Over the years Hollyoaks has had many villagers who started out on a completely different path to where they ended up. Some were originally known as villains before developing into more well-rounded personalities; while others simply caused annoyance until it transpired they were putting up a facade.
From the unpredictable to the hilarious, heres a look at those characters that got us to change our minds from the now unbelievably popular James Nightingale and Sienna Blake through to the hilarious Marnie Nightingale and the much missed Brendan Brady.
Brendan Brady
When he arrived to join his sister Cheryl and help run her club Chez Chez, Brendan instantly made an impact on the village as the newest bad boy. He was unstable, violent and seemingly cold-hearted, and it was hard to see how viewers could begin to like him. But actor Emmett Scanlan played him with such edge and charisma that he quickly became one to watch, however nasty he was in his scenes.
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As he eventually fell in love with Ste Hay, acknowledged his anger issues and confronted a troubled past, he became more the antihero than a true baddie. With powerful and heartbreaking performances, Emmett played out the complex story beautifully.
His final scenes saw Brendan torn apart from Steven as he covered for his sister and confessed his own sins, getting a life sentence as his exit. A big fan following for both the actor, Brendan and the Stendan partnership (Emmett and co-star Kieron Richardson won Best On-Screen Partnership at the 2013 British Soap Awards) has led to him being referenced as one of the most legendary characters in Hollyoaks history.
Grace Black
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Ms Blacks early scenes were filled with constant gangster drama – which was probably because she was introduced as the daughter of one! She was also the half-sister of Clare Devine, who had previously terrorised Tom Cunningham and caused plenty more carnage before her death.
Producer Bryan Kirkwood admitted that the soap didnt get the character quite right in the beginning, and as changes were made, actress Tamara Wall did a great job in showing Grace as someone with a lot more depth.
It was a surprising friendship with Esther Bloom that brought out her softer side, as the younger woman offered to be her surrogate. Their scenes together won viewers over, as Esther challenged Graces attitude and she in turn offered her constant support. The writers, and Tamara herself, have turned Grace into a respected resident while losing none of her edge.
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Kyle Kelly
As an off-screen ex-boyfriend of Nancys, Kyle made his first appearance when they reconnected at a support group for Multiple Sclerosis, a condition which they had both been diagnosed with. He went on a date with Scott, but was cruel to him when he remarked on exactly why he wasnt his type.
This painted Kyle in an unsavoury light, and he later helped to frame James for his own murder when their relationship imploded. His vulnerable, human side emerged when his MS symptoms caused a relapse; and the actor who plays him, Adam Rickitt, gave a set of emotional performances that proved a game-changer.
He later gave Scott a sincere apology for his past behaviour, which led to growing interest from viewers. Although it remains to be seen whether a renewed romantic relationship with Nancy will last, it has produced some heartwarming scenes with her children recently. These days Kyles one-liners regularly steal scenes with Adams brilliant comic delivery.
James Nightingale
Quick-witted lawyer James arrived with a temperament that was a world away from those of his chirpy siblings before him. He barely cracked a smile and was hardly a ray of sunshine to be around. But then it was revealed that his father Mac – obliviously idolised by his other kids and seen as a good guy by the unsuspecting audience – was actually a homophobic bully.
Dramatic and hard-hitting scenes saw James stand up to his father; and a more generous side began to shine through. Judging from the outpouring of protests on social media when a recent storyline teased his potential death, he has become a firm Hollyoaks favourite.
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Gregory Finnegan has portrayed James story so poignantly that hes currently nominated as Best Actor at the British Soap Awards.
Marnie Nightingale
Arriving alongside son James, Marnie ruffled feathers in a different way. Initially she seemed to be the less devoted parent, revealing to youngest child Alfie that he was the result of an affair and then sleeping with daughter Ellies boyfriend!
But as her ex Macs true nature was uncovered we saw that she had much more about her than self-indulgence and looking down her nose at everyone! Marnie was given more scenes outside her family, including with Myra McQueen who was her total opposite.
The comedy double act was such a hit that actress Lysette Anthony won the 2017 Inside Soap award for Best Partnership alongside co-star Nicole Barber-Lane (Myra). With a heart of gold, her fair share of emotional scenes and a snobby side that still comes out every now and then, Lysettes versatility as an actress has made Marnie a big asset to the soap.
Sienna Blake
METRO
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