Gina Patrick

Last updated
Gina Patrick
Hollyoaks character
Gina Patrick.jpg
Portrayed by Dannielle Brent
Duration1997–2001
First appearance20 November 1997
Last appearance30 May 2001
Classification Former; regular
Introduced by Jo Hallows
In-universe information
OccupationStudent
Magazine editor
Voluntary worker
Adoptive mother Jill Patrick
Stepfather Jack Osborne
Brothers Sol Patrick
Joe Patrick (adoptive)
Sisters Kate Patrick (adoptive)

Gina Patrick is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks , played by Dannielle Brent. She debuted on-screen during episodes airing in 1997. Brent secured the role after originally auditioning for the role of Gina's sister Kate Patrick. Gina was initially a recurring character, though was promoted later to the regular cast. Brent felt that the role had given her good training, though decided to leave the serial after four years.

Contents

Gina is characterised as a tomboy who prefers casual clothing and has strong views on environmental issues. The character has been at the centre of a lesbian relationship with fellow character Emily Taylor. Brent said she was not made aware of the storyline until later in her tenure. She praised the storyline because it portrayed lesbians in a natural relationship. The storyline had a positive effect on the programme itself when it increased viewing interest. The relationship was also well received by columnists of the Daily Record .

Casting

Actress Danielle Brent secured the role in 1997. It was her first television role after she attended the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts. [1] Brent originally auditioned for the role of Kate Patrick, who Natasha Symms went on to play. [2] Brent was originally signed to the serial on a recurring basis, though she was later promoted to the regular cast. [3] Brent left the programme after four years of playing Gina. [4] Brent said she had a great time in the serial and labelled the role as "the best training I could have wished for." [5]

Character development

Gina was characterised as a "eco warrior". Her style of clothing was casual wear and hooded sweat shirts. [6] Gina was originally described to Brent as being a tomboy who liked wearing combats. [3] Gina also takes on "major roles" in college politics and is described as a "memorable" contributor to the serial's fictional magazine The Review. [7] Gina is also portrayed as a moody teenager with facial piercings. Brent told Ellie Genower from Soaplife enjoyed not having to be "happy and chirpy" whilst filming Gina's scenes. [8] Gina was portrayed differently to the rest of the show's other characters. Brent explained to Genower that Gina is unlike them because "she's got lip and nose rings, she's really not as glamorous. She's confidently moody and it's fun!" [8] Gina's nose and lip rings are not real piercings and Brent clipped them on during filming. [8] Unlike other females working on the show, Brent did not have to spend much time in the make-up department as Gina initially often opts not to wear make-up. Brent recalled "awful" instances that make-up artists added "bags to her eyes" to make Gina appear worse. [8]

Gina was involved in a storyline in which she came out as a lesbian. She later begins a relationship with Emily Taylor (Lorna Pegler). Producers did not inform either actress about the storyline to begin with, however, told them they had "saucy" plans for their characters. [3] Brent said she was "fine" with the storyline when she found out. Pegler said she was happy that the storyline showed there is nothing "unnatural" about same sex relationships. Brent said she played their relationship like any other, featuring "the laughs, the rows and so on." [3] Brent and Pegler planned their characters first kiss two months in advance, in order to find out the best way to "tackle" the plot. [2] Gina and Emily have completely different personalities, though they "share a passion for animal welfare." The storyline proved successful with viewers and increased general interest for Hollyoaks. Though some viewers became so involved with the storyline, they assumed Brent and Pegler were in a relationship outside of their characters. [3] When Gina comes out to her family, her brother Sol Patrick (Paul Danan) does not take the news well. Danan said Sol is angry and hurt and "feels she has kept her sexuality a secret from him for years." [3]

