Ben Bradley (Hollyoaks)

''Hollyoaks'' is a British television soap opera that was first broadcast on 23 October 1995. The following is a list of characters that appeared in the serial in 2015, by order of first appearance. All characters were introduced by executive producer, Bryan Kirkwood.

The first character to be introduced was Dylan Jenkins (James Fletcher) – the estranged son of established character Trevor Royle ( Greg Wood), who made his first appearance in early January. Shortly following, in late January, was the younger sister of Porsche ( Twinnie Lee Moore) and Celine McQueen (Sarah George), Cleo (Nadine Rose Mulkerrin). In February, the "Lovedays", a small new family, were introduced, with Simone Loveday ( Jacqueline Boatswain) appearing first, followed by the rest of her family – son Zack (Duayne Boachie) and husband Louis ( Karl Collins). April saw the arrivals of Reenie McQueen (Zöe Lucker), mother of Porsche, Celine and Cleo and younger half-sister of Myra ( Nicole Barber-Lane); brothers Aiden (Joseph Cocklin) and Kyle Bigsby (Mitchell Hunt); Scott Drinkwell (Ross Adams), cousin of Sinead O'Connor ( Stephanie Davis) and nephew of Diane O'Connor ( Alex Fletcher); and the younger sister of Lindsey (Sophie Austin) and Kim Butterfield ( Daisy Wood-Davis), Kath (Mikaela Newton). Cindy Cunningham's ( Stephanie Waring) secret husband, Mac Nightingale ( David Easter) and Jason Roscoe's (Alfie Browne-Sykes) police mentor, Ben Bradley ( Ben Richards) began appearing from May. Dylan's mother, Val Jenkins (Tanya Robb), made her first appearance in June, as did Reenie's sexually abusive ex-boyfriend, Pete Buchanan (Kai Owen), and Sonia Albright (Kiza Deen), the woman pretending to be the missing daughter of Simone and Louis, Lisa.

Ben Bradley's drug-addicted daughter Carly Bradley (Sophie Wise) made her first appearance in July, as did Angela Brown ( Adele Silva), her husband, Mark ( Ben Faulks) and con artist Wayne (Nathan Whitfield). September saw the introductions of new villainess Ashley Davidson (Kierston Wareing), Derek Clough (Bruce Montague) – the abusive ex-partner of Nana McQueen (Diane Langton) and father of Porsche after raping Reenie, Jade Albright (Kassius Nelson), the sister of Sonia, and Joanne Cardsley (Rachel Leskovac), Louis' former mistress and Simone's former co-worker. October saw Ben's ex-wife, Sadie Bradley (Kirsty Mitchell) introduced and also saw Mac's family introduced as they take over the village pub The Dog in the Pond. The "Nightingales" include Mac's children, Nathan (Jared Garfield), Ellie (Sophie Porley) and Alfie (Richard Linnell); Mac's fiancée Neeta Kaur ( Amrit Maghera); and Nathan's fiancée, Rachel Hardy (Jennifer Brooke). October also saw the arrival of new transgender Hollyoaks High headteacher, Sally St. Claire (Annie Wallace). In November, Diego Salvador Hernandez Martinez De La Cruz (Juan Pablo Yepez), Myra's toyboy lover, arrived in Hollyoaks, following her return to the village. In December, new doctor Dr. Berrington (Tupele Dorgu) made her first appearance.

Dylan Jenkins

Dylan Thomas Jenkins (also Royle), played by James Fletcher, made his first screen appearance on 6 January 2015.
Dylan is the son of established character, "gangster" Trevor Royle ( Greg Wood), who had been rejected by his mother and decided to find his father. A casting call was made for the character on 24 September 2014, revealing the show wanted to cast a "young male actor" that was aged 16 and over to play a "15-year-old emo boy" in a regular role that did not require a specific accent. Auditions were then held for the part of Dylan, with James Fletcher securing the part in 2014. In November 2014, Kirkwood revealed Dylan would become a student of the show's secondary school, 'Hollyoaks High'. Fletcher's casting was announced on 10 December 2014. It was teased whether he would be telling the truth about being Trevor's son. Dylan's first scenes were scheduled to air in January. Fletcher commenting, "Dylan has come to Hollyoaks to find something that's been missing from his life. He hopes he'll find what he's looking for, but it could be a struggle to get what he wants if people keep standing in his way. Deep down Dylan is a good kid who just wants to find his place in the world, but if you cross him he'll make you pay for it. He has secrets but if I told you, they wouldn't be secrets anymore, would they?"

