| Lynsey Nolan | |
|---|---|
| Hollyoaks character | |
| Portrayed by | Karen Hassan |
| Introduced by | Paul Marquess |
| Duration | 2008, 2010— |
| First appearance | 24 November 2008 |
| Classification | Present; regular |
| Spin-off appearances | Hollyoaks Later (2008, 2010) |
| Profile | |
| Occupation | Nurse (2010-11) Cleaner (2011-) |
Lynsey Nolan is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Karen Hassan. The character originally appeared in the first series of the Hollyoaks spin-off, Hollyoaks Later, as the former girlfriend of Kris Fisher (Gerard McCarthy). In 2010, Hollyoaks series producer Paul Marquess asked Hassan to join Hollyoaks as part of the soap's ongoing rejuvenation, to which she agreed. Lynsey appeared in the main show from 11 August 2010. Since joining the show her main storylines have focused on her feud with serial killer Silas Blissett, for whom she was an unsuccessful target.
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The character of Lynsey was created as the former girlfriend of Kris Fisher (Gerard McCarthy) and was intended to feature only in Hollyoaks Later, a spin-off from the Hollyoaks series. In June 2010, it was announced that three new characters; Brendan Brady (Emmett J. Scanlan), Bart McQueen (Jonny Clarke) and Lynsey were to join Hollyoaks in August.[1] Of the castings, Hollyoaks series producer Paul Marquess said: "This is a really exciting time for Hollyoaks and Brendan, Lynsey and Bart bring more fun, drama and sexiness to the show."[1] Hassan moved from Belfast to Liverpool, where Hollyoaks is filmed, for the role.[2] In an interview with the official Hollyoaks website, Hassan said that she was "dead chuffed" after being told that Lynsey would be appearing in Hollyoaks.[2]
Before she entered Hollyoaks, Lynsey was described as "a hit with the boys" and "putting the other girls' noses out of joint".[3] Channel 4 describe her as "loyal and honest" and a "person to turn to in need".[4] They go on to explain that Lynsey is not a push-over and has "steeliness and a stubborn streak".[4] The Sun's television magazine Buzz described her as "flirty".[5]
In February 2011, Lynsey becomes attracted to Gilly Roach (Anthony Quinlan) whose wife, Steph (Carley Stenson) has recently died.[6] In an interview with Inside Soap, Quinlan explained: "Gilly has a new job at Look Sharpe as a personal trainer and invites Lynsey for a free session. Lynsey's looking pretty good when she turns up, so Gilly gets a bit sweaty and hot under the collar - and she ends up hopping into the tub and dragging Gilly in there fully clothed!"[7] They later arrange a date together, which prompts Gilly to remove his wedding ring. Discussing Gilly's decision, Quinlan said: "I thought it was a bit harsh. It feels like it's a little too soon, doesn't it? We'll just have to wait and see what the future holds for Gilly and Lynsey - but there's no comparison to Steph."[7]
In February 2011, Lynsey becomes the next target of serial killer Silas Blissett (Jeff Rawle).[8] Lynsey becomes an on-air agony aunt for Jamil Fadel (Sikander Malik) and Lee Hunter's (Alex Carter) new radio show and angers Silas with her adivce to sexually-charged young people.[9] He is further angered when Lynsey dresses up in a sexy nurses's outfit for Jamil and Lee's webcam. After Lynsey returns home, her flat plunges into darkness and Silas grabs her from behind.[9] However, Silas is scared off after Lynsey's screams alert his grandson Riley Costello (Rob Norbury). Lynsey then realises that Silas was responsible for the incident.[10] Of Lynsey's allegation, Bronagh Waugh who plays Lynsey's best friend Cheryl Brady explained: "Everyone thinks she's crazy and making it up, as does Cheryl at first. Lynsey's really upset about it and asks Cheryl for some help. While she hates seeing her best friend in that kind of state, she thinks Lynsey's just being paranoid and Silas is a really upstanding member of society. It will all be quite dark and will escalate to a boiling point when Cheryl is devastated to find out [Lynsey's] been attacked. She'll try to look after her and protect her but she does feel a little guilty that she didn't do anything sooner."[10]
