Jem Costello
Encyclopedia
Jem Costello is a fictional character
from the British Channel 4
soap opera
Hollyoaks
, played by Helen Russell-Clark. She made her first on-screen appearance on 5 March 2010.
series producer Lucy Allan
revealed that there would be a new female arriving in Hollyoaks who would be a threat to Steph Cunningham
(Carley Stenson
) and Cheryl Brady
(Bronagh Waugh
). The character of Jem Costello was created as the new love interest of already established character, Gilly Roach
(Anthony Quinlan
).
It was announced in early 2010 that Hollyoaks series producer Lucy Allan had cast television newcomer Helen Russell-Clark in the role of Jem having previously auditioned for the role of Rae Wilson
. Russell-Clark was initially signed to a six month contract.
In January 2010, it was announced that Lucy Allan
had stepped down from the position of series producer and that Paul Marquess
had taken over the role. It was soon revealed that Marquess planned to give Hollyoaks a "shake up", changing the productions team and beginning a cast cull by axing three established characters. In April 2010, it was announced that Marquess would introduce a second new family after the Sharpe clan, the Costello's consisting of mother Heidi
(Kim Tiddy
), father Carl
(Paul Opacic), sons Riley
(Rob Norbury) and Seth
(Miles Higson) and daughter Jasmine
(Victoria Atkin). It was later revealed that Jem would be a part of the Costello family after previously been given the surname by Lucy Allan. Jem transpired to be the daughter of Carl, the stepdaughter of Heidi and the half sister of Riley, Seth and Jasmine. Before her family arrived, Jem revealed her mother had died when she was young.
of her character, Russell-Clark stated, "Well, Jem’s well into her martial arts – as I am, which means you’ll be seeing lots of fight action. In fact, the first thing you really see of me is my hand hitting someone, but it’s all in self-defence!" In March 2010, in a video interview with Hollyoaks Backstage, Russell-Clark introduced her character and described her personality, she said, "Jem is a bit of a free spirit, she loves travelling, she loves anything like new experiences, big ideas, she's full of big ideas [...] She's quite fiesty, she's really into her martial arts and keeping fit and stuff. She's quite honest with everyone."
decides to go travelling around the world with Zoe Carpenter
(Zoe Lister
) and Mike Barnes
(Tony Hirst
) after he gives up on his love for Steph. Gilly returns to the village with Jem who he met in Thailand after he saved her from a shark attack. Jem is excited when Gilly proposes to her after he declares his love, much to the disappointment of Steph who runs off. Jem makes friends with Steph and another ex-girlfriend of Gilly, Cheryl and both of them try to make Jem and Gilly split up however they realised Jem was too nice for them to do anything else. Jem moves in with Gilly and the Ashworth family
and formed a bond with Josh Ashworth
(Sonny Flood
) because of problems with his family. During her time with the family, Jem works in The Dog in the Pond and starts running a martial arts
class teaching a lovestruck Duncan Button
(Dean Aspen). Duncan tried to kiss Jem, but she retaliated using the exercise she taught him. Jem realised that Gilly was still in love with Steph, and called off their engagement, even after making an effort to befriend Steph.
Jem helps Anita Roy
(Saira Choudhry
) track down her birth mother, Eva Strong
(Sheree Murphy
), and moves in with Anita and her brother Ravi Roy
(Stephen Uppal
). Jem applys for a job at the SU Bar but India Longford
(Beth Kingston) applys for the same job. Jem and India both try and persuade Charlotte Lau
(Amy Yamazaki
) to give them the job and after organising an event as part of the interview process with India gaining the job, however they both later agree to share the job.
Jem and Ravi flirt and sleep together leaving Anita annoyed. Jem and Ravi go out for a drink where Jem meets her father Carl for the first time in three years. Carl tells Jem he is the new owner of the pub. Jem reunites with her step-mother Heidi and brothers Riley and Seth but refuses to talk to Carl after his numerous affairs. Jem starts to bond with Carl and they try to rebuild their relationship. When the family learns that Jasmine is seeing Bart McQueen
, Carl is furious and threatens him. Jem breaks up the confrontation and asks "What are you going to do, break his legs?" When she talks to Carl outside, she reveals that he broke the leg of her ex-boyfriend Liam McAllister (Chris Overton). Liam was also training to be a footballer like Carl, but he ruined Liam's career. Jem splits up with Ravi after finding out that he slept with Eva.