Dylan is 15 years old upon his arrival. He was billed as "a good kid who wants to find his place in the world, but if you cross him he'll make you pay for it." Fletcher described Dylan as "varied", "somebody that isn't run of the mill" and "different". Daniel Kilkelly of '' Digital Spy'' described Dylan as an "alternative teen". Executive producer, Bryan Kirkwood also described Dylan as "different". Johnathan Brown of '' OK!'' magazine described him as a "troublemaker". Dylan was described as "mysterious" upon his introduction. Dylan arrives in Hollyoaks village on 6 January 2015 when he tells a shocked Peri Lomax (Ruby O'Donnell) that her father, Cameron Campbell (Cameron Moore), is his father. Cameron is confused when Dylan introduces himself, but Trevor corrects him and reveals himself to be Dylan's father.

In an interview with '' Digital Spy'', Fletcher discussed Dylan's cross-dressing storyline, stating how "a lack of a mother figure in his life at the moment" is behind his decision to crossdress. Of Trevor's reaction to Dylan's cross-dressing fun, Fletcher said Trevor "blows up at him" and "Dylan is distraught over Trevor's reaction." Fletcher hopes that story will have a positive impact and that viewers "will just be less judgemental about what people are wearing." He went to mention that Dylan has "nobody to talk to about" his cross-dressing. Fletcher also confirmed that it has been "great fun" to make the transformation to Dylan and his look. On 19 May, it was announced that Dylan's mother, Val Jenkins, would be arriving in the village on 1 June, played by Tanya Robb. It was revealed that Val would arrive after receiving news Dylan had been in a road accident and that Dylan would be happy to see his mother after several months in the village without her. Val would also be seen offering support to her Trevor, to the dismay of Grace who becomes jealous over her presence. It was also announced that Dylan would keep his cross-dressing secret from his mother.

In May 2015, it was announced that Fletcher had chosen to leave his role as Dylan at the end of his contract. Dylan's final scenes were commented to be "a while off", with show bosses promising more drama in the build-up to his exit. Fletcher chose not to comment on his exit, but a ''Hollyoaks'' spokesperson said: "Dylan was a popular new addition with the show's young fans, so he definitely won't be leaving quietly. There's a busy few months ahead for him – building up to a memorable exit." Dylan departs on 28 August after being killed off as part of the ongoing "Gloved Hand Killer" storyline. Fletcher spoke to ''Digital Spy'' about his exit, stating that he felt his exit storyline was "amazing" and how he "loved that we got to film on location in Sefton Park in Liverpool". When questioned on his reason behind leaving, Fletcher said: "It was one of those things where I went into it and thought, 'I know I don't want to do more than a year'. That was because I'm essentially fresh out of drama school and I didn't train for 4 years to then just do one job." He revealed that he was contracted until late October, but when producers developed this storyline, they went with an early departure. Discussing Kim's visions of Dylan, Fletcher said how they were "great fun": "That was great fun because I got to be scary – it's the closest I've ever got to filming anything with a horror genre. When I saw how they actually make that work when it comes to filming it, you soon find out that it's not scary at all! But hopefully, the thing that ends up on telly will be a bit of a surprise for everyone." Fletcher also stated how it looks that Kim killed Dylan, but he would "love to know who's killed im. He also mentioned how pleased he was with the reaction to Dylan's cross-dressing storyline and how it was "fun" to play "such a varied character". Fletcher concluded with the hope that ''Hollyoaks'' introduces more "alternative" teenagers to the show in the future.

Dylan arrives in the village believing Cameron Campbell (Cameron Moore) to be his father, until Trevor reveals the truth. Dylan swiftly joins Hollyoaks High School, making friends with Peri Lomax (Ruby O'Donnell), Tom Cunningham (Ellis Hollins) and Nico Blake (Persephone Swales-Dawson). Dylan develops a strong bond with Nico, later entering a relationship with her. He supports and protects Nico from her uncle Will Savage (James Atherton), who is being treated hospital after Nico pushed him off the hospital roof. Dylan, Nico and Tom are stunned to discover that Peri is pregnant and support her, but to cover this, Nico lies that she is pregnant by Dylan. Nico's grandfather Patrick Blake ( Jeremy Sheffield) threatens Dylan after discovering Nico's "pregnancy". Dylan later began dressing up in female clothing, first as a fun afternoon with Peri, Tom and Nico where they dress up in wedding attire. However, when Trevor discovers this through a video Peri has uploaded to the internet, he is furious. Dylan's experiences later becomes more serious and begins trying on Trevor's fiancée, Grace Black's (Tamara Wall) make-up, dresses and jewellery. Dylan is later targeted by bullies, Aiden (Joseph Cocklin) and Kyle Bigsby (Mitchell Hunt) for his appearance and personality. Dylan and Nico plot revenge, but it backfires on them when Aiden and Kyle catch them red-handed. Dylan comforts himself by trying on Grace's clothes.