In March 2011, Hassan revealed that Silas would want revenge on Lynsey after she discovered that he had attacked her.[11] She said that Silas seizes an opportunity to get revenge on Lynsey after he sees her handing over diet pills to Cheryl.[11] Speaking to soap opera reporting magazine All About Soap, Hassan explained: "Lynsey buys the pills for Cheryl off the internet, which is completely innocent. But Silas spots Lynsey giving the pills to Cheryl and sees an opportunity to get his own back. His evil instincts kick in once again and he slyly swaps Cheryl's diet pills for his own medication. Poor Cheryl takes the wrong pills and ends up collapsing in Chez Chez. Lynsey and Rhys find her slumped unconscious in the club. It's a terrifying moment for Lynsey, who's overcome with guilt for putting her best friend in hospital."[11] Discussing the aftermath of the incident, she continued: "The doctors tell her that a high level of sedative has been found in Cheryl's blood, but Lynsey is completely flummoxed by how it could have got there. It doesn't cross her mind at this stage that Silas would have wanted to hurt Cheryl. However, I think the penny will eventually drop for her." Hassan added that Silas is trying to "blacken" Lynsey's name with the scheme.[11]
In Hollyoaks Later, Lynsey attends the funeral of Eamon Fisher (Derek Halligan), the father of her former boyfriend, Kris. Her best friend, Cheryl Brady tells Kris that Lynsey still has feelings for him. Cheryl reveals that Lynsey began smoking cigarettes and losing weight after Kris ended their relationship. When Kris reveals that he is a bisexual and crossdresser, Lynsey becomes upset and leaves the funeral. Lynsey later forgives Kris.
Lynsey first appears in Hollyoaks when she arrives for a nursing job interview at Dee Valley Hospital, in which she is successful. Cheryl then invites Lynsey to move in with her. Malachy also moves in after ending his marriage to Mercedes McQueen (Jennifer Metcalfe). Lynsey inherits twenty thousand pounds from a deceased aunt. Malachy and Mercedes have an argument and as Lynsey comforts him, she and Malachy kiss. They secretly begin a relationship not wanting to hurt Cheryl, who has feelings for Malachy. Lynsey gives a talk at Hollyoaks High School about the nursing profession. She meets Sinead O'Connor (Stephanie Davis), who tells her that her stepmother Diane (Alexandra Fletcher) has taken a baby boy that she found abandoned at the hospital. Lynsey tells Diane that she will return the baby to the hospital, but Diane refuses to hand him over. Lynsey threatens to report her to the police. Whilst she and Diane argue, Diane's stepson Finn (Connor Wilkinson) tries to take him back to the hospital but is stopped by Anita Roy (Saira Choudhry) and Eva Strong (Sheree Murphy) who return the baby to Diane. Diane realises the consequences of her actions and gives the baby to Lynsey.
Lynsey and Malachy decide to make their relationship public. Mercedes becomes jealous and lies to Malachy, telling him that he has infected her with HIV. Malachy realises that he still has feelings for her and they decide to rekindle their marriage. Lynsey discovers this and goes through Mercedes' medical records to find that she is lying. Lynsey tells Malachy, who punches Mercedes in anger. Lynsey ends their relationship. When Malachy is injured in a fire, Lynsey is assigned as his nurse and told that he will die. Mercedes agrees to turn off his life support and Lynsey says a tearful goodbye. Lynsey becomes attracted to Gilly Roach after he becomes her personal trainer. Gilly invites Lynsey on a date, to which she agrees. During the date, Lynsey reveals that she has found a lump in her breast and is awaiting test results. Gilly becomes disturbed as his deceased wife, Steph was diagnosed with terminal cancer in the previous year. Lynsey later tells Gilly that she cannot begin a relationship with him after he is accused of raping Jacqui McQueen (Claire Cooper).