In September 2010, Jem decides to join Hollyoaks Community College, followed by Darren Osborne
's (Ashley Taylor Dawson
) decision to join as well. Jem is allocated a flat alongside the other fresher students. She kisses Doug Carter
(PJ Brennan) to annoy Carl, which raises suspicion that he was responsible for attacking Doug later that day. Jem accused Carl of hitting Doug, but became aware of the absurity of her allegations against him, and apologised to Carl. Jem then starts studying for her play which is graded on, helps Kevin Smith (Cameron Crighton
) and Jamil Fadel (Sakinder Malik) through their problems. Liam later turns up in the village, she explains why she left him and they go on a few dates. Later when her brothers end up in danger after going to a party hosted by Liam and his brother Nathan, Heidi angrily blames Jem for allowing the boys to go and putting their lifes at risk.
When Nathan dies Liam returns to the village he seeks revenge seeking revenge on Carl. Later Jasmine tells Jem she wants to be a boy. Jem agrees to help Liam by paying Mitzeee Minniver
to seduce with Carl. Jem's plan backfires as Mitzeee sleeps with Liam and Heidi finds out what Jem's been up to.Jasmine Costello
(Victoria Atkin
) reveals to Jem that she is Jason and she feels like she is a boy. Although Jem is accepting she exclaims their dad won't be.
After an argument with Heidi Jem decides she needs to leave. Finally making up with her dad, she says a tearful goodbye to her family.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
from the British Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
Hollyoaks
Hollyoaks
Hollyoaks is a long-running British television soap opera, first broadcast on Channel 4 on 23 October 1995. It was originally devised by Phil Redmond, who has also devised shows including Brookside and Grange Hill...
, played by Helen Russell-Clark. She made her first on-screen appearance on 5 March 2010.
Character creation and casting
In December 2009, in an interview with entertainment website Digital SpyDigital Spy
Digital Spy is a British entertainment and media news website. According to Alexa Internet traffic statistics, as of February 2011, Digital Spy is the 93rd most popular website in the United Kingdom, with an overall Alexa ranking of 2,088....
series producer Lucy Allan
Lucy Allan (producer)
Lucy Jane Allan is a British television producer, best known for her work on Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks.Allan's other credited work include a script editor for Dream Team and assistant to director in Chica de Río....
revealed that there would be a new female arriving in Hollyoaks who would be a threat to Steph Cunningham
Steph Cunningham
Stephanie "Steph" Roach is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Carley Stenson. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 8 March 2000 and is the second longest featured regular female character in the history of Hollyoaks...
(Carley Stenson
Carley Stenson
Carley Anne Stenson is an English actress and singer, best known for playing Steph Cunningham in the Channel 4 series Hollyoaks. She also appeared as a performer in Abbamania, and is a member of the all-female band Diamond...
) and Cheryl Brady
Cheryl Brady
Cheryl Brady is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Bronagh Waugh. The character first appeared on-screen on 25 November 2008, during the first series of the Hollyoaks spin-off, Hollyoaks Later, as the former love interest of Malachy Fisher...
(Bronagh Waugh
Bronagh Waugh
Bronagh Waugh is a Northern Irish actress currently playing the character of Cheryl Brady in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks as well as appearing on T4 On The Beach as herself....
). The character of Jem Costello was created as the new love interest of already established character, Gilly Roach
Gilly Roach
Gilbert "Gilly" Roach is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Anthony Quinlan. The character debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 4 October 2005. Gilly was created in 2005 by executive producer David Hanson. Gilly has often been portrayed as a...
(Anthony Quinlan
Anthony Quinlan
Anthony Quinlan is an English actor, known for his role as Gilly Roach in the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks.-References:Quinlan was nominated for sexiest male at the 2010 Inside Soap Awards.[29] He was also nominated in the category of "Best Serial Drama Performance" at the 2011 National...
).
It was announced in early 2010 that Hollyoaks series producer Lucy Allan had cast television newcomer Helen Russell-Clark in the role of Jem having previously auditioned for the role of Rae Wilson
Rae Wilson
Rae Wilson is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Alice Barlow. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 5 October 2009. Barlow was cast into the role, which fulfilled her dream of starring in a soap opera. Fellow cast member Helen...
