List of River City characters introduced in 2016–2017
River City is a long running BBC Scotland soap opera from Scotland. This is a list of characters who first appeared on the programme during 2016 and 2017.
Maggie McLean
[edit]| Maggie McLean | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| River City character | |||||||
| Portrayed by | Kathryn Howden | ||||||
| Duration | 2017–present | ||||||
| Classification | Present | ||||||
| |||||||
Maggie McLean is a fictional character from the long-running BBC Scotland soap opera River City portrayed by Kathryn Howden.[1]
Maggie has an abusive brother John.[2] She killed Joe Dunn.[3][4] In 2018, Maggie reveals she is a victim of rape and incest.[5]
Kim O'Hara
[edit]| Kim O'Hara | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| River City character | |||||||||
| Portrayed by | Frances Thorburn | ||||||||
| Duration | 2016–2024 | ||||||||
| Classification | Present | ||||||||
| |||||||||
Kim O'Hara (also Monroe) is a fictional character from the long-running BBC Scotland soap opera River City portrayed by Frances Thorburn.[6] Her storylines, from a broken down marriage with Bob O'Hara and health complications that saw her undergo a heart transplant.[7]
In 2024, she survives a car crash that takes the life of Bernie O'Hara.[8]
Ellie McLean
[edit]| Ellie McLean | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| River City character | |||||
| Portrayed by | Leah MacRae | ||||
| Duration | 2016–2022 | ||||
| Classification | Former | ||||
| |||||
Ellie McLean is a fictional character from the long-running BBC Scotland soap opera River City portrayed by Leah MacRae.[9]
Ellie joins as a care worker who looks after dementia sufferer Malcolm Hamilton (Johnny Beattie).[10]
In early 2022, Ellie had a storyline on infertility.[11] She then turns to surrogacy.[12]
Pete Galloway
[edit]| Pete Galloway | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| River City character | |||||||
| Portrayed by | Andy Gray | ||||||
| Duration | 2016–2018 | ||||||
| Classification | Former | ||||||
| |||||||
Pete Galloway (also Griffiths and McLean) is a fictional character from the long-running BBC Scotland soap opera River City played by Andy Gray.[13] Andy is the husband of Caitlin McLean and the father of Drew McLean.[14] Gray died in 2021.[15] The character was killed off-screen in January 2022.[16]
Martina Kennedy
[edit]| Martina Kennedy | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| River City character | |||||||
| Portrayed by | Ann-Louise Ross | ||||||
| Duration | 2016–2022 | ||||||
| Classification | Former | ||||||
| |||||||
Martina Kennedy (also McAllister) is a fictional character from the long-running BBC Scotland soap opera River City played by Ann-Louise Ross.[17] She described as an evil matriarch.[18] She is the mother of Alex McAllister (Jordan Young).[19]
Greig Roth
[edit]| Greig Roth | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| River City character | |||||||
| Portrayed by | Glen Wallace | ||||||
| Duration | 2016–2018 | ||||||
| Classification | Former | ||||||
| |||||||
Greig Roth is a fictional character from the long-running BBC Scotland soap opera River City played by Glen Wallace.[20] He was introduced in 2016 alongside his wife Lorna (Alana Hood) and daughters Frankie (Lorna McMenemy) and Katie (Libby Dye).[21]
Lorna Roth
[edit]| Lorna Roth | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| River City character | |||||||||
| Portrayed by | Alana Hood | ||||||||
| Duration | 2016 | ||||||||
| Appears in | 11 October 2016 | ||||||||
| Classification | Former | ||||||||
| |||||||||
Lorna Roth is a fictional character from the long-running BBC Scotland soap opera River City played by Alana Hood.[20] She was introduced in 2016 alongside her husband Greig (Glen Wallace) and daughters Frankie (Lorna McMenemy) and Katie (Libby Dye).[21] She is the younger sister of local GP Annie Murdoch (Dawn Steele).[22]
Frankie Roth
[edit]| Frankie Roth | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| River City character | |||||||||
| Portrayed by | Lorna McMenemy | ||||||||
| Duration | 2016–2018 | ||||||||
| Classification | Former | ||||||||
| |||||||||
Frankie Roth is a fictional character from the long-running BBC Scotland soap opera River City played by Lorna McMenemy.[20] She was introduced in 2016 alongside her parents Greig (Glen Wallace) and Lorna (Alana Hood) and sister Katie (Libby Dye).[21]
She dated Angus Lindsay and dealt with bulimia.[23] She killed villain Rick Harper (Alex Ferns).[24]
Katie Roth
[edit]| Katie Roth | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| River City character | |||||||||
| Portrayed by | Libby Dye | ||||||||
| Duration | 2016–2020 | ||||||||
| Classification | Former | ||||||||
