Lindsey Roscoe (also Butterfield) is a fictional character from the British soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Sophie Austin. The character made her first on-screen appearance on 3 June 2013. Lindsey had been involved in storylines such as covering up the murder of Paul Browning (Joseph Thompson) with Cindy Cunningham (Stephanie Waring) and Mercedes McQueen (Jennifer Metcalfe), having to choose between two brothers, Joe Roscoe (Ayden Callaghan) and Freddie Roscoe (Charlie Clapham), being revealed as the notorious Gloved Hand Killer, and teaming up with fellow serial killer Silas Blissett (Jeff Rawle). Lindsey kills seven people in her killing spree: Rick Spencer (Victor Gardener), Will Savage (James Atherton), Mariam Andrews (Helen Lederer), Phoebe McQueen (Mandip Gill), Dylan Jenkins (James Fletcher), Ashley Davidson (Kierston Wareing) and Dr. Charles S'avage (Andrew Greenough), while also attempting to kill five others: Diane Hutchinson (Alex Fletcher), Esther Bloom (Jazmine Franks), Freddie, her sister Kim Butterfield (Daisy Wood-Davis) and Mercedes. It was revealed during the 20th anniversary week of Hollyoaks that Lindsey had also attempted to murder her younger sister, Kath Butterfield (Mikaela Newton), when they were adolescents, as shown in flashbacks. In 2016, it was announced that Austin had quit the role and would be departing the soap later that year. Her final scenes aired on 18 May 2016, during which Lindsay herself was murdered by Silas.
Development
Creation and Introduction The character and Austin's casting were announced on 17 May 2013. In July 2012, Austin appeared in an episode of Hollyoaks as Sapphire, a girl who works in the strip club that Ally Gorman (Daniel O'Connor) visits. She also appeared in an episode of Hollyoaks Later in October 2012. She was then approached to audition for the part of Lindsey and underwent a series of screen tests. Austin secured the role in January 2013 and signed a one-year contract. She had to keep it a secret and began filming her scenes four months later. Daniel Kilkelly from Digital Spy reported that Lindsey was being introduced as the fiancée of fellow new character Joe Roscoe (Ayden Callaghan). Kilkelly revealed that Lindsey and Joe have a strong relationship because she is Joe's one true love. Lindsey is also in good standing with the Roscoe family matriarch Sandy Roscoe (Gillian Taylforth) who enjoys the female company. The character was described in a Hollyoaks press release as "feisty, determined, and driven" and "more than capable of holding her own with the outspoken Roscoe boys". In addition, Lindsey was written as a junior doctor working at the Dee Valley Hospital with the established character Doctor Browning (Joseph Thompson). Of her casting, Austin said, "I'm so excited to be joining the cast of Hollyoaks as Lindsey Butterfield and being part of the Roscoe clan. We have lots of exciting stories ahead." Lindsey began appearing in the series from early June 2013.
Characterisation
In an E4.com interview, Austin detailed her character as "feisty, determined, unpretentious, passionate, strong". Lindsey wants to live life to the fullest and be happy. She is always determined to do the right thing and places importance on being loyal to family and friends. Lindsey, a clever junior doctor, worked hard to create a career and sought guidance and encouragement from Sandy. Lynsey takes pride in her job and wants to better herself by being ambitious. She is a "sturdy member" of the Roscoe family and is closer to them than her own family. She has also devoted time and care to keep Joe out of trouble. Austin later described Lindsey as "quite feisty, but she is also very good; she has a good moral high ground." She added that her character creates "lots of drama, but in a good way". Austin later told Natalie Dearman from the Herts and Essex Observer that "Lindsey is quite a dominant character and is very feisty; she really holds her own and has got some quite lively storylines coming up." The character's feisty side has been displayed through her willingness to fight other characters. Austin notes that her fictional counterpart would never instigate a physical fight, but would always finish one. It also shows that she has "a bit of street about her" that she has learned from her London upbringing. As she is not a quiet character, Austin warned that there would be many more disagreements with fellow residents.Sophie Austin, interviewed by Jamie and Graham for E4.com's Hollyoaks Backstage, 13 June 2013
Following the departures of Mitzeee (Rachel Shenton), Cheryl Brady (Bronagh Waugh) and Jacqui McQueen (Claire Cooper), executive producer Bryan Kirkwood felt that Hollyoaks needed Lindsey, a new "strong leading lady with a big heart and a strong moral code." He also viewed Lindsey as the reason the Roscoe family had been successful additions, adding that "Sophie has arrived with such confidence and charisma, which I'm overjoyed by".
