P. J. Brennan

Last updated

P. J. Brennan
PJ Brennan.jpg
Born (1986-02-11) February 11, 1986 (age 38)
OccupationActor
Years active2010–present

Patrick Joseph Brennan (born February 11, 1986, in Brooklyn, New York, United States) is an American actor and singer based in the United Kingdom. He is best known for his role as Doug Carter in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks . He originally played the role in online spin-off Hollyoaks: Freshers . He also appeared in the BBC Two sitcom Episodes .

Contents

Personal life

Brennan refers to himself as being "Irish-American" and was named after an Irish priest. He grew up practising Irish step-dancing. Brennan uses the name "P. J." which is often confused as being a stage name. [1]

Brennan lived in his native United States for the first 21 years of his life before moving to the United Kingdom after graduating from Fordham University, settling in London in September 2007. [2] Brennan attended the prestigious Catholic prep school Xavier High School in Manhattan. Brennan studied at the Central School of Speech and Drama where he completed a three-year degree. [2] Brennan later moved to Liverpool and lived with some of his Hollyoaks cast members including Alice Barlow, Bianca Hendrickse-Spendlove and Jessica Forrest. [2] Brennan is gay. [3]

Career

Hollyoaks was Brennan's first role and he auditioned for the part in April 2010. [2] Brennan's casting at Hollyoaks was announced on July 15, 2010. [4] Brennan initially had a guest role with the show and appeared from September 13, 2010, to September 17 when he left. Brennan was asked to return in October 2010. [2] His return was announced on December 14, 2010. [5] 2019 he is Nate Goldberg [6] in the TV series Tales of the City.

Filmography

Television/Film
YearTitleRoleNotes
2010-2013 Hollyoaks Doug Carter(TV Series), 260 episodes
2011 Hollyoaks Later Doug Carter(TV Series), 1 episode: "Episode #4.5"
2014The AwakeningRobert Lebrun(TV Series), 5 episodes
The SearchersCharlie McCorry(TV Mini-Series), 2 episodes: "Episode #1.1" and "Episode #1.2"
Confidence ManPatrick(Short film)
2015 Episodes Andrew's Assistant (credited as PJ Brennan)(TV Series), 1 episode: "Episode Two"
2019 Tales of the City Nate Goldberg (credited as Patrick Joseph Brennan)(TV Series), 1 episode: "Next Level Sh*t"
TouchscreenSeth(Short film)

Discography

Extended plays

TitleAlbum details
PJ
  • Released: November 18, 2016
  • Label: Independent
  • Format: Digital download
Pleasure
  • Released: May 28, 2021
  • Label: Independent
  • Format: Digital download

Related Research Articles

Ben Price is an English actor, director and writer. He has played the role of Nick Tilsley in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street and has made four films as a writer/director, the first of which, I'm Sorry To Tell You, was BAFTA-shortlisted.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hollie-Jay Bowes</span> English actress (born 1989)

Hollie-Jay Bowes is an English actress, known for her roles as Dawn O'Malley in the BBC drama Grange Hill and Michaela McQueen in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks. Since 2023, she has appeared in the BBC drama Waterloo Road as Debs Rafferty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jennifer Metcalfe</span> English actress (born 1983)

Jennifer Joanne Metcalfe is an English actress. She is known for her role as Mercedes McQueen in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, which she has appeared in since 2006. Her portrayal of the character has led to her reprising the role in the programme's spin-off series Hollyoaks Later between 2008 and 2020. She appeared as a contestant in the sixth series of Dancing on Ice in 2011, where she finished in tenth place.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephanie Waring</span> English actress (born 1978)

Stephanie Louise Waring is an English actress, known for her roles in the Australian soap opera Crash Palace (2001–2002), the BBC1 drama series Nice Guy Eddie (2001–2002), and Channel 4's Hollyoaks (1996–2024), where she appeared for almost three decades as Cindy Cunningham. Her other television work includes guest appearances on Merseybeat, Holby City, Doctors, and Coronation Street, as well as competing in the tenth series of Dancing on Ice in 2018.

