Luke Morgan
Encyclopedia
Lucas "Luke" Morgan is a fictional character
from long-running Channel 4
soap opera
Hollyoaks
, played by Gary Lucy. He played the part between 1999 and 2001 before a brief return in 2002. He was introduced as part of the Morgan family alongside sisters Beth
and Zara
, brother Adam
and parents Andy and Sue. While at Hollyoaks, Lucy was part of a controversial male rape storyline which was the first time it had been tackled in a British soap.
Luke has been described as a "heart-throb" and a "hunk" by the Daily Record
.
defended criticism and said the storyline "aimed to tackle one of the last great social taboos responsibly". In the lead up to the attack producers worked closely with rape-related support groups to help make the storyline as realistic as possible. On the storyline Lucy said "When they first told me about the storyline I was dubious as to whether or not I should take it. Firstly because I was so young and secondly it hadn't been touched before so no-one knew how the public and press would take it. After thinking about it and doing research behind it I thought it was definitely a subject worth approaching. So we did it and reaped the rewards. I feel very lucky." On why she wanted to tackle the subject series producer Jo Hallows said "The message is about banishing taboos - telling people it's OK to talk and there are people who can help. If this episode helps one person it will have been a worthwhile exercise." Keith Greenaway, coordinator of Central Birmingham Victim Support welcomed the decision saying "we can show victims it is not something to be ashamed of and it wasn't their fault".
and boyfriend to Mandy Richardson. He plays football, is bullied by Mark Gibbs and his friends for a while due to a football team rivalry. In the late-night spin-off Hollyoaks: Breaking Boundaries Luke finally stands up to him. Mark was incensed and he and his friends beat Luke up badly. When Luke tries to fight back Mark loses control and rapes Luke to belittle and devastate him. His relationship with Mandy ended soon after because he can't tell anyone about his ordeal, and she thinks his reluctance to be intimate with her means he is cheating on her. Luke's best mate Darren then makes a move on Mandy but they soon after end their relationship. Mandy begins dating Ben Davies
. Luke realises he is still in love with her but is too ashamed to tell her the truth. When he tries to tell her she is deliberately mean to him in an attempt to punish him for their break up and won't listen to him as he tries to tell her what really has happened.
Luke enters a deep depression and attempts suicide two months after he is raped. His brother Adam encourages him to talk about his problems and Luke finally tells people about the rape. His mother, brother and Mandy are supportive but his father, doubts his story which causes ructions in the Morgan house. Darren is spiteful to Luke and claims Luke is gay and fabricating the rape. Mandy feels guilty about her treatment of Luke and offers Luke her support.
Luke's Mum finds it hard to deal with what has happened to him and she resorts to medication to help cope. Luke realises he has to tell the police that Mark has raped him because Mark continues to corner him after realising that Luke has told people and threatens him to retract his statement. Luke tells the police and they charge Mark and his two friends with rape and assault.
Luke's Dad tries to persuade Luke not to go to trial as he thinks Luke would lose and that the family name would be dragged through the mud. Mark harassed Luke to drop the case and makes out that no one will believe him, but eventually the case goes to court and Luke wins. Mark is sentenced to 8 years in prison and his two accomplices were each sentenced to 3 years. Luke refuses to speak to his father for a while and even sold his rape story to a newspaper to humiliate his Dad but they eventually reconciled. However Luke still feels let down by his divorcing parents inability to communicate across the family about the rape and he moves out into a flat he rents with the newspaper payment of £20,000.
A year later, at a party Luke is teased by professional footballer Scott Anderson about the rape. Scott and his friends chase Luke and when they catch him pretend to rape him. Luke is severely traumatized by this unprovoked attack and although he escaped relatively unharmed he later breaks down in front of Adam and confesses that he will never be able to get over what Mark had done to him. He tells Adam he believes he has to leave Chester in order to rebuild his life.
He is ready to leave for a new life in Canada as a school football coach, but his plans are interrupted when at the last minute his younger sister Beth confesses she had been raped by Scott on the night of the party. Luke is utterly devastated at this revelation and feels Beth was raped by Scott to get at him. He makes a decision to stay in Hollyoaks so he could be there for Beth but she insists she could cope and tells him to leave so he can get over his own rape and move on with his life. Luke realises she was right and that he wouldn't be able to cope with the trauma of another rape ordeal so close to his. Luke then left and Beth waits until he was in Canada before she tells her family about Scott.
Scott is charged with raping Beth but he was sensationally acquitted at trial. Beth is tormented by the acquittal and sometime later in a moment of madness hits Scott with her car. She is charged with the offense and at her trial Scott, whilst giving evidence drops his guard and admits that he did rape her. However Beth is still sentenced to jail for a short time which damages her further.
Luke returns briefly, for his parents' second wedding. He and Mandy have a quick and passionate fling when they realise they still have feelings for one another. However, Mandy is going out with Luke's brother Adam and Luke wants to return to Canada so they agree to part. A year later Luke sends a letter to Adam in which he announces he was marrying a Canadian girl.