Feud with Doctor Browning Karen Hassan who plays Lynsey Nolan revealed that she had been working with Austin on a new storyline. She explained that Lynsey returns to haunt her murderer, Doctor Browning, and Lindsey would also be involved. Doctor Browning develops an attraction to Lindsey because of his overbearing fiancée's wedding plans. He invites Lindsey to a lecture and attempts to seduce her in a lift. But she is appalled and brands his behaviour pathetic. Her attitude reminds him of Lynsey and attacks Lindsey. Austin told Kilkelly that Lindsey views Doctor Browning as a charming role model and wants to work hard to impress him. She noted that Lynsey is not stupid and this is conveyed when she becomes concerned about his behaviour. But not wanting to jeopardise her career prospects she acts wary. Austin revealed that Doctor Browning likes her character's "down-to-earth" nature and shares his problems. But the attack occurs soon after and changes their work relationship. Thompson told Laura Morgan from All About Soap that Doctor Browning's attempt to attack Lindsey came about in a "strange" way. He added that his scheming alter-ego underestimated Lindsey because he did not expect her to be "extremely feisty". She is also very similar to Lynsey; Doctor Browning believes that it is all a "nasty joke", but Thompson thought that it was the reason Browning was "weirdly drawn" to Lindsey.
On 14 June 2013, Peter Dyke and Katie Begley of the Daily Star reported that Lindsey would tell Mercedes McQueen (Jennifer Metcalfe) of her fiancé's infidelity, causing a "catfight" between the two. Thompson informed the reporters that "it all comes to a head in an explosive way. Mercedes and Lindsey have a catfight. You have to see it to believe it. And Browning has a scrap with Joe." Metcalfe told Sarah Ellis of Inside Soap that the fight scenes were complex and required a stunt coordinator to help choreograph. The fight took a number of hours to complete as Austin and Metcalfe put extra effort into making it believable. Doctor Browning claims that Lindsey tried to seduce him, but Mercedes is not convinced. A mystery character begins stalking Doctor Browning over Lynsey's murder. He soon begins to have hallucinations of Lynsey each time Lindsey interacts with him.
Joe and Freddie Roscoe
Lindsey is introduced as Joe's fiancé, who have been in a long-term relationship. They share a strong relationship built on honesty. Lindsey moving to Chester shows their strength. Austin described Joe as a character with a troubled past, and it was not until they met that he turned his life around. She cannot imagine a life without Joe because he means everything to her. Callaghan told Kilkelly that Lindsey's love saved him from a life in prison because she "keeps him on a level ground". She gave him aims in life and a future to work towards. He concluded that without Lindsey, "he could be incredibly destructive to himself and to anybody around him".
In June 2013, Charlie Clapham, who plays Joe's brother Freddie Roscoe revealed that his character shares a special bond with Lindsey. Austin also confirmed the connection, stating that Freddie is Lindsey's best friend and confidant. Like with Joe, she wants to make him a better person because she sees goodness in him. Their friendship was subtly developed and played out gradually on-screen. The Roscoe family later face a series of problems which sees Freddie begin dating Sinead O'Connor (Stephanie Davis). Clapham told All About Soap's Morgan that Lindsey's own problems and actions begin to push him closer to Sinead. But he noted that Freddie loves Lindsey and only cares about Sinead. Lindsey realises that Freddie was responsible for a fire at a local nightclub. Clapham explained that Lindsey looked at Freddie and automatically knew. He added that "he spins his family all kinds of lies, and he just can't do that with Lindsey. She's his soulmate." He also branded Lindsey and Freddie's "deep connection" the "emotional backbone" of the Roscoe family. The storyline resulted in Clapham being inundated with tweets asking questions about Lindsey and Freddie's relationship. As the storyline progresses Freddie struggles with feelings for two women. Clapham branded it a "bizarre situation" for Freddie after secretly loving his brother's girlfriend for nine years. Lindsey is oblivious, and the actor thought that her never discovering the truth would be a sad scenario for the characters. He concluded that Freddie should just pursue Lindsey.
Storylines Lindsey arrives at Dee Valley Hospital after getting a job there. She is revealed to be the fiancée of Joe Roscoe (Ayden Callaghan). Dr. Paul Browning (Joseph Thompson) is shocked by her name as it reminds him of Lynsey Nolan (Karen Hassan), who he murdered the previous year. Whilst waiting for the lift alongside Doctor Browning, he tries to rape her but she escapes after scratching his face. Joe tells Lindsey that he wants children with her, and she agrees to his suggestion. After falling pregnant, she miscarries, disappointing both Lindsey and Joe. Lindsey begins friendships with Cindy Cunningham (Stephanie Waring) and Mercedes McQueen (Jennifer Metcalfe), who have both been attacked by Doctor Browning, which is unknown to Lindsey. Freddie Roscoe (Charlie Clapham) becomes close to Lindsey, who sees him as a brother. Unknown to her, Freddie is developing feelings for her. Lindsey is delighted when she hears that she is pregnant again, but only a few months later, whilst coming home from shopping, she is run over by Frankie Osborne (Helen Pearson). She later tragically miscarries in the hospital. With Cindy, Lindsey goes to visit Mercedes, and they find Doctor Browning trying to kill her, so they all murder him. The three girls decide to keep it a secret. They dump his body in Cindy's freezer, but they take the body away when the freezer breaks. Whilst taking his body, Grace Black (Tamara Wall) catches them and suspects something after arriving in the village to find Clare Devine's (Gemma Bissix) murderer. She tries to befriend Lindsey, but she goes away. Freddie helps Lindsey, Mercedes, and Cindy by pushing the car down the cliff and setting it on fire.