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

Ste Hay is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Kieron Richardson. He debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 10 February 2006. Ste was created by David Hanson and was originally intended to be a short-term character for seven episodes. The following series producer Bryan Kirkwood decided to bring the character back on a permanent basis. As of 2010, Richardson has revealed that he is committed to staying in the serial. In April 2017, Richardson began taking hiatus from the show due to paternity leave, and made a full-time return on 18 December 2017. In October 2019, it was confirmed that Richardson will take a hiatus from the show departing on 20 November 2019. He returned on 3 November 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Claire Cooper</span> British actress (b. 1980)

Claire Elizabeth Cooper is a British actress, best known for portraying Jacqui McQueen in Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, a character she played full time from 2006 to 2013 and returned for 1 episode in 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bryan Kirkwood</span> British television producer (born 1975)

Bryan Kirkwood is a British television producer. He was the producer of the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks from 2006 until 2009 and was the executive producer of the BBC soap EastEnders from 2010 until 2012. He returned as the executive producer of Hollyoaks in late 2012, before leaving again in March 2021. His final episodes aired in June of that year. In 2022, he returned to EastEnders as a writer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carl Costello</span> UK soap opera character, debuted in 2010

Carl Costello is a fictional character from the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Paul Opacic. The character was introduced by executive producer Paul Marquess and he debuted on screen during the episode broadcast on 19 July 2010. Carl arrived in the village as the new owner of The Dog in the Pond and the father of established character Jem Costello. Carl departed from Hollyoaks on 1 December 2011 with his son Jason Costello. Opacic later reprised his role and returned to Hollyoaks on 26 September 2012 and left again on the 5 October 2012. Opacic reprised his role once more in January 2013, which coincided with the exit of Mitzeee Minniver. He returned on 25 January 2013 and departed again on 15 February 2013. Opacic returned again for a guest appearance on 10 July 2018, which ended in his character being murdered by an unknown assailant on 11 July of that year. He reappeared via a flashback on 16 November 2018, which revealed Breda McQueen to be his killer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Riley Costello</span> UK soap opera character, created 2010

Riley Costello is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Rob Norbury. Riley was introduced on 20 July 2010 with the Costello family as part of a cast overhaul of the series. In December 2011, the serial's executive producer Emma Smithwick said that Riley would remain in Hollyoaks despite his family's departure. On 14 September 2012, it was announced Riley was to leave Hollyoaks and Riley was killed off in a shooting during the episode airing 3 October 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seth Costello</span> Character from Hollyoaks, created 2010

Seth Costello is a fictional character from the British television soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Miles Higson. He made his first appearance during the episode broadcast on 20 July 2010. His first major storyline was in 2011 when he was the centre of a steroids storyline. He also became involved in the storyline where his father Carl Costello began an affair with Mercedes McQueen. 2020 saw the return of Seth, when he blackmailed the McQueen family with grandfather Silas Blissett. He departed again on 2 February 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leanne Holiday</span> Soap opera character

Leanne Holiday is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks and its Internet spin-off Hollyoaks: Freshers, played by Jessica Forrest. Forrest's casting was announced in July 2010 and she began filming her scenes in June. The actress originally commuted from Manchester to Liverpool for filming, before relocating there. Forrest was a drama and film studies student when she gained the role of Leanne. She made her first appearance in Hollyoaks: Freshers on 26 August 2010 before appearing in the main show. Leanne departed the show on 21 October 2013, when the character was killed off in an explosion as part of the show's eighteenth anniversary celebrations.

Hollyoaks began airing on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom on 23 October 1995. The show targeted teenagers and initially dramatised the lives of seven teenagers living in Hollyoaks, a fictional suburb in the city of Chester in Cheshire, England.

