Mercedes McQueen

Mercedes Fisher
Hollyoaks character
File:Mercedes McQueen.jpg
Portrayed by	Jennifer Metcalfe
Duration	2006—
First appearance	19 June 2006
Classification	Present; regular
Created by	Bryan Kirkwood
Spin-off appearances	Hollyoaks Later
In-universe information Occupation Barmaid Family McQueen Father William Alexander Mother Myra McQueen Sisters Jacqui McQueen Half-brothers Niall Rafferty John Paul McQueen Half-sisters Tina Reilly Carmel Valentine Michaela McQueen Theresa McQueen Emily Alexander Husband Russ Owen (2007–08) Malachy Fisher (2008–10) Grandmothers Nana McQueen Aunts Kathleen McQueen Nephews Max McQueen Nieces Angel McQueen First cousins Jennifiqu Mcqueen Other relatives Queenie McQueen Bart McQueen Angel Valentine Victor McQueen

Mercedes Fisher (née McQueen; previously Owen) is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Jennifer Metcalfe. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 19 June 2006 as the first character to be introduced to the serial by series producer, Bryan Kirkwood.

Character creation and casting

Mercedes was created by Bryan Kirkwood as part of the new McQueen family. She was the first character he created during his stint as executive producer. Actress Jennifer Metcalfe successfully auditioned for the role and Kirkwood cited her as making the character her own.

Characterisation

Bryan Kirkwood has described Metcalfe as bringing Mercedes to life and branded her "a savvy, ballsy girl that can't say no and is unapologetic about it." BBC America have described Mercedes stating: "Cocky, confident, and mean with a right hook, Mercedes McQueen isn't afraid of anyone, especially not a man. She knows what effects her assets have on the opposite sex, and she always gets what she wants."

Storylines

Mercedes arrives with mother Myra (Nicole Barber-Lane), sister Jacqui (Claire Cooper) and half siblings, Tina (Leah Hackett), Carmel (Gemma Merna), John-Paul (James Sutton) and Michaela (Hollie-Jay Bowes). Not long after arriving in Hollyoaks, Mercedes made an enemy of Sophie Burton (Connie Powney) and decided to constantly flirt with Russ Owen (Stuart Manning) to tease Sophie. Mercedes began to develop feelings for Russ; he finally kissed her but only to prove she was lying about an injury. Mercedes got her revenge on Russ by revealing to Sophie what happened. Russ was not able to resist Mercedes and the two slept together; however on the same night, Sophie died in an explosion at The Dog.

Mercedes fell out with Russ after Jessica Harris (Jennifer Biddall) published his research on the McQueens in the students' paper. Russ started to feel guilty and sold his wakeboard to buy a car for Myra. Mercedes was touched that Russ would go to great lengths to win her back; the couple reconciled. Russ admitted to Mercedes that he had crabs; he accused her of sleeping with someone else. In retaliation, Mercedes slept with Warren Fox (Jamie Lomas). Mercedes and Russ discovered that it was Myra that had crabs and had been spreading them around with dirty towels (due to the washing machine being broken), so Mercedes and Russ decided to forget about the incident.

Mercedes and Russ were starting to fall deeper in love, however Mercedes still slept with Warren a second time. Feeling guilty, Mercedes asks Russ to marry her. Russ accepts, revealing that he was going to propose to her. The couple begin to plan their wedding. Mercedes decides to book her wedding on the same day as sister Tina’s wedding, to make it feel even more special. The wedding was almost canceled when an ex-girlfriend of Russ’ arrived in the village; Mercedes believed Dannii Carbone (Christina Baily) and Russ were getting back together. However – Mercedes and Russ managed to sort their problems as a couple together; and Danni decided to leave the village. The night of her wedding party, Mercedes slept with Warren for a third time after having a various amount of alcohol. However Jacqui discovered the affair because of Mercedes’ guilt over betraying Russ. When Warren uses Mercedes as his alibi to prove his innocence over the attempted murder of Clare Cunningham (Gemma Bissix); she denies this accusation to save her relationship with Russ. Louise Summers (Roxanne McKee) interrupts the wedding to confront Mercedes about her lie. Tina saves her sister by lying about where Mercedes had been that night. Mercedes and Russ married, with Mercedes feeling guilty about sending Warren to prison as an innocent person.

