Hollyoaks: In the City
Encyclopedia
Hollyoaks: In the City was a British
television drama series set in Liverpool
and first broadcast in 2006. Hollyoaks: In the City was a spin-off of Channel 4
soap opera
, Hollyoaks
, originally devised by Phil Redmond
. It also served as a continuation to 2005's Hollyoaks: Let Loose, which also starred Gemma Atkinson
and Marcus Patric
.
On 16 November 2006 the writer of the show, Daran Little
, announced on his MySpace
site that the series had not been recommissioned due to low audience figures.
, Ben and Lisa move in with Ben's friend "Tank Top" when they cannot afford to purchase their own place. They quickly settle in and plan to purchase a bar
in Liverpool. However, Ben is tricked into handing over the deposit to con men
. After being given a chance to retrieve his money by a local entrepreneur, Burton, Ben finds himself embroiled in a world of crime and sleaze and he tries to work off his debt.
Lisa starts to work at Burton's modeling agency
, Gloss, which is actually a front for an escort agency
run by Burton. Lisa befriends Polly (Georgina Walker
) who shares a flat with Kay (Kym Marsh
) but Kay is murdered after two episodes. Afterwards a story arc involving Kay's murder emerges with many characters under suspicion; Denise Welch
guest stars as the detective in charge of investigating the murder. Kay's brother, Mickey, turns up, but is later killed after breaking into Burton's office.
The series also features Oliver Lee
as a gay
student, Josh, who becomes infatuated with his teacher, Adam (Philip Olivier
). The producers made the decision of breaking up Ben and Lisa, with Ben ending up with Polly and Lisa sleeping her way through the male characters. Lisa briefly turns to escorting as does Ben when he sleeps with Stella (Claire King
) so that Polly is able to give up escorting. However it is clear Lisa and Ben are still in love with each other.
The final episode comes to a dramatic climax as Debbie finds out the truth that Polly isn't her real sister and runs off to find Josh; Polly later appears to commit suicide by overdosing; and Josh and Adam get together briefly, but when Adam kisses another man at the nightclub, Josh runs off distraught. Lisa is abducted by clients of Stella who intend to use her in a snuff
pornographic film, whilst Ben, Burton and Tank Top frantically rush to find her. This ends in tragedy when Lisa, whilst trying to escape, shoots Ben in the stomach accidentally and he supposedly dies in her arms. This brought an end to the show.
The themes introduction was composed by Luke Blu.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
television drama series set in Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
and first broadcast in 2006. Hollyoaks: In the City was a spin-off of Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
, Hollyoaks
Hollyoaks
Hollyoaks is a long-running British television soap opera, first broadcast on Channel 4 on 23 October 1995. It was originally devised by Phil Redmond, who has also devised shows including Brookside and Grange Hill...
, originally devised by Phil Redmond
Phil Redmond
Phil Redmond CBE is an English television producer and screenwriter.He is well-known for creating several popular television series such as Grange Hill , Brookside and Hollyoaks...
. It also served as a continuation to 2005's Hollyoaks: Let Loose, which also starred Gemma Atkinson
Gemma Atkinson
Gemma Louise Atkinson is an English actress, television personality and glamour and lingerie model.-Personal life:...
and Marcus Patric
Marcus Patric
Marcus Patric is an English actor, possibly best known for the role of Ben Davies in the British soap opera Hollyoaks and its spin-offs Hollyoaks: Let Loose and Hollyoaks: In the City, which he won after entering the televised open-audition "Hollyoaks: On The Pull".-Filmography:*2000 - 2005...
.
On 16 November 2006 the writer of the show, Daran Little
Daran Little
Daran Little is a BAFTA Award-winning British television writer, most notable for his work on Coronation Street from 2000 until 2010.-Career:...
, announced on his MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
site that the series had not been recommissioned due to low audience figures.