. Russell-Clark was initially signed to a six month contract.
In January 2010, it was announced that Lucy Allan
Lucy Allan (producer)
Lucy Jane Allan is a British television producer, best known for her work on Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks.Allan's other credited work include a script editor for Dream Team and assistant to director in Chica de Río....
had stepped down from the position of series producer and that Paul Marquess
Paul Marquess
Paul Marquess is a Northern Irish-born British television producer.-Television career:His credits include Brookside, The Bill and Family Affairs. He also originated the idea for the series Footballers' Wives...
had taken over the role. It was soon revealed that Marquess planned to give Hollyoaks a "shake up", changing the productions team and beginning a cast cull by axing three established characters. In April 2010, it was announced that Marquess would introduce a second new family after the Sharpe clan, the Costello's consisting of mother Heidi
Heidi Costello
Heidi Costello is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Kim Tiddy. She made her first on-screen appearance on 20 July 2010 and made her final appearance in the series on 1 November 2011, after the character was accidentally murdered by her father, Silas...
(Kim Tiddy
Kim Tiddy
Kim Tiddy , is an English actress, is known for playing the part of PC Honey Harman, in the ITV soap opera The Bill, and Heidi Costello in the British Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks.-Personal life:...
), father Carl
Carl Costello
Carl Costello, is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Paul Opacic. The character was introduced by executive producer Paul Marquess and debuted onscreen during the episode airing on 19 July 2010. He came to the village as the new owner of The Dog in the...
(Paul Opacic), sons Riley
Riley Costello
Riley Costello is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Rob Norbury. Riley was introduced in July 2010 with his on-screen family by series producer Paul Marquess as part of a cast overhaul of the series....
(Rob Norbury) and Seth
Seth Costello
Seth Costello is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Miles Higson. He made his first on-screen appearance on 20 July 2010. His first major storyline was in 2011 when he was the centre of a Steroids plot...
(Miles Higson) and daughter Jasmine
Jasmine Costello
Jason Costello is a fictional character from the English Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Victoria Atkin. The character debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 2 August 2010 and was introduced by series producer Paul Marquess as a member of the yet to be established Costello family...
(Victoria Atkin). It was later revealed that Jem would be a part of the Costello family after previously been given the surname by Lucy Allan. Jem transpired to be the daughter of Carl, the stepdaughter of Heidi and the half sister of Riley, Seth and Jasmine. Before her family arrived, Jem revealed her mother had died when she was young.
Character development
Speaking to OK!OK!
OK! is a British weekly magazine specializing in celebrity news. Originally launched as a monthly, its first issue was published in April 1993. In September 2004, OK! publishers Northern and Shell launched in Australia as a monthly title – the magazine went weekly in October 2006...
of her character, Russell-Clark stated, "Well, Jem’s well into her martial arts – as I am, which means you’ll be seeing lots of fight action. In fact, the first thing you really see of me is my hand hitting someone, but it’s all in self-defence!" In March 2010, in a video interview with Hollyoaks Backstage, Russell-Clark introduced her character and described her personality, she said, "Jem is a bit of a free spirit, she loves travelling, she loves anything like new experiences, big ideas, she's full of big ideas [...] She's quite fiesty, she's really into her martial arts and keeping fit and stuff. She's quite honest with everyone."
Storylines
Gilly RoachGilly Roach
Gilbert "Gilly" Roach is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Anthony Quinlan. The character debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 4 October 2005. Gilly was created in 2005 by executive producer David Hanson. Gilly has often been portrayed as a...
decides to go travelling around the world with Zoe Carpenter
Zoe Carpenter
Zoe Carpenter is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Zoë Lister. The character first appeared on-screen on 1 September 2006, as one of three new students at Hollyoaks Community College. It was announced in 2009 that Lister had quit her role in order to...
(Zoe Lister
Zoë Lister
Zoë Lister is an English actress from Stoke Prior, Worcestershire, best known for playing Zoe Carpenter in British soap Hollyoaks. She grew up in Callow Hill near Redditch. where she has lived for most of her life. She trained at the Starlight School of Dance in Winyates, Redditch. Previous to...