Dylan later goes on a date with Nico, whilst wearing her mother Sienna Blake's (Anna Passey) silk top. Nico tries to undo Dylan's top, but he panics and runs. He is hit by a car driven by Zack Loveday (Duayne Boachie) and is admitted to hospital. Whilst in hospital, nurse Kim Butterfield ( Daisy Wood-Davis), who is stalking Grace, discovers his secret and blackmails him, threatening to tell Trevor if he does not put her camera back into the flat. Dylan does so, keeping his secret safe. Dylan is later accused of drugging Nico and planning a sexual assault and despite Nico's pleas to police officer Ben Bradley ( Ben Richards), he is nearly charged. In July, Dylan's cross-dressing secret is discovered by Trevor and Grace and react badly. Trevor locks Dylan in the flat, causing an emotional Dylan to tear off his clothes. When Dylan frees himself, he confides in Nico and they take revenge on Trevor by tampering with his car. However, they are shocked to discover that a heavily pregnant Esther Bloom (Jazmine Franks) and her friend, Sinead O'Connor ( Stephanie Davis) have used the car for a trip to a spa. Dylan and Nico also vandalise The Loft ahead of its grand re-opening. Trevor later punches Dylan when they have an argument.

Following this, Dylan decides to change his unique look for Trevor's sake. Dylan chooses to stop cross-dressing and select more conventional image. Dylan then tries to be the model son for Trevor, by assisting at The Loft, even trying to get his hands dirty. He impresses Trevor by booking a party at The Loft for Cleo McQueen (Nadine Rose Mulkerrin). Dylan's bad behaviour continues when he supplies Tom with drugs, which causes mischief at Peri's baby scan. Tom's guardian Frankie Osborne (Helen Pearson) discovers where Tom got the drugs and uses this to her advantage in the court case for her granddaughter, Esther's, surrogate child and Grace and Trevor's biological child, Curtis Royle. This annoys Trevor, which makes Dylan feel ashamed. When he sees that Trevor has employed Robbie Roscoe ( Charlie Wernham) to sell drugs for him, Dylan becomes jealous that Trevor has not entrusted him to do so. In August, Dylan begins to receive mysterious messages from an unknown person, who is entitled "GothBoy98". Having had an argument with Nico, Dylan turns to "GothBoy98" for support, but becomes spooked when they reveal that they like to wear female clothing. Dylan is then left upset after overhearing Grace tell Trevor to choose between Dylan and Curtis. He does not, however, hears Trevor saying that if Dylan goes, so does he and Dylan swiftly informs Trevor he would be staying with Nico for the night. "GothBoy98" then tells Dylan to get revenge on Trevor, leaving Dylan with ideas in his mind.

Ben, who is currently trying to find evidence to send Trevor to prison after falsely believing that he murdered his daughter Carly Bradley (Sophie Wise), arrives at the flat for a drug search, following a tip-off from Robbie. Dylan then lets slip that he was responsible for the drugs, safely avoiding any trouble for Trevor. Following this, Dylan has a public argument with Nico. Fortunately, Maxine Minniver (Nikki Sanderson) and Scott Drinkwell (Ross Adams) intervene. After taking more advice from "GothBoy98", Dylan frames Trevor by planting drugs in The Loft, before calling the police. However, when he realises his mistake, the police arrive. He swiftly sneaks the drugs from his hiding location, as Trevor offers Dylan papers to change his name from "Dylan Jenkins" to "Dylan Royle", before reminding him that he loves him. As Dylan prepares for his court appearance, Trevor and Grace go after Kim and Esther in an intense car chase for baby Curtis. When Trevor does not show, Dylan ditches the suit Trevor bought him and wears a black dress, whilst re-styling his hair and applying make-up. He is escorted to court by Peri, Tom and Nico and they say their goodbyes before entering court. Dylan is sentenced to six months imprisonment. Meanwhile, Trevor and Grace manage to successfully regain Curtis and when Esther and Kim reverse in their car, a police van collides with their car, causing both vehicles to overturn. Unbeknown to anyone, Dylan is in back of the police van. Trevor tries to save Esther from the wreckage and when he sees Dylan exiting the van, rushes to him. Dylan appears to be fine and assists Trevor. Esther, Grace, Kim, Trevor and Dylan flee the wreckage before it explodes. Shortly after, Dylan collapses in Trevor's arms from a punctured liver.