Synopsis
After returning home from Sri LankaSri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
, Ben and Lisa move in with Ben's friend "Tank Top" when they cannot afford to purchase their own place. They quickly settle in and plan to purchase a bar
Bar (establishment)
A bar is a business establishment that serves alcoholic drinks — beer, wine, liquor, and cocktails — for consumption on the premises.Bars provide stools or chairs that are placed at tables or counters for their patrons. Some bars have entertainment on a stage, such as a live band, comedians, go-go...
in Liverpool. However, Ben is tricked into handing over the deposit to con men
Confidence trick
A confidence trick is an attempt to defraud a person or group by gaining their confidence. A confidence artist is an individual working alone or in concert with others who exploits characteristics of the human psyche such as dishonesty and honesty, vanity, compassion, credulity, irresponsibility,...
. After being given a chance to retrieve his money by a local entrepreneur, Burton, Ben finds himself embroiled in a world of crime and sleaze and he tries to work off his debt.
Lisa starts to work at Burton's modeling agency
Modeling agency
A modeling agency is a company that represents fashion models, to work for the fashion industry. These agencies earn their income via commission, usually from the deal they make with the model and or the head agency....
, Gloss, which is actually a front for an escort agency
Escort agency
Escort agencies are companies that provide escorts for the agency's clients. The agency typically arranges a meeting between one of its escorts and the client at the customer's house or hotel room , or at the escort's residence . Some agencies also provide escorts for longer durations, who may stay...
run by Burton. Lisa befriends Polly (Georgina Walker
Georgina Walker
-Biography:Georgina Walker was studying for four A-Levels, however later decided to drop out and pursue ambitions of stardom. She was taken on as a model by top London agency Nevs, and one of her first jobs was as a giant cereal box handing out packets of cereal at the Ideal Home Exhibition.After...
) who shares a flat with Kay (Kym Marsh
Kym Marsh
Kimberley Gail Marsh is an English actress and singer.- Early life :Marsh was born in Wigan, Greater Manchester and raised in Garswood, in the Metropolitan Borough of St Helens, Merseyside...
) but Kay is murdered after two episodes. Afterwards a story arc involving Kay's murder emerges with many characters under suspicion; Denise Welch
Denise Welch
Jacqueline Denise Healy is an English actress, dancer and television presenter.-Early life:Denise Welch was born in Ebchester, County Durham, to father Vin and mother Ann and has a younger sister Debbie...
guest stars as the detective in charge of investigating the murder. Kay's brother, Mickey, turns up, but is later killed after breaking into Burton's office.
The series also features Oliver Lee
Oliver Lee (actor)
Oliver Lee is a British actor first known for his role as gay teenager Josh Jones in the television series Hollyoaks: In the City...
as a gay
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
student, Josh, who becomes infatuated with his teacher, Adam (Philip Olivier
Philip Olivier
Philip Olivier is an English actor, model and stage performer best known for playing the role of Tim O'Leary in the soap opera Brookside.-Early life:...
). The producers made the decision of breaking up Ben and Lisa, with Ben ending up with Polly and Lisa sleeping her way through the male characters. Lisa briefly turns to escorting as does Ben when he sleeps with Stella (Claire King
Claire King
Claire King is a popular English actress, best known for playing the roles of Kim Tate in the ITV Soap Opera Emmerdale from 1989 to 1999 and Karen Betts in Bad Girls from 2000 to 2004.-Biography:...
) so that Polly is able to give up escorting. However it is clear Lisa and Ben are still in love with each other.
The final episode comes to a dramatic climax as Debbie finds out the truth that Polly isn't her real sister and runs off to find Josh; Polly later appears to commit suicide by overdosing; and Josh and Adam get together briefly, but when Adam kisses another man at the nightclub, Josh runs off distraught. Lisa is abducted by clients of Stella who intend to use her in a snuff
Snuff film
A snuff film is a motion picture genre that depicts the actual death or murder of a person or people, without the aid of special effects, for the express purpose of distribution and entertainment or financial exploitation. For-profit snuff films are generally regarded as an urban legend, whose...
pornographic film, whilst Ben, Burton and Tank Top frantically rush to find her. This ends in tragedy when Lisa, whilst trying to escape, shoots Ben in the stomach accidentally and he supposedly dies in her arms. This brought an end to the show.
