Charlie Behan (actor)

Last updated
Charlie Behan
Charlie Behan, Jimmy McKenna and Ashley Taylor Dawson.jpg
Behan (pictured right) in 2025
BornOctober 2004 (age 2021)
Occupation(s)Actor
DJ
Years active2010–
Television Hollyoaks

Charlie Behan (born October 2004) is a British actor and DJ. He has played the role of Charlie Dean on the British soap opera Hollyoaks since 2011. For his role on the soap, he was nominated for "Best Young Performer" at the 2022 Inside Soap Awards.

Contents

Life and career

Charlie Behan was born in October 2004. [1] He is from Manchester. [2] In 2010, Behan briefly played the guest role of Tré Davenport in the British soap opera Hollyoaks . [3] The following year, six-year old Behan returned to the soap and took over the role of Charlie Dean from Joshua McConville. [3] Originally a child cast member of the soap, Behan's appearances increased as the character became involved in more adult storylines. [4] [3] In late 2019, Behan was involved in the Hollyoaks County Line drugs storyline, which actress Jessica Fox was happy about due to Behan being one of the longest serving cast members on the soap. [5] [6] Behan was longlisted for "Best Young Performer" at the 2022 Inside Soap Awards for his role as Charlie. [7] In 2023, Behan said that he was not considering leaving the soap, explaining, "I feel like Hollyoaks is my home. I don't think I should leave – and there's no need to go elsewhere when I've got all these big storylines... I've grown up here and it's all I've ever known". [1] He also added that he liked doing storylines that were relevant to people his age, such as teenage drug use. [1] That same year, the character was involved in a storyline which saw Charlie struggle with his mental health and attempt to kill himself, which led to Behan receiving praise from viewers. [3] Behan did research and worked with charities for the storyline. [8] The character's other storylines have included his anxiety and academic struggles and a love triangle between him, Ella Richardson (Erin Palmer) and Shing Lin Leong (Izzie Yip). [9] [10] [11] Sarah Ellis called Behan a "star" that had "really come of age" amid the storyline of Charlie's mental health struggles. [12]

In August 2024, it was reported that Behan had left Hollyoaks, [13] with a source telling Digital Spy , "It's a sad time for [Behan's] co-stars as he was a popular cast member on set and had a great relationship with the other younger cast and his on-screen family, the Osbornes". [3] [14] The news came amid the announcements that several other cast members would be leaving the soap due to Hollyoaks having to reduce the number and duration of their weekly episodes. [15] Prior to Behan's departure, it was noted by Digital Spy that Behan had been having less appearances. [3] Some viewers expressed unhappiness and confusion on social media over the news of Behan's departure. [16] [17] His final appearance aired in the episode originally released on 11 September 2024. [18] In November 2024, it was announced that Behan would return to the soap for a guest stint later that month. [19] [20] In September 2025, it was reported that Behan would reprise the role again on Hollyoaks later that month. [21] In October 2025, it was reported that Behan would also portray Charlie in the Hollyoaks late-night special Hollyoaks Later for the soap's 30th anniversary, which was broadcast on 22 October of that year. [22]

In addition to acting, Behan is also a DJ. [2]

Personal life

Behan is friends with his Hollyoaks co-star Isabelle Smith, who plays Charlie's adoptive half-sister Frankie Osborne; Smith told Inside Soap that she enjoyed working with him and that she had known Behan for years, explaining, "We went to the same school and live two streets from each other! When I got the part on Hollyoaks I couldn't believe we were going to be playing siblings, it's such a small world!" [23] In 2022, Behan was one of several Hollyoaks cast members that took part in charity football matches to raise money for blood cancer charity Myeloma UK. [24] [25]

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
2010 Hollyoaks Tré Davenport Guest role [3]
2011–Hollyoaks Charlie Dean Regular role [3]
2025 Hollyoaks Later Charlie DeanLate night special [22]

