Michaela McQueen

Michaela McQueen (also Jones) is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Hollie-Jay Bowes. Michaela was the first of the McQueen family to be seen on-screen in 2006, when she was credited as Michaela Jones. On 8 June 2010, Bowes announced that she had quit the show and would leave in six months. However, it was announced on 24 June 2010 that show bosses had axed Bowes and speedily wrote Michaela out after she spoke about upcoming storylines and her exit on social networking website Twitter. Bowes reprised her role as Michaela in 2011, initially appearing in the fourth series of Hollyoaks Later, before reappearing in the main series. In July 2012, Bowes confirmed she would be leaving Hollyoaks, and her final scenes would air on 31 August 2012. On 21 January 2026 It was confirmed it was announced that Bowes had reprised her role as Michaela as part of a "what if?" episode.

A writer from the serial's official website described Michaela as always ready "for a bit of McQueen scheming" and said she has always had to fight to gain attention for herself. Hollyoaks international broadcaster, BBC America, described Michaela as "a magnet for trouble" because she has a penchant for thieving. Her "favourite pastime" of shoplifting has contributed to Michaela landing herself in trouble with the law. Most often her mother, Myra McQueen (Nicole Barber-Lane) is the only one "who can put Michaela in her place". They added that when Michaela is with her best friend and "partner in-crime", Amy Barnes (Ashley Slanina-Davies) - "you'd better believe she's up to no good."

Bowes was initially required to wear a wig for the role which the company's hair and makeup department applied each morning. Bowes later ran an online contest were fans were asked to name her wig, the winner of the competition was the name "wigglamina".

Michaela was originally introduced as Amy's best friend and was credited as Michaela Jones. Her initial storylines explored her troubled friendship with Amy. Michaela becomes annoyed with Amy when she decides lose her virginity in the back of a car. Michaela ends their friendship and begins spreading rumours about Amy and Ste Hay (Kieron Richardson). Michaela later humiliates Amy at school which results in a physical fight between them.

In June 2010, Bowes attended a meeting with producer Paul Marquess in which she complained about storylines involving her character and on-screen boyfriend Zak Ramsey (Kent Riley). Marquess then decided to drop Bowes from the third series of Hollyoaks Later. Bowes then announced via Twitter that she was leaving the serial in the following six months. She also revealed details about a storyline involving character Kevin Smith (Cameron Crighton). Marquess was not made aware of Bowes' decision to leave and the storyliners were angry with her for revealing plot details. The programme's production were so "enraged" with Bowes' behaviour that they quickly wrote Michaela out of the show. Michaela's departure aired in August 2010, when she is sacked from her job as a journalist. She then decides to move to London straightaway to be with Zak.

In June 2011, it was announced that Michaela would be returning to feature in the fourth series of Hollyoaks Later. Producers had attempted to keep her return a secret, but were forced to go public when paparazzi photographed Bowes filming. Entertainment website Digital Spy later revealed that Michaela would also rejoin the main programme. During episodes of Hollyoaks Later Michaela announces that she is going to return home. Michaela will make her full-time return in October 2011. Bowes told Inside Soap that Michaela arrives back in the village feeling "very sure of herself" and takes an "instant dislike" to Lee Hunter (Alex Carter). Michaela and Amy strike up their duo once more, however Michaela is annoyed to learn Amy is in a relationship with Lee. While her family make it clear to her that "nobody's going to put on a special party now she is home". Bowes said that Michaela has not changed because "she's always going to get up to mischief". Michaela also uses every opportunity she gets to make an "idiot out of herself". Bowes stated that she would continue to request that the programme's writers create more "trouble" for Michaela.

At the July 2012 Inside Soap Awards launch party, Bowes confirmed that she would be leaving Hollyoaks once again. She explained "I love Michaela and she's absolutely my baby. But I'm 23 years old now, and it's time to explore other things."

Michaela first appears as a friend of Amy. She pressures Amy into having sex with boyfriend Ste, so that Michaela's boyfriend Wayne Tunnicliffe (Joe Marsden) wouldn't dump her. When Ste dumps Amy, Michaela's nasty streak becomes apparent when she begins teasing her, before going off with Wayne and Ste, leaving Amy upset and alone. When Amy stands up to Michaela, they fight in the playground at school. The next day, Michaela is dumped by Wayne, so she reconciles with Amy. Amy and Ste get back together and he takes her, Michaela, Josh Ashworth (Sonny Flood) and Jamie "Fletch" Fletcher (Sam Darbyshire) joyriding, which leads to a car crash. Ste flees the scene. However, Amy is badly injured and taken to hospital. After spending the night in a police cell, Michaela visits Amy in hospital and nearly tells the Barnes family about Amy's pregnancy.