The themes introduction was composed by Luke Blu.
Characters
- Gemma AtkinsonGemma AtkinsonGemma Louise Atkinson is an English actress, television personality and glamour and lingerie model.-Personal life:...
plays Lisa HunterLisa HunterLisa Hunter is a fictional character from the long-running Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Gemma Atkinson. The character is noted for her storylines including bullying and self-harming...
. ModelModel (person)A model , sometimes called a mannequin, is a person who is employed to display, advertise and promote commercial products or to serve as a subject of works of art....
and secretarySecretaryA secretary, or administrative assistant, is a person whose work consists of supporting management, including executives, using a variety of project management, communication & organizational skills. These functions may be entirely carried out to assist one other employee or may be for the benefit...
to Burton, who becomes deeper and more involved in the glamorousGlamorousGlamorous may refer to:* Glamour * Beautiful* Stylish ;* Glamorous , a song by Fergie;* Glamorous , a song by Natalia & En Vogue;* Glamorous , a 2005 album by Denise Ho.-See also:...
lifestyle. - Marcus PatricMarcus PatricMarcus Patric is an English actor, possibly best known for the role of Ben Davies in the British soap opera Hollyoaks and its spin-offs Hollyoaks: Let Loose and Hollyoaks: In the City, which he won after entering the televised open-audition "Hollyoaks: On The Pull".-Filmography:*2000 - 2005...
plays Ben DaviesBen Davies (Hollyoaks)Benjamin "Ben" Davies is a fictional character from the long-running Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Marcus Patric. He first appeared in 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...
. Lisa's boyfriend and a doormanBouncer (doorman)A bouncer is an informal term for a type of security guard employed at venues such as bars, nightclubs or concerts to provide security, check legal age, and refuse entry to a venue based on criteria such as intoxication, aggressive behavior, or attractiveness...
to Burton's exclusive nightclubNightclubA nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
. He fast becomes Burton's favourite henchmanHenchmanHenchman referred originally to one who attended on a horse for his employer, that is, a horse groom. Hence, like constable and marshal, also originally stable staff, henchman became the title of a subordinate official in a royal court or noble household...
. - Lee WarburtonLee WarburtonLee Warburton is a British actor, known for several ongoing television roles.He appeared in Coronation Street as Tony Horrocks, Natalie Barnes' drug addict son, played gay male nurse Tony Vincent in Casualty and its spin-off Holby City in 2003, and played Melanie Costello's violent boyfriend...
plays Burton Phillips. Lisa and Ben's employer, Burton is wealthy, bisexual and straight to the point. - Georgina WalkerGeorgina Walker-Biography:Georgina Walker was studying for four A-Levels, however later decided to drop out and pursue ambitions of stardom. She was taken on as a model by top London agency Nevs, and one of her first jobs was as a giant cereal box handing out packets of cereal at the Ideal Home Exhibition.After...
plays Polly. The sister of Debbie, Polly frequently "whores herself" although does not enjoy it. - Philip OlivierPhilip OlivierPhilip Olivier is an English actor, model and stage performer best known for playing the role of Tim O'Leary in the soap opera Brookside.-Early life:...
plays Adam Tyler, a teacher at the local school. He begins to develop feelings for one of his male students, leading towards a catalyst of events. - Alexis HallAlexis HallAlexis Hall is a British actress, professional singer and model from Manchester,played the role of Precious, a model agency scout in the television series Hollyoaks: In the City...
plays modelModel (person)A model , sometimes called a mannequin, is a person who is employed to display, advertise and promote commercial products or to serve as a subject of works of art....
scoutModeling agencyA modeling agency is a company that represents fashion models, to work for the fashion industry. These agencies earn their income via commission, usually from the deal they make with the model and or the head agency....
