Mitzeee Minniver
Encyclopedia
Ann "Mitzeee" Minniver is a fictional character
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...

 from the British Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...

 soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...

 Hollyoaks
Hollyoaks
Hollyoaks is a long-running British television soap opera, first broadcast on Channel 4 on 23 October 1995. It was originally devised by Phil Redmond, who has also devised shows including Brookside and Grange Hill...

, played by Rachel Shenton
Rachel Shenton
Rachel Shenton, , is an English actress, who has appeared in a number of British television series, commercials, films and has also done voice overs. She is currently portraying Mitzeee on Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks.-Career:Shenton was born in Stoke-on-Trent on the 6 November 1987 and has lived...

. The character debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 23 July 2010. Mitzeee was created by series producer Paul Marquess
Paul Marquess
Paul Marquess is a Northern Irish-born British television producer.-Television career:His credits include Brookside, The Bill and Family Affairs. He also originated the idea for the series Footballers' Wives...

 for a different television series which was never commissioned and instead introduced his ideas onto Mitzeee. She is also one of the first characters created in Marquess' 2010 reinvention of Hollyoaks. Mitzeee is a wannabe glamour model and WAG
WAGs
WAGs is an acronym, used particularly by the British tabloid press, to describe the wives and girlfriends of high-profile footballers, originally the England national football team. The term came into common use during the 2006 FIFA World Cup, although it had been used occasionally before that...

, she is portrayed as being ruthless in achieving her goals and is fame driven. Shenton helped create her backstory and has stated on different occasions that Mitzeee uses femininity to get what she wants. Various media outlets drew comparisons to the character with popstar Cheryl Cole
Cheryl Cole
Cheryl Ann Cole is an English pop and R&B recording artist, songwriter, dancer, actress and model. She rose to fame in late 2002 when she auditioned for the reality television show Popstars: The Rivals on ITV. The programme announced that Cole had won a place as a member of the girl group, Girls...

 and Mitzeee spells her career name with triple e's because she finds her name plain, a tag Shenton has also agreed with.

Character creation

In January 2010, it was announced that Lucy Allan
Lucy Allan (producer)
Lucy Jane Allan is a British television producer, best known for her work on Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks.Allan's other credited work include a script editor for Dream Team and assistant to director in Chica de Río....

 had stepped down from the position of series producer and that Paul Marquess
Paul Marquess
Paul Marquess is a Northern Irish-born British television producer.-Television career:His credits include Brookside, The Bill and Family Affairs. He also originated the idea for the series Footballers' Wives...

 had taken over the role. It was soon revealed that Marquess planned to give Hollyoaks a "shake up".
In April 2010 it was announced that a series of new characters would debut following the departures of old ones. Among them was Mitzeee, she was originally billed as a "wannabe glamour model. Marquess later revealed to Inside Soap
Inside Soap
Inside Soap is a weekly UK magazine, released every Tuesday. It covers current and future storylines in soap operas shown in the United Kingdom....

that he had previously created the character for a different series that had never been commissioned and decided to incorporate her into Hollyoaks.

It was later announced that actress Rachel Shenton had been cast in the role. Shenton described the character as being the complete opposite of her. Shenton had previously auditioned for a role in Hollyoaks but was not successful. Speaking of her audition for Mitzeee, Shenton stated during an interview with entertainment website Digital Spy
Digital Spy
Digital Spy is a British entertainment and media news website. According to Alexa Internet traffic statistics, as of February 2011, Digital Spy is the 93rd most popular website in the United Kingdom, with an overall Alexa ranking of 2,088....

: "This role came up and I thought, 'Yep, brilliant - this is a good time to do this.' For Hollyoaks, it's a time of change. Paul has a great reputation and it felt like a really good time to do this." Shenton also credits herself in the creation of Mitzeee's backstory. Shenton conducted research into the type of character Mitzeee is, and how the backstory would make her act how she does in the present. Before the character had appeared on-screen Shenton received media attention for her image, with tabloids reporting on her likeness to Cheryl Cole
Cheryl Cole
Cheryl Ann Cole is an English pop and R&B recording artist, songwriter, dancer, actress and model. She rose to fame in late 2002 when she auditioned for the reality television show Popstars: The Rivals on ITV. The programme announced that Cole had won a place as a member of the girl group, Girls...

 and branded it as an attempt to 'sex up' the serial. Shenton described the attention and comparisons as "very flattering". On her future in the role Shenton said "I won't be going anywhere for a while. Mitzeee's such a great character to play."

