| Character Profile | List of appearances |
Carter Shepherd is the father of Freya Calder and the Headteacher at Hollyoaks High School from 2023 to 2024.
Biography[]
2023-2024: Arrival[]
Heavily religious Carter arrived in the village in August 2023, taking the job as interim headteacher at Hollyoaks High School whilst Nancy Osborne was in the United States with her ill baby Morgan. After striking up a near-romance in Goldie McQueen, Carter took an interest in her gay cousin John Paul. After discovering that Carter was the father of Freya Calder - a young student John Paul had paralysed in a minibus crash in March 2022 - Goldie became suspicious of his intentions whilst John Paul attempted to make up for the damage he had caused.
John Paul kisses Carter.
John Paul began attending Carter's self-help group, often held at the school hall, ultimately coming to trust Carter - as did most of John Paul's family. John Paul's trust in Carter was so strong that Carter convinced him to forgive Jackson - a man who attacked John Paul outside of The Loft - after John Paul discovered that Carter had befriended Jackson through his group. After nearly sharing a kiss with ex-boyfriend Scott Drinkwell, John Paul confided in Carter, but realised Carter was practicing conversion therapy. Carter told John Paul about his homophobic father and kissed John Paul, but turned on him afterwards - despite getting him his job back at Hollyoaks High School.
Carter became the headteacher of Hollyoaks High School as Nancy took extended leave. Struggling to cope with the stress, along with his feelings for John Paul mixed with his homophobic beliefs, Carter began taking Freya's painkillers and wound up shoving John Paul into a table at the staff Christmas party. Carter then began a relationship with Maxine Minniver to John Paul's annoyance. After being blackmailed by Gareth, a man undergoing conversion therapy at Carter's hands, Carter began ignoring John Paul. Carter began converting Lucas Hay. It deeply affected him and made him believe Carter, even though he had a crush on Dillon Ray. Lucas told Carter he had plans to attack the Pride festival but Carter planned to run to America with Lucas but was stopped after Lucas beat up poor Dillion and was exposed by Hannah Ashworth after he knocked her out and paid her to leave and tried to pay her to have sex with Lucas. He was arrested. He returned and kidnapped John Paul and prepared to baptise him and he was re-arrested. The episode ended with the cell being closed on Carter.
Kill Count[]
Murders[]
None
Attempted murders[]
- John Paul McQueen, 16th May 2024 (story) - Drowned John Paul in a lake, as he intended to 'cleanse' him of his 'sins', but John Paul was resuscitated by emergency services.
Appendices[]
Residences[]
| Address | Duration |
|---|---|
| 5 Oakdale Drive, Flat 1 | December 2023 to May 2024 |
| Prison | Since May 2024 |
Employment History[]
| Job | Duration |
|---|---|
| Hollyoaks High School Headteacher | September 2023 to May 2024 |
Background Information[]
- Former Holby City star David Ames's casting was announced in June 2023 on ITV's daytime show This Morning.
Introduction Sequence[]
Despite being a regular character, Carter does not appear in the title sequence.
Quotes[]
| “ | Why don't I buy you a coffee and you can show me around the village? Or, you could just tell me what's got you so upset. | ” |
— First line, to Goldie McQueen.
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| “ | Welcome to out first meeting. Please, take a seat. | ” |
— Final line.
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