Honour Chen-Williams

In November 2021, Hollyoaks released a winter trailer which revealed that Honour, Warren Fox's (Jamie Lomas) prison psychiatrist, would be one of five new characters to move into Hollyoaks, the fictional village of the soap opera. The trailer also revealed that Honour's stepdaughter, Lizzie Chen-Williams (Lily Best), Honour's brother in law Ethan Williams (Matthew James-Bailey) and his girlfriend, Maya Harkwell (Ky Discala), and Honour's daughter Serena Chen-Williams (Emma Lau) would also be moving into the village, although it was not yet revealed that these characters were all part of the same family. Most of the characters had been already introduced in seemingly unconnected storylines. Before the cast members of the family began filming, they had a "workshop day" where they got to know each other and spoke about what they thought their characters were like and what they wanted, as well as doing some improv with the writers so that they could see how the cast members talk and move together. Chok noted that this does not often happen in the TV industry and revealed that, in addition to having input into the family's development, she was able to ask about her upcoming storylines. Since the cast are given their scripts sent ahead, Chok was able to raise any questions about both cultural and non-cultural related queries. ==Characterisation==

An official Hollyoaks video highlighting the Chen-Williams family named Honour and Dave as "The fun loving parents". Chok has said that one of her favourite aspects of Honour is when she is funny. Chok added that Honour is "set on fixing everyone else". Chok hoped that other soap operas would introduce East Asian families, especially EastEnders due to the high Chinese population in the East End of London, and added that she thought all forms of media could be "more inclusive" of race, gender, age, religious background and sexuality, asking "We have so many stories out there and why not bring them to the world?" Chok felt "slightly validated as a human being" being on Hollyoaks due to it the importance of seeing East Asians and "people who look like you" on television, and called it "incredible" to now be one of those people. Whilst discussing Honour and her family celebrating Lunar New Year, Chok revealed that more would be revealed about Honour's backstory, "family" and "why she is the way she is". In early 2022, speaking about Honour's upcoming storylines, Chok revealed that Honour would get into more clashes with people, including "comedic run-ins" with some of the established characters, due to coming across as "meddling", but that Honour has good intentions and is just trying to help. Chok added, "I think that's part of being an immigrant or an overthinking therapist. She's like: 'I need to fit in!' So that leads to some comedic episodes." ==Development==