) and Mike Barnes
Mike Barnes (Hollyoaks)
Michael "Mike" Barnes is a fictional character from the long-running Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Tony Hirst. He first appeared in 2006. In 2010, soap opera magazine Inside Soap reported that the character would leave in late January with love interest Zoe Carpenter...
(Tony Hirst
Tony Hirst
Tony Hirst is a British actor and theatre director, best known for playing Mike Barnes on the British soap opera Hollyoaks and currently stars in Coronation Street as the love interest of Eileen Grimshaw.- Filmography :...
) after he gives up on his love for Steph. Gilly returns to the village with Jem who he met in Thailand after he saved her from a shark attack. Jem is excited when Gilly proposes to her after he declares his love, much to the disappointment of Steph who runs off. Jem makes friends with Steph and another ex-girlfriend of Gilly, Cheryl and both of them try to make Jem and Gilly split up however they realised Jem was too nice for them to do anything else. Jem moves in with Gilly and the Ashworth family
Ashworth family
The Ashworth family are a fictional family in the long-running Channel 4 soap opera, Hollyoaks. Introduced to the show in 2005, The family derives from Manchester and moved to Hollyoaks village in 2005...
and formed a bond with Josh Ashworth
Josh Ashworth
Joshua Josh Ashworth is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Sonny Flood. He dedbuted on-screen during the episode airing on 3 October 2005 and left on 14 July 2010, after his character was axed by executive producer Paul Marquess...
(Sonny Flood
Sonny Flood
-Background:Born in Blackpool, Lancashire, Flood was educated at Rossall School, near Fleetwood. In 2006 Flood passed ten GCSE exams all at either A or A*. In 2007, he achieved 4 'A's at AS level, in English Literature, History, Media Studies and Philosophy, and in 2008 he achieved a grade 'A' in...
) because of problems with his family. During her time with the family, Jem works in The Dog in the Pond and starts running a martial arts
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
class teaching a lovestruck Duncan Button
Duncan Button
Duncan Button is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Dean Aspen. He debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 2 November 2009. Duncan was originally credited as Duncan Smith until he was credited with Button...
(Dean Aspen). Duncan tried to kiss Jem, but she retaliated using the exercise she taught him. Jem realised that Gilly was still in love with Steph, and called off their engagement, even after making an effort to befriend Steph.
Jem helps Anita Roy
Anita Roy
Anita Roy is a fictional character from the long-running Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Saira Choudhry. Choudhry was cast in 2008 as part of the new Roy family and arrived in November and stayed in the serial for 2 years before she left Hollyoaks on 20 January 2011...
(Saira Choudhry
Saira Choudhry
Saira Choudhry is an English actress, most notable for her role as Anita Roy in the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks .-Television:-External links:...
) track down her birth mother, Eva Strong
Eva Strong
Tania Evette "Eva" Strong is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Sheree Murphy. She made her first on-screen appearance on 23 April 2010.-Character creation and casting:...
(Sheree Murphy
Sheree Murphy
Sheree Murphy is an English actress and television presenter. A former student of the prestigious Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, Murphy placed second on the fifth series of the Reality TV show I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!...
), and moves in with Anita and her brother Ravi Roy
Ravi Roy
Ravi Roy is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Stephen Uppal. He first appeared in an episode airing on 20 May 2008, introduced by series producer Bryan Kirkwood. Since then he has been central to a bisexuality storyline and living with an aneurysm...
(Stephen Uppal
Stephen Uppal
Stephen Uppal is an English actor of Asian descent from Ormesby in Middlesbrough. He is known for playing Ravi Roy in the long-running British soap Hollyoaks, the 2009 film Freight, and also for playing characters in The History Boys at Wyndham's Theatre.Uppal gained a qualification in English at...
). Jem applys for a job at the SU Bar but India Longford
India Longford
India Longford is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Beth Kingston. She made her first on-screen appearance on 21 September 2009 and was introduced by series producer Lucy Allan as a new student at Hollyoaks Community College...
(Beth Kingston) applys for the same job. Jem and India both try and persuade Charlotte Lau
Charlotte Lau
Charlotte Lau is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Amy Yamazaki. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 9 June 2009 and was introduced by series producer Lucy Allan as the ex-girlfriend of Lydia Hart...
