Joanne Cardsley is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Rachel Leskovac.

Producer Bryan Kirkwood was glad to cast Leskovac because he admired her previous work as Natasha Blakeman on Coronation Street.

Writers continued to develop the character's presence as a homewrecker and played her trying to snare Joe Roscoe (Ayden Callaghan) from his girlfriend Mercedes McQueen (Jennifer Metcalfe).

Hollyoaks press team even released a statement claiming Joanne is "one of the most talked-about bunny boilers in soaps."

Leskovac had to complete a screen test with Karl Collins who plays Louis Loveday prior to securing the part.

[1] The character debuted on-screen unannounced during a special episode of Hollyoaks which focused on the backstory of the established Loveday family.

[1] Producer Bryan Kirkwood was happy to have secured Leskovac because he had admired her work on fellow soap opera Coronation Street, where she portrayed Natasha Blakeman.

[2] "Smart, driven but ultimately damaged, Joanne is a deeply troubled soul who’s been waiting all her life for her happy ending.

Hopeless loneliness combined with relentless determination will make the perfect combo to rip the Lovedays apart, but one thing’s for sure: Joanne is here to get what she wants.

[8] Leskovac told Laura Heffernan from Inside Soap that she expected fans of Louis and Simone to be unhappy with Joanne's meddling.

Simone plans to watch her son Zack Loveday (Duayne Boachie) play an important football match.

It showed that Joanne would develop romantic feelings for Joe Roscoe (Ayden Callaghan) and attempt to steal him from his girlfriend Mercedes McQueen (Jennifer Metcalfe).

The story commenced after Joanne learns that her mother, Janet Cardsley (Ruth Evans), is dying from Alzheimer's disease.

[18] Leskovac told Sarah Ellis from Inside Soap that her character is angry with Liam and herself for letting him hurt her.

She described Mercedes as "a force to be reckoned with" and noted her character is "not the shy and retiring type" either; so the personalities would cause "fireworks" during scenes.

The actress defended her character, explaining that as with previous stories, Joanne's intentions originally come from a "good place" rather than "malicious".

Leskovac concluded that her on-screen counterpart views herself "very stable, loving and kind, and she's willing to take on his kids and be the girlfriend he deserves.

"[18] The story also made way for Hollyoaks writers to develop Joanne's main friendship with fellow scheming character James Nightingale (Gregory Finnegan).

The plan fails to get Joanne and Joe alone together and he rethinks his strategy when he finds evidence of Mercedes being linked to a drug deal.

Callaghan told Ellis that his character is in a "fragile" and "vulnerable" position and he likes the attention Joanne gives him and is even aware she is attracted to him.

Joanne is concerned to learn Mercedes could potentially be released from custody and worries how it will effect her plan to snare Joe.

"[22] Leskovac told Soaplife's Sally Brockaway that her character feels guilty that Mercedes in prison, but James is like the "devil on her shoulder" constantly encouraging her.

Joanne gives legal representation to Wayne (Nathan Whitfield) and he requests that Sonia Albright (Kiza Deen) is his alibi.

Joe's brother, Freddie (Charlie Clapham), pretends he invited Joanne over for sex and claims she entered the incorrect bedroom.

Joanne then tampers with the controls of the ferris wheel and stops it with Joe and Mercedes suspended in the air, and throws away the key.

Events take a sinister turn when a nearby explosion causes Joe to fall from the ferris wheel to his death.

It is then revealed that Mercedes was recording her confessions, and when the police arrive, Louis expresses his hatred towards Joanne before she is arrested for stabbing Simone and her role in Lisa's abduction.

"[25] Sophie Dainty (Digital Spy) said that Joanne had been "wreaking havoc" in the show and branded her a "manipulative character" with "scheming antics" and a "bunny boiler".

[11][30] Sarah Ellis from the publication wrote "Joanne may not have many friends in Hollyoaks after destroying Louis and Simone's marriage [...] But Inside Soap can't get enough of her antics.

"[18] Another reporter from the publication, referencing Joanne and James, stated "with Hollyoaks just packed with criminals and villains, it’s a real shame that the only lawyers in town are as corrupt as their clients.