Mercedes and Russ’ wedding bliss did not last long. Mercedes was still feeling guilty and receiving constant threats to tell the truth. The pressure took a visible toll on her. Russ discovered Mercedes had been visiting Warren in prison and began to suspect they had slept together. Her conscience eventually caught up with her. Mercedes agreed to be a witness at Warren’s court, where she revealed the truth about their affair. Russ, who was in the audience, overheard. He left with a broken heart. Mercedes tried to follow but the judge stopped her. With the help of Mercedes’ alibi, Warren is released from prison. After the court, Mercedes finds Russ. She apologizes with deep remorse. She explains that she was trying to do the right thing, however Russ insults Mercedes and says he should have stayed with Sophie. He tells Mercedes that he wants nothing more to do with her, leaving Mercedes devastated.

Mercedes began to move on with her life, working as a barmaid in The Dog in the Pond; after John Paul and Craig Dean’s (Guy Burnett) affair had been revealed, she defended her brother against attacks from Frankie Osborne (Helen Pearson), Mercedes was fired. However – Frankie gave Mercedes an apology and offers the job back to her; Mercedes accepted and resumed working. She went to John Paul’s house-warming party, Mercedes did not remain there to get affected by the carbon monoxide poisoning because she went off with Danny Valentine (David Judge). Mercedes was furious to discover that Russ and Carmel were together; the relationship ended rather quickly. However, Mercedes could not forgive and forget and she ended up fighting with Carmel. Nana McQueen (Diane Langton) broke up the fight, the tension between Mercedes and Carmel would last for some time.

After an argument with Jacqui, a drunken Mercedes went to Tony Hutchinson (Nick Pickard) for comfort; the pair sleep together. Following a pregnancy test, Mercedes discovers that she is pregnant with Tony’s child; she reveals to him that she is going to have an abortion, leaving him stunned. However – Mercedes almost changes her decision after a plea from Jacqui to let her raise the child; in the end, Mercedes realises she would not be able to cope with her sister bringing up the child and has the abortion. When Mercedes discovers Jacqui and Tony are using Tina as a surrogate mother for a child of their own; she is against the idea, even threatening Tony that she will tell Jacqui the truth if he does not stop their actions. Tony does not believe Mercedes; she still remains quiet but continues to oppose the idea. Mercedes tries to convince Tina to abort the baby; Tony begs her to let Jacqui have the chance to have a child. In the end, Mercedes agrees to the idea for her sister’s happiness.

Mercedes entered the Dog in the Pond's "Mr. Hollyoaks" competition, and ended up winning, despite being a female. Rhys Ashworth (Andrew Moss) finished in second place; he left his boxers in the pub, Mercedes discovered his underwear and returned them to Rhys at his house. After Rhys told her that he was the only person in the house, the two slept together in every room of the house. The next day, Mercedes and Rhys had sex in the store, Drive'n'Buy; Russ discovered them together and told Mercedes that she had no class and he was glad that she was sleeping with Rhys. After ridiculing Carmel over her police fitness test, she had sex with Rhys for a third time. Another sex encounter was interrupted by the return of Gilly Roach (Anthony Quinlan) and Beth Clement (Sinéad Moynihan). Mercedes believes that Beth is not fond of her, however – Mercedes did not realise that Beth and Rhys were lovers and Rhys had been missing dates because he was sleeping with Beth. When Rhys canceled another date, Mercedes almost caught Rhys and Beth in bed; however – Beth managed to hide before Mercedes' arrival. Mercedes still suspected that Rhys was cheating on her, and confronted him about the situation. Mercedes covered Rhys in garlic bread and shoved a garlic ball in his mouth, thus ending their relationship.

Darren started to make new efforts to be assertive, and he fired Mercedes for tardiness, however – Mercedes claims that she quit her job. Jacqui forced her sister to work at Tony's restaurant, Il Gnosh; Mercedes overheard Tony talking on the phone trying to get an unknown person to stop calling him. Mercedes suspects Tony of having an affair, and tells Jacqui about her thoughts; she is disgusted when Jacqui does not end the relationship. It turns out that Tony was only talking to Harry, his son. With her debts rising, Mercedes blackmails Tony for her to keep quiet about their one night stand. Reluctantly, Tony pays her £350 to keep silent; however – Jacqui notices Tony giving Mercedes the money, knowing about her sister's financial problems, Jacqui assumes Mercedes asked for a loan. Jacqui demands the money to be returned and insists Mercedes has to work to earn her own money.

Michaela tells Mercedes that Rhys is having an affair with Beth, however – Mercedes refuses to believe her younger sister. Mercedes interrupts the Ashworths having an argument about the affair, confirming Michaela's accusations. Rhys tells Mercedes that the issue has nothing to do with her; and she leaves the house in a rush. Michaela discovers her sister in the street, clearly devastated by the truth; Michaela comforts her as Mercedes cries in her sister's arms.