Dylan is shocked when Kim reveals that she is "GothBoy98" and whilst processing the information, an unknown assailant enters the hospital room, and injects Dylan with a large dose of potassium chloride through his IV drip. Dylan immediately goes into cardiac arrest and despite attempts to resuscitate him, he dies as a devastated Trevor watches on. After Dylan's death, Trevor struggles to cope but when Nico talks to him, Trevor reveals that he was proud of Dylan. He also finally accepts that Dylan liked to wear women's clothing and decides to allow Dylan to be buried in one of his favourite dresses. Nico uses Dylan's mobile phone to stalk "GothBoy98", unaware that it is Kim. Kim starts to experience a guilty conscience over Dylan's death for the stalking, and then starts to hallucinate and sees visions of Dylan. Meanwhile, Nico comes to the conclusion that Dylan's stalker was Kyle and punches him. Kim later reveals the truth to Nico, who tries to get Trevor to hurt her. Trevor breaks up with Grace as he thinks if she did not chase after Esther and Kim in the car, then Dylan would still be alive. In October 2015, it is revealed that Lindsey Roscoe (Sophie Austin) murdered Dylan. After Dylan's death, Trevor is shown to carry a picture of him alongside a picture of Curtis in his wallet. In May 2016, Nico murders Trevor by stabbing him on his wedding day to Grace. The following month, Nico goes to Dylan's grave and confesses that she murdered Carly, Patrick and Trevor, and ask him to forgive her for her killings.

Cleo McQueen

Cleo McQueen, played by Nadine Rose Mulkerrin, made her first screen appearance on 26 January 2015. The concept for the character was announced on 3 May 2014, while details about the character and her name were announced on 26 August and 15 November 2014 respectively. The character has been billed as a "brainbox", and is more softer and sensitive than her older sisters Porsche ( Twinnie Lee Moore) and Celine (Sarah George). Cleo joined Hollyoaks High, and befriended Harry Thompson (Parry Glasspool), Holly Cunningham (Amanda Clapham), and Zack Loveday (Duayne Boachie). In August 2017, Mulkerrin was longlisted for Best Actress at the ''Inside Soap'' Awards.

Simone Loveday

Simone Loveday, played by Jacqueline Boatswain, made her first on-screen appearance on 20 February 2015. The basis of the character was announced on 15 November 2014, whilst details about the character, including the name and casting were announced on 10 February 2015. Simone's introductory storyline saw her introduce herself to Cindy Cunningham ( Stephanie Waring) and tell her that she is the new boss of Price Slice. She has been billed as a "formidable presence who will quickly make her mark when she takes over at Price Slice."

In November 2015, Simone goes to the doctor and has a blood test. Later on at Price Slice, she receives a phone call from the doctor telling her the results of her blood test. At dinner, when the Lovedays are all together, Simone announces that she is pregnant. However, on Christmas Day 2015, Simone announces that she has suffered a miscarriage. In March 2016, Simone discovers two massive bombshells concerning her "friend" Joanne Cardsley (Rachel Leskovac), she first discovered that she had had sex with her son, Zack (Duayne Boachie) and later discovered that Louis and Joanne had an affair around the time their daughter Lisa (Rachel Adedeji) went missing, causing her to throw Louis out. They later reconcile but they later walk in on Zack and Sonia Albright (Kiza Deen), whom they believe to be Lisa, getting steamy on the sofa, leaving them horrified. She slaps Zack in horror and he blurts out that Sonia is not his sister and not the real Lisa. Simone and Louis later come face to face with Lisa and she lashes out and slaps Margaret, Lisa moves back home with them.

