tub.

Jesse Donovan

Jesse Donovan
Hollyoaks character
Portrayed by	Luke Jerdy
Duration	2016–
First appearance	6 April 2016
Classification	Present; regular
Introduced by	Bryan Kirkwood
In-universe information Father Fraser Black Stepmother Sandy Roscoe (2013–14) Brothers Liam Donovan Adam Donovan Half-sisters Grace Black Clare Devine Dee Dee Hutchinson Nephews Curtis Black

Jesse Donovan, played by Luke Jerdy, will make his first on screen appearance in April 2016. The concept for the character was announced on 16 February 2016 whilst further details such as the character's name and casting were announced on 21 March 2016. Adam, as with the rest of the Donovans will be Grace Black's (Tamara Wall) brothers. Jerdy has said that his characters is "cheeky, loyal and has a real zest for life." He has been billed as "a fool for love, who's always unlucky with the ladies because his over-enthusiasm leads to him being friend-zoned."

Jesse first appears when he pretends to be a police officer. He questions Tegan Lomax (Jessica Ellis) and Celine McQueen (Sarah George) about the disappearance of the clothes and wallet belonging to Liam Donovan (Maxim Baldry). He then takes them down to the police station for further questioning. However, it is revealed that it was a plan to get back at Tegan and Celine for stealing Liam's belongings. After Jesse reveals that he is really Liam's brother, Celine threatens to have him arrested for impersonating a police officer.

Adam Donovan

Adam Donovan
Hollyoaks character
Portrayed by	Jimmy Essex
Duration	2016–
First appearance	6 April 2016
Classification	Present; regular
Introduced by	Bryan Kirkwood
In-universe information Father Fraser Black Stepmother Sandy Roscoe (2013–14) Brothers Liam Donovan Jesse Donovan Half-sisters Grace Black Clare Devine Dee Dee Hutchinson Nephews Curtis Black

Adam Donovan, played by Jimmy Essex, will make his first on screen appearance in April 2016. The concept for the character was announced on 16 February 2016 whilst further details such as the character's name and casting were announced on 21 March 2016. Adam, as with the rest of the Donovans will be Grace Black's (Tamara Wall) brothers. A show insider has teased that Adam has "a strong conscience, which stops him from straying over certain lines that Grace wouldn't think twice about crossing."

Lisa Loveday

"Lisa Loveday" redirects here. For the character originally credited as Lisa Loveday, see Sonia Albright.

Lisa Loveday
Hollyoaks character
Portrayed by	Serrayah Rowe (Flashback) Rachel Adedeji
Duration	2016–
First appearance	29 April 2016
Classification	Present; regular
Introduced by	Bryan Kirkwood
In-universe information Other names Lisa Smith Father Louis Loveday Mother Simone Loveday Adoptive mother Margaret Smith Brothers Zack Loveday Aunts Melanie

Lisa Loveday, (also Smith) played by Rachel Adedeji, will make her first on screen appearance on 29 April 2016. The character of Lisa has been known since 2015, but former friend Sonia Albright (Kiza Deen) has been pretending to be her. Lisa has been billed as "a loud and brassy party animal" and "is on a mission to claim back the family that is rightfully hers".

Adedeji's agent informed her that Hollyoaks were interested in hiring her. She attended a meeting with production and read for the part. Adedeji told Lorraine Kelly that her character has "sass" and is "feisty".

Lisa first appears in Hollyoaks at the police station when her kidnapper and adoptive mother, Margaret Smith (Suzette Llewellyn), is arrested for kidnapping her. Her mother Simone Loveday (Jacqueline Boatswain) and father Louis Loveday (Karl Collins) are stunned to see her. Louis and Simone later do a DNA test to see if she's really their daughter, and the results come back as positive. Lisa later confronts Sonia Albright (Kiza Deen) after she discovered that she stole her life. Lisa then attacks Sonia for stealing her life, and Zack Loveday (Duayne Boachie) breaks them up and separates them. Zack later takes Lisa back to his house and he and his parents show her objects and pictures from the past, which she remembers. Lisa later goes to the police station to confront Margaret, who she's angry with for kidnapping her and making her believe that her parents and brother were killed in a car crash. However, Margaret manipulates Lisa into by saying she took her in because her parents didn't love her. She believes what she says and later disowns the Lovedays for having Margaret arrested.

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Other characters

Character	Date(s)	Actor	Circumstances
Sapphire	19 February	Susie Mandleberg	Sapphire is a stripper who Robbie Roscoe (Charlie Wernham) hires for Jason Roscoe's (Alfie Browne-Sykes) stag party. Robbie later kisses Sapphire, making Holly Cunningham (Amanda Clapham) jealous.
Niamh	29 February	Sophie Giddens	Niamh is a cancer patient with a brain tumour who Jade Albright (Kassius Nelson) meets. She helps lifts Jade's spirits up about cancer, but later confides in Jade, Jack Osborne (Jimmy McKenna), Darren Osborne (Ashley Taylor Dawson) and Nancy Osborne (Jessica Fox) that she has been told that her treatment isn't working.
Jake	14 March	Matthew Bailey	Jake is a gay man who goes on a date with John Paul McQueen (James Sutton). He visits John Paul at his workplace, whilst John Paul is installing an antivirus program onto the school's laptops. Jake asks John Paul to go get some sugars for the coffees that he has made, and whilst John Paul is gone he steals all of the school's laptops.
Police Officer	29 March	David Wills	A police officer who breathalyzes Cleo McQueen (Nadine Mulkerrin) after the car accident caused by Holly Cunningham (Amanda Clapham).
News Anchor	7 April	Emma Redman	A news anchor who reports on the hospital killings by Lindsey Roscoe (Sophie Austin). She also mentions two of the people whom Lindsey was suspected of trying to murder.
News Reporter		Ross Grant	A news reporter who reports on the hospital killings by Lindsey Roscoe (Sophie Austin) outside of the Dee Valley Hospital.
Janet Cardsley	13 April	Ruth Evans	Janet is Joanne Cardsley's (Rachel Leskovac) mother who suffers from Alzheimer's disease.
Journalist	2 May	Chris Barlow	A journalist who arrives in the village looking for the Lovedays, but instead becomes interested in Joe Roscoe (Ayden Callaghan) after realising him as the husband of serial killer Lindsey Roscoe (Sophie Austin). He fails to get an interview and later tries again, before Joe threatens him. The journalist leaves threatening consequences.

External links

• Characters and cast at Channel 4