Carl Costello is a fictional character from the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Paul Opacic.
The character was introduced by executive producer Paul Marquess and he debuted on screen during the episode broadcast on 19 July 2010.
Carl arrived in the village as the new owner of The Dog in the Pond and the father of established character Jem Costello (Helen Russell-Clark).
Lucy Allan quit the role of executive producer in January 2010, Paul Marquess is then quickly employed as her replacement.
[1] Marquess revealed his plans to give Hollyoaks a "shake up",[2] and initiated a cast cull along with the introduction of several new characters.
"[7] Opacic brands Carl a "legendary philanderer" and a "naughty boy" but defends him stating "He would never leave Heidi, he loves her enormously, but he just can't help himself.
[6] Remaining optimistic of Carl's views he stated: "He might become a new man and start to be more understanding, I'm sure it will be a huge learning process for him.
[9] On 1 August 2012, Opacic's management revealed that he had reprised his role of Carl and had begun filming his return scenes.
[11] Tom Eames from Digital Spy later revealed that Carl would return when his grandson Bobby Costello goes missing.
[12] On 20 December 2012, it was announced that Rachel Shenton would be leaving her role of Mitzeee in 2012 and that Carl would return as part of her exit storyline.
It was revealed that the storyline would feature Carl returning to seek justice for Riley's death and that he would enlist Mitzeee in helping him punish Simon Walker (Neil Newbon).
An official statement by Hollyoaks teased that Mitzeee could get a happy ending or that it was possible "her involvement with Carl has put her life in danger".
[15] When he fails to retrieve Bobby, a "desperate" Carl kidnaps Goldie McQueen (Chelsee Healey), making fans fear for her.
[19][20] Sylver McQueen (David Tag), who had threatened Carl before his death, is also briefly arrested on suspicion of his murder.
"[24] The reveal took place in a special hour-long episode focussing on Mercedes' wedding, with Daniel Kilkelly from Digital Spy commenting that Carl's death "continues to cast a shadow over the [McQueen] family" due to them remaining "top suspects" for the crime.
[26] Carl is an ex-premiership footballer, whose first wife died when his daughter Jem (Helen Russell-Clark) was young, he then went on to marry Heidi (Kim Tiddy), with whom he has three more children; Riley (Rob Norbury), Seth (Miles Higson) and Jasmine (Victoria Atkin).
Jem is not happy to discover her father has moved to Hollyoaks, but agrees to forgive him for breaking her ex-boyfriend Liam's legs, which ended his football career, and for having numerous affairs.
When Mitzeee reveals Jasmine's relationship with Bart McQueen (Jonny Clarke), Carl is angry and threatens him.
Mercedes sister, Jacqui McQueen (Claire Cooper), also finds out about the affair but Carl manages her to convince her to keep quiet by offering her husband, Rhys Ashworth (Andrew Moss), a job.
On the day of the wedding, Mercedes' guilt becomes too much to bear and she tells a furious Riley about the affair at the altar, and apologises but says that she cannot marry him.
Afterwards, unknown to everyone, who believe that Mercedes is in Dubai on the honeymoon, she was actually kidnapped by Riley's grandfather Silas Blissett (Jeff Rawle), who plans to kill her once she gives birth.
Mercedes accuses Mitzeee of kidnapping Bobby later a letter is delivered to Riley asking for half a million pounds ransom money.
When Mitzeee continues to struggle with Riley's death, her sister Maxine Minniver (Nikki Sanderson) rings Carl for help.
"[27] E4 ran a poll asking viewers if they think Carl can be trusted, the results showed that more than half felt he couldn't.
[17] Chase's colleague, Daniel Kilkelly, wrote that Carl was killed by Breda as he was a "wrong'un who needed to be dealt with".