Lynsey Nolan

Lynsey was introduced as the best friend of established character, Cheryl Brady (Bronagh Waugh), during the first series of Hollyoaks Later in 2008. Karen Hassan auditioned for the role of Lynsey, along with twenty other Irish actresses. Hassan said that she felt nervous prior to the audition, as she was a big fan of Hollyoaks. The actress won the role and was contracted for five episodes. Hassan had not expected to be asked to join Hollyoaks and said it was an exciting, but scary prospect. The actress relocated to Liverpool for filming. Her character's introduction to Hollyoaks was low-key, which made Hassan believe that she would just be kept in the background. She felt like Lynsey was "kind of plodding along" and asked the producer if he was happy with her work. He then revealed that he had been thinking along the same lines and told her that she would be a major part in an upcoming storyline featuring Silas Blissett (Jeff Rawle). ==Development==

Characterisation During an interview with a reporter from the show's official website, Hassan explained that Lynsey had been best friends with Cheryl for a long time. When Lynsey joined Cheryl in the village, she quickly found herself a job at the local hospital and fell in love. A new side to the character started to emerge when she began to grow a backbone and Hassan opined that Lynsey could "hold her own". During the storyline with Silas, viewers were able to see a stronger and more determined side to the character. They explained that Lynsey was required to prove she had a backbone during several crisis situations, in which she demonstrated her "superhero antics". determined, brave, gorgeous Relationship with Gilly Roach In February 2011, Lynsey became attracted to widower Gilly Roach (Anthony Quinlan) and they began a short relationship. After Gilly became a personal trainer at Look Sharpe, a local day spa, he invited Lynsey to come along for a free session. Quinlan told Inside Soap journalist, Steven Murphy, that Lynsey is "looking pretty good when she turns up" and she would eventually end up "hopping into the tub and dragging Gilly in there fully clothed!" Hassan said that she found the scene in which Lynsey pulled Gilly into the hot tub "embarrassing", despite knowing Quinlan well. She added that the scenes were not romantic to film due to the water being cold. Silas was scared off after Lynsey's screams alerted his grandson Riley Costello (Rob Norbury) to the situation. Hassan thought Lynsey's "steeliness" helped her break free from Silas. Lynsey realised Silas was the one who attacked her, after she heard his voice which "triggers a flashback" to the moment of the attack. Hassan added that when nobody believed Lynsey, it "makes her want to bring Silas down even more. She's determined to find the evidence she needs to expose him for what he is". When Silas suffers a heart attack, Lynsey is faced with a dilemma when he is placed under her care. Hassan revealed that her character is not "thinking straight" and even though it is her job to save lives, Lynsey can not decide if she should come to the aid of the person who attempted to kill her. Hassan told a reporter from All About Soap that Lynsey innocently buys diet pills for Cheryl off the internet but Silas sees this as an opportunity to seek revenge and switches them with his heart medication, leading to Cheryl collapsing in Chez Chez. Cheryl is found by Lynsey, who is terrified for Cheryl and feels guilty. Hassan explained that when Silas realises Lynsey is trying to bring him down again he "basically tells her to bring it on". She continued saying that Silas "gets off" on the idea that Lynsey is trying to prevent him from killing again as it makes his game more interesting. Texas Longford (Bianca Hendrickse-Spendlove) portrays her murdered sister, India (Beth Kingston), in a reconstruction of India's death. The actress explained that during the campaign Lynsey notices Silas is smiling and "his eyes are full of glee while Texas is clearly in turmoil" reconfirming her earlier suspicions that Silas killed India. Silas begins messing with items in Lynsey's home, which is part of his plan to alter her reality so that "when she insists one thing is happening, it appears not to be the case the next minute". Rawle explained that this is a subtle way of sending her mad. The actress said that this leaves Lynsey to fight her own battles, teasing that the situation gets "even worse before it gets better". Hassan also commented on the friendship, saying she was surprised to hear the pair