Mercedes became increasingly spiteful towards Hannah Ashworth (Emma Rigby) and was jealous of her after seeing Hannah with a recent conquest with Ravi Roy (Stephen Uppal) and Russ. After being rejected by both males when she tried to forge relations with them, Mercedes starts a fight with Hannah. Feeling envious of Hannah's relationship with Danny, Mercedes decides to end the couple's relationship. Mercedes makes a bet with Darren Osborne (Ashley Taylor Dawson) for him to sleep with Hannah. If he succeeds, Mercedes promises to sleep with him; which ends the sexual tension between the pair.

Following a drunken evening at the pub with Nancy Dean (Jessica Fox), Hannah was accompanied home by Darren; when she was fixing her top, Darren took an incriminating photo of Hannah with his mobile phone to try and convince Mercedes that he had slept with her to win the bet. Mercedes did not believe Darren but sent the photo to Danny, causing Darren to be punched by Danny. Hannah is bewildered when Danny breaks up with her after no memory of the photograph being taken. Danny and Mercedes end up sleeping together, as Mercedes uses the situation to her advantage.

Mercedes was introduced to Malachy Fisher (Glen Wallace) when he arrived in the village; the two spent time together and formed a connection with each other. Mercedes began a sexual relationship with Malachy, starting to have feelings for him in the process. As the couple were becoming closer, Malachy received some devastating news: he was HIV positive; Mercedes could have the disease because the pair have been sleeping together. He did not tell Mercedes about his disease because he felt it would ruin their relationship. With Malachy avoiding her, Mercedes slept with his brother: Kris Fisher (Gerard McCarthy), with the possibility that he might have the disease now. Eventually, Mercedes discovers the HIV positive and is furious with Malachy; slapping him in the face and stating that she does not want anything more to do with him, ending the relationship for the moment. Heartbroken over her split with Malachy, Mercedes walks home alone; and is kidnapped by her secret half-brother: Niall Rafferty (Barry Sloane). Niall forces her to write a note telling Myra that she has gone away to clear her mind about the Malachy and HIV situation.

Malachy visits the house hoping to confide in her about his father's death. Mercedes explains the hostage situation to Malachy; and the couple comfort each other over Eamon Fisher's (Derek Halligan) and Tina's death; thus sharing a brief sexual attraction and share a kiss. Mercedes pulls away, stating that she can not do this with everything that is going on. Malachy visits her once more, Mercedes tries to walk away from him, but he proposes to her. Feeling stunned, Mercedes is angry at him for picking the worst time to propose and refuses to marry Malachy after everything that has happened.

Mercedes discovers from Kris that Malachy is returning to Ireland for his father's funeral, Mercedes pretends to be relieved stating that she never wants to see Malachy again. However – after her divorce with Russ is confirmed, Mercedes goes to say goodbye to Malachy; where he tells Mercedes that he loves her. The couple share an embrace with a hug, as Malachy is about to leave, a tearful Mercedes gives him another hug. They end their embrace with a passionate kiss; Malachy promises Mercedes that he will marry her someday. Mercedes watches Malachy and Kris depart the village, an emotional Mercedes walks away from the scene, determined to move on with her life. Once Malachy left for Ireland Mercedes tried to get her life back on track. This didn't last long as Jacqui moved back home but refused to move back in if Mercedes lived there. Mercedes could see the hurt in her mother's face at the thought of losing Jacqui again so decided to move out.

Mercedes found comfort in Dominic Reilly (John Pickard) as he let her spend a couple of nights at his and Tony's flat. Tony didn't approve of this and slagged Mercedes off behind her back. Mercedes actually heard Tony criticise her and left, but Tony's guilt soon forced him to find her and apologise, so Mercedes moved back in. Throughout her stay Malachy kept texting her though she ignored him. Once again her happiness was crushed by Jacqui as she stole Tony's keys and entered the house to find Mercedes reading a catalog. Tony arrived back home right after Jacqui and she accused him of sleeping with Mercedes again. Mercedes defended Tony's pleas of innocence, as did Dom. Jacqui didn't believe them and began to verbally attack Mercedes. Mercedes returned the favour with a slap and the girls soon ended up fighting. Tony and Dom split the girls apart and threw them both out.

