List of Hollyoaks characters introduced in 2012
The following is a list of characters that first appeared or will appear in the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks in 2012, by order of first appearance. All characters are introduced by the series' producer, Emma Smithwick. The first character to be announced was Ally Gorman; soon followed by [|Phoebe Jackson]. While interviewed by Inside Soap, Smithwick announced that she planned to introduce more characters to expand the Kane family. The first to arrive was [|Martha Kane]; soon followed by Lacey Kane – while Amy Downham joined the serial playing the role of Jen Gilmore. Later introductions include "bad boy" character [|Simon Walker] and deaf teenager [|Dylan Shaw]; while Maddie Morrison's father [|Ed] and mother [|Elizabeth] arrived. June saw the arrival of [|Walt] played by former EastEnders actor Cliff Parisi. Liam Gilmore began appearing from August, while Oscar Osborne was born prematurely to Darren and Nancy Osborne in October. [|Maxine Minniver], played by Nikki Sanderson, began appearing in November, as did [|Patrick] and [|Sienna Blake], played by Jeremy Sheffield and Anna Passey respectively, as well as Jim McGinn played by Dan Tetsell and Brendan and Cheryl Brady's father, Seamus shortly followed.
Phoebe McQueen
Phoebe McQueen played by Mandip Gill, debuted on 17 January 2012. Phoebe is introduced as a regular character. When Callum Kane visits the squat George Smith is living in he meets Phoebe who also lives there. Phoebe wants Callum to stop interfering because his presence leaves her nervous. Gill told TV Times that her character is "streetwise" and unlike George she has been squatting for a long time. As Callum is George's friend she cannot trust him because "in her eyes anyone from the outside is trouble". Pheobe fears that Callum will report them and so does not want to go into care or lose George. Gill said that "he and her dog Thunder are all she has". This causes tension between Phoebe and George and he decides to move out. Gill said that Phoebe feels "guilty" because George is unwell and puts her feeling aside to ask Callum for help. Gill explained that "by this point, George is very ill and she knows it'd be on her conscience if anything happened to him."Martha Kane
In January 2012, the serial's producer Emma Smithwick said that she wanted to explore Ash and Callum Kane's backstories. She revealed that she planned to introduce "satellite" family members in the process. Martha will appear on a semi-regular basis. On the serial's official website, Martha is described as being "loveable but feisty, straight-talking and fun". Martha is more of a "liberal parent than a strict one". In November 2013 Digital Spy announced that the actress had left the show, her final episode aired 8 November 2013, Where Martha leaves to go live with her daughter Lacey and Sister.Doctor Browning
Doctor Paul Browning, played by Joseph Thompson, debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 23 January 2012. Doctor Browning is described as having an "incredible capacity for Sleaze" and as a "man who needs to be in control and is not afraid to use underhand tactics to assert his power over the situation". Doctor Browning and Mercedes McQueen begin a relationship, with Thompson explaining that the pair are "kindred spirits" with an "undeniable connection" who are "excited by how dangerous the other is". Doctor Browning becomes a suspect in the whodunit murder plot of Lynsey Nolan, who he is later revealed to have killed. For his role as Doctor Browning, Thompson was nominated in the "Newcomer" category at the 2013 National Television Awards. Laura Morgan of All About Soap felt that Doctor Browning is a "fairly obvious suspect" in the investigation for Lynsey's murder, while Inside Soap journalist Sarah was shocked at the revelation of Doctor Browning as Lynsey's killer, saying she had overlooked him as a suspect. Anthony D. Langford from AfterElton hoped that the character would not be revealed to be Lynsey's killer due to his enjoyment of Doctor Browning's relationship with Mercedes and their "blistering chemistry".Ally Gorman
Ally Gorman, played by Daniel O'Connor, made his debut screen appearance on 31 January 2012. The character and O'Connor's casting was announced on 11 December 2011. O'Connor originally auditioned for a different role twice, before being asked to audition for the part of Ally. O'Connor was given the part and began filming his scenes three days later. The actor said of his casting: "I'm really excited about joining Hollyoaks, especially with its recent success. I'm really looking forward to working with some of the show's most popular characters and talented actors." O'Connor signed up for an initial twelve episode stint, but his contract was extended and he became a regular cast member. In April 2012, O'Connor revealed that he would remain on the show "at least until the end of ".Deena Hardman
