Myra McQueen

Myra McQueen
Hollyoaks character
Portrayed by	Nicole Barber-Lane
Introduced by	Bryan Kirkwood
Duration	2006—
First appearance	19 June 2006
Classification	Present; regular
Profile
Home	26 Leigh Road
Occupation	Cleaner
Family Family McQueen Mother Nana McQueen Sisters Kathleen McQueen Charleen McQueen Sons Niall Rafferty John Paul McQueen Daughters Jacqui McQueen Mercedes Fisher Tina Reilly Carmel Valentine Michaela McQueen Grandsons Max McQueen Grandmothers Queenie McQueen Cousins Victor McQueen Nephews Bart McQueen Nieces Theresa McQueen Kathleen-Angel McQueen (Great)

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.

Character development

The character has had numerous failed relationships in her life with the fathers of her children. Actress Nicole Barber-Lane, 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."^[1]

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!"^[2]

Storylines

Myra starts a casual relationship with Leo Valentine, 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.

References

1. ^ Green, Kris (7 October 2008). "Nicole Barber-Lane (Myra McQueen, Hollyoaks)". Digital Spy. (Hachette Filipacchi UK). http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s13/hollyoaks/interviews/a131174/nicole-barber-lane-myra-mcqueen-hollyoaks.html. Retrieved 2010-09-30. 
2. ^ Green, Kris (7 October 2008). "Bonus Scoop: Hollyoaks' Myra McQueen". Digital Spy. (Hachette Filipacchi UK). http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s13/hollyoaks/scoop/a131334/bonus-scoop-hollyoaks-myra-mcqueen.html. Retrieved 2010-09-30. 

External links

• Character profile on the E4 website