Writers created a kidnapping story for Gina in which she is taken hostage by Steve Holt (Conor Ryan). He is the brother of Jess Holt (Frankie Hough) and is a pimp. He sets fire to The Dog pub and attacks Gina's brother, Sol. He later becomes angry when Gina and Emily have been watching him and try to have him arrested. [9] Brent told Susan Riley from Soaplife that "she's been a marked woman ever since he caught Gina and Emily spying on him, though she didn't know it." [9] Steve starts stalking Gina and she becomes scared all the time. Brent added that Gina is "really paranoid", a "nervous wreck" and fails to recognise "how deep" the trouble is she is in with Steve. He waits until Gina is alone and kidnaps her, taking her to a disused barn. [9] Gina's friends believe she is on a field trip and do not notice her disappearance. Gina spends days being held hostage at the barn and Brent revealed Gina believes she will die there. Steve taunts Gina, "he really gets a kick out of frightening her". [9] Brent revealed that Gina is a "tough cookie" and gain the will to fight against Steve. Gina gets "angry" and "it's really physical stuff" when she makes her escape. [9] Steve chases Gina through a woodland area, catches her and takes her back to the barn. Brent revealed that the escape scenes were so physical that she hurt her neck during filming. Brent added that Gina is "strong enough to survive" the kidnapping ordeal but it would have a "lasting effect on her". [9] Steve is arrested for kidnapping Gina but later breaks his bail conditions. He confronts Sol and Jess, he fights Sol and knocks him unconscious. Jess then pushes Steve down some stairs at The Loft night club and he falls off a balcony. Sol attempts to switch off Steve's life support, but Jess convinces him to leave Hollyoaks, which formed Danan's exit from the series. [10]

Writers decided to further Gina's anguish by portraying Emily as unfaithful to her following her kidnapping by Steve. Gina discovers Emily kissing another woman when she reviews video footage from the night of Steve's accident. Gina notices Emily kissing in the background and confronts her. [11] Brent told Karen Dunn from All About Soap that Gina feels "devastated" because aside from her step-father Jack Osborne (Jimmy McKenna), Gina was the only other character she could rely on. Brent believed that Emily cheated because "Gina has been so wrapped up in herself she's forgotten Emily's needs." [11] Gina decides to forgive Emily and they try to make the relationship work. Emily later changes her mind and breaks-up with Gina because she is unable to cope with "the emotional pressure" Gina causes. She added that ultimately "Emily is fed up of Gina being miserable." [11]

Gina attempts to move on from Emily by concentrating on a charity work project. Gina tries to fundraise for an orphanage in China but no one else "shares her enthusiasm". [11] Brent explained that the failed project heightens Gina's woes and Gina also struggles with her college work. Jack becomes concerned and tells Gina that failing her studies would be letting her mother down. Brent added "it upsets Gina as she's fed up of people talking about Jill". [11] She believed Gina is aware she will not pass her exams, which is why she concentrates on doing charity work. [11] Writers also revisited Gina's kidnap storyline April 2001. Gina is given a letter about her the court case for Steve's trial. Brent believed Gina is "petrified" of seeing Steve again but knows she must give evidence to secure a guilty verdict. She added "only after Steve is locked up can she get on with her life". [11]

Storylines

Gina arrives in the village with her family Sol, Kate and Jill Patrick (Lynda Rooke). Gina soon establishes herself to be different from the rest of her family who are loud and brash. Gina takes a keen interest in environmental issues and flaunts facial piercings. She studies hard at Hollyoaks Community College and decides to get involved in college politics. She applies for a job as the editor of college magazine The Review, pitching against her friend Emily. Though Ruth Osborne (Terri Dwyer) manages to ruin her chances. Gina begins to act wayward and suffers with her identity. When she goes missing, Sol and Jill go in search for her and are involved in a car accident.

Gina fends off the advances of Paul Millington, not wanting to hurt him she lets him down gently. Gina then raises the issue of her sexuality, after she begins a relationship with Emily. When she comes out Sol is upset that she did not tell him sooner. Gina manages to secure a position with the magazine. Jill is later diagnosed with a brain tumour and later dies. This affects Gina's relationship with Emily. They begin to fight more and they cannot manage to be in each other's company. Emily has an affair and Gina ends their relationship when she finds out the truth. She moves back in with her step-father Jack. Gina then begins to fail at college and quits. She moves to China to work in an orphanage, wanting to make her mother proud of her.