Characterisation

Lime Pictures publicity describe Mitzeee as a "21-year-old aspiring glamour model [...] she has a few big secrets up her sleeve [...] likely to cause havoc in the village, and break many hearts along the way!" Mitzeee was also billed to Shenton as an aspiring model who wanted a better life and desperately wanted the lifestyle of the rich and famous. At the time of her arrival Shenton praised her stating: "I think that's really current because there are so many people, particularly young girls, who really want that and it is their goal." Shenton also claimed that the more viewers get to know Mitzeee the more they will realise she isn't as one-dimensional as she first seems. Shenton also described her adding: "She hides her intelligence well but she's actually a very intelligent girl. She's also quite manipulative and vindictive and some would say you have to be quite intelligent to do that! That's Mitzeee - there's definitely layers." She is also described as doing whatever to get where she wants to be and being quite ruthless in the process." Mitzeee is also popular with males, she often uses this to get what she wants. Mitzeee does not crave this attention, with Shenton stating "I think she's far too shrewd for that. She uses the attention to get what she wants and uses her femininity to get where she wants to be. I don't think for a second she's taken in by anything. She uses it as a tool, really." She has also been described as "fame-hungry" and a "gossip".

Mitzeee's real name is 'Anne Minniver' and Shenton once said that the name sounded plain. On-screen she goes by her career name of Mitzeee, which is spelled with three "E's" - a spelling she makes a point of regularly in episodes. Of this, Shenton explains: "She says it to so many people, 'It's Mitzeee with three es', and she makes a point of it. It's slightly ridiculous as well and I think Mitzeee's a bit of an alter ego so she's having a bit of fun with it." Shenton also commented on the response she has been given from fans about the character: "I've been really, really pleased. I've had such a positive reaction to the role, which I was a little bit shocked about! I wasn't quite sure how people would take her, because I thought she'd be a Marmite
Marmite
Marmite is the name given to two similar food spreads: the original British version, first produced in the United Kingdom and later South Africa, and a version produced in New Zealand...

 kind of character where you either love her or you hate her! But everyone's reactions have been so lovely, and people seem to like her! I'm really grateful for the reactions I've received from the Hollyoaks fans." She also made references to Mitzeee's upbringing, and claimed that viewers would see a "different side" to the character during the third series
Hollyoaks Later (series 3)
The third series of Hollyoaks Later is a British television series and late night spin-off of Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks. The series is ran on E4 and began on 25 October 2010.-Development:...

 of Hollyoaks Later.

Backstory

Mitzeee grew up with her mother Trish Minniver (Paula Wolfenden), a single mother. She did not see her extended family, the Costellos, for a lengthy period of time. Mitzeee came to know that her cousin had stolen her mother's boyfriend from her. Mitzeee then went to pursue him whilst on a night out and slept with him, so she seeks Heidi out to continue her plan of revenge. Mitzeee has also done lads' mag photo shoots and other PA activities before arriving on screen.

2010—

Mitzeee first arrives at a PA for The Loft promotion and quickly makes friends with Darren Osborne
Darren Osborne
Darren Osborne is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks. Darren was introduced by executive producer Phil Redmond as part of the Osborne family. Darren made his first on-screen appearance on 18 November 1996 and was initially played by Adam Booth, before the Booth...

 (Ashley Taylor Dawson
Ashley Taylor Dawson
Ashley Taylor Dawson is an English actor and singer. He is best known for his role as Darren Osborne in the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, in which he is one of the longest serving cast members and as being a member of UK pop band allSTARS*.-Personal life:Ashley Dawson was born Wilmslow,...

), Rhys Ashworth
Rhys Ashworth
Rhys Lesley Ashworth is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Andrew Moss. He made his first on-screen appearance on 4 October 2005.-Character creation and casting:...

 (Andrew Moss
Andrew Moss
Andrew "Andy" Moss is an English television actor. He is currently best known for playing Rhys Ashworth in the Channel 4 teenage soap opera Hollyoaks since 2005.-TV credits:...

) and Duncan Button
Duncan Button
Duncan Button is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Dean Aspen. He debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 2 November 2009. Duncan was originally credited as Duncan Smith until he was credited with Button...

 (Dean Aspen
Dean Aspen (actor)
Dean Aspen is an English actor known for playing teenager Duncan Button in Hollyoaks.His first screen acting role was in 2008 as Scaly Dave in The Revenge Files of Alistair Fury and then in November 2009 he began playing the role of Duncan in Hollyoaks...