would become friends as naturally they would not be expected to be friends. She elaborated on this, saying the characters are at opposite "ends of the spectrum" but have both been through traumatic times and have had people not believe them. They have shown each other kindness so there is "a real tenderness in their friendship". Conclusion surrounding Silas dressed as the Grim reaper was released to coincide with the plot. Rawle explained that Silas makes Lynsey guess his next victim because he "really enjoys toying with Lynsey". Rawle revealed that Silas' victim could be anyone and that he is not longer acting rationally so is now very dangerous. Hassan explained that her character realises the threat is very real and she knows that her nemesis means business this time. Hassan explained that Lynsey does not cope with the challenge very well as she has already been pushed to breaking point over recent months and now she is trapped having to play Silas' psychotic game. Lynsey can not rest as she is thinking about the challenge, she is losing sleep and she has already lost her friends over her claims. It is a lot to have "resting on her shoulders - she knows that somebody's life is in her hands. Lynsey tries to stand up to Silas, but he outwits her at every turn". Reflecting on the storyline, Hassan said the storyline was amazing and added that she was enthusiastic to play the storyline. She said that previous to the storyline she had known she could show a feistier side and more depth to Lynsey which she was always aware existed. Hassan said that the pair have a "kind of prickly friendship" and that they have a lot of things in common although they are very different people. She felt that it is almost like the characters should not be friends, but acknowledged that opposites attracted in this instance. Lynsey is attracted to Mercedes as she sees qualities in Mercedes that she wishes she had herself, such as Mercedes being straight-talking, ballsy and someone who "calls a spade a spade, and sometimes Lynsey wishes she had a bit of that gusto". Lynsey begins a relationship with Mercedes' ex-fiancé Riley. Metcalfe explained that if Mercedes discovered this she would feel "utterly betrayed by Lynsey". Metcalfe said Lynsey proves how much she cares about Mercedes when she convinces her to see a psychiatrist. Hassan praised the plot saying it was great because of the chemistry between herself and Metcalfe. Hassan later teased that there could be complicated times for Lynsey when she begins to flirt with Riley. She said that there is a real sexual attraction between them but due to Lynsey's friendship with Riley's ex-fiancée Mercedes she would have to support Mercedes while having a secret relationship with Riley which could become complicated. Norbury said that although Riley feels Lynsey is a lovely girl and someone he can have a laugh with, Mitzeee (Rachel Shenton) is a better match for Riley. Hassan felt that her alter-ego is happy to keep things a secret between her and Riley although when Mitzeee discovers the relationship Lynsey is on the "receiving end of a lot of jealousy". Hassan explained that although Lynsey does not want to go head-to-head with Mercedes and Mitzeee, she will not step aside either. Mercedes discovers Lynsey's relationship with Riley, which Metcalfe explained comes as a shock to Mercedes who has developed a close friendship with Lynsey so does not react as expected. After Lynsey's exit, Hollyoaks released a promotional image featuring her with the main suspects for the murder; Silas, Mercedes, Will, Sampson (Sean Cernow), Walker and Ally. Hassan said that she was often asked if she planned to stay with the serial and although she already knew she was leaving she had to "play along with things" and keep her exit a secret to maintain the "big shock factor" she wanted. In May, when questioned by an OK! columnist whether she planned to stay with the serial, Hassan had replied that when her contract ran out in August she would have to see what happens. She also teased the audience with the revelation that Hollyoaks had not actually aired Lynsey's final on-screen appearance. She touted the scenes as "really juicy, [...] very traumatic and tumultuous" and refused to confirm whether they would be depicted as flashbacks or previous events in Lynsey's life. But she noted that viewers would have "the ending they were looking for". ==Storylines==