Deena Hardman, played by Sian Breckin, debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 31 January 2012 and remained until 13 March 2012. The character was announced while Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy interviewed Steven Roberts, who plays George Smith. Deena tries to help George and his friend Phoebe Jackson who are living on the streets. Roberts said that Deena is "not all she seems – she's a very manipulative character and she hasn't got their best interests at heart." Deena and her husband, Graham Hardman hold George and Phoebe against their will for human trafficking, but they escape. Hollyoaks later announced that the storyline had not finished and Deena and Graham would continue their scheme. Phoebe has been recaptured by Deena and she leads George into a trap for Deena. Gill told a writer from Inside Soap that George thought Phoebe was safe, but all the time she was locked up by Deena. She manipulates Phoebe into luring George back into her scheme, Gill added that "she'll hurt her dog if she doesn't retrieve George, that dog, Thunder, is all Phoebe has in the whole world." Hollyoaks also confirmed that they planned to air "harrowing scenes" once Deena recaptures George.Phoebe and George ask Deena for money. She later finds George, giving him money to buy food. Deena invites George and Phoebe back to her house where she gives them food and shelter. She steals George's sim card and convinces them to stay another night. She tells sneaks out to meet Graham and informs him that she can get a good price for Phoebe and George. When Phoebe finds some photos of a lost homeless boy she knows, she realises that Deena has been exploiting children in a sex trade for money. When Deena realises that they have discovered the truth, she and Graham attempt to prevent them from leaving. When Phoebe escapes she goes after her; while Graham goes after George. They are later arrested for their crimes and George and Phoebe escape for good.
Lacey Kane
Lacey Kane played by Georgia Bourke debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 23 February 2012. In January 2012, the serial's producer Emma Smithwick tolod a columnist for Inside Soap that she wanted to explore Ash and Callum Kane's backstories. She revealed that she planned to introduce "satellite" family members in the process. The first to arrive was their mother, Martha Kane. The character and Bourke's casting were officially announced on 14 February 2012. As the youngest of the Kane siblings, Lacey moves into family home following some time away. She was described as being "rarely short of something to say" and presents problems for house guest George Smith. Bourke told a reporter from Inside Soap that she found working on Hollyoaks "daunting" at first. She added that she found playing Lacey an enjoyable experience.Bourke said that Lacey has a "childish edge" because she is fifteen years old. Lacey shares a good relationship with her siblings but tends to be sarcastic towards them like a "typical teenager". Bourke said that Lacey is "wary" of George because she does not know him. She thought that Lacey just wanted all the attention for herself because she just moved back in. She wants her family around her and the "big fuss" and does not like the fact that George is there too. Duncan later told Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy that Lacey and Callum have a "love-hate" relationship and Callum thinks that he knows best because Lacey is his younger sibling. At times Callum attempts to be the father figure in her life. Lacey knows that he has good intentions but Callum's attitude "annoys her a little bit". Bourke was nominated for "Best Newcomer" at the 2012 Inside Soap Awards for her portrayal of Lacey. Laura Morgan of All About Soap said that Lacey looked like reality television star Shabby Katchadourian. She added that Lacey was "shaping up to be as gobby as Shabby". On 29 January 2013, Daniel Kilkelly from Digital Spy reported that Lacey had departed off-screen and there were no current plans for her to return.
Lacey arrives in Hollyoaks when she decides to move back in with her family. She reveals that her father no longer wants her living with him. She takes a dislike to Callum's friend George who is staying with the family and insults him, but she soon accepts him. When Ash is diagnosed with meningitis, Lacey blames herself because she had often wished Ash dead. Lacey talks to Joel Dexter and he says that he understands her. She tries to kiss him but he rejects her advances, with Joel telling her that she is still a child. She later leads Callum to believe that Joel had attempted to seduce her, causing a fight between him and Joel. Ash's boyfriend Ally Gorman becomes involved with the Kane's and creates a rift between Martha and her children. Martha leaves the family home after an argument with Ash leaving the family struggling. Ally begins helping the family and moves in. Lacey develops romantic feelings for Ally and persistently tries to get his attention. Lacey tries to seduce Ally and he agrees to have sex with her. Lacey's friend Phoebe Jackson becomes concerned when she realises Lacey's attentions and quickly notifies Martha, who interrupts Lacey and Ally. Ash and Callum return home at the same time and Ally fails to explain the situation. He is later arrested for identity fraud as he had been using the identity of a dead army soldier and trying to work his way into the Kane family. Lacey tells Martha she will never forgive her but the Kane's later rebuild their family. It is later revealed that Lacey went to live with her father. When her mother Martha left Hollyoaks following the deaths of Ash and Callum, she went to live with her and her Aunt.