). It becomes clear she has had a one night stand with Carl Costello
Carl Costello
Carl Costello, is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Paul Opacic. The character was introduced by executive producer Paul Marquess and debuted onscreen during the episode airing on 19 July 2010. He came to the village as the new owner of The Dog in the...

 (Paul Opacic
Paul Opacic
Paul Opacic is an English actor. He is currently best known for his role as Carl Costello in Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks.-Career:...

) and wants more. Things become more complicated when she reveals she is Carl's wife Heidi Costello
Heidi Costello
Heidi Costello is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Kim Tiddy. She made her first on-screen appearance on 20 July 2010 and made her final appearance in the series on 1 November 2011, after the character was accidentally murdered by her father, Silas...

's (Kim Tiddy
Kim Tiddy
Kim Tiddy , is an English actress, is known for playing the part of PC Honey Harman, in the ITV soap opera The Bill, and Heidi Costello in the British Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks.-Personal life:...

) cousin. Mitzeee tries to seduce Carl by flirting with him. However this fails a number of times as he rejects her advances. Mitzeee then causes much more trouble for Carl when she tells him all about his daughter Jasmine Costello
Jasmine Costello
Jason Costello is a fictional character from the English Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Victoria Atkin. The character debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 2 August 2010 and was introduced by series producer Paul Marquess as a member of the yet to be established Costello family...

's (Victoria Atkin) relationship with a boy named Bart McQueen
Bart McQueen
Bartholomew "Bart" McQueen is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Jonny Clarke. He first appeared onscreen at his stepmother's funeral in August 2010, introduced by producer Paul Marquess as a member of the McQueen family...

 (Jonny Clarke
Jonny Clarke
Jonny Clarke, is an English actor. He is best known for playing the character of Bart McQueen in the channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks.-Career:...

). This caused quite a stir and trouble is ahead when Carl confronts him. With that on his mind, Mitzeee still causes chaos for him and yet again tries to seduce him. Whilst at home with her mother Trish, it is revealed that Carl and Trish were in a relationship before Heidi stole Carl away from her. Mitzeee makes it clear she will gain revenge for her mother.

Mitzeee helps Heidi in a fashion show all the while trying to seduce Carl, after Carl rejects her further she enlists the help of Michaela McQueen
Michaela McQueen
Michaela McQueen is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Hollie-Jay Bowes. Michaela was the first of the McQueen family to be seen on-screen in 2006, when she was credited as Michaela Jones. On 8 June 2010, Hollie-Jay Bowes announced that she had quit...

 (Hollie Jay Bowes) to help her expose their affair. Michaela is hesitant at first but she helps her reveal to everyone that she slept with him. Heidi later forgives Carl and Mitzee saying it's her Carl's past with Trish that made her do it. Duncan later gives Mitzeee a driving lesson, the break down in the countryside, spend the night in the car. Duncan then spreads a rumour that they slept together using a signed photo as evidence. Mitzeee convinces Riley Costello
Riley Costello
Riley Costello is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Rob Norbury. Riley was introduced in July 2010 with his on-screen family by series producer Paul Marquess as part of a cast overhaul of the series....

 (Rob Norbury) to let her attend a cage fighting party and an after-party at a footballer's house with him. She takes Nancy Hayton
Nancy Hayton
Nancy Anne Hayton is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Jessica Fox. The character first appeared on 6 July 2005. Since the character's inception she has been involved in many notable storylines such as a three-way open relationship, drug taking,...

 (Jessica Fox
Jessica Fox
Jessica Fox is an English actress. She is most notable for playing young witch Enid Nightshade in the CITV show The Worst Witch, whom she began playing in the late 1990s...

), who has agreed to write an article on the night, and pregnant Theresa McQueen
Theresa McQueen
Theresa McQueen is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Jorgie Porter. She made her first appearance in November 2008. The character was introduced as an extension of already established McQueen family...

 (Jorgie Porter
Jorgie Porter
Jorgina Alexandra "Jorgie" Porter, is an English actress, notable for her role as Theresa McQueen in the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks...

) with her. During the party, she teaches Theresa and Nancy how to be a WAG
WAGs
WAGs is an acronym, used particularly by the British tabloid press, to describe the wives and girlfriends of high-profile footballers, originally the England national football team. The term came into common use during the 2006 FIFA World Cup, although it had been used occasionally before that...