Lucy won Best Newcomer in 2000. The BBC
included Luke's rape storyline in an article about controversial issue led storylines tackled in soap opera. Daily Record
praised the storyline saying Lucy's was "great at portraying Luke's harrowing ordeal". Former Coronation Street
actress Julie Goodyear
commented on the storyline saying it "was portrayed with the right amount of sensitivity".
MSN
described his rape storyline as "groundbreaking". The storyline received criticism from Watchdog
and churches. Virgin Media
dubbed his male rape storyline "devastating and frightening" and listed it amongst "Soap's scariest storylines". Radio Times
listed the male rape plot amongst "the top five soap scandals - ever" and added that "with fewer than one in ten male rapes reported, the storyline was praised for raising awareness, but also criticised for doing so in a soap aimed at teenagers". The BBC
also added that Lucy was "praised" for his portrayal of the storyline which "showed him retreating from the situation and eventually attempting suicide" and left him "wrestling with what happened to him" after the perpetrators were jailed.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
from long-running 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...
, played by Gary Lucy. He played the part between 1999 and 2001 before a brief return in 2002. He was introduced as part of the Morgan family alongside sisters Beth
Beth Morgan (Hollyoaks)
Bethany "Beth" Morgan is a fictional character on the long-running Channel 4 British television soap opera Hollyoaks.She was played by actress Elizabeth O'Grady between 1999-2000 & Kate Baines between 2001-2002.-Character history:...
and Zara
Zara Morgan
Zara Morgan is a fictional character from the long-running Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Kelly Greenwood between 1999-2005.-Character history:...
, brother Adam
Adam Morgan (Hollyoaks)
Adam Morgan is a fictional character from the long-running Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by David Brown.-Background:Adam is the son of Andy and Sue Morgan and brother of Beth, Luke and Zara...
and parents Andy and Sue. While at Hollyoaks, Lucy was part of a controversial male rape storyline which was the first time it had been tackled in a British soap.
Characterisation
The Mirror described him as "sullen face but loveable".Luke has been described as a "heart-throb" and a "hunk" by the Daily Record
Daily Record (Scotland)
The Daily Record is a Scottish tabloid newspaper based in Glasgow. It had been the best-selling daily paper in Scotland for many years with a paid circulation in August 2011 of 307,794 . It is now outsold by its arch-rival the Scottish Sun which in September 2010 had a circulation of 339,586 in...
.
Male Rape
Luke was bullied by Mark Gibbs and his friends for a while due to a football team rivalry. When Luke finally stood up to him Mark was incensed and he and his friends beat Luke up badly. When Luke tried to fight back Mark lost control and raped Luke to belittle and devastate him. Hollyoaks creator Phil RedmondPhil 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...
defended criticism and said the storyline "aimed to tackle one of the last great social taboos responsibly". In the lead up to the attack producers worked closely with rape-related support groups to help make the storyline as realistic as possible. On the storyline Lucy said "When they first told me about the storyline I was dubious as to whether or not I should take it. Firstly because I was so young and secondly it hadn't been touched before so no-one knew how the public and press would take it. After thinking about it and doing research behind it I thought it was definitely a subject worth approaching. So we did it and reaped the rewards. I feel very lucky." On why she wanted to tackle the subject series producer Jo Hallows said "The message is about banishing taboos - telling people it's OK to talk and there are people who can help. If this episode helps one person it will have been a worthwhile exercise." Keith Greenaway, coordinator of Central Birmingham Victim Support welcomed the decision saying "we can show victims it is not something to be ashamed of and it wasn't their fault".
Storylines
18 year old Luke moves into Hollyoaks and becomes friends with Darren OsborneDarren Osborne
Darren Osborne is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks. Darren was introduced by executive producer Phil Redmond as part of the Osborne family. Darren made his first on-screen appearance on 18 November 1996 and was initially played by Adam Booth, before the Booth...
and boyfriend to Mandy Richardson. He plays football, is bullied by Mark Gibbs and his friends for a while due to a football team rivalry. In the late-night spin-off Hollyoaks: Breaking Boundaries Luke finally stands up to him. Mark was incensed and he and his friends beat Luke up badly. When Luke tries to fight back Mark loses control and rapes Luke to belittle and devastate him. His relationship with Mandy ended soon after because he can't tell anyone about his ordeal, and she thinks his reluctance to be intimate with her means he is cheating on her. Luke's best mate Darren then makes a move on Mandy but they soon after end their relationship. Mandy begins dating Ben Davies
Ben 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...
. Luke realises he is still in love with her but is too ashamed to tell her the truth. When he tries to tell her she is deliberately mean to him in an attempt to punish him for their break up and won't listen to him as he tries to tell her what really has happened.
Luke enters a deep depression and attempts suicide two months after he is raped. His brother Adam encourages him to talk about his problems and Luke finally tells people about the rape. His mother, brother and Mandy are supportive but his father, doubts his story which causes ructions in the Morgan house. Darren is spiteful to Luke and claims Luke is gay and fabricating the rape. Mandy feels guilty about her treatment of Luke and offers Luke her support.