Mercedes was then seen buying a burger and being approached by Dom. Dom apologised for throwing her out and the two made up. Mercedes then received a text from Malachy, which to her shock informed her that Malachy had booked a wedding for the two of them. Mercedes is shocked to learn through various text messages that Malachy has booked a date for their wedding; struggling with her feelings for Malachy, Dom advises her that life is too short and if they love each other, the couple should marry.

Having sex with a complete stranger; Mercedes realises that she must talk with Malachy. She travels to Belfast with Zak Ramsey (Kent Riley) and Elliot Bevan (Garnon Davies); where Zak’s ignorance offends the locals and the trio must flee the town. Mercedes decides to travel to Belfast without Zak and Elliot; and manages to get a ride from a truck driver, who wants to give her more than a ride. He leaves her stranded, leaving her to walk to Malachy’s whereabouts. Mercedes discovers Malachy in a pub dancing with his ex-girlfriend, Cheryl Brady (Bronagh Waugh), however – she believes it to be his new girlfriend. Mercedes leaves the pub with Malachy following her, he promises her that she is the only girl that he wants to be with; Mercedes accepts his proposal as the couple declare their love for each other. Mercedes and Malachy are showering together when his mother interrupts. He reveals their plans to marry. His mother, Erin Fisher (Gemma Craven), strongly objects. Mercedes promises Malachy that she wants to get married, and even phones Michaela to reveal the news. Feeling like the wedding will mean Mercedes misses out on life, Malachy expresses his doubts to her. Furious and devastated, Mercedes assaults him. She reveals his disease to the entire village, the wedding is cancelled.

An angry Mercedes decides to depart Belfast to return home; however Kris stops her departure. The couple meet at his mother’s house and share a brief argument in which they insult each other. They finally share a long passionate embrace, and they agree to spend their lives together. Michaela arrives to be the bridesmaid of the wedding. Mercedes and Malachy marry, with Mercedes promising to love him forever. Malachy and Mercedes returned from their honeymoon on 2 January 2009 penniless and homeless. On the 6 January 2009, Mercedes opened her HIV test results and found out that she had not contracted HIV from Malachy. He didn't receive the news in the best way and their marriage showed signs of collapse. However, the two reconciled. Malachy and Mercedes both settled into married life in Hollyoaks quickly and both enjoyed time alone together in the McQueen household after everyone moved out due to a rat infestation. Their joy was short lived however when the rats were cleared and the rest of the McQueen's returned.

Mercedes became worried over Malachy's health when he caught the 'flu. Due to this he had to take a test to see if it had made his HIV any worse. When he refused to take the test, Mercedes threw him out. Eventually Kris took him to the hospital and forced him to take the test, he was later told everything was in order and he didn't have to worry. Mercedes eventually took him back. During this time Malachy's ex-girlfriend Cheryl turned up in the village and continued to taunt Mercedes and flirt with Malachy but she later told them she would not try to split them up because they were happily married. On 29 July, Malachy was helping rebuild The Loft with Calvin Valentine (Ricky Whittle) and Spencer Gray (Darren John Langford). Malachy saw Spencer playing with a metal saw and rushed down to stop him, but ended up cutting his arm. Mercedes saw this and rushed to his aide. To stop Malachy and Mercedes suing for the accident Calvin gave them both jobs at the loft at her new job she clashed with Sasha Valentine (Nathalie Emmanuel) after many arguments Mercedes poured green gunge over Sasha on Halloween night.

Working together put a strain on Mercedes and Malachy's relationship because of this she sought comfort in Calvin after an argument with Malachy. Mercedes and Calvin were left talking in the office and the pair kissed. Mercedes admittedly regretted her actions, mainly due to him being her brother-in-law. She went home to Malachy and the next day she told Calvin it was a mistake. When Mercedes went for a routine HIV check-up, she took Carmel with her and appeared jealous when she saw Calvin and Carmel getting on. Mercedes later found out her results maybe positive she then confides in Calvin, who encouraged her to talk to Malachy which she did only to tell him she would never forgive him if she caught the virus. Mercedes was relieved when her test results came back negative. On their first anniversary, Malachy bought Mercedes an eternity ring and wrote her a poem. Mercedes was ridden with guilt after she only got him a card. After a talk with Carmel, Mercedes realised how much she does love Malachy and she told Calvin to back off, she then bought Malachy an engraved watch. Despite this, Mercedes began to flirt with Calvin again. They nearly kissed again while preparing for a "sexy Santas party" but Mercedes stopped herself however continues to flirt with Calvin.