, and ends up fighting with 'frenemy
Frenemy
"Frenemy" is a portmanteau of "friend" and "enemy" that can refer to either an enemy disguised as a friend or to a partner who is simultaneously a competitor and rival. The term is used to describe personal, geopolitical, and commercial relationships both among individuals and groups or institutions...

' Chanterelle (Leanne Urey). Mitzeee makes many failed attempts at seducing footballers and is jealous over Theresa's romance with Logan Fairhurst (Thomas Sean Hughes). She attacks Theresa, who then goes into labour. She visits Theresa in the hospital while she's giving birth but she screams at her to get out, saying she wants Nancy in the room instead.

Mitzeee opens up to Nancy in the hospital about her life claiming she had no option of being the way she is. Nancy sympathises and agrees to write a nicer article on her. Mitzeee is angry with Nancy when she sees the paper have twisted her article however becomes happier when people start to recognise her because of it. Carl's daughter, Jem Costello
Jem Costello
Jem Costello is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Helen Russell-Clark. She made her first on-screen appearance on 5 March 2010.-Character creation and casting:...

 (Helen Russell-Clark), pays Mitzeee to seduce Carl however she sleeps with Jem's boyfriend, Liam McAllister (Chris Overton), instead, as she doesn't want Jem to have anything more to do with Liam. In early 2011, Mitzeee catches Brendan Brady
Brendan Brady
Brendan Brady is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Emmett J. Scanlan. The character was introduced in 2010 by series producer Paul Marquess during part of the show's overhaul the character has become incredibly popular and liked.He is the older half...

 (Emmett J. Scanlan
Emmett J. Scanlan
Emmett J. Scanlan is an Irish actor from Dublin.In 2008 and 2009, Scanlan appeared in the Justin Timberlake-produced MTV series The Phone, as "The Operator"...

) kissing Ste Hay
Ste Hay
Stephen "Ste" Hay is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Kieron Richardson. He debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 17 February 2006. Ste was created by David Hanson and was originally intended to be a short-term character for seven episodes...

 (Kieron Richardson
Kieron Richardson
Kieron Mark Richardson is an English actor best known for playing the role of Ste Hay in Hollyoaks.-Career:...

), and uses this information to blackmail Brendan into becoming her manager and making her famous. He organises a photoshoot for her, but during this, a sleazy photographer takes advantage of Mitzeee, however, Brendan teams up with Warren Fox
Warren Fox
Warren Fox is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Jamie Lomas. He first arrived in 2006 as an old acquaintance of Sean Kennedy and quickly became known as the show's main villain...

 (Jamie Lomas
Jamie Lomas
Jamie Lomas is an English actor best known for his role as bad boy Warren Fox on the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks....

) and gets revenge on the photographer. Mitzeee implies to Brendan's close friends that they are now an item, a term Brendan is not happy with, but goes along with. Mitzeee makes sure Ste's girlfriend Rae Wilson
Rae Wilson
Rae Wilson is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Alice Barlow. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 5 October 2009. Barlow was cast into the role, which fulfilled her dream of starring in a soap opera. Fellow cast member Helen...

 (Alice Barlow
Alice Barlow
Alice Barlow , is a British actress and singer, best known for her role in Hollyoaks as Rae Wilson.-Career:While a teenager Barlow won a national talent search Festival4Stars. In 2008, Barlow took part 'The Stobart Factor' a talent competition, which was judged by The X Factor judge Louis Walsh...

) walks in on Brendan and Ste. Brendan is angry at her for what she did but once again goes along with pretending to be her boyfriend after she explains she didn't like them going behind Rae's back. Mitzeee clashes with Brendan's sister Cheryl Brady
Cheryl Brady
Cheryl Brady is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Bronagh Waugh. The character first appeared on-screen on 25 November 2008, during the first series of the Hollyoaks spin-off, Hollyoaks Later, as the former love interest of Malachy Fisher...

 (Bronagh Waugh
Bronagh Waugh
Bronagh Waugh is a Northern Irish actress currently playing the character of Cheryl Brady in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks as well as appearing on T4 On The Beach as herself....

). On 18 March 2011, Brendan helped Mitzeee to impersonate Cheryl Cole. Mitzeee fools everyone including Cheryl Brady, but she realises it was Mitzeee and attacks her before they fight.

When Mitzeee's mum is in prison Ethan Scott (Craig Vye
Craig Vye
Craig Vye , is an English actor, best known for his role as Ethan Scott in teen soap opera Hollyoaks.-Early life:Craig was born in Hertfordshire, England. Vye trained at RADA, graduating in 2005...