Lynsey becomes an on-air agony aunt for Jamil Fadel and Lee Hunter's new radio show. She gives advice to sexually-charged young people, which angers Silas Blissett (Jeff Rawle). He calls the radio show and Jamil tells him Lynsey's name and her place of work. Silas calls the hospital where Lynsey works and tells them about the radio show, which stops her from getting a promotion. Silas sees Lynsey dressed in a sexy nurses outfit on a webcam for the radio show and secretly breaks into her flat. He turns off the electricity, leaving Lynsey alone in the dark. Silas grabs her from behind but her screams are heard by Riley Costello (Rob Norbury). Silas steals her ring before leaving. Riley Costello comforts Lynsey and takes her to stay with his family for the night. Lynsey overhears Silas talking to Jason Costello (Victoria Atkin) and realises that he was her attacker. Lynsey becomes suspicious after Riley tells her Silas is returning to France. Silas attempts to avoid Lynsey, however she confronts him and accuses him of being her attacker. Riley is angered and refuses to believe Lynsey. She is interviewed by Detective Constable Ethan Scott (Craig Vye), who tells her there is not enough evidence to support her allegation therefore it will not be investigated. Lynsey discusses her attack with Texas Longford (Bianca Hendrickse-Spendlove), who mentions that Silas found her alone intoxicated in the park. She tells Lynsey that she first met Silas at the crime scene where her sister, India's (Beth Kingston) body was discovered. Lynsey mentions that her ring was also stolen, like India's so they decide to investigate further. Whilst Lynsey secretly searches through Silas belongings in order to find her ring, Riley interrupts her. Lynsey returns home and finds her ring has been returned. Texas tells Riley about India's ring, which he remembers seeing Silas with. Lynsey then accuses Silas of murdering India. Riley questions Silas, who begins to experience chest pain and collapses with a heart attack. Silas is rushed to hospital, where Lynsey is assigned as his nurse. Lynsey assumes that Silas is faking a heart attack and removes his oxygen mask. She asks him to admit to attacking her, but he denies it. Silas's daughter Heidi Costello (Kim Tiddy) finds Lynsey withholding treatment from Silas and Lynsey calls for emergency help. Lynsey is suspended and Silas begins to recover.
Lynsey is shocked to find that Silas has returned. Lynsey apologises to Silas and he forgives her. When Lynsey is having her suspension discussed at the hospital to decide whether she returns to work, Cheryl confronts Lynsey over whether she is ready to return to work after Silas suggests to Cheryl that she is not, unaware that her investigating officer Nurse Jennings (Flo Wilson) is listening. Lynsey gives Cheryl some diet pills, which Silas swaps with his heart medication. Cheryl takes the pills more frequently to suppress her appetite. Whilst alone in her nightclub Chez Chez, she climbs upon the bar to reach some biscuits and becomes drowsy and her vision blurs, causing her to loose her balance and fall to the floor. She is found unconscious by Lynsey and rushed to hospital. Lynsey is told that tests showed a high amount of sedative in Cheryl's system. Silas visits Cheryl and asks her whether Lynsey could have swapped the diet pills with sedatives, making her doubt Lynsey's state of mind. Cheryl later asks Silas if he thinks Lynsey is capable of swapping the pills. Silas tells her that someone who reacts badly to being questioned is usually guilty.
The police show a reconstruction of India's last movements to the public, with Texas playing India. She goes to the woods where India's body was found, but Silas follows her where he is about to murder her when Lynsey and Nancy Hayton show up. Lynsey notifies Ethan and tells him that Silas is the killer, but he refuses to believe. Lynsey goes to see Texas and while there takes India's bracelet and plants it on Silas for the police to find. Silas is questioned while Texas discovers Lynsey's plan and is horrified, telling her she needs to confess. Lynsey eventually confesses her plan to Ethan, who warns her that if this happens again, she will be charged for wasting police time. Lynsey is walking through an alley when Silas follows her, and tells her that her trick failed and she should be worried. While alone in the flat, Silas breaks into the house through the back door and steals Lynsey's watch, which he later returns while she is sleeping to taunt her. Silas continues to taught Lynsey by placing a camera inside her flat. Cheryl's brother, Brendan Brady (Emmett J. Scanlan), begins to believe Lynsey and warns Silas away. However, when he kills his next victim Rae Wilson (Alice Barlow) Silas plants her body in Brendan's car. When Brendan is charged with murder Cheryl kicks Lynsey out and she ends up moving in with new friends, Jacqui McQueen (Claire Cooper) and Rhys Ashworth (Andrew Moss), but, although they are supportive they do not believe her.
