Russ Owen

Infobox soap character
series =Hollyoaks



name=Russ Owen
portrayer=Stuart Manning
first=August 2004
born=14th March 1984
occupation=Teacher
parents=Rob Owen
Carrie Owen
siblings=Sam Owen
Nicole Owen
spouse= Mercedes Owen (Ex Wife)
children= Max Hutchinson
romances=Ex-girlfriend: Sophie Burton
One-night stand: Tina Reilly
Ex-girlfriend: Dannii Carbone

Russell "Russ" Charles Owen is a fictional character on the Channel 4 British television soap opera "Hollyoaks".

He is played by actor Stuart Manning.

Character history

Social Anthropology student, Russ is easy-going and very at home with himself. He also exhibits a very mature nature when necessary. He is a popular ladies' man and unafraid to make his views heard. Russ suffered from testicular cancer and had one testicle removed as a result. This left him depressed for a while, during which time, his brother Sam supported him. Russ was in love with Dannii Carbone, who left him when he didn't believe she was raped by Andy Holt.

In the spin-off series, "", he suffered a traumatic experience when he witnessed the serial rapist almost rape his sister. Russ suffered serious injuries after Andy beat him with a pole. Having long hair for well over a year, Russ shaved it off in April in an attempt to stop people recognising him as "Brother of Sam Owen: Rapist". Russ began slowly getting over the ordeal, showing interest in a relationship with Sophie Burton.

However, Sophie told him to stay away after Mercedes Owen let it out that he had slept with her, despite Russ telling Sophie that nothing happened between him and Mercedes. He began seeing Sophie but also couldn't resist Mercedes. He was supposed to meet Sophie at the Dog, but slept with Mercedes instead. He was shocked to come home to find Nicole tied up, and to hear that Sam was back. Russ charged into the pub and pulled Sophie out of the fire, but she died from smoke inhalation. Russ admitted that he couldn't grieve for Sam. He admitted to Nicole that he was with Mercedes and he never loved Sophie. He accepted an invitation to be a pallbearer at Sophie's funeral. Russ made a speech at the funeral. Justin discovered where he was the night Sophie died and beat him up at the wake. After his family had left Hollyoaks Russ moved in with Mercedes. They saved up money for a flat, but Mercedes gave the money to her sister Jacqui. After Russ saved Carmel from Davey, Russ decided that enough was enough and left Mercedes. However it was a misunderstanding and they made up. Russ landed himself in hot water with the McQueen family after gathering research on them for his Masters degree thesis on class. The information became public news when Jessica Harris used it as part of an article for the student paper. He later won back Mercedes' affections after an intense game of Snakes and Ladders.

Russ then began planning his wedding to Mercedes oblivious to the fact that she's cheated on him. Twice!She has in fact cheated on him with Warren Fox - whom she slept with when she believed that Russ had cheated on her - he had crabs! He got crabs from sharing a towel with Mercedes mother Myra.

His ex Dannii returned to the Village and it looked like the wedding was off because Mercedes believed they wanted to get back together but they sorted it out and Dannii left the Village.

Russ also recently passed his exams only to accept a job in the SU Bar much to the dismay of Mercedes who had wanted a large flat and expensive car which a single wage from the SU Bar could not provide. She eventually forgave Russ after realising it was what he wanted to do.

During the week leading up to the wedding, Russ' sister Nicole returned to Hollyoaks for the ceremony. She disliked Mercedes and tried to convince Russ that she should not marry her but Russ disagreed as he loved Mercedes. Although, as the wedding drew closer Russ became less convinced that Mercedes was the right person for him after watching her flirting with other men and urinating in public. He disappeared on the morning of the wedding much to the dismay of best man Darren Osbourne but he later returned and the ceremoney began.

During the ceremony Louise Summers burst into the Church and told a stunned Russ that Mercedes slept with Warren on the night that Claire Cunningham was attacked. Russ, still in shock, became angry as Mercedes made him look like a fool on his wedding day. Myra and Mercedes tried to convince him to marry Mercedes as it was but one silly mistake. Russ becomes angry telling Myra to leave. Tina comes into the room telling Mercedes and Russ that Dominic and her shall marry no matter what. Russ pulls her into the argument claiming she is the only one that he can trust and asks her was she with Mercedes on the night Claire Cunningham was attacked. She says that she was and the wedding is back on. Later, Mercedes confronts Tina and says thanks for lying for her but Tina says that it was for Russ and not her and that she will never forgive Mercedes for ruining their wedding.

After returning from their honeymoon, Russ and Mercedes angered Tina about the living arrangements at the McQueen house. To end the row, they offered to move out. Unable to find a place of their own they could offered, Russ took up Jake Dean's offer to move in with him, much to the shock of Mercedes and Nancy. Russ's live was thrown upside down when Mercedes testified at Warren's trial, revealing her infidelity. Mercedes tried to aplogise to him claiming she couldn't let an innocent man go to jail. She tried to convince Russ to leave Hollyoaks with her, but he claimed she'd only cheat on him again and left her. Russ falls into a spiral of depression, spending much of his time drinking and flirting with strangers, much to the annoyance and worry of Jake and Nancy.

Russ started developing feelings for Mercedes' kind-hearted sister Carmel; however, aware that their relationship could never develop further because of Mercedes' shadow, they agreed not to get together. Yet Russ blames Mercedes for his not being able to be with Carmel, while Mercedes believes Russ is using Carmel to get back at her.

After Tina Reilly is sexually harassed by her boss Pete Webster and her husband Dominic Reilly doesn't believe that she didn't bring this all on herself she goes to Russ for comfort and they end up in bed together.

When Tina goes for her Prenatal Scan, she is shocked when she is told that her child is about 15 weeks old, rather than 12, she then realises that Russ is the father of her child. She tells Jacqui who warns her not to tell anyone. He is the secret father of newborn Max Hutchinson.

In July 2008, Russ began a relationship with new character, Caroline Cooper, much to Zak's dismay. However, he has recently shown feelings for best friend and roommate, Nancy Dean.

On September 25th 2008 a day before starting a world adventure with Caroline, Tina revealed to Russ that he is in fact the father of baby Max.

On September 26th 2008 while preparing to leave with Caroline, Tina tried to convince Russ to stay. Tina ran out to stop Russ and Caroline from leaving, but the taxi was already gone. However, Russ changed his mind, told Caroline that he needed to be a father, and went back to Hollyoaks. Russ and Tina then start a relationship, but Tina seems more into him then Russ is with her.

* [http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/H/hollyoaks/cast/boys/russellowen/ Russ Owen] on the [http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/H/hollyoaks Hollyoaks website]