Lynsey is upset when she discovers that her ex-boyfriend Kris, who she still has feelings for, is bisexual and a crossdresser. However, she forgives Kris. Lynsey arrives in Hollyoaks to nurse at the Dee Valley Hospital. Lynsey comforts Malachy Fisher (Glen Wallace) after he and Mercedes argue and they kiss, before beginning a relationship. However, Malachy reunites with his wife Mercedes when she lies that she has been infected with HIV by him. Lynsey exposes Mercedes' lies via her medical records. When Malachy is injured in a fire, Lynsey says goodbye before his life support is switched off. Lynsey dates widower Gilly but Lynsey ends their relationship when he is accused of raping Jacqui. When Lynsey gives sexual health advice via a college radio, she angers Silas who prevents her receiving a promotion. Lynsey wears a naughty nurse's outfit on webcam for the show, further angering Silas who causes a blackout in Lynsey's flat, breaks in and grabs Lynsey from behind. Silas steals her ring but when Riley hears her screams he leaves. Upon hearing Silas' voice, Lynsey accuses him of being her attacker. Riley refuses to believe Lynsey and due to lack of evidence the police do not investigate. Lynsey and Texas begin to question whether Silas is responsible for India's murder. When searching Silas' belongings for her ring, Lynsey is interrupted by Riley and returns home to discover her ring has been returned. Texas makes Riley doubt Silas' innocence and when Lynsey accuses Silas of murdering India, Riley questions Silas. Silas collapses with a heart attack and is taken to hospital where Lynsey is assigned as Silas' nurse. Assuming he is faking a heart attack, Lynsey removes his oxygen mask and questions Silas about his innocence. Silas' daughter Heidi finds Lynsey withholding treatment from Silas and calls for help leading to Lynsey being suspended. Lynsey gives Cheryl some diet pills, which Silas replaces with his heart medication. Cheryl falls, knocking herself unconscious which leads to the discovery of sedatives in her system. Silas tells Cheryl that Lynsey could have given her the sedatives, making her doubt Lynsey's state of her mind. Silas follows Texas to the woods where he plans to murder her when Lynsey and Nancy interrupt him. Lynsey notifies Detective Constable Ethan Scott (Craig Vye) but he does not believe Lynsey's claims. Lynsey steals India's necklace from Texas before planting it on Silas. She notifies the police before Texas discovers her plan, forcing her to confess. Silas warns Lynsey that now her plan has failed she should be worried. Lynsey leaves the village temporarily. Brendan begins to believe Lynsey's claims and warns Silas. Lynsey returns to learn Texas has been corresponding with a girl online, who Lynsey realises is actually Silas. Lynsey arranges to meet the correspondent in the woods with Nancy although Silas sends Nancy to meet a journalist. Lynsey arrives in the woods alone, unaware Nancy is not coming. When Lynsey goes missing, Brendan goes to the woods in search of her. Brendan is arrested after the discovery of Rae's body in his car and Lynsey returns to learn of this. Cheryl evicts Lynsey and she moves in with Jacqui. Lynsey hits Silas over the head with a rock and believing him to be dead tells Ethan although when they arrive Silas is gone and later denies all knowledge of the attack. Silas sets Lynsey the challenge of guessing his next victim before Halloween although if she fails he will kill the intended victim. Lynsey attacks Silas following his taunts and is arrested for GBH and although she is issued a warning, she is released. Lynsey convinces Doug of Silas' plan and together they narrow down the possible victims. Silas sends Lynsey a Catwoman costume to wear to the Chez Chez Halloween party. Lynsey is thrown out of the party after trying to convince the guests that a murder is going to take place. When Lynsey returns home, Silas confronts her, confessing that she is his intended victim and that if he were to kill Lynsey he would confess to the police. Lynsey agrees to die but smashes a vase over Silas' head and runs out the flat. Silas kills a woman in a Catwoman costume, believing her to be Lynsey, although he discovers he has killed Heidi. Lynsey and Riley discover Silas' victim's rings and Mercedes' engagement ring, leading to Silas being arrested. Silas refuses to reveal Mercedes' location, saying that he wants Lynsey as she is an opponent he has a rapport. Silas and Lynsey exchange taunts which angers Silas in to revealing Mercedes location. Mercedes gives birth and Lynsey visits Silas for a final time, telling him that he is just a sad old man that no longer has any hold over her and that she