Luke's Mum finds it hard to deal with what has happened to him and she resorts to medication to help cope. Luke realises he has to tell the police that Mark has raped him because Mark continues to corner him after realising that Luke has told people and threatens him to retract his statement. Luke tells the police and they charge Mark and his two friends with rape and assault.
Luke's Dad tries to persuade Luke not to go to trial as he thinks Luke would lose and that the family name would be dragged through the mud. Mark harassed Luke to drop the case and makes out that no one will believe him, but eventually the case goes to court and Luke wins. Mark is sentenced to 8 years in prison and his two accomplices were each sentenced to 3 years. Luke refuses to speak to his father for a while and even sold his rape story to a newspaper to humiliate his Dad but they eventually reconciled. However Luke still feels let down by his divorcing parents inability to communicate across the family about the rape and he moves out into a flat he rents with the newspaper payment of £20,000.
A year later, at a party Luke is teased by professional footballer Scott Anderson about the rape. Scott and his friends chase Luke and when they catch him pretend to rape him. Luke is severely traumatized by this unprovoked attack and although he escaped relatively unharmed he later breaks down in front of Adam and confesses that he will never be able to get over what Mark had done to him. He tells Adam he believes he has to leave Chester in order to rebuild his life.
He is ready to leave for a new life in Canada as a school football coach, but his plans are interrupted when at the last minute his younger sister Beth confesses she had been raped by Scott on the night of the party. Luke is utterly devastated at this revelation and feels Beth was raped by Scott to get at him. He makes a decision to stay in Hollyoaks so he could be there for Beth but she insists she could cope and tells him to leave so he can get over his own rape and move on with his life. Luke realises she was right and that he wouldn't be able to cope with the trauma of another rape ordeal so close to his. Luke then left and Beth waits until he was in Canada before she tells her family about Scott.
Scott is charged with raping Beth but he was sensationally acquitted at trial. Beth is tormented by the acquittal and sometime later in a moment of madness hits Scott with her car. She is charged with the offense and at her trial Scott, whilst giving evidence drops his guard and admits that he did rape her. However Beth is still sentenced to jail for a short time which damages her further.
Luke returns briefly, for his parents' second wedding. He and Mandy have a quick and passionate fling when they realise they still have feelings for one another. However, Mandy is going out with Luke's brother Adam and Luke wants to return to Canada so they agree to part. A year later Luke sends a letter to Adam in which he announces he was marrying a Canadian girl.
Reception
At the British Soap AwardsBritish Soap Awards
The British Soap Awards is an annual awards ceremony to honour the best of British soap operas.The first event took place in 1999 and takes place in May each year. Although it is an ITV production, the events were held at the BBC Television Centre, in London until 2010. The 2011 awards relocated to...
Lucy won Best Newcomer in 2000. The BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
included Luke's rape storyline in an article about controversial issue led storylines tackled in soap opera. Daily Record
Daily Record (Scotland)
The Daily Record is a Scottish tabloid newspaper based in Glasgow. It had been the best-selling daily paper in Scotland for many years with a paid circulation in August 2011 of 307,794 . It is now outsold by its arch-rival the Scottish Sun which in September 2010 had a circulation of 339,586 in...
praised the storyline saying Lucy's was "great at portraying Luke's harrowing ordeal". Former Coronation Street
Coronation Street
Coronation Street is a British soap opera set in Weatherfield, a fictional town in Greater Manchester based on Salford. Created by Tony Warren, Coronation Street was first broadcast on 9 December 1960...
actress Julie Goodyear
Julie Goodyear
Julie Goodyear, MBE is an English television actress and media personality, best known for playing the long-running role of pub landlady Bet Lynch on British soap opera Coronation Street.-Biography:...
commented on the storyline saying it "was portrayed with the right amount of sensitivity".
MSN
MSN
MSN is a collection of Internet sites and services provided by Microsoft. The Microsoft Network debuted as an online service and Internet service provider on August 24, 1995, to coincide with the release of the Windows 95 operating system.The range of services offered by MSN has changed since its...
described his rape storyline as "groundbreaking". The storyline received criticism from Watchdog
Watchdog (TV series)
Watchdog is a BBC television series that investigates viewers' reports of problematic experiences with traders, retailers, and other companies around the UK...
and churches. Virgin Media
Virgin Media
Virgin Media Inc. is a company which provides fixed and mobile telephone, television and broadband internet services to businesses and consumers in the United Kingdom...
dubbed his male rape storyline "devastating and frightening" and listed it amongst "Soap's scariest storylines". Radio Times
Radio Times
Radio Times is a UK weekly television and radio programme listings magazine, owned by the BBC. It has been published since 1923 by BBC Magazines, which also provides an on-line listings service under the same title...
listed the male rape plot amongst "the top five soap scandals - ever" and added that "with fewer than one in ten male rapes reported, the storyline was praised for raising awareness, but also criticised for doing so in a soap aimed at teenagers". The BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
also added that Lucy was "praised" for his portrayal of the storyline which "showed him retreating from the situation and eventually attempting suicide" and left him "wrestling with what happened to him" after the perpetrators were jailed.