On Halloween 2011, Silas sets Lynsey a game to guess his next victim. Lynsey struggles with the game, unaware that Silas is keeping pregnant Mercedes McQueen (Jennifer Metcalfe) captive in a in the village. Silas leaves a note for Lynsey which reads "Wanna play a game? If you win, I disappear. If you lose, you disappear!" Lynsey later confronts Silas about the note, but he continues to taunt her, and he is nearly caught by policeman Ethan Scott grabbing Lynsey's arm, but she attacks Silas before he sees and is arrested for GBH. She is issued a warning and released. Later that night, Silas calls Lynsey while sitting beside a bound and gagged Mercedes, and tells her that she has until midnight on Halloween to guess his next victim, or that victim dies. Lynsey manages to convince Doug Carter (PJ Brennan) of the truth and they try and figure out the next victim. Eventually, with the help of some sinister clues, they narrow it down to either Texas Longford, Theresa McQueen (Jorgie Porter) or Amy Barnes (Ashley Slanina-Davies), but they do not have enough evidence to make a concrete guess. On Halloween, Silas sends Lynsey a Catwoman costume, telling her to wear it at the upcoming Chez Chez party, leading Lynsey to believe this is where Silas will strike. Lynsey tries to unsuccessfully persuade Cheryl to cancel the party and later makes a fool of herself at the party by hijacking the sound system and trying to convince everyone a murderer is on the loose. A furious Cheryl throws her out and Doug takes her home, telling her to stay there where she is safe.
However, later that night while Lynsey sleeps, Silas rings her and Lynsey notices photographs of her sleeping on her phone. Realising Silas has been inside her flat, she searches for him and he confronts her, telling her the clues were red herrings and that she can end his reign of terror if she allows him to kill her. Lynsey agrees to this, but as they talk, she smashes a vase over Silas' head and runs out screaming. As she runs through the streets of the village, Silas grabs a woman dressed in a catsuit, believing her to be Lynsey. He smashes a brick over her head and strangles her to death, informing her he will miss her 'most of all'. However, when he tosses their body to the ground, he discovers it is not Lynsey he has killed, but his own daughter, Heidi Costello (Kim Tiddy).
Later on, Riley and Lynsey search Silas' room, finding no evidence. Lynsey then sees Silas' dead wife's urn, and picks it up just before Silas arrives. Lynsey drops the urn to the floor and it smashes revealing the rings of his victims. When Silas drops down to the ashes. Riley sees Mercedes' engagement ring in his hand. Silas is arrested by the police regardless after they are called by Lyndsey. At the police station Silas refuses to tell the police where Mercedes is but after the interview is suspended he tells the Detective Inspector that there is no chemistry between them; he wants an opponent on his wavelength. He requests that the DI bring Lynsey, for 'one final game'. Silas continues to taunt Lynsey in the interrogation room but after Lynsey reciprocates by talking about Heidi, Silas become enraged and lets slip that Mercedes is in the gutter, which leads to Riley and Carl Costello finding Mercedes under the cellar of the pub. Mercedes gives birth to her baby, and she is rushed to hospital. Lynsey visits Silas once more to inform him that Mercedes and her baby are well, and that he is nothing but a sad old man that no longer has any hold over her. She says she can finally get a good night's sleep. She exits the room with relief that it is all over.
After the announcement of Hassan's introduction, The Sun called her a "stunner".[3]
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