User:Raintheone/Brian

Brian Drake is a fictional character from the British soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Jonathan Le Billon. The character debuted on-screen during the episode broadcast on 11 January 2001. Le Billon made his finale appearance as Brian during the episode broadcast on 23 January 2003.

Development
Le Billon was cast in the role of Brian in 2000 and had already gained numerous television roles as a child actor. He made his first main series appearance during the episode broadcast on 11 January 2001.

A writer from the official Hollyoaks website described Brian as "a devoted Christian, he is kind, loyal and conscientious." Brian is introduced into the series as a student studying his GCSEs at Hollyoaks Comprehensive School. Brian is portrayed as a religious Christian character with his own moral code and opinions. When Brian is introduced into the series, he is a virgin and has strong beliefs about not having sex before marriage.

Writers created relationship storylines between Brian and Zara Morgan (Kelly Greenwood). Writers used Brian's religious beliefs regarding sex to create tension in the relationship. Zara begins to pressure Brian into having sex and he tries to resist. Le Billon told Johnathon Hughes from All About Soap that "Brian usually feeds off Zara's feisty nature, but it can get too much for the lad." He explained that the two characters are completely different. Brian is "more secure in his morals and opinions" and Zara is "very conscious of what people think". Zara ultimately views having sex with Brian as something to boast about, whereas Brian believes "bragging about sex is the wrong reason for having it".

Zara plans a night alone with Brian to seduce him. Her plans are ruined when Brian invites his friends along and he makes no secret about his virginity. Zara decides embarrass Brian by kissing his friend during a party game. Le Billon described Brian as being "knocked for six" by her actions. Brian breaks-up with Zara and attends another party, where he flirts with Steph Dean (Carley Stenson), to make Zara jealous. Brian consumes alcohol which loosens his morals and he has sex with Steph. Zara witnesses their tryst through a keyhole and is shocked by his behaviour.

Le Billon believed that Brian's actions were driven by his mood, being drunk and Steph's personality. He assessed that Brian "immediately regrets his actions" and not only "betrayed the girl he loves" but his own religious faith too. Zara reacts angrily and writers made the chances of a reconciliation appear bleak. Le Billon was critical of the relationship's end and believed that Zara should not give Brian another chance. He advised that "I think Zara should run a mile and never get back together with him. Brian has shown himself as two-faced and arrogant and she should never see him again."

Writers later developed a new relationship between Brian and Lisa Hunter (Gemma Atkinson). Lisa begins self harming and this intensifies when Brian betrays her and reconciles with Zara. Atkinson told an Inside Soap reporter that "Lisa is totally dependant on Brian at the moment, she expects him to be there when she clicks her fingers." Atkinson explained that Brian is also struggling with his exams. Lisa views Brian as an adult because "he acts in a more mature way". The reality is that Brian is a "schoolkid too and the pressure is finally taking its toll." The stress Brian faces makes him want to revisit his relationship with Zara.

Brian later attends his school prom and his romance with Zara is exposed. Lisa goes on stage to perform a song that Brian wrote for her. When Lisa is on stage, Steph carries out a "malicious prank" and projects a photograph of Brian and Zara kissing. Atkins said that Lisa reacts by running away and self-harming, only this time she cuts too deep and the bleeding will not stop. Lisa is taken to hospital as she loses too much blood. Steph then begins a rumour about Lisa attempting suicide. Zara and Abby Davies (Helen Noble) decide to get revenge on Steph and organise a fake date which leaves her in danger of being alone with a male stranger.

After Brian is exposed as the phantom messenger, Lisa decides to support him. Her mother, Sally Hunter (Katherine Dow Blyton), is also the school's head-teacher and wants Brian to be expelled for his behaviour. Writers portrayed Brian becoming increasingly depressed and he decides to have a make-over wearing more extreme gothic clothing. His new attire worries other characters and his boss, Tony Hutchinson (Nick Pickard) threatens to sack him because he worries Brian's new look will frighten the cafe's customers. However, Brian is shocked when the police arrive and arrest him.

In one of his final stories airing in January 2023, Brian, Steph, Zara, Lisa, Abby Davies (Helen Noble), Lisa Hunter (Gemma Atkinson) and Lee Hunter (Alex Carter) start a rumour club. The students are set a task of creating a rumour club to assess how quickly gossip can spread around a community. The assignment is supposed to be fun but Zara and Steph use the opportunity to create trouble for other characters. Stenson told an Inside Soap reporter that Steph's motivation is "purely evil" but Brian uses it for research purposes.

Le Billon made his final appearance as Brian during the episode broadcast on 23 January 2003.

Reception
Francesca Babb from All About Soap assessed "Brian stuns Zara with some un-holy behaviour!" She added that Zara was "not ready for the virgin's retaliation." Karen Gunn from Soaplife assessed "it's the new black! Zara and new beau Brian turn gothic in the fashion stakes." She later branded him "bizarre Brian" who writers transformed from "saintly student" to "a naughty boy" via luckless storylines. Gunn believed that following Brian's gothic make over, he looked like a "suicidal scarecrow". She chose Brian being arrested in her "hot plot" feature.