Reception

Brent was nominated for "Sexiest Female" at the 2001 British Soap Awards, for her portrayal. [12] Merle Brown of the Daily Record has been critical of Gina. Initially enjoying her storylines, she grew tired of the character. She said that The Patrick family became a mess and said Hollyoaks was "unmissable" when Gina suffered an identity crisis. [13] When Gina lost the college election because of her sexuality, Brown said that it was "not nice" but added that it was probably true. [14] She later became annoyed that Gina and Emily began fighting. She branded the storyline as "nonsense" and questioned why they ever bothered to begin a relationship. [15] She later said they "spend most of their life fighting" and jested that blokes would much prefer them to do it "naked in mud." [16] By 2001, Brown could not stand to watch Gina any longer. She said she hoped she would leave with Sol or be murdered by pimp Steve. [17] Vicky Spavin from Daily Record believed that Brent had "a great figure" but Gina's style does not "do her justice" because she is "all lip studs and scraped back hair". [18]

In the book The media : an introduction, Adam Briggs and Paul Cobley said that by 2001 homosexual relationships in soap opera were no longer a novelty. They said Gina and Emily's relationship was a notable example. [19] All About Soap's Karen Dunn opined that Gina "really hasn't had much luck of late. What with her mother dying of cancer, being kidnapped by the evil Steve, her brother Sol fleeing the country... and now the Hollyoaker has found out that Emily, her long-term girlfriend, has cheated on her." [11] Soaplife's Genower assessed that Brent was different to the "piercings and moodiness" of Gina, noting that 1999 was a bad year for the character. She branded Gina a "temperamental teenager" who has had "more than her fair share of gloomy moments." [8]

Related Research Articles

Kate Patrick is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Natasha Symms. She debuted on-screen during the episode broadcast on 6 November 1997. She departed in 1999 and returned for guest appearances in 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steph Cunningham</span> UK soap opera character, created 2000

Steph Roach is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Carley Stenson. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 29 March 2000. Steph was introduced into the serial by executive producer Jo Hallows. In 2009 Stenson decided to quit, but the then producer Lucy Allan convinced her to stay to play out a dramatic storyline. The announcement of her departure was made public in June 2010. Stenson's fellow cast members have described her as a "Hollyoaks legend" because of her lengthy duration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toby Mills</span> Fictional character from the soap opera, Hollyoaks

Toby Mills is a fictional character from the British soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Henry Luxemburg. The character debuted on-screen during the episode broadcast on 25 October 2001. Toby is introduced into the series as a university student and a pub barman. He was originally characterised as a risk-taker and a loyal friend. Producers decided to transform Toby into the show's first serial killer. His murder spree plays largely into his characterisation as writers displayed his anger issues and relationship issues.

Max Farnham is a fictional character from the British television soap opera Brookside, played by Steven Pinder. He made his first appearance during the episode broadcast on 2 July 1990. He remained in the show until just before it was cancelled in 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Susannah Morrisey</span> Soap opera character

Susannah Morrisey is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Karen Drury. The character debuted on-screen during the episode broadcast on 22 July 1991. Susannah was created as the ex-wife of established character Max Farnham and writers instantly used her to create problems in Max's marriage to Patricia Farnham. Susannah's feud with Patricia and desire to reunite with Max formed the basis of her early storylines. Susannah's initial characterisation was only that of a mean, disgruntled ex-spouse but Drury decided to play her more sweet and snobbish. Susannah's persona allowed writers the versatility to create both tragic and comedic stories for her. Susannah's tragedies were formed via her difficult marriage to Max, family bereavements and poor mental health. Writers later transformed her into a promiscuous and scheming woman which gained her infamy in the British press.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michaela McQueen</span> UK soap opera character, created 2006

Michaela McQueen is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Hollie-Jay Bowes. Michaela was the first of the McQueen family to be seen on-screen in 2006, when she was credited as Michaela Jones. On 8 June 2010, Bowes announced that she had quit the show and would leave in six months. However, it was announced on 24 June 2010 that show bosses had axed Bowes and speedily wrote Michaela out after she spoke about upcoming storylines and her exit on social networking website Twitter. Bowes reprised her role as Michaela in 2011, initially appearing in the fourth series of Hollyoaks Later, before reappearing in the main series. In July 2012, Bowes confirmed she would be leaving Hollyoaks, and her final scenes would air on 31 August 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lucy Benson</span> Fictional character from Hollyoaks