Family and friendships portrays Honour's husband, Dave. Chok was grateful that the Chen-Williams were a "blended" and modern family, and, despite trying to not read comments online, was happy that the family was well received. Chok responded to the fan theories in an interview and said that she did not believe that Dave had an evil nature, calling him an "everyman" who is trying "his best in life". Chok has also said: "I think [Honour] can be quite mean to Ethan because he's her annoying brother-in-law. But if she really saw that he's struggling in life – which he must be – then she would probably want to help him. Whether or not she would be helpful, I don't know, she might make things worse!" Chok said that she "adores" Yip. Regarding Honour's friendships, Chok revealed that whilst Honour is spending a lot of time with Diane, she thinks it would be fun to hang out with someone "unlikely", such as James Nightingale (Gregory Finnegan), as they would "argue" or be "super-bitchy together". In one of their sessions, Warren makes an "accidental confession" when he loses his patience and goes on a rant about his criminal past, where he "inadvertently" mentions that he ran someone else over and killed them, which is causing him guilt. The storyline is revisited when Warren tries to help Maxine, who is feeling rejected by Dave. Becky "cruelly" berates Serena for ordering a package from China and uses conspiracy theories regarding the pandemic to justify her "racial outburst", which upsets Serena and shocks Cindy, who calls Becky a "bigot". Honour gives Becky "a piece of her mind" and notes that whilst she wants to think that there is some "hope" for Becky, she will not tolerate her hurting her family anymore. Chok was very "grateful" that Hollyoaks included the celebrations, saying "Lunar New Year is like Christmas and New Year wrapped up in one for Chinese and other Asian people. People come together and think about their family, whether they're close or far away." The storyline was part of the soap's ongoing commitment to raising awareness about mental health. She said that it would cause "chaos" and "collateral damage" and would "challenge the whole happy family thing". In December 2022, Honour is "rendered speechless" when Dave reveals to her the "huge bombshell" that they are not legally married, as he was still married to his former wife, Flora, when he and Honour married. This comes shortly after the arrival of Honour's sister, Mei Lian Chen (Stacy Liu), where Honour pretends that Dave has another job and tells Mei Lian that Dave has let her down many times, which he overhears, leading to Honour to "track him down" in order to fix the "mess" she has made with her "cruel words". When Honour finds out that Mason has been harassing DeMarcus Westwood (Tomi Ade), she is "determined" to figure out what is going on with Mason, whilst Dave tries to "ignore the whole problem". Honour and Dave are then "rocked" by the discovery that Eric Foster (Angus Castle-Doughty) has drawn their youngest child, Mason, into radicalised misogyny, leading to Mason joining incel online chatrooms and spreading hatred online and in person. Chok said that it is the family's biggest challenge and it tears them apart, with Dave and Honour having no answers, and that she enjoyed being part of the storyline as she found it "clever" that it explored the attitudes of men towards the treatment of women in society, as it showed that more men, such as Tony and Dave, need educating. Chok noted that Honour cannot ignore that she has "two daughters living with a potentially dangerous misogynist". Eric is not pleased to see her but Honour makes it clear that she is only to "get the answers she needs" to help Mason due to being "out of options" in her "quest" to help Mason. Eric causes trouble by telling Honour that she is the cause of her family's issues, causing her to risk losing "everything" when she lashes out and slaps Eric. Further marital problems In September 2022, viewers on Twitter started speculating that there "something going on" between Dave and Diane, though the theory did not materialise into a storyline. Chok "added fuel" to the fan theory when she posted a picture on Instagram of Dave and Honour waving flags supporting Tony Hutchinson's (Nick Pickard), Diane's husband and Eric's half-brother, council election bid, where she wrote that she had enjoyed filming the scenes but also asked "is Dave getting too cosy with Diane?? Eeeeeeek!" In April 2023, things take an "unexpected turn" when Honour shares a "shock kiss" with Tony. Honour has previously confided in Tony, who is also going through a difficult time, that Dave's lies have made her question if she still loves him. Whilst attempting to try to fix between Honour and Dave during a double date night, Tony accidentally reveals one of Honour's secrets by suggesting that she and Dave can "fall in love again", which results in Dave calling Honour a "hard faced cow". In the storyline, Honour, who is struggling to forgive Dave for his lies, finds out that her application for a lecturer job in London has been successful, and she decides to take the position for a fresh start. She also said that she had "great" experiences and had learnt a lot about herself and the show business. ==Storylines==

