Myra McQueen
Encyclopedia
Myra McQueen is a fictional character
from the British Channel 4
soap opera
Hollyoaks
, played by Nicole Barber-Lane
. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 19 June 2006 and was introduced by series producer Bryan Kirkwood
as part of the McQueen family
.
, who plays her, described Myra's relationships: "She's always fallen for the bad guy, the ones that aren't good for her. They're the ones who give her a challenge along with a bit of fun and excitement. She always believes in true love, though. That's why she constantly gets hurt."
Barber-Lane has also expressed her interest in introducing one of the fathers of her children, she told Digital Spy
: "I'd love for one of the kids' dads to come back, I really would. We've seen one of them already — Michaela's and John Paul's, if I remember correctly. He robbed from the McQueens at Christmas, if you remember. So we have seen him, but there was no interaction with Myra. I've love for Jacqui's and Mercedes's dad to make an appearance, though!"
, she then discovers she has caught pubic lice
from him. Tina McQueen
and Russ Owen
both catch them after sharing her towel. This causes issues with their respective partners Dom Reilly and Mercedes McQueen
, until Myra admits she introduced them. Myra spends New Year's Eve 2007 with Leo, they become drunk and engage in sexual activity. Carmel McQueen
presumes there is a bomb in the van after seeing there timer and evacuates the pub. Leo's ex-girlfriend, Valerie Holden becomes jealous and attempts to ruin their romance. Myra's son, Niall Rafferty
arrives in the village. She gave him up at birth and he lies about his identity. It soon becomes apparent that he is after revenge on the McQueen's. Myra disapproves of Tina acting as a surrogate for Jacqui McQueen and Tony Hutchinson
. She begs her not to make the same mistake she made in giving her child away. Niall causes trouble for Myra's family - reports her for benefit fraud, injects Michaela McQueen
with heroin and pushes Tina down the stairs.
Myra makes a friend in priest Kieron Hobbs, who comes to stay with her. They becomes good friends and is hurt to discover he has a secret relationship with John-Paul. She asks Kieron to track down Matthew, the son she gave up. Kieron manages to find his adoptive mother and is shocked to learn it is Niall. When he confronts Niall, he drugs him and kills him to stop him from revealing his identity. Niall then kidnaps all of the McQueens and takes them to the church he was abandoned at. He lures Myra to the church and reveals his the truth. He holds them hostage and asks Myra six questions. For each correct answer she gets to chose a child to live. After answering two wrong, she is forced to choose Jacqui and Carmel to die. When help arrives Niall detonates explosives he has rigged the church with. Jacqui refuses to help Myra out of the rubble. Niall saves her after she tells him that she always loved and thought about him. Myra is devastated to discover Tina has died in the explosion and Niall commits suicide. Jacqui cannot forgive her for her actions, but Carmel does.
Myra's niece, Theresa McQueen
moves in with her. She then develops an unwelcome crush on Mike Barnes
and later sleeps with Archie Carpenter
. When her sister Kathleen McQueen
arrives comes to see Theresa, Myra lets her stay for Theresa's sake. Kathleen uses Tina's old credit cards for money, when Myra finds out she forces Theresa to chose between her mum and relatives. Theresa shoots Calvin Valentine
dead. The rest of the family keep it a secret from Myra, when she eventually discovers the truth she is hurt that no one told her. Myra's cousin Victor agrees to let his son Bart McQueen
live with Myra, after his wife dies. Myra saves the life of Alistair Longford, a rich pensioner. He assumes Cindy Cunningham
has saved him and gives her money. Cindy becomes engaged to him, so Myra and Jacqui blackmail her for money and the role of her wedding planners. The money is later stolen and Jacqui accuses Bart. Myra defends him and Jacqui tells Myra she will move out if she doesn't believe her. She sides with Bart and looses Jacqui.