Simone struggles to bond with Lisa who makes life difficult for the Lovedays. Lisa vows to leave Hollyoaks but decides to stay. Lisa is especially jealous of Sonia wanting to make her life hell for imposing her. Lisa persuades Simone to take the business Sonia has away from her. She also forces Simone to choose between her and Zack although Simone does not choose. Lisa is furious when Simone and Louis accept Zack and Sonia's relationship so Lisa begins dating Jesse Donovan ( Luke Jerdy). Simone does not approve of the relationship but later makes Lisa the fool when she decides to accept Lisa and Jesse relationship. A new storyline has been teased for Simone for late 2016 as she starts to go drink driving, possibly hinting at an alcoholism storyline. After finding out that Joanne manipulated Margaret into kidnapping Lisa, Simone confronted her at the police station, however, she pulled a knife on Simone and forced her to get her out of the building. They bump into Lisa, who punches Joanne, however Joanne attacks Lisa in retaliation but Simone lunges in front of her, and Simone is subsequently stabbed by Joanne.

Zack Loveday

Zack Loveday, played by Duayne Boachie, made his first on-screen appearance on 24 February 2015. The basis for the character, including the name was announced on 15 November 2014, whilst additional details about the character as well as casting were announced on 10 February 2015. Zack will be an aspiring footballer who joins Hollyoaks High. Zack has also been billed as "full of energy and love", "loves to joke around" and a ladies' man.

Louis Loveday

Louis Loveday, played by Karl Collins, made his first on-screen appearance on 3 March 2015. The basis of the character was announced on 15 November 2014, whilst details about the character, including name and casting were announced on 10 February 2015. On 22 January 2019 Louis was killed off when he was murdered by Breda McQueen (Moya Brady).

Louis has been billed as a great dad, teacher and cook, as well as letting Simone believe that she is in charge. Louis is the new deputy head at Hollyoaks High. When baby Rose is kidnapped the suspicion turns to Louis after finding a file with pictures of local girls unaware that the file belongs to Simone who is searching for their daughter Lisa, Louis is arrested therefore making Simone admit the truth.

In November 2015, it is discovered that Louis' wife Simone is pregnant, however, on Christmas Eve, they reveal Simone has suffered a miscarriage. In March 2016, Simone discovers Louis and Joanne's affair, resulting in her throwing them out and them arguing on several occasions, but Simone later decides to give their marriage another chance, but they walk in on Sonia and Zack and are disgusted. They are left gobsmacked to discover that Sonia is not the real Lisa. They come face to face with Lisa at the police station and she returns home with them, however, he and Simone struggle to bond with her.

In September 2016, Louis worries for his friend, Nancy Osborne when her leg freezes at the school, resulting in him taking her to the hospital, but she later leaves, insisting she is fine. In December 2016, Louis is revealed to be the father of Leela Lomax's son Daniel Lomax.
Zack and Leela have a relationship and Louis is unhappy but he tried to make amends with Zack but Zack is not pleased when he shows up at the Lomax house. Louis still wants to be a part of Daniel's life.

In January 2019, Louis was killed by Breda McQueen after she had injured him and moved him to an abandoned pig farm to convalesce but killed him when she discovered that he knew that she had murdered 3 other men and had just been telling her what she wanted to hear by saying his future was with Leela Lomax and his son, Daniel and that he loved them when it was actually Simone Loveday that he loved. Breda angrily bludgeons Louis with a phone and later burns Louis's clothes and mobile phone.

In August 2019, Louis body is found in the village pond, having been moved from its original burial site at Breda's farm.

In August 2017, the revelation that Louis is Daniel's father was longlisted for Best Shock Twist at the ''Inside Soap'' Awards. The nomination did not progress to the viewer-voted shortlist.

Reenie McQueen

Reenie McQueen (also Buchanan-McQueen) played by Zöe Lucker, made her first on-screen appearance on 16 April 2015. The character and casting was announced on 6 February 2015. Reenie is the daughter of Nana McQueen (Diane Langton), and the mother of Porsche ( Twinnie Lee Moore), Celine (Sarah George) and Cleo McQueen (Nadine Rose Mulkerrin). Reenie has been billed as "good-time party girl without an "off" switch and can be exhausting company although deep down she is the most vulnerable of Nana's children" and has not set the best example to her children and has let them down in the past. Reenie's introductory storyline saw her be visited by Porsche in prison.

Reenie first appears when Porsche visits her in prison, after receiving a visiting order from her. Porsche is very hostile towards Reenie, as she refused to believe her when Porsche told her about her ex-boyfriend, Pete Buchanan's (Kai Owen), sexual abuse of her. Reenie asks Porsche for £5,000 so she can rebuild her life when she gets out of prison, but Porsche only manages to raise £2,000. Reenie accepts it reluctantly and asks Porsche about Celine and Cleo before she storms out. Reenie is later seen moving into a cell with