Honour starts her job as a psychologist at Longmere Prison and is assigned to speak to Warren Fox (Jamie Lomas), who has been arrested for the murder of Timmy Simons (Sam Tutty). Warren admits to her that he did not kill Timmy, but did kill his best friend. Honour figures out that this was Brody Hudson (Adam Woodward), and things are complicated when the transcript between her and Warren is stolen from her house. When celebrating Christmas with her family at The Dog in the Pond, Honour reassures Serena, who is feeling guilty that the family moved to Hollyoaks because of her competition, that moving was a group decision and that she is enjoying her new job at the prison. Honour is surprised when she finds out that Dave's long lost daughter, Maxine Minniver (Nikki Sanderson), lives in Hollyoaks, and learns that Dave blackmailed Warren, Maxine's boyfriend, over his secret to stop him from telling Honour and their children. Honour encourages Dave to get to know Maxine, but Honour's relationship with Serena is strained when she learns that Honour already knew about Dave's secret daughter. Honour encourages her children to see things from Dave's point of view. Honour celebrates Lunar New Year with her family, telling Diane Hutchinson (Alex Fletcher) that she started celebrating it when Mason was born so that he could be celebrate it as Serena had celebrated it with her father. Honour struggles making friends in the village, but she eventually becomes friends with Cindy Cunningham (Stephanie Waring), who had supported Honour and Serena when they faced racist comments from Becky Quentin (Katie McGlynn). Mercedes McQueen (Jennifer Metcalfe) seeks out Honour's help with her son, Bobby Costello (Jayden Fox), who has been behaving strangely. Honour tries to share her concerns with Mercedes but she does not take it well, telling Honour to stay out of her business. Honour later witnesses Mercedes lashing out at Bobby and considers reporting her concerns to social services. A strain is put on Honour and Dave's marriage when it is revealed that Dave's deceased wife, Flora, had received a restraining order against him years ago. With Mason going through an "identity crisis", Honour calls her sister Mei Lian Chen (Stacy Liu) and brother in law Meng Chye Leong (Nicholas Goh) to help him, and they arrive in Hollyoaks with their daughter, Shing Lin Leong (Izzie Yip). During the visit, Honour asks Dave to keep Maxine away from her sister's family and gets Dave to lie about his occupation. Dave overhears Honour telling Mei Lian that Dave has let her down many times, which upsets him. Honour goes to find him to fix things, where he reveals that Flora had refused to grant him a divorce, meaning that he was still married to Flora when he wed Honour, making their marriage invalid. Honour is devastated that her marriage is not legal. Shing Lin moves in with Honour and her family when it is revealed that her parents can no longer afford to send her to private school due to having lost their savings in a scam. Honour and Dave find out that Mason has been indoctrinated into a misgognistic chatroom by Eric Foster (Angus Castle-Doughty), who has harmed several of Mason's sisters, and that Mason has shared inappropriate pictures of his classmates on there. Honour and Dave's reluctance to tell Sam or the police about Mason's behaviour causes a rift between them and Serena and Lizzie, which leads to Serena leaving Hollyoaks. Not knowing what to do, Honour visits Eric in prison, hoping to get answers to help her son. However, Eric taunts her and tells her that Honour is the cause of the issues, leading to her to slap him. Honour is subsequently fired from Longmere Prison. Dave asks Honour to remarry him and despite initially saying yes, she changes her mind. Their marital problems worsen, so Diane and her husband, Tony Hutchinson (Nick Pickard) attempt to help them reconcile. Honour admits to Tony that she does not think that her relationship with Dave will work out and tries to kiss him. She then finds out that her job application as a lecturer of Psychology in a London University has been successful. Dave finds out about the kiss and Honour tells him that she is leaving him for London, before telling her family. Honour assures Mason that she is not leaving because of him. She believes that Shing Lin and Mason will come with her, but they decide to stay with Dave. Honour apologies to Tony and Diane, telling them that she has been unhappy for a while and needs some space from Dave, before saying a final goodbye to her family and leaving Hollyoaks. Dave spirals following Honour's departure and harasses her via text. When she asks him to leave her alone, he says that he wishes he had never laid eyes on her. Later that year, Honour's stepsons, Sam Chen-Williams (Matthew McGivern), stays with her in London when he temporarily leaves the village. ==Reception==

The Chen-Williams were initially popular with viewers. The official website of 2:22 A Ghost Story noted how Honour was the "head of the first ever East Asian family in a UK continuing drama". Stephen Patterson from Metro thought that Honour's exit scenes were emotional, writing "No, you're crying", and noted how Honour walked through "the famous archway". He also praised the "electrifying scenes" where Honour and the rest of her family deal with the revelation of Mason's behaviour in the radical misogyny storyline, writing that the family "came to life" and that the actors "clearly relished the opportunity they'd been given" and helped give the storyline the "strong aftermath that it deserved". However, following Honour's departure, Kilkelly wrote that Hollyoaks had "failed" the Chen-Williams family due to problems with the writing. He cited Honour's link to Warren as his prison psychologist was one of the reasons that the Chen-Williams family initially had storyline potential, but that afterwards the show's "commitment" to the family started to "wane", writing that "Honour's link to Warren was abandoned early in her time on the show. While she was often then shown playing a supporting role in other people's storylines, she has now left the village feeling largely unexplored as a character in her own right." He also cited the storyline where Honour discovered Dave's bigamy as an unsuccessful revelation due to the plot being "difficult to follow" due to the gaps in broadcasting the storyline, which Kilkelly called "frustrating" and a "major problem which haunts Hollyoaks in general at the moment" and wrote that it risked the audience forgetting what had happened when the storylines resumed on screens. Kilkelly concluded by saying that the family has "talented" portrayers and that it was not their fault that the "storytelling" had problems. Kilkelly's colleague, Stephanie Chase, wrote that the family had "suffered" two cast exits. ==Notes==