Myra looks after a sheep called Lambchop and grows attached to it. Dodger steals the sheep and sells the meat from it. Myra appears grief stricken when she finds out the truth. She agrees to let the Savage family live with them after they squat in her home. She becomes close to Dirk Savage and starts getting herself into many comedic situations. When Mercedes becomes engaged to footballer Riley Costello
(Rob Norbury) she immediately takes a liking to his rich background, to the dismay of his mother Heidi Costello
(Kim Tiddy
) who Myra feuds with over the wedding. For Mercedes hen party, she joined Mercedes and Michaela in Ibiza.
On the day of Mercedes' wedding to Riley, Myra walks Mercedes down the aisle
. At the alter, Mercedes confesses after feeling guilty that she had a four-month affair with Riley's father Carl Costello
, and that she isn't sure if the baby she is carrying is his or Riley's. Riley disowns Mercedes, disgusted that she would cheat on him. Mercedes tells everyone that she needs some time to clear her head, and therefore she plans to travel to Dubai
on their honeymoon alone. Unknown to the McQueens, Mercedes is kidnapped by serial killer Silas Blissett
(Jeff Rawle
) while packing her stuff. Silas keeps Mercedes chained to a pole in the basement in the village, but texts Myra pretending to be Mercedes saying "Don't Worry Mum, I'm fine. See you soon. Mercy x". Myra becomes concerned when Mercedes doesn't get in touch with her, but is reassured by Theresa who tells her that Mercedes will call when she is feeling better. Unbeknown to everyone, Silas has told Mercedes that once she gives birth, he plans to murder her.
When Silas is arrested it is found he has Mercedes ring. The McQueen's become increasingly worried for her status and refuse to move until they find her.
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 Nicole Barber-Lane
Nicole Barber-Lane
Nicole Barber-Lane is an English actress best known for playing Myra McQueen in the long-running teen soap Hollyoaks.Before working in Hollyoaks, Barber-Lane appeared in Emmerdale, Bodies, The Cops, and in a Yorkshire Building Society commercial. She has featured in Woman, Red and NOW magazines...
. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 19 June 2006 and was introduced by series producer Bryan Kirkwood
Bryan Kirkwood (producer)
Bryan Kirkwood is a Scottish-born British television producer. He was the producer of teen Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks from 2006 until 2009 and has been the executive producer of the BBC soap EastEnders since 2010.- Personal life :...
as part of the McQueen family
McQueen family
The McQueen family are a fictional family in the long-running Channel 4 soap-opera Hollyoaks. The family first appeared in 2006 and have been involved in a number of the shows main storylines since then, most notably John Paul's affair with Craig Dean and Niall's revenge on his...
.
Character development
The character has had numerous failed relationships in her life with the fathers of her children. Actress Nicole Barber-LaneNicole Barber-Lane
Nicole Barber-Lane is an English actress best known for playing Myra McQueen in the long-running teen soap Hollyoaks.Before working in Hollyoaks, Barber-Lane appeared in Emmerdale, Bodies, The Cops, and in a Yorkshire Building Society commercial. She has featured in Woman, Red and NOW magazines...
, who plays her, described Myra's relationships: "She's always fallen for the bad guy, the ones that aren't good for her. They're the ones who give her a challenge along with a bit of fun and excitement. She always believes in true love, though. That's why she constantly gets hurt."
Barber-Lane has also expressed her interest in introducing one of the fathers of her children, she told Digital Spy
Digital 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....
: "I'd love for one of the kids' dads to come back, I really would. We've seen one of them already — Michaela's and John Paul's, if I remember correctly. He robbed from the McQueens at Christmas, if you remember. So we have seen him, but there was no interaction with Myra. I've love for Jacqui's and Mercedes's dad to make an appearance, though!"
Storylines
Myra starts a casual relationship with Leo ValentineLeo Valentine
Leo Valentine is a fictional character from the long-running Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Brian Bovell. Despite being on the show for over three years, Leo has not been involved in any major storylines, however does serve as a comedic character. In March 2010, it was announced that...