Awards and nominations

List of acting awards and nominations
YearAwardCategoryTitleResultRef.
2022 Inside Soap Awards Best Young Performer Hollyoaks Longlisted [7]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Lewis, George (4 February 2023). "Hollyoaks star Charlie Behan reveals whether he'd quit the soap". Digital Spy . Hearst Communications. Archived from the original on 23 October 2025. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
  2. 1 2 "Charlie Behan". Skiddle . Archived from the original on 23 October 2025. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Kilkelly, Daniel (21 August 2024). "Hollyoaks exit revealed for Charlie Dean as Charlie Behan bows out". Digital Spy . Hearst Communications. Archived from the original on 22 October 2025. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  4. Hughes, Johnathon (4–10 February 2023). ""I've grown up on Hollyoaks... It feels like home!"". Inside Soap . No. 5. p. 46.
  5. Ellis, Sarah (9–15 November 2019). "Tunnel of love!". Inside Soap . No. 45. p. 47.
  6. Harp, Justin (27 December 2019). "Hollyoaks star Jessica Fox speaks out on Charlie Dean mystery in flashforward episode". Digital Spy . Hearst Communications. Archived from the original on 23 October 2025. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
  7. 1 2 "Inside Soap Awards 2022 {!} Cast your vote now!". Inside Soap . No. 30. 23–29 July 2022. pp. 49–52.
  8. Ellis, Sarah (2–8 September 2023). ""Darren doesn't have the tools to deal with this..."". Inside Soap . No. 35. pp. 46–47.
  9. Lewis, George (19 August 2023). "Hollyoaks star Charlie Behan teases "shocking" future for Charlie Dean". Digital Spy . Hearst Communications. Archived from the original on 23 October 2025. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
  10. Kilkelly, Daniel. "Hollyoaks spoiler: Charlie leaves Ella and Shing Lin heartbroken". Digital Spy . Hearst Communications. Archived from the original on 23 October 2025. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
  11. Hughes, Johnathon (19–25 August 2023). "Charlie's results day meltdown!". Inside Soap . No. 33. pp. 14–15.
  12. Ellis, Sarah (16–22 September 2023). "Soapbox". Inside Soap . No. 37. p. 36.
  13. Tyler, Laura-Jayne (31 August – 6 September 2024). "Inside Gossip". Inside Soap . No. 35. p. 13.
  14. Dixon, Natalie (22 August 2024). "Hollyoaks actor Charlie Behan quits soap after 13 years on-screen amid cast cull". National World. Archived from the original on 22 October 2025. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  15. Penwill, Alice (21 August 2024). "Hollyoaks legend quits the soap after staggering 13 years on screen". OK! . Reach plc. Archived from the original on 22 October 2025. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  16. Laurie, Dan (21 August 2024). "Hollyoaks fans fume as 'perfectly good' cast member leaves show after 13 years". Manchester Evening News . Reach plc. Archived from the original on 23 October 2025. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
  17. Laurie, Dan (15 November 2024). "Hollyoaks regular returns after Channel 4 soap exit sparked fan fury". Liverpool Echo . Reach plc. Archived from the original on 23 October 2025. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
  18. Executive Producer: Hannah Cheers; Writer: Gareth Lemon; Director: Neil J Wilkson (11 September 2024). Hollyoaks.
  19. Laurie, Dan (15 November 2024). "Hollyoaks' Charlie Dean return confirmed after 'exit' sparked fan fury". Manchester Evening News . Reach plc. Archived from the original on 23 October 2025. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
  20. Zammitt, Erin (15 November 2024). "Hollyoaks confirms Charlie Dean's return and more new spoilers". Digital Spy . Hearst Communications. Archived from the original on 23 October 2025. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
  21. Zammitt, Erin (2 September 2025). "Hollyoaks confirms Charlie Dean's surprise return in worrying Osbornes story". Digital Spy . Hearst Communications. Archived from the original on 23 October 2025. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
  22. 1 2 Hughes, Johnathon (14 October 2025). "Hollyoaks confirms serious danger in return of scandalous late-night spin-off". Digital Spy . Hearst Communications. Archived from the original on 22 October 2025. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  23. Rowan, Iona (24 November 2024). "Hollyoaks' Isabelle Smith reveals real-life friendship with co-star". Digital Spy . Hearst Communications. Archived from the original on 23 October 2025. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
  24. "Silkmen host stars for charity match". Macclesfield Express . Reach plc. 29 June 2022. p. 48.
  25. Finch, Ivana (23 April 2022). "Costello FC to take on all-star footballers in tribute to Helen". Hull Daily Mail . Reach plc. p. 8.