Lucy Benson is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Kerrie Taylor. Taylor appeared from the first episode on 23 October 1995. Taylor later quit the role with the character leaving in January 2000 when she went travelling. The character's storylines included a heroin addiction. The character has been described as a "good daughter" type who changed becoming a "hopeless addict".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Helen Cunningham</span> Soap opera character

Helen Cunningham is a fictional character from the British soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Kathryn George. The character debuted on-screen during the episode broadcast on 8 September 1997. Helen was centric to several storylines including her marriage with Gordon Cunningham, dealing with the suicide of her son Lewis Richardson and her daughter Mandy Richardson's abuse at the hands of her ex-husband, Dennis Richardson. Producers also created an advanced maternal age storyline for the character, where she becomes pregnant with Gordon's child and gives birth to Tom Cunningham. In 2003, writers featured Helen in an infidelity story with Tony Hutchinson. Helen and Tony, who is younger engage in a sexual affair which nearly ruins her on-screen partnership with Gordon.

Rob Hawthorne (<i>Hollyoaks</i>) Soap opera character

Robert "Rob" Hawthorne is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Warren Derosa. Derosa first appeared in the role in January 1996 before the character departed, making his final appearance on 28 December 1999. The character is known for his status as a villain, with Derosa describing him as a "theatrical villain".

Lewis Richardson (<i>Hollyoaks</i>) UK soap opera character, created 1995

Lewis Richardson is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Ben Hull. Lewis was introduced by Phil Redmond as part of the Richardson family. Lewis made his first on-screen appearance on 30 October 1995 before departing on 15 October 2001. Lewis was initially a "good bloke" but changed, becoming like his abusive father Dennis Richardson. Lewis's exit from the serial was devised by series producer Jo Hallows who decided to kill Lewis on screen as part of a suicide storyline. The storyline was devised to show the "full horror" of suicide.

Anna Green (<i>Hollyoaks</i>) UK soap opera character, created 1999

Anna Green is a fictional character from the British soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Lisa M. Kay. The character made her first on-screen appearance on 15 September 1999. Anna is introduced into the series as one of five new students arriving to study at the Hollyoaks Community College. Anna is characterised as "dowdy", "prim and proper" and unlucky in love. She is often seen wearing her trademark glasses, which Kay believed did not suit the character. Anna received a style transformation as writers evolved her character into a more confident personality. Writers developed a friendship between Geri Hudson which helped make Anna more empowered. Geri also helped Anna overcome her failed first romance with Sam Smallwood. One of the character's first prominent stories was being run over in a hit and run incident. The perpetrators, Cindy Cunningham and Ben Davies evade justice and allow Tony Hutchinson to be accused of the crime. Anna later discovers Ben's involvement and forms an unlikely friendship with him. Writers paired Anna with fellow student character, Alex Bell and the relationship went onto define the character's later stories.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geri Hudson</span> Soap opera character

Geri Hudson is a fictional character from the British soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Joanna Taylor. The character made her first on-screen appearance on 13 September 1999. Taylor made her final appearance as Geri during the episode broadcast on 19 December 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luke Morgan</span> Fictional character from Hollyoaks

Luke Morgan is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Gary Lucy. He was introduced by the show's creator Phil Redmond as part of the Morgan family, and made his first appearance on 25 March 1999. The character was involved in a male rape storyline, which was branded "groundbreaking" and met with controversy. Lucy opted to leave the role in 2001 after two years, although he returned for two episodes in August 2002. The character's reintroduction was announced on 21 May 2017 and he returned on 24 July. Lucy took a break from the series in 2018 to appear in a play. The character made a few brief appearances throughout 2019 before he returned permanently in August. Luke was killed off in 2022, with his final scenes airing on 9 June 2022. He returned briefly in 2023 as a vision to his former fiancée Cindy Cunningham.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ruth Osborne</span> UK soap opera character, created 1996

Ruth Osborne is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Terri Dwyer. She first appeared in January 1996 as the cousin of Natasha Andersen, and departed in 2001. She made guest appearances between 2003 and 2004, and another in 2008. Dwyer expressed interest in returning full-time in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Natalie Osborne</span> UK soap opera character, created 2003

Natalie Osborne is a fictional character from the British soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Tiffany Mulheron. The character made her first on-screen appearance on 23 May 2003. Mulheron made her final appearance as Natalie during the episode broadcast on 24 August 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kristian Hargreaves</span> Soap opera character

Kristian Hargreaves is a fictional character from the British soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Max Brown. The character debuted on-screen during the episode broadcast on 22 October 2002. Brown made his finale appearance as Kristian during the episode broadcast on 30 July 2004.