Precious, in love with Troy and insanely jealous of the females who get his attention. Cunning and sly, but a good friend. - Oliver LeeOliver Lee (actor)Oliver Lee is a British actor first known for his role as gay teenager Josh Jones in the television series Hollyoaks: In the City...
plays Joshua Jones, an openly gayGayGay is a word that refers to a homosexual person, especially a homosexual male. For homosexual women the specific term is "lesbian"....
16 year old, taught by both Adam and Millie. - Leon LopezLeon Lopez-Biography:Leon Lopez is an English actor, singer-songwriter and occasional model, best known for playing the role of "Jerome Johnson" in the Channel 4 soap opera Brookside from 1998 to 2002. He is a former student of the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts, established by Sir Paul McCartney...
plays Tank Top, Ben, Adam and Lisa's flatmate and another of Burton's bouncers. - Bryony Seth plays Debbie, Polly's sister and Josh's best friend. She wants to be just like her sister, not knowing the truth of her sister's jobs.
- Effie Woods plays Millie, Adam's posh girlfriend, a teacher at the local school, who just wants to be loved.
- Nick Hayes plays Orson Buxton, the courier to the modelling agency, film buff and wannabe director who gets beaten up by Ben, then gets close to Lisa.
- Charlotte Hughes plays Lauren.
- Elaine TanElaine TanElaine Tan is a British actress. She is of Chinese Descent.She attended the Sylvia Young Theatre School at an early age and appeared in commercials, TV, film, and stage productions, including West End productions of South Pacific and The King and I.She graduated in Law from the University of...
plays Gucci, the funky ChineseChinese peopleThe term Chinese people may refer to any of the following:*People with Han Chinese ethnicity ....
model. - Winnie la Freak plays Connie, the local drag queenDrag queenA drag queen is a man who dresses, and usually acts, like a caricature woman often for the purpose of entertaining. There are many kinds of drag artists and they vary greatly, from professionals who have starred in films to people who just try it once. Drag queens also vary by class and culture and...
upstairs. - Adam-Jon Fiorentino plays Troy, a not very bright, AustraliaAustraliaAustralia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n, wannabe actorActorAn actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, who trades sex with Burton for jobs. - Claire KingClaire KingClaire King is a popular English actress, best known for playing the roles of Kim Tate in the ITV Soap Opera Emmerdale from 1989 to 1999 and Karen Betts in Bad Girls from 2000 to 2004.-Biography:...
plays Stella, a businessBusinessA business is an organization engaged in the trade of goods, services, or both to consumers. Businesses are predominant in capitalist economies, where most of them are privately owned and administered to earn profit to increase the wealth of their owners. Businesses may also be not-for-profit...
woman, not unlike Burton, who appears to be willing to do anything for moneyMoneyMoney is any object or record that is generally accepted as payment for goods and services and repayment of debts in a given country or socio-economic context. The main functions of money are distinguished as: a medium of exchange; a unit of account; a store of value; and, occasionally in the past,...
. She does however seem to have a compassionate streak below the surface, secretly hating what she does to people. - Kym MarshKym MarshKimberley Gail Marsh is an English actress and singer.- Early life :Marsh was born in Wigan, Greater Manchester and raised in Garswood, in the Metropolitan Borough of St Helens, Merseyside...
plays Kay Price. The mother of Burton's daughter Melanie, and one of the more renowned models/prostitutes employed by Burton. Kay was murdered after being filmed in a snuff movie. - Oliver MellorOliver MellorOliver Mellor is a British actor and former personal trainer, perhaps best known for playing the role of Dr. Matt Carter in ITV soap opera Coronation Street since 20 August 2010.-Personal life:...
plays Det. Monroe.