Russ Owen is a fictional character in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Stuart Manning.

He first appeared in the episode first broadcast on 6 August 2004 with the Owen family and has been involved in storylines including being diagnosed with testicular cancer and kidnapping his son Max McQueen (Gabriel Lawrence).

It was announced in April 2009 that Manning had quit the role and Russ departed in the episode first broadcast on 3 June 2009.

Speaking of his decision to leave the show, Stuart Manning said: "I've had a great time at Hollyoaks over the last five years and I've learnt so much.

"[1] Series producer Lucy Allan also commented on Manning's decision, stating: "Stuart has been a valued member of cast over the last five years.

"[1] The departure of Russ from the series followed fellow cast members Jamie Lomas, Chris Fountain and Emma Rigby's decisions to leave their roles of Warren Fox, Justin Burton and Hannah Ashworth respectively.

Sam escapes the police and disappears and Russ later begins an affair with Mercedes McQueen (Jennifer Metcalfe).

Russ discovers that Sophie is in the fire while spending time with Mercedes; he rushes to the pub, where he finds Sam dying after an explosion destroys The Dog.

They become engaged and plan to share a wedding with Mercedes' sister, Tina McQueen (Leah Hackett), and her partner, Dominic Reilly (John Pickard).

Mercedes has sex with Warren Fox (Jamie Lomas) on her hen night, which is exposed by Louise Summers (Roxanne McKee) at the wedding.

Tina later discovers that she is pregnant and decides to give the child to Jacqui McQueen (Claire Cooper) and her partner, Tony Hutchinson (Nick Pickard).

Tina later realises that it is Russ' child, but does not tell him; she gives birth to a son, Max McQueen (Brayden Haynes-Mawdsley).

Tina is later killed in an explosion caused by Niall Rafferty (Barry Sloane), but Jacqui decides to raise him, refusing Russ access.

Mercedes' mother, Myra McQueen (Nicole Barber-Lane), disapproves of their engagement and struggles to forgive him for taking Max.

They reconcile and move into the pub with Max and Mercedes' son, Bobby Costello (Jayden Fox).

As this is happening, Breda creeps up behind Russ and hits him on the head with a hammer killing him, revealing herself to be a serial killer who also murdered Carl and Glenn Donovan (Bob Cryer).

[citation needed] Russ' death won the accolade for Biggest OMG Soap moment at the 2018 Digital Spy Reader Awards.