Myra McQueen

Myra McQueen
Hollyoaks character
Portrayed by	Nicole Barber-Lane
Duration	2006–2019, 2024
First appearance	Episode 1796 12 June 2006
Classification	Former; regular (returning)
Introduced by	Bryan Kirkwood (2006) Hannah Cheers and Angelo Abela (2024)
Spin-off appearances	Hollyoaks Later (2011)
In-universe information Occupation Cleaner (2006–2013) Florist (2012–2013) Family McQueen Father Reggie Mother Marlena McQueen Half-brothers Louis McQueen Half-sisters Kathleen McQueen Reenie McQueen Sons Niall Rafferty John Paul McQueen Daughters Jacqui McQueen Mercedes McQueen Tina Reilly Carmel McQueen Michaela McQueen Carmina McQueen Grandsons Max McQueen Bobby Costello Matthew McQueen Gabriel McQueen Granddaughters Maria-Carmella McQueen Maria-Gabriella McQueen-Fox Phoebe McQueen (adoptive) Grandmothers Queenie McQueen Nieces Theresa McQueen Jennifique McQueen Porsche McQueen Celine McQueen Cleo McQueen First cousins Breda McQueen Victor McQueen Valene McQueen Other relatives Bart McQueen Kathleen-Angel McQueen Goldie McQueen Prince McQueen Hunter McQueen

Myra McQueen is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Nicole Barber-Lane. She made her first screen appearance during episode 1796, originally broadcast on 12 June 2006 and was introduced by producer Bryan Kirkwood as part of the McQueen family. The character is initially designed to play a supporting role in her family's stories. She is characterised as a no-nonsense matriarch who is "fiercely protective" of her family and puts her children first. Myra has a series of failed relationship, leading to her many children. One of her early stories introduces Niall Rafferty (Barry Sloane), Myra's abandoned son who returns for revenge on his mother. The story concludes in a stunt when Niall explodes a church, killing Myra's daughter Tina Reilly (Leah Hackett). Barber-Lane left the soap in 2013 and Myra fakes her death after being shot. In November 2024, it was announced that the character would make a temporary return to facilitate Theresa McQueen's (Jorgie Porter) temporary exit storyline.^[1]

Having made a brief return in January 2014, the character was reintroduced in September 2014 as part of ongoing family stories. Barber-Lane took a break in early 2015, returning in October 2015. Writers created a love interest for Myra in the form of Diego Salvador Martinez Hernandez De La Cruz (Juan Pablo Yepez). Their relationship was used to provide lighter, comedic stories and counterbalance the show's darker plots. It was then challenged through cheating accusations and Diego's family, before ending when Diego cheats. As part of the story, Myra becomes pregnant with her eighth child.

In 2016, producers explored the character's backstory through the introduction of Sally St. Claire (Annie Wallace), a trans woman who fathered Myra's son, John Paul McQueen (James Sutton), before her transition. Initially portrayed as feuding, the pair develop a friendship before being romantically paired together. Writers also used the character as part of a comedic friendship with Marnie Nightingale (Lysette Anthony), which won an award. Barber-Lane departed the cast again in 2019 and Myra leaves following the breakdown of her relationship with Sally. Barber-Lane reprised the role in 2024 for a guest stint. The character has received a positive response from viewers and critics alike.