(Amy Yamazaki
Amy Yamazaki
Amy Yamazaki is a British actress best known for her portrayal of Charlotte Lau in the long-running Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks.-Career:...
) to give them the job and after organising an event as part of the interview process with India gaining the job, however they both later agree to share the job.
Jem and Ravi flirt and sleep together leaving Anita annoyed. Jem and Ravi go out for a drink where Jem meets her father Carl for the first time in three years. Carl tells Jem he is the new owner of the pub. Jem reunites with her step-mother Heidi and brothers Riley and Seth but refuses to talk to Carl after his numerous affairs. Jem starts to bond with Carl and they try to rebuild their relationship. When the family learns that Jasmine is seeing Bart McQueen
Bart McQueen
Bartholomew "Bart" McQueen is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Jonny Clarke. He first appeared onscreen at his stepmother's funeral in August 2010, introduced by producer Paul Marquess as a member of the McQueen family...
, Carl is furious and threatens him. Jem breaks up the confrontation and asks "What are you going to do, break his legs?" When she talks to Carl outside, she reveals that he broke the leg of her ex-boyfriend Liam McAllister (Chris Overton). Liam was also training to be a footballer like Carl, but he ruined Liam's career. Jem splits up with Ravi after finding out that he slept with Eva.
In September 2010, Jem decides to join Hollyoaks Community College, followed by Darren Osborne
Darren Osborne
Darren Osborne is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks. Darren was introduced by executive producer Phil Redmond as part of the Osborne family. Darren made his first on-screen appearance on 18 November 1996 and was initially played by Adam Booth, before the Booth...
's (Ashley Taylor Dawson
Ashley Taylor Dawson
Ashley Taylor Dawson is an English actor and singer. He is best known for his role as Darren Osborne in the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, in which he is one of the longest serving cast members and as being a member of UK pop band allSTARS*.-Personal life:Ashley Dawson was born Wilmslow,...
) decision to join as well. Jem is allocated a flat alongside the other fresher students. She kisses Doug Carter
Doug Carter
Doug Carter is a fictional character from the British soap opera Hollyoaks, played by PJ Brennan. He initially appeared in the programme's online spin-off series Hollyoaks: Freshers, before debuting in the main series in the episode airing 13 September 2010. He left on 17 September before returning...
(PJ Brennan) to annoy Carl, which raises suspicion that he was responsible for attacking Doug later that day. Jem accused Carl of hitting Doug, but became aware of the absurity of her allegations against him, and apologised to Carl. Jem then starts studying for her play which is graded on, helps Kevin Smith (Cameron Crighton
Cameron Crighton
Cameron Crighton is a British actor, he has had small guest parts on various television shows and is currently portraying Kevin Smith on Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks.-Career:...
) and Jamil Fadel (Sakinder Malik) through their problems. Liam later turns up in the village, she explains why she left him and they go on a few dates. Later when her brothers end up in danger after going to a party hosted by Liam and his brother Nathan, Heidi angrily blames Jem for allowing the boys to go and putting their lifes at risk.
When Nathan dies Liam returns to the village he seeks revenge seeking revenge on Carl. Later Jasmine tells Jem she wants to be a boy. Jem agrees to help Liam by paying Mitzeee Minniver
Mitzeee Minniver
Ann "Mitzeee" Minniver is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Rachel Shenton. The character debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 23 July 2010. Mitzeee was created by series producer Paul Marquess for a different television series which was...
to seduce with Carl. Jem's plan backfires as Mitzeee sleeps with Liam and Heidi finds out what Jem's been up to.Jasmine Costello
Jasmine Costello
Jason Costello is a fictional character from the English Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Victoria Atkin. The character debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 2 August 2010 and was introduced by series producer Paul Marquess as a member of the yet to be established Costello family...
(Victoria Atkin
Victoria Atkin
Victoria Atkin is an English actress best known for playing the character Jason Costello, previously known as Jasmine, in the British soap opera Hollyoaks and Hollyoaks Later as the soap's first character with Gender Identity Disorder. Hollyoaks is Atkin's first television role...
) reveals to Jem that she is Jason and she feels like she is a boy. Although Jem is accepting she exclaims their dad won't be.
After an argument with Heidi Jem decides she needs to leave. Finally making up with her dad, she says a tearful goodbye to her family.
External links
- Character profile on the E4 website.