Rae Wilson is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Alice Barlow.

Actress Helen Russell-Clark – who went on to play Jem Costello – originally auditioned for the role, but the part was awarded to Barlow.

Initially portrayed as an imaginary character in a schizophrenia storyline, Rae was later revealed to be real when she arrived to study in Hollyoaks.

She miscarried during an argument with Brendan and subsequently feuded with him; Barlow praised her character for being one of the few who dared to oppose the Hollyoaks villain.

Rae was originally characterised as a chav with a feisty persona, but underwent a transformation when she attempted to embrace domestic life with Ste.

During series four of the post-watershed spin-off Hollyoaks Later, Rae was murdered by a serial killer, Silas Blissett (Jeff Rawle).

At a July 2009 Hollyoaks press day, series producer Lucy Allan announced that there would be a "big stunt" involving schizophrenic character Barry "Newt" Newton (Nico Mirallegro) in October of that year.

[3] Barlow stated that she was "absolutely on top of the world" to receive the part, particularly as one of her childhood dreams was to appear in a soap opera.

[3] Helen Russell-Clark – who went on to play Jem Costello in the serial – also auditioned for Rae, and reached the final stages of casting.

Entanglement in a Stendan love triangle then saw her embrace life as a housewife and carer of small children, but when that didn't work out she opted to re-relaunch her DJ career.During her first appearances as a figment of Newt's imagination, Rae was depicted as a goth with an emo persona.

[8] The character later underwent a transitional period; she retained her strong personality, but displayed a weaker side resulting from the setbacks she encountered.

[9] The storyline received prominent coverage in the media days before the scenes were due to be broadcast because two young girls in Scotland had died in a similar suicide pact, having jumped from the Erskine Bridge into the River Clyde.

[10] Channel 4 decided to broadcast the Hollyoaks scenes as planned, and released a statement which explained: We feel it is appropriate to continue with the transmission of these episodes as this is not a one-off programme but an established and long-running series.

Hollyoaks has a strong track record of dealing with sensitive issues, and the transmission will be followed by a programme support announcement directing viewers to a 24-hour helpline.

All About Soap magazine wrote that Rae was "knocked sideways" by the discovery, and noted her uncertainty at the prospect of becoming a teenage mother.

[17] Rae ultimately learnt of the affair; Richardson characterised her response as being "shocked and angry",[17] and Barlow told Inside Soap magazine that the revelation left her character "more torn than ever."

"[19] She enjoyed portraying this dynamic, and assessed that Rae "always felt like she had the upper hand" as she knew the truth about Brendan's sexuality.

[6] Rae was involved in a relationship storyline with Ethan Scott (Craig Vye), who was already romancing both Liberty Savage (Abi Phillips) and Theresa McQueen (Jorgie Porter).

[6][21] Digital Spy showcased Rae being exposed as Ethan's lover and her subsequent revenge plot in its "Pic of the day" feature.

Speculation arose that Rae would become the next victim of serial killer Silas Blissett (Jeff Rawle); Barlow tried to discredit these rumours, and denied that she was leaving Hollyoaks as she wanted viewers to be "surprised and shocked" by her exit.

[27] Emma Smithwick, the programme's producer, confirmed that the late night episodes would feature the death of a regular character.

"[6] When the episodes aired, Silas was angered by Rae's attitude – her desire to use men for casual flings – and realised he could frame Brendan for her murder.

Barlow said she was happy and grateful with the nature of her exit storyline, as the opportunity to "go out with a bang" was better than Rae leaving quietly in a taxi.

Rae is released without charge after Warren Fox (Jamie Lomas) tampers with the substance, which is found to be icing sugar.

Rae briefly works as a barmaid at a local pub, but leaves her job after exposing an affair between Gaz Bennett (Joel Goonan) and her boss Heidi Costello (Kim Tiddy).

Rae tells Ethan she has an STD, Theresa claims to be pregnant and Liberty pretends to set a wedding date.

[15] Anthony D. Langford of AfterElton said that Hollyoaks had no interest in Rae as a character, and no desire to "make her a real fleshed out person".

He added that Rae had no common sense because "no woman would regularly leave her man alone for long periods of time with the guy she knows he had an affair with."