When Mercedes and Calvin are left alone in the loft they finally give into passion and begin to have sex however unbeknown to them they are caught by Malachy who runs out devastated. Mercedes and Calvin were caught kissing by Kris in an alleyway although they don't realise that. Kris tells Malachy who refuses to confront them because he wants to hang onto Mercedes. Calvin continues his affair with Mercedes until Carmel agrees to give their relationship another try. Mercedes is upset and jealous that Calvin has ended things with her and spots the opportunity for revenge when Carmel confines in Mercedes that Calvin left Warren to die, shocked Mercedes rushes to tell his sister and Warrens girlfriend Sasha who is distraught. Mercedes is happy when Carmel and Calvin split up however her victory is short lived when they plan to get married again.

Mercedes lures Calvin to a hotel where she sleeps with him again. She tells Calvin she loves him and they agree to split up with Carmel and Malachy however neither go through with it. Mercedes tries to seduce Calvin on his wedding day however he chucks her out his flat. Malachy confronts Mercedes about the affair and she desperately tries to cling onto him even lying that Calvin came onto her. During Calvin and Carmel's first dance, Mercedes finds out he slept with her cousin Theresa McQueen (Jorgie Porter) making her pregnant. Theresa then shoots Calvin dead after he fails to support her and the baby. The following day; racked with guilt for lying, Cheryl tells Carmel about Mercedes' affair with Calvin. A horrified Carmel slaps Mercedes and tells her that she is not her sister. Malachy moves out.

When Mercedes sees Malachy kissing new girlfriend Lynsey Nolan (Karen Hassan) she becomes jealous that he's moving on and has sex with Jamil Fadel (Sakinder Malik). Mercedes lies that Malachy has her infected with HIV making him realise how much he still loves her. Lynsey finds out that Mercedes and Malachy plan on getting back together, so goes through her medical records to find she has lied. Lynsey breaks the news to Malachy who punches Mercedes. Mercedes and Malachy get back together and he is fatally injured in an explosion at Il Gnosh. After his death she is banned from the funeral. Mercedes respects his family's wishes by not going and later kisses Riley Costello (Rob Norbury), which she regrets. Mercedes, does however remain good friends with Riley but his father Carl Costello (Paul Opacic) wants her out of his son's life. Mercedes taunts Carl over her relationship with Riley, and asks is he jealous of his son. On asking this, Mercedes knows she has hit a nerve. The tension grows between Carl and Mercedes and they embark on an affair. She and Riley become engaged.

Mercedes goes on a trip to Dublin with Cheryl. While there, she sees Malachy's grave, and says a final goodbye. When returning from Ireland she finds that Jacqui has been raped by Gilly Roach (Anthony Quinlan) she is annoyed that Jacqui is so calm about it and reveals to the rest of the village what Gilly had done. Mercedes meets, William Alexander, who she accuses of 'looking her up' however later finds out he is her father; he asks her to donate one of her kidneys for him she considers it but ultimately refuses. Mercedes then finds out he is also Theresa's dad.

Seth Costello finds out about Carl and Mercedes affair but says he will keep it a secret. Silas Blissett becomes interested in Mercedes after he hears from Seth Costello that she has been married twice before. Silas begins to want to kill Mercedes even sneaking uping up behind her with a candle stick until she sees him. When Seth makes a decision to reveal Mercedes and Carl's affair she reveals she is pregnant with Riley's baby to him. Mercedes reveals to her mum that she is Infact not pregnant and lied to keep him as she thought once he found out it would be the end. On June 29th 2011, Mercedes was at an award show of Riley's and fell in a pair of heels that Riley had bought her, she was taken to hospital and was getting a ultrasound to check the baby was OK, she told Riley she wasn't pregnant and their was no Baby and then the Sonographer, told Riley and Mercedes that their was a strong heartbeat and ended in Mercedes saying "I'm Pregnant".

Reception

Metcalfe was nominated in the category of "Sexiest Female" at the 2011 British Soap Awards. In her book Soap Stars, Debbie Foy features Metcalfe in one of her profile features and describes Mercedes as "having a dangerous streak and is always causing trouble or has a scam on the go, she enjoys taking risks and usually seems to get what she wants".

Virgin Media profiled some of Hollyoaks' "hottest females" in their opinion, of Izzy they stated: "As one of the hottest ladies in Hollyoaks, with curves to die for, Mercedes has had more men than hot dinners. And now Malachy's met his maker, we're sure it won't be long till Mercedes earns yet another notch on her bedpost."

External links

• Mercedes Fisher on the E4 website