can finally sleep soundly. She leaves, relieved her ordeal is over. Lynsey gains her friends back and she and Cheryl become friends again. Lynsey damages her friendship with Mercedes when she begins a relationship with Riley, which ends because of his feelings for Mitzeee. The latter accuses Lynsey of being a stalker which results in Mercedes being stabbed during a confrontation with Mitzeee. She realises that Mercedes stabbed herself and stalked Mitzeee because of her involvement with Riley. Lynsey is also threatened by Walker and Ally after she becomes suspicious about their shared past. Brendan finds her dead and a murder investigation is launched with Mercedes, Ally and Walker amongst the suspects. Jacqui exposes Doctor Browning as the perpetrator - during flashbacks he kills Lynsey because she discovered Mercedes' vendetta against Mitzeee. Walker is present at the murder and does not prevent it in order to conceal an undercover police operation that she discovers. Lynsey appears as an apparition in Silas' mind and following her funeral, Doctor Browning pleading not guilty to charges of murder. At Christmas, Doctor Browning turns up at Mercedes' door and explains that he was cleared of murdering Lynsey after blaming Riley Costello (Rob Norbury). A year later in September 2013, Riley's name is cleared when Doctor Browning confesses to Lynsey's murder after being arrested for shooting Myra McQueen. Myra actually faked her death with a bullet proof vest and flees the country so Doctor Browning would be sent down and therefore kept away from Mercedes. In 2016, Silas tells Lindsey Roscoe (Sophie Austin) that he loves her name as he knew a Lynsey before. ==Reception==

Both Hassan and her character earned several award nominations. In a poll run by E4 to find the Best Bits of 2011, Lynsey was voted Hero of the Year. In Digital Spy's end of year reader's poll for 2011, the Silas plot, including his feud with Lynsey, won Best Soap Storyline. Kilkelly of Digital Spy also chose Lynsey and Silas' Halloween showdown as one of his favourite moments of Hollyoaks in 2011. At the 2012 British Soap Awards, Hassan received a nomination for Best Actress. She was also nominated for Best Actress at the Inside Soap Awards. In the same year, the Halloween episode in which Lynsey's game with Silas concluded won Best Episode at the All About Soap Awards. Sarah Ellis, writing for Inside Soap, described Lynsey as "Hollyoakss very own Miss Marple". Another reporter from the same paper noted that Lynsey "foolishly" met Silas in the woods despite knowing he was a murderer. A Western Mail stated "Lynsey's not going to stop until she's put herself in an early grave. Determined to expose Silas as a murderer, she's like a dog with a bone, intent on making sure he gets his comeuppance". Another Sundary Mercury writer said that Lynsey was "very foolish to take part" in Silas' challenge to guess who his next victim would be. The Liverpool Echos Dawn Collinson thought that the plot was full of suspense, "nail-biting hour after hour of it", before adding that it was gripping. An OK! columnist said that Lynsey and Mercedes are "the unlikeliest couple of 'bessie mates'" in the serial, but felt the pair proved themselves to be "Merseyside's version of Thelma and Louise!" Sarah Ellis from rival magazine Inside Soap shared Morgan's sentiments, branding it "the mother of all shocks". Ellis said that she did not see it coming and concluded that she would miss Lynsey, who was on the path of becoming one of her "favourite Hollyoaks characters". Heat columnist Sophie Wilkinson felt that the episode dealing with the aftermath of Lynsey's death was a "shocker" and questioned "Who could kill butter-wouldn't-melt nurse Lynsey?" Langford also expressed shock at her exit, saying that soaps rarely ever surprise him due to there predictability. He wrote that he did not "see Lynsey's death coming because it was so sudden. One moment she was there and the next she was gone. It was swift and out of nowhere, yet her death not only made perfect sense, it has galvanized this show in a way that has been missing for so long. Because of Lynsey's death, various disparate storylines and plots are finally coming together under one intriguing umbrella arc". Hassan told Digital Spy's Kilkelly that she had received a high volume of messages via social networking site Twitter in response to her exit. She added that viewers named Lynsey as one of their favourite characters amongst "some really nice feedback". Kilkelly also called Lynsey a "super sleuth". ==References==