List of Hollyoaks characters (2023)

Rayne Royce (born Louise Rayner), played by Jemma Donovan, first appeared on 17 January 2023.[1] The character and Donovan's casting details were announced on 12 October 2022.[2] Donovan joins the serial's main cast.[3] Of joining the show, she said: "I am thrilled to be joining the cast of Hollyoaks! I'm so grateful for this opportunity to bring something unique and fun to a new role and I can't wait to be a part of the Hollyoaks family."[2] Donovan relocated to Liverpool for the role. She told Metro's Stephen Patterson that her first day on set was "great" and she felt "at home" straight away.[4] Rayne is part of a new group of 20-somethings living in a shared house, which is reminiscent of the show's student-focused earlier years. She and her best friend Lacey Lloyd (Annabelle Davis) move in with Romeo Nightingale (Owen Warner), Nadira Valli (Ashling O'Shea), and Prince McQueen (Malique Thompson-Dwyer).[2] Patterson noted that the pair "waste little time in getting up to no good, causing mischief for a number of the younger residents of the show."[4]

Rayne was billed as "an outgoing party girl", who is "well-known as a social media sensation."[2] Donovan later described her character as humorous, "fun, fiery and ambitious."[4] She found that she was "diving into a whole new character" in the world of social media, as Rayne is an influencer, adding "I love creating characters and bringing them to life so I'm really looking forward to doing that with Rayne."[4] Donovan later explained that while Rayne is confident and career driven, she would also show "a whole other side" and that she does have a past.[5] She arrives to the village on a motorbike, which Donovan admitted she was not allowed to ride.[5] She confirmed that Rayne has been best friends with Lacey since school and that they have a genuine friendship.[5] Donovan also teased a possible romance with Romeo, after he walks in on her in the bath. She called it "an interesting first encounter for them" and thought it was foreshadowing something between them.[5] She added: "Rayne does turn some heads, and there's a bit of competition too. The first people she meets are Prince, Hunter and then Romeo, but she's mostly there to have fun."[5]

On 13 September 2023, it was confirmed that Donovan would depart Hollyoaks, with Rayne being murdered in a "whodunit" storyline.[6] Discussing her exit from the serial, Donovan stated "I am so excited to announce that Rayne's reign is finally coming to an end with an incredible stunt week that I am over the moon to share with you guys. I think it's going to be full of drama, full of love, full of chaos but the big question is... who Did It? And I'm so excited for the speculation. I can't tell you, but it's a good one so hope you all enjoy!".[7] Rayne's death was broadcast on 26 September 2023.[8]

Lacey Lloyd, played by Annabelle Davis, made her first appearance on 18 January 2023.[1][9] The character and casting details were announced on 9 December 2022.[9] Of her character and her time with the serial so far, Davis stated: "I'm so excited for you to meet Lacey! She's fun, career driven, training to be a Lawyer and now looking for a job. Fingers crossed she gets it. I've had a great time filming with the Hollyoaks gang and look forward to what Lacey gets up to."[9] Lacey moves into a share house with her best friend Rayne Royce (Jemma Donovan). She was billed as being "fiercely loyal" and a "'great' friend, bringing calm as opposed to Rayne's 'chaos'."[9] Lacey aspires to be a paralegal and her early storylines see her apply for a job at Dee Valley Law.[9] Her final scenes aired on the 11th October 2023.

Alex Burton, played by Liz Fletcher, made her first appearance on 27 March 2023. The character and casting was announced on 16 March 2023. Alex is a bank manager for Cindy Cunningham (Stephanie Waring). Speaking about joining the soap, Fletcher said: "It has been so great to join such an iconic show and work with the wonderful talented cast."[10]

Dillon Ray, played by Nathaniel Dass, made his first appearance on 21 April 2023. Although casting details were not announced about the character, details on Dillon were shared by Hollyoaks' executive producer Lucy Allen in an interview with Digital Spy on 11 January 2023. Dillon is the nephew of established character Misbah Maalik (Harvey Virdi) and it was stated that his arrival would cause Lucas Hay (Oscar Curtis) to begin questioning his sexuality.[11]

Speaking about Dillon's entrance, Virdi said: "Dillon is a ball of energy – he's loud, mischievous and dresses like a rock star. It turns out he's been expelled from school, and Misbah knows that Dillon's mother won't be happy about that. There are layers to uncover about Dillon as time goes on – he has a big, loud front, but Misbah starts to see a different side [to him]. It's just what the family needs [after Shaq's exit]." Dass also teased "potential romances" to come about for the character.[12]

Juan Pèrez, played by Ariel Butwyna, made his first appearance on 9 May 2023. The character and casting was announced on 24 March 2023. Juan is a Spanish dancer and chereographer who grabs the attention of Scott Drinkwell (Ross Adams) during a visit to Liverpool, with the character being touted as a love interest for Scott.[13]