| |||||||||
Katie Roth is a fictional character from the long-running BBC Scotland soap opera River City played by Libby Dye.[20] She was introduced in 2016 alongside her parents Greig (Glen Wallace) and Lorna (Alana Hood) and sister Frankie (Lorna McMenemy).[21]
Andy Cousins
[edit]| Andy Cousins | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| River City character | |||||
| Portrayed by | Simon Webbe | ||||
| Duration | 2016–2017 | ||||
| Classification | Former | ||||
| |||||
Andy Cousins is a fictional character from the long-running BBC Scotland soap opera River City played by Blue singer Simon Webbe in his television debut.[25] Andy first appeared in November 2016.[26] Webbe did not use a Scottish accent for the role.[27] Andy is a former army soldier and a close friend of the Roth family.[28]
Mackenzie O'Hara
[edit]| Mackenzie O'Hara | |
|---|---|
| River City character | |
| Portrayed by | Connor McPhelim |
| Duration | 2017–present |
| Classification | Present |
Mackenzie O'Hara is a fictional character from the long-running BBC Scotland soap opera River City played by Connor McPhelim. He is the son of Kim O'Hara (Frances Thorburn).[29]
Rick Harper
[edit]| Rick Harper | |
|---|---|
| River City character | |
| Portrayed by | Alex Ferns |
| Duration | 2017–2018 |
| Classification | Former |
Rick Harper is a fictional character from the long-running BBC Scotland soap opera River City played by Alex Ferns.[30]
The villainous was killed off in a whodunit storyline when he was hit on the head with a candle stick, later revealed to be Frankie Roth (Lorna McMenemy).[24]
Dougie Patterson
[edit]| Dougie Patterson | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| River City character | |||||
| Portrayed by | Stewart Porter | ||||
| Duration | 2017–2018 | ||||
| Classification | Present | ||||
| |||||
Dougie Patterson is a fictional character from the long-running BBC Scotland soap opera River City played by Stewart Porter.[31]
Charlotte Crozier
[edit]| Charlotte Crozier | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| River City character | |||||
| Portrayed by | Daisy Veldhoven | ||||
| Duration | 2017–2020 | ||||
| Classification | Present | ||||
| |||||
Charlotte Crozier (also Murdoch) is a fictional character from the long-running BBC Scotland soap opera River City played by Daisy Veldhoven.[32]
Jules Belmont
[edit]| Jules Belmont | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| River City character | |||||
| Portrayed by | Aisha Toussaint | ||||
| Duration | 2017–2018 | ||||
| First appearance | 31 January 2017 | ||||
| Classification | Former | ||||
| |||||
Jules Belmont is a fictional character from the long-running BBC Scotland soap opera River City played by Aisha Toussaint.[33]
Shelley Belmont
[edit]| Shelley Belmont | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| River City character | |||||
| Portrayed by | Adiza Shardow | ||||
| Duration | 2017–2018 | ||||
| Classification | Former | ||||
| |||||
Shelley Belmont is a fictional character from the long-running BBC Scotland soap opera River City played by Adiza Shardow.[34]
Farah Khurana
[edit]| Farah Khurana | |
|---|---|
| River City character | |
| Portrayed by | Shobna Gulati |
| Duration | 2017–2018 |
| Classification | Former |
Farah Khurana is a fictional character from the long-running BBC Scotland soap opera River City played by Shobna Gulati.[34] Gulati is famous from playing Sunita Alahan in Coronation Street.[35] Farah is a university friend of artisan baker AJ Jandhu.[36] The character is described as "fun loving".[37]
John McLean
[edit]| John McLean | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| River City character | |||||
| Portrayed by | Frank Gilhooley | ||||
| Duration | 2017–2021 | ||||
| Classification | Former | ||||
| |||||
John McLean is a fictional character from the long-running BBC Scotland soap opera River City played by Frank Gilhooley.[34]
John is involved in an incest and sex abuse storyline.[38][39]
References
[edit]- ^ "BBC Scotland - River City - Maggie McLean". BBC. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ "Edinburgh actor Kathryn Howden reveals Monday's explosive episode of River City left her shocked". Edinburgh News. 2021-10-02. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ "Edinburgh River City star recalls real life 'soap opera' of growing up in working class Pennywell". Edinburgh News. 2021-08-26. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ Hart, Lesley (2023-08-19). "LESLEY HART: Yes, I'm dead, thanks for asking". The Courier. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ Swarbrick, Susan (20 February 2018). "River City star Kathryn Howden on the family bombshell rocking Shieldinch". Glasgow Times.