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

Liberty Savage is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by actress and singer-songwriter Abi Phillips from 2010 to 2013, and Jessamy Stoddart from 2018. She made her first on-screen appearance on 10 December 2010. Phillips was approached by Hollyoaks producers after she submitted one of her songs to be played on the show. Following a strong response to the song, producers invited her to audition for the role of Liberty, in which she was successful. Liberty was introduced to Hollyoaks along with her fiancé, Ethan Scott. After an absence of four months during 2013, it was announced that Liberty would be written out of the serial, and she departed on 24 July 2013. On 22 May 2018, it was announced that Liberty would return, but this time with Stoddart in the role, and she returned on 5 June 2018. Stoddart went on maternity leave in December 2022, with the character of Liberty set to return in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ruby Button</span> UK soap opera character (launched 2011)

Ruby Button is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Anna Shaffer. Shaffer's casting was announced in December 2010 and it was revealed that Ruby would be introduced as the sister of Duncan Button. Shaffer originally auditioned for the role of Leanne Holiday, in which she was not successful. Shaffer began filming her scenes in late 2010 and relocated to Liverpool for filming. Ruby made her first appearance in the episode broadcast on 3 January 2011. In October 2013, it was announced that Shaffer had quit the role and would leave in February 2014. In October 2017, speculation emerged indicating Shaffer was to reprise the role very soon and on 16 November 2017, it was confirmed that Ruby would be back for Frankie Osborne's funeral later that month. She returned on 23 November 2017, departing in the following episode, broadcast on 24 November. She made another return for a guest stint at the end of April 2018, making her final appearance on 30 April.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Silas Blissett</span> UK soap opera character, created 2010

Silas Blissett is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Jeff Rawle. Rawle's casting was announced in December 2010 and it was revealed that he would portray a serial killer. Rawle was approached by Hollyoaks and met with series producer, Paul Marquess, who explained the role of Silas and his storyline. Rawle found the storyline something which he would like to "have a crack at". The actor said that the role of Silas is "very interesting" for him as he had not played a murderer in his career before. He made his first on-screen appearance in episode 2979, originally broadcast on 23 December 2010. However, Silas departed for the first time on 4 November 2011. Silas returned on 19 July 2012, as a guest stint. Silas returned again in 2016 as well as making two further returns in 2020 and 2022 with this being his last return as he was killed-off in a final showdown with the McQueens.

<i>Hollyoaks Later</i> series 4 Season of television series

The fourth series of Hollyoaks Later is a British television series and late night spin-off of Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks. The series aired in September 2011 at 10pm. The series revolved around Silas Blissett's search for another murder victim which culminated in the death of Rae Wilson, the stag do of Riley Costello, the hen party of Mercedes McQueen and Ricky Campbell and Duncan Button's trip to fat camp.

Paula Lane is an English actress. She is best known for portraying the roles of Kylie Platt in ITV soap opera Coronation Street (2010–2016), and Ella Forster in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale (2024–present).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doug Carter</span> British soap opera character

Doug Carter is a fictional character from the British soap opera Hollyoaks, played by PJ Brennan. Brennan initially appeared as Doug in the programme's online spin-off series Hollyoaks: Freshers, before his debut in the main show on 13 September 2010. He appeared in 5 episodes before returning on 13 January 2011 as a regular character.

References

  1. "EXCLUSIVE: We talk to Hollyoaks' PJ Brennan about streaking and Darren's bum!". Heat . March 19, 2011. Retrieved September 24, 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Kilkelly, Daniel (July 4, 2011). "'Hollyoaks': PJ Brennan on Doug, Brendan, Bex and Silas". Digital Spy . Retrieved September 24, 2011.
  3. Good, Jenna (May 5–11, 2011). "Kieron's a great kisser!". Reveal (18): 93.
  4. Kilkelly, Daniel (July 15, 2010). "Meet the new 'Hollyoaks' students". Digital Spy . Retrieved September 25, 2011.
  5. Kilkelly, Daniel (December 14, 2010). "Gaz and Doug return to 'Hollyoaks'". Digital Spy . Retrieved September 23, 2011.
  6. "P.J. Brennan". IMDb.