Louise Taylor (Hollyoaks)
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| Louise Taylor | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hollyoaks character | |||||
| Portrayed by | Brett O'Brien | ||||
| Duration | 1995–1996 | ||||
| First appearance | 23 October 1995 | ||||
| Last appearance | 13 May 1996 | ||||
| Created by | Phil Redmond | ||||
| Introduced by | Phil Redmond | ||||
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Louise Taylor is a fictional character from the British soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Brett O'Brien. Louise is one of Hollyoaks' original characters and she debuted on-screen during the show's first episode, which was broadcast on 23 October 1995. Louise is one of seven main characters the series initially focused on. They are portrayed as teenagers living in a fictional middle-class suburb of Chester. O'Brien secured the role after a lengthy audition process which she later recalled as being "quite awful" - especially since her final audition lasted two days. Actress Julie Buckfield, who plays Julie Matthews also read for the part during auditions.
Louise is characterised as a loyal friend who is honest and generous. She is also portrayed as having a keen interest in the supernatural and follows horoscopes. Louise's role in the show is a college student studying theatre and English. Like the other original core characters, the show explores Louise's life after completing her GCSE studies and how she navigates towards her future aspirations. O'Brien noted that the show is not preachy and the characters are also there to enjoy themselves. Writers developed a friendship group between Louise, Natasha Andersen (Shebah Ronay), Maddie Parker (Yasmin Bannerman) and Dawn Cunningham (Lisa Williamson). They also created a relationship storyline with Kurt Benson (Jeremy Edwards). O'Brien made her final appearance as Louise during the episode broadcast on 13 May 1996. Louise's departure storyline features her struggling to cope with Natasha's death and moving away with a traveller, Tree. Despite her short tenure, Louise was well received by critics of the genre. Some described her as kooky and included to add comic relief. Some journalists criticised Louise's original stories and dialogue.
More than five thousand people auditioned for parts in the original Hollyoaks cast in early 1995.[1] Dublin born actress Brett O'Brien was cast as Louise.[1] The character was O'Brien's first television role.[2] She learned about the auditions for Hollyoaks from her friend, decided to apply and received an audition. O'Brien recalled to a Liverpool Echo writer that "they did audition me, time and time and time again."[3] Actress Julie Buckfield also read for the part of Louise in her original audition. Buckfield progressed to further auditions but was chosen to play fellow original character Julie Matthews instead.[4]
O'Brien found the audition process difficult because it was long-winded. She told Catherine Murphy from The Herald that "the auditions were quite awful" because of the numerous call-backs and the final audition, which she revealed did last forty-eight hours. She likened to process to a "cattle market" because Hollyoaks' producers "saw all kinds of different people."[2] O'Brien completed the two day audition which finally lead to her receiving the role. She recalled that "I never slept waiting to hear if I'd got it: I was just buzzing."[3] O'Brien lived in London and accommodated her filming schedule during weekdays by staying in Liverpool hotels where the show's production is based. O'Brien returned home at weekends and described her experiences during this time as "great fun".[2]
Hollyoaks initially focused on the lives of seven teenagers living in a fictional middle-class suburb of Chester. Louise is one of the original characters created by Phil Redmond, and she was introduced in the show's first episode, which was first broadcast on 23 October 1995.[1][5] Ahead of her debut, O'Brien told Fiona Shepherd from The Scotsman that show would not be preachy. She explained "it's not preaching that it's better to be rich or that it's better to be poor. It's just a bunch of kids having a laugh."[6]