, she then discovers she has caught pubic lice
Pediculosis pubis
Pediculosis pubis is a disease caused by the crab louse Phthirus pubis, a parasitic insect notorious for infesting human pubic hair. The species may also live on other areas with hair, including the eyelashes causing pediculosis ciliaris. Infestation usually lead to intense itching in the pubic area...
from him. Tina McQueen
Tina McQueen
Tina Chastity Reilly is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Leah Hackett. Since making her first appearance in August 2006 as part of the McQueen family, Tina has been involved in storylines including sexual harassment and surrogacy.-Character...
and Russ Owen
Russ Owen
Russell Charles "Russ" Owen is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Stuart Manning. He first appeared in August 2004 with his on-screen family and has been involved in storylines including being diagnosed with testicular cancer and kidnapping his son. It...
both catch them after sharing her towel. This causes issues with their respective partners Dom Reilly and Mercedes McQueen
Mercedes McQueen
Mercedes Fisher is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Jennifer Metcalfe. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 19 June 2006 as the first character to be introduced to the serial by series producer, Bryan Kirkwood...
, until Myra admits she introduced them. Myra spends New Year's Eve 2007 with Leo, they become drunk and engage in sexual activity. Carmel McQueen
Carmel McQueen
Carmel Valentine is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Gemma Merna. She debuted on-screen during episodes airing in August 2006 and was introduced by series producer Bryan Kirkwood as part of the McQueen family...
presumes there is a bomb in the van after seeing there timer and evacuates the pub. Leo's ex-girlfriend, Valerie Holden becomes jealous and attempts to ruin their romance. Myra's son, Niall Rafferty
Niall Rafferty
Niall Rafferty is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Barry Sloane. He first appeared during an episode broadcast on 3 December 2007. Former Brookside actor Sloane was cast as the "mysterious" hairdresser Niall and was introduced by the series' producer...
arrives in the village. She gave him up at birth and he lies about his identity. It soon becomes apparent that he is after revenge on the McQueen's. Myra disapproves of Tina acting as a surrogate for Jacqui McQueen and Tony Hutchinson
Tony Hutchinson
Anthony "Tony" Hutchinson is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Nick Pickard. Tony first appeared on-screen on 23 October 1995, the first episode of the series, and is the only original character still on the show to the present day...
. She begs her not to make the same mistake she made in giving her child away. Niall causes trouble for Myra's family - reports her for benefit fraud, injects Michaela McQueen
Michaela McQueen
Michaela McQueen is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Hollie-Jay Bowes. Michaela was the first of the McQueen family to be seen on-screen in 2006, when she was credited as Michaela Jones. On 8 June 2010, Hollie-Jay Bowes announced that she had quit...
with heroin and pushes Tina down the stairs.
Myra makes a friend in priest Kieron Hobbs, who comes to stay with her. They becomes good friends and is hurt to discover he has a secret relationship with John-Paul. She asks Kieron to track down Matthew, the son she gave up. Kieron manages to find his adoptive mother and is shocked to learn it is Niall. When he confronts Niall, he drugs him and kills him to stop him from revealing his identity. Niall then kidnaps all of the McQueens and takes them to the church he was abandoned at. He lures Myra to the church and reveals his the truth. He holds them hostage and asks Myra six questions. For each correct answer she gets to chose a child to live. After answering two wrong, she is forced to choose Jacqui and Carmel to die. When help arrives Niall detonates explosives he has rigged the church with. Jacqui refuses to help Myra out of the rubble. Niall saves her after she tells him that she always loved and thought about him. Myra is devastated to discover Tina has died in the explosion and Niall commits suicide. Jacqui cannot forgive her for her actions, but Carmel does.