- ^ "BBC Scotland - River City - Kim O'Hara". BBC. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ Croal, Nicola (2024-08-25). "BBC River City's star teases heartbreaking twist in season finale". Daily Record. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ Scougall, Murray (2024-08-28). "Frances Thorburn on River City dream and harrowing crash scenes". The Sunday Post. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ "BBC Scotland - River City - Ellie McLean". BBC. Retrieved 2025-05-15.
- ^ "Leah MacRae joins cast of BBC Scotland's River City". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-05-15.
- ^ Aitken, Ellidh (2025-03-25). "Forfar woman says River City helped her through infertility struggles". The Courier. Retrieved 2025-05-15.
- ^ "BBC River City star Leah MacRae talks about Ellie's surrogacy obsession". Glasgow Times. Archived from the original on 2022-06-25. Retrieved 2025-05-15.
- ^ "Andy Gray leads new cast set to debut in BBC Scotland's award-winning River City". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
- ^ "BBC Scotland - River City - Pete McLean". BBC. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
- ^ Suter, Ruth (18 January 2021). "Former River City star Andy Gray dies aged 61". Glasgow Times. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
- ^ "BBC Scotland - River City, 17/01/2022, A special memorial for Pete Galloway". BBC. 2022-01-12. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
- ^ Greenaway, Heather (2015-11-01). "Katie Morag star fears fans will be shocked by new River City role". Daily Record. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
- ^ Greenaway, Heather (2015-11-01). "Katie Morag star fears fans will be shocked by new River City role". Daily Record. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
- ^ "BBC Scotland - River City, Behind the scenes & extras, Get the lowdown on Alex's mum... Martina KENNEDY!". BBC. 2015-11-04. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
- ^ a b c d "BBC Scotland - River City - Soap star Glen Wallace joins the cast of River City". BBC. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ a b c d "Soap star Glen Wallace joins the cast of River City". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ "All rise! Blue's Simon Webbe joins the cast of River City". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-05-15.
- ^ "BBC Scotland - River City - Angus Lindsay". BBC. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ a b Dalziel, Magdalene (2018-01-17). "River City fans gripped by gangster Rick Harper death". Glasgow Live. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
- ^ Parker, Rebecca (2016-11-26). "Exclusive interview with Blue star Simon Webbe on his River City debut". Glasgow Live. Retrieved 2025-05-15.
- ^ "Blue star Simon Webbe to join River City drama". BBC News. 2016-09-15. Retrieved 2025-05-15.
- ^ English, Paul (2016-11-26). "Singer Simon Webbe on his River City debut on streets of Shieldinch". Daily Record. Retrieved 2025-05-15.
- ^ Parker, Rebecca (2016-11-26). "This chart-topping boy band singer is set to make his debut on River City". Glasgow Live. Retrieved 2025-05-15.
- ^ "BBC Scotland - River City - Kim O'Hara". BBC. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ "BBC Scotland - River City - Acclaimed soap star Alex Ferns joins the cast of River City". BBC. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
- ^ "BBC Scotland - River City - Dougie Paterson". BBC. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ "River City - Monday 29 April 2019". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ "Interview with Aisha Toussaint, who plays Raven". www.bbc.co.uk. 27 November 2017. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ a b c "BBC Scotland - River City - Shobna Gulati joins the cast of River City". BBC. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ Live, Glasgow (2017-09-10). "Former Coronation Street star Shobna Gulati to join cast of River City". Glasgow Live. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ Hendry, Steve (2017-11-05). "River City star Shobna Gulati swaps Coronation Street cobbles for Shieldinch". Daily Record. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ Hendry, Steve (2017-09-10). "Former Coronation Street star Shobna Gulati 'delighted' to join River City cast". Daily Record. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ "Still Game and River City actor reveals inspiration behind his debut book". HeraldScotland. Archived from the original on 2021-02-14. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ Baird, Rebecca (2023-10-22). "River City actor Frank Gilhooley opens up on playing incestual rapist as he takes emotional masterclass across country". The Courier. Retrieved 2025-05-14.