Laura Burns is a fictional character from the British soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Lesley Johnston between November 2000 and 2002.

Ben Davies (<i>Hollyoaks</i>) Soap opera character

Ben Davies is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Marcus Patric. He first appeared in August 2000, and after departing from the main show in 2005, made further appearances in spin-offs, Hollyoaks: Let Loose and Hollyoaks: In the City, which followed his relationship with Lisa Hunter

References

  1. ↑ "Dannielle Brent". LezWatch.TV. Retrieved 2021-01-21.
  2. 1 2 Spavin, Vicky (18 March 2000). "Hooray for Hollyoaks; One's sexy and one's a bit mad - meet Dannielle Brent and Natalie Casey, the girls who make TV's hottest soap tick". Daily Record . (Trinity Mirror). Retrieved 26 August 2011– via The Free Library.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Wilson, Liz (16 January 2000). "Kiss and make it up; We just closed our eyes and thought about our boyfriends". Sunday Mail . (Trinity Mirror). Retrieved 25 August 2011– via The Free Library.
  4. ↑ Wise, Jon; Maloney, Jim (17 December 2006). "I was told i'd never walk again after a car crash aged 10. It was the biggest break of my life". The People . (Trinity Mirror). Archived from the original on 6 August 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  5. ↑ "Interview - Danielle Brent (Natalie)". TV One . (TVNZ). Archived from the original on 14 October 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  6. ↑ Graafland, Amber (2 December 2000). "Soap Fashion No 5: Hollyoaks confidential". Daily Mirror . (Trinity Mirror). Retrieved 25 August 2011– via The Free Library.
  7. ↑ Evans 2002, p.71.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 Genower, Ellie (February 2000). "My style Danielle Brent". Soaplife . No. 7. (IPC Media). pp. 40, 41.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Riley, Susan (March 2001). "Hollyoaks hostage hell!". Soaplife . No. 20. (IPC Media). p. 26.
  10. ↑ Riley, Susan (April 2001). "Heart and Sol". Soaplife . No. 21. (IPC Media). p. 36.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Dunn, Karen (7 April – 4 May 2001). "Gina's misery!". All About Soap . No. 20. (Attic Futura UK Ltd). p. 47.
  12. ↑ O'Brien, Sean (27 May 2001). "Hot people: Sexy soap operas; Beauties burst out as EastEnders' Jack and Popstars singer Kym go public". The People . (Trinity Mirror). Retrieved 26 August 2011– via The Free Library.
  13. ↑ Brown, Merle (14 June 1999). "Daily Record (Scotland)". Daily Record . (Trinity Mirror). Retrieved 25 August 2011– via The Free Library.
  14. ↑ Brown, Merle (15 January 2000). "Old Dicko is just too embarrassing; Soap watch". Daily Record . (Trinity Mirror). Retrieved 26 August 2011– via The Free Library.
  15. ↑ Brown, Merle (19 February 2000). "Sarah-Louise is a child with a child". Daily Record . (Trinity Mirror). Retrieved 26 August 2011– via The Free Library.
  16. ↑ Brown, Merle (3 June 2000). "Soap watch; Susannah does the rounds with Darren". Daily Record . (Trinity Mirror). Retrieved 26 August 2011– via The Free Library.
  17. ↑ Brown, Merle (27 January 2001). "Jackie's in for a rude awakening". Daily Record . (Trinity Mirror). Retrieved 26 August 2011– via The Free Library.
  18. ↑ Spavin, Vicky (18 March 2000). "Hooray for Hollyoaks; One's sexy and one's a bit mad - meet Dannielle Brent and Natalie Casey, the girls who make TV's hottest soap tick". Daily Record . Retrieved 23 June 2024– via The Free Library.
  19. ↑ Briggs and Cobley 2001, p.317.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.