Myra's niece, Theresa McQueen
Theresa McQueen
Theresa McQueen is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Jorgie Porter. She made her first appearance in November 2008. The character was introduced as an extension of already established McQueen family...
moves in with her. She then develops an unwelcome crush on 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...
and later sleeps with Archie Carpenter
Archie Carpenter
Archie Carpenter is a fictional character from the long-running Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Stephen Beard. The character first appeared on-screen on 3 November 2008 until his exit on 28 May 2010. He was introduced as the younger brother of then established Zoe Carpenter, when he moved...
. When her sister Kathleen McQueen
Kathleen McQueen
Kathleen McQueen is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Alison Burrows. She first appeared during late-night spin-off Hollyoaks Later in September 2009 as the sister of Myra McQueen and mother of Theresa McQueen .-Creation and development:The character...
arrives comes to see Theresa, Myra lets her stay for Theresa's sake. Kathleen uses Tina's old credit cards for money, when Myra finds out she forces Theresa to chose between her mum and relatives. Theresa shoots Calvin Valentine
Calvin Valentine
Calvin Valentine is a fictional character from the long-running Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Ricky Whittle. He arrived in July 2006 as a police officer with his mother and younger siblings and made his final appearance on 21 May 2010 after he was murdered by Theresa McQueen. Whittle...
dead. The rest of the family keep it a secret from Myra, when she eventually discovers the truth she is hurt that no one told her. Myra's cousin Victor agrees to let his son 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...
live with Myra, after his wife dies. Myra saves the life of Alistair Longford, a rich pensioner. He assumes Cindy Cunningham
Cindy Cunningham
Cindy Longford is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Stephanie Waring...
has saved him and gives her money. Cindy becomes engaged to him, so Myra and Jacqui blackmail her for money and the role of her wedding planners. The money is later stolen and Jacqui accuses Bart. Myra defends him and Jacqui tells Myra she will move out if she doesn't believe her. She sides with Bart and looses Jacqui.
Myra looks after a sheep called Lambchop and grows attached to it. Dodger steals the sheep and sells the meat from it. Myra appears grief stricken when she finds out the truth. She agrees to let the Savage family live with them after they squat in her home. She becomes close to Dirk Savage and starts getting herself into many comedic situations. When Mercedes becomes engaged to footballer Riley Costello
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) she immediately takes a liking to his rich background, to the dismay of his mother Heidi Costello
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:...
) who Myra feuds with over the wedding. For Mercedes hen party, she joined Mercedes and Michaela in Ibiza.
On the day of Mercedes' wedding to Riley, Myra walks Mercedes down the aisle
Aisle
An aisle is, in general, a space for walking with rows of seats on both sides or with rows of seats on one side and a wall on the other...
. At the alter, Mercedes confesses after feeling guilty that she had a four-month affair with Riley's father Carl Costello
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...
, and that she isn't sure if the baby she is carrying is his or Riley's. Riley disowns Mercedes, disgusted that she would cheat on him. Mercedes tells everyone that she needs some time to clear her head, and therefore she plans to travel to Dubai
Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
on their honeymoon alone. Unknown to the McQueens, Mercedes is kidnapped by serial killer Silas Blissett
Silas Blissett
Silas Blissett is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Jeff Rawle. Rawle's casting was announced in December 2010 and it was revealed that he would portray a killer. Rawle was approached by Hollyoaks and met with series producer, Paul Marquess, who...
(Jeff Rawle
Jeff Rawle
Jeff Rawle is a British actor, perhaps best known for playing the long-suffering George in the news-gathering sitcom Drop the Dead Donkey...
) while packing her stuff. Silas keeps Mercedes chained to a pole in the basement in the village, but texts Myra pretending to be Mercedes saying "Don't Worry Mum, I'm fine. See you soon. Mercy x". Myra becomes concerned when Mercedes doesn't get in touch with her, but is reassured by Theresa who tells her that Mercedes will call when she is feeling better. Unbeknown to everyone, Silas has told Mercedes that once she gives birth, he plans to murder her.
When Silas is arrested it is found he has Mercedes ring. The McQueen's become increasingly worried for her status and refuse to move until they find her.
External links
- Character profile on the E4 website