Speaking about joining the soap, Butwyna, said: "I'm having a fantastic time filming with Hollyoaks. I am so happy to be playing the role of Juan, who has such a lovely and sweet storyline with Scott. Working with Ross Adams is a true pleasure, and I've even had the chance to share some time on set with Alex Fletcher [Scott's aunt, Diane Hutchinson]— everyone is so welcoming. Truly, a very kind and fun environment to work in.""[13]

Lord Rafferty “Rafe” Harcourt, played by Chris Gordon, made his first appearance on 10 May 2023. Rafe is a member of nobility and is the Earl of Dee who will meet Sienna Blake (Anna Passey) at the Chester Races. The pair will strike up a bond, potentially jeopardising her relationship with Ethan Williams (Matthew James-Bailey).[14]

Speaking about his character and casting, Gordon said: "Joining the team at Hollyoaks feels a bit like meeting the family of a partner you really like – a little bit intimidating, but also very fulfilling. There's a real closeness throughout the departments and I've been welcomed into the fold with grace. Working with Anna has been an utter joy. Not only as an actor but as a person too. Sienna's journey collides with Rafe and there's... well, fireworks! He's not the usual man around town. The mystery and complexity of a road less travelled is something I'm really looking forward to playing and sharing with the fans."[14]

Terry Smart, played by Ryan Pope, made his first appearance on 6 June 2023. The character and casting was announced on 1 June 2023. Terry is a former criminal associate of Norma Crow (Glynis Barber) and arrives in the village after being released from prison, aiming for compensation from Norma. During his time in the village, he will be noticed by Jack Osborne (Jimmy McKenna) who recognises the criminal from when he arrested him.[15]

Cordelia “Dilly” Harcourt, played by Emma Johnsey-Smith, made her first appearance on 14 July 2023. The character and casting were announced on 30 June 2023. Dilly is the sister of Rafe Harcourt (Chris Gordon) and will grow suspicious of Sienna Blake's (Anna Passey) intentions with her brother, believing her to be a gold-digger after the family fortune.

Speaking about her casting, Johnsey-Smith said, "I'm very excited to have joined the cast of Hollyoaks. My time on the show so far has been great and all the cast and crew have been super welcoming. Dilly is fiery, quick-witted and a force to be reckoned with. Her kamikaze-like nature sees her in many a chaotic moment but deep down, there is a real vulnerable side that I’m excited for the audience to see."[16]

Carter Shepherd, played by David Ames made his first appearance on 16 August 2023. The character and casting was announced on 2 June 2023. Carter will be the new headteacher at Hollyoaks High, and is also the father of established character Freya Calder (Ellie Henry), who sustained life-changing injuries the year before. Ames said his character would be hoping to build a relationship with his estranged daughter. Speaking about joining the soap, the actor said: "I am incredibly excited to join the Hollyoaks cast as such an intricately layered character with a very poignant and vital storyline to come."[17]

Faye Fuller, played by Maddy Smedley, made her first appearance on 21 August 2023. The character and casting was announced on 8 August 2023. Faye serves as a new talent agent for Rayne Royce (Jemma Donovan) following setbacks for the character in her social media influencer career. A statement said that Faye would "bring the laughs" while Smedley billed her character as "trashy, sassy and a bit cutthroat" saying she was a mix between "Del Boy and Deborah Meaden".[18]

Brent Taylor, played by Jesse Fox, made his first appearance on 12 September 2023. The character is the ex-boyfriend of Rayne Royce (Jemma Donovan) and had been previously referred to on-screen, with Rayne lying about him having committed suicide. Brent is met by Peri Lomax (Ruby O'Donnell) who discovers he is alive and hopes to use him to bring Rayne down, unaware that he is still in love with her and willing to do anything for her.[19]

Speaking about his character, Fox said: "I was very excited when I got the part. It was so cool to be a part of such a big storyline that the show has been building up to for a while. Brent adores Rayne and has very much not given up on them being together. The nature of their relationship has taken him to a place where he#s totally lost perspective and his sense of self, which in turn makes him quite dangerous. He'd pretty much do anything to try to make Rayne happy. I think people may understandably be hostile towards him because – being in that Rayne whirlpool – he makes some seriously big mistakes. You can expect clashes and fireworks with the likes of Peri and Romeo."[19]

Camilla Bassington-Hart, played by Dylan Morris, will make her first appearance on 2 October 2023. The character and casting was revealed in an annual autumn trailer for Hollyoaks on 18 September 2023. Camilla is the ex-girlfriend of Rafe Harcourt (Chris Gordon) and arrives as he grows closer to Sienna Blake (Anna Passey), claiming to the love of his life. Speaking on her casting, Morris said: "Filming at Hollyoaks so far has been amazing. Playing Camilla is so much fun, she's so unpredictable and ready to cause absolute chaos."[20]