Characters...
In all soaps you will find similar characters that attract a viewer too them to create a wide audience. These are called stock characters and can be grouped by general names.
Propp's Character Theory is interesting to look at in this case.
Vladimir Propp (1969) developed a character theory for which indicates that there were 7 broad character types from 100 tales he looked at, which could be applied to other media:
These are Propps Stock Characters and the examples are from the storyline of Max and Steph Cunninghams wedding.
- The villain (struggles against the hero). For example: Niall Rafferty who is competing for Stephs heart against Max Cunningham
- The donor (prepares the hero or gives the hero some magical object) For example: Tom Cunnigham who is Max's brother but Max is also his legal guardian. Tom is a cheeky young character who sometimes sees more sense than the adults in the program. He even super glues Max and Steph together in order to make sure they get back together and the wedding goes forward.
- The (magical) helper (helps the hero in the quest) For example: Sam " OB" O'Brian is Max's partner in crime and best friend. The two have been a comedy duo for years. He is always at Max's side and helps him get to the wedding on time after a heavy stag do.
- The princess (person the hero marries, often sought for during the narrative) For example: Steph Cunnigham who has been in Hollyoaks for a very long time.At first she was an aspiring actress and self confessed diva but since meeting Max she has completely changed become a hard working down to earth girl.
- Her father For example: Jack Osbourne is Stephs step dad after he real dad ran off with one of Steph's friends years ago. He is however just as protective as any father.
- The dispatcher (character who makes the lack known and sends the hero off) For example: Tony Hutchinson is the towns business man and is the only original cast member for 1995. He takes Max to the hospital after he starts having chest pains.
- The hero or victim/seeker hero, reacts to the donor, weds the princess For example: Max Cunnighan has had a traumatic life after the death of his parents and a marriage to psychotic Clare Devine who attempted to kill him many times. He has finally found love with ditsy Steph but things never go to plan and just after he weds " the princess" is killed by Niall who attempts to run over Tom.
Propps character theory is however a bit out dated so new categaries for characters have been developed especially for Soap Operas. For example:
The Pregnant Teen...
Amy Barnes from Hollyoaks has been pregnant twice, once at 14 by accident and then at 16 on purpose. The father of the first child Leah is relatively unknown however the second child Lucas belongs to her ex Ste who she moved in with for a year. She now has post natal depression and did not connect with Lucas therefore leaving for over 2 months. For her first pregnancy Amy did not tell her parents about it until she had to have an emergency birth on her kitchen floor. Her mother Kathy pretended that the baby was hers for a while but Amy grew attached to Leah and changed her mind meanwhile her deranged mother was convinced the baby was hers. Her children are now being looked after by her dad whilst she is not around.
Demi Miller from Eastenders was 13 when she became pregnant collapsing in the playground after her waters broke. She gave birth to baby Aleesha and the father, Leo visited them in hospital only to be told by his father that he was never to see Demi or Aleesha ever again. She also had trouble bonding with Aleesha for a few months but was able to get over that and become a proper mum. She began meeting Leo in secret and decided to run away together unfortunately falling into a world of drugs. Leo was being used as a drug supplier and after his boss kissed Demi and told her the only thing for her to do was become a prostitute, she took heroine. Leo returned seeing her unconscious believing she had killed herself and then he took an overdose of the remaining heroine. They were found too late and Leo died however Demi recovered but later left Walford for a better life.
The Never Do Well...
Darren Osbourne has been in Hollyoaks for a very long time appearing first in 1996 but played by another actor. His character is entrepreneurial l but never successful with his sleazy character and terrible dress sense. Some of Darren’s disastrous storylines include stitching up notorious gangster Scott and in revenge was caught in a fire at the loft but managing to escape only for Scott to find him again but was saved in the nick of time by the police. His biggest disaster was losing the pub due to his huge gambling addiction and trouble with loan sharks. He did however have a shot at getting it back with some winnings from a casino however his accomplice Jess stole the winnings and the pub was lost. One of his most recent incidents was a scheme with Cindy to take Tony for all of his money however this was foiled when Cindy decided she did love Tony, or so she made everyone think!
Bradley Branning joined Eastenders in 2006 and was grandson of Jim Branning. Bradley was quickly paired with Stacey Turner and the pair were such a mismatch and it was never going to end well with Bradleys geeky, goody two shoes nature and Stacey’s feistiness. After Stacey announced her pregnancy Bradley asked her to get an abortion pushing the pair apart and resulting in Stacey sleeping with his dad Max for revenge. The affair ends when Max goes away for 6 weeks and Bradley and Stacey reconcile and get engaged. After the wedding Max and Stacey kiss again which is caught on film and the pair split once more. Another mishap was being taken hostage by Nick Cotton in the cafe which later sets on fire and Bradley helps hostages escape returning for Nick but being knocked unconscious. Most recently he is moving to Canada with new girlfriend Syd however Stacey has just revealed she has Bipolar disorder and is sectioned in the street just as they get in the cab leaving Bradley with mixed feelings.
The Vixen...
Gemma Bissix plays both of these characters, coincidently both called Claire. This was due to Gemma playing Claire Bates at the age of 9 until she was written out after 6 years and then playing Claire Devine in Hollyoaks from 2006 to 2007 where her character exited. She then returned to Eastenders for a year where her character had completely changed and was remarkably similar to what she was used to in Hollyoaks.
Clare Devine was first cast as Samantha Rowley and the part was a sweet, attractive girl hired by Max and OB to help in the loft. This caused a rift between the boys as both fancied her but Clare took a liking to Max and OB stepped down. However when Clare was recast her character revealed a dark side and changed into a conniving gold-digger marrying Max for his money and attempting to kill him many times not before she had turned OB against him and had Tom put in care. OB however saved the day after Clare pushed fragile Max into a lake and they divorced. She was also pushed off the loft balcony, with the culprit finally being revealed as Justin due to Clare’s many enemies being suspects. This lead to her kidnap of Katy Fox, Justin’s girlfriend and Warrens sister and them drying of a cliff into a reservoir which showed her apparent death only for her to return. She returns for revenge on Warren and Justin setting fire to the Loft with Justin inside and coincidently Justin’s girlfriend which she believes is killing two birds with one stone. She however gets stuck inside and you assume she is dead but only her trashy pink heel can be seen. You later find out that she has been arrested for Warren’s murder.
Clare Bates was changed from a “sweet and cute young girl” to a “man-eating gold digger” by the Eastenders producers. The change was due to Clare’s character being lonely and craving attention after leaving to live in Scotland with her step dad after the death of her mum. Her first target was Ian who she knew was married but also quite wealthy and seen as an easy target. At first Ian is in awe of an attractive woman actually being interested in him and gives in and they kiss. Clare then attempts to blackmail him but Ian confesses to his wife and so she moves on. Next was innocent and naive Bradley who she saw as a love sick puppy that would give her anything she wanted. However he did not earn enough so Clare, like Stacey, moved onto his dad Max. After Bradley discovers Clare’s plan for manipulation he rejects her even though she realises she has true feelings for Bradley and after a drunken rampage in Dots house she exits in the black cab.
A few more include:
Promiscuous Male: Archie Carpenter Ditsy Female: Carmelle and Michaela McQueen Feisty Female:Jackie McQueen Gangster: Warren Fox Gay: John Paul McQueen, Craig Dean,Lesbian: Sarah Barnes, Lydia Hart (alll from Hollyoaks)