) agrees to let her mum go if she gets a confession from Warren admitting to the murder of Louise Summers (Roxanne McKee
Roxanne McKee
-Biography:After completing a BA degree in 2001 in Social Policy & Political Studies at Royal Holloway, University of London, McKee rose to fame by winning Hollyoaks On The Pull, a Channel 4 initiative to discover new talent for the popular British soap Hollyoaks...

) she tries to tape record him however Warren finds out. Warren ends up confessing to Mitzeee about Louise's murder. Mitzeee gets an interview for a job in London and after Warren refuses to give her money for an outfit she takes his money from Chez Chez and spends it at Cincerity. She is later arrested and told the money is from a bank heist. She realises the money has fallen into Warren's hands and tells Ethan the location of the money. Before the club can be raided she steals the rest of the money. She tells Warren she lost the interview because of him and later burns the money in front of him in retaliation.

Mitzeee invites herself to Riley's stag week to keep an eye on Warren but continues to grow close to Riley as the week progresses. Until Warren finds out, Mercedes McQueen
Mercedes McQueen
Mercedes Fisher is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Jennifer Metcalfe. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 19 June 2006 as the first character to be introduced to the serial by series producer, Bryan Kirkwood...

 (Jennifer Metcalfe
Jennifer Metcalfe
Jennifer Joanne Metcalfe is an English actress and model. She joined the cast of soap opera Hollyoaks in June 2006, playing feisty Mercedes McQueen.-Personal life:...

), had an affair with Carl. Warren wants to blackmail Carl and Mercedes for money whereas Mitzeee becomes concerned for Riley. Nevertheless when Carl uninvites Mitzeee from the wedding she aids Warren in his blackmail by writing about the affair in her book but later feels guilty when Heidi re-invites her. Mercedes reveals the affair herself and Mitzeee tries to comfort Riley. When Heidi is killed by her father, Silas Blissett
Silas Blissett
Silas Blissett is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Jeff Rawle. Rawle's casting was announced in December 2010 and it was revealed that he would portray a killer. Rawle was approached by Hollyoaks and met with series producer, Paul Marquess, who...

 (Jeff Rawle
Jeff Rawle
Jeff Rawle is a British actor, perhaps best known for playing the long-suffering George in the news-gathering sitcom Drop the Dead Donkey...

), Mitzeee hides her upset by looking after the Costello children. She then ends her relationship with Warren, who gets revenge on her by dumping her clothes in a pond. Unknown of who he is Warren's son Joel Dexter (Andrew Still) helps Mitzeee get her clothes out of the pond. When she finds out who he is she confronts Warren to ask him, Warren tells her he does not believe that Joel is his son but later agrees to have a DNA test.

Reception

Shenton was nominated in the category of "Sexiest Female" at the 2011 British Soap Awards
British Soap Awards
The British Soap Awards is an annual awards ceremony to honour the best of British soap operas.The first event took place in 1999 and takes place in May each year. Although it is an ITV production, the events were held at the BBC Television Centre, in London until 2010. The 2011 awards relocated to...

. At the 2011 Inside Soap Awards
Inside Soap Awards
The Inside Soap Awards is a yearly award ceremony run by Inside Soap magazine since 1996. The awards celebrate the British and Australian soap operas and their actors. Until 2007, EastEnders had won the award for "Best Soap" on every occasion...

 Shenton was nominated for Best Newcomer and Funniest Performance. She was then nominated in the category of "Serial Drama Performance" at the 2012 National Television Awards
National Television Awards
The National Television Awards is a British television awards ceremony, broadcast by the ITV network and initiated in 1995. The National Television Awards are the most prominent ceremony for which the results are voted on by the general public. Because of the way the awards are decided, winners are...

. Jaci Stephen writing for the Daily Mail
Daily Mail
The Daily Mail is a British daily middle-market tabloid newspaper owned by the Daily Mail and General Trust. First published in 1896 by Lord Northcliffe, it is the United Kingdom's second biggest-selling daily newspaper after The Sun. Its sister paper The Mail on Sunday was launched in 1982...

branded her a "mischievous" and "dangerous" character. Stephen has praised her introduction and opined that she "put the cat among the pigeons by revealing a big secret." Stephens later questioned what "surprises us the most?" suggesting scenarios from other characters that have surprised her before suggesting the "fact that Mitzeee can read and write – as revealed on Monday, when she decides to dish the dirt on the affair in her book?" as a point of surprise.

External links

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