Anna Green is a fictional character from the British soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Lisa M. Kay. The character made her first on-screen appearance on 15 September 1999. Anna is introduced into the series as one of five new students arriving to study at the Hollyoaks Community College. Anna is characterised as "dowdy", "prim and proper" and unlucky in love. She is often seen wearing her trademark glasses, which Kay believed did not suit the character. Anna received a style transformation as writers evolved her character into a more confident personality. Writers developed a friendship between Geri Hudson (Joanna Taylor) which helped make Anna more empowered. Geri also helped Anna overcome her failed first romance with Sam Smallwood (Tim Downie). One of the character's first prominent stories was being run over in a hit-and-run incident. The perpetrators, Cindy Cunningham (Stephanie Waring) and Ben Davies (Marcus Patric), evade justice and allow Tony Hutchinson (Nick Pickard) to be accused of the crime. Anna later discovers Ben's involvement and forms an unlikely friendship with him. Writers paired Anna with fellow student character, Alex Bell (Martino Lazzeri), and the relationship went on to define the character's later stories.
They are portrayed as a tumultuous dynamic, often breaking up because of Alex's bad behaviour. Writers decided to portray a pregnancy storyline via Anna, but Alex abandons her and refuses to believe he is the father. Anna gives birth to a son, Charlie and the issue of adoption is explored. Anna initially neglects Charlie, causing him to fall ill but she later takes responsibility. Writers later united Anna and Alex, but his behaviour continues to cause problems, especially when he applies for a job in Hong Kong. Anna breaks up with him, and Alex tries to abduct Charlie but fails. Writers then paired Anna romantically with Max Cunningham (Matt Littler) during her final storylines. Kay made her final appearance as Anna during the episode broadcast on 10 December 2002.
Television critics have judged Anna for her relationships with men. Anne-Marie O'Connor from Wicklow People branded her a "straight-laced" character, and Penny Fray from the Daily Post believed that Anna had more character changes than the rest of the cast combined.
Development Creation and introduction Anna is Kay's first television role after previously concentrating on theatre roles. Kay described the transition from stage to television as "fantastic" but "a shock". She added that she eventually settled into the role after a few months. She made her first on-screen appearance as Anna during the episode broadcast on 15 September 1999. One of Kay's first scenes required her to portray Anna as drunk and vomiting. The production team put vegetable soup in Kay's hair and over her clothing, which acted as Anna's vomit. Kay recalled that it was her first meeting with some cast members, and the scenario made her feel "like a real idiot". Anna was introduced into the series as one of five new students studying at Hollyoaks Community College.Evans 2002, p.45. They consisted of Anna, Alex Bell (Martino Lazzeri), Geri Hudson (Joanna Taylor), Sam Smallwood (Tim Downie) and Nikki Sullivan (Wendy Glenn). They all make their first appearances during the episodes from the week commencing 12 September 1999. All the actors joined the cast at the same time. Lazzeri recalled it was not daunting for them because they were all in the same new situation. Anna begins studying to gain a degree in architecture. The group were involved in typical chaotic student storylines during their first months on-screen. Kay was involved in a location shoot for episodes set in Switzerland. In the story, Anna and her fellow students go on a skiing holiday and attend the wedding of Nikki and Dan Sanders (Joseph May).
Anna is featured in a relationship storyline with Sam. When Anna is ready to commit to their relationship, he has sex with his ex-girlfriend Nikki. Writers developed a friendship between Anna and Geri, soon becoming best friends and making Anna a more empowered character. Geri and her mother, Jacqui Hudson (Julie Peasgood), help Anna to take revenge against Sam following his infidelity. As a "woman scorned", Anna steals his trainers, sabotages his exam timetable, puts chilli powder in his underwear and dyes onto his soap. They also exclude him from their second-year student accommodation application.
Characterisation Anna is characterised as a "dowdy 'Plain Jane' Vicar's daughter". Kay's mother, Sylvia, described Anna as a "very prim, proper and sensible girl". In November 1999, a reporter from Torquay Herald Express revealed the plans made by the Hollyoaks production team to transform Anna into a more sexy character. They added she "blossoms into a beauty who makes Hollyoaks men's hearts race." Anna's style and fashion sense have played into her characterisation. Her on-screen attire was controlled by Alex McGregor, head of the wardrobe department at Mersey Television. McGregor explained to Penny Fray from the Daily Post that Anna is originally from a small village. To reflect the character's background, McGregor dressed in old-fashioned Laura Ashley dresses. When Anna settles into city life and befriends the likes of Geri, McGregor "evolved her look" to suit. He began dressing her in Warehouse and New Look clothing. This was to give Anna the look of a "more confident and sexy woman". Kay revealed that she hated Anna's original "dowdy" dress sense and wanted her to look "a little less dated". She added, "Things have finally improved on the fashion front, but I still look nothing like Anna off-screen." In another interview, Kay assessed that "Anna usually gets to wear the sensible and sometimes a bit boring, flowery flowing dress."
One of Anna's most recognisable characteristics is her being portrayed wearing glasses. Kay believed that Anna's glasses did not suit the character, and she was often shown "feeling really low" in them. Off-screen, Kay was chosen to take part in a promotion for Specsavers, advertising more fashionable glasses. Kay added it was a good opportunity to show viewers Anna can "look stunning in specs".
Producers cast Bernard Holly and Hazel McBride to play Anna's parents, Reverend Green and Mrs Green, respectively. Their relationship dynamic is explored via Anna's pregnancy storyline. Anna's mother does not approve and worries that the unplanned pregnancy will affect her reputation. Her father reacts supportively and defends Anna to other characters.
Hit and run accident. A significant storyline for Anna was created in 2000, when she was run over in a hit-and-run crime. The accident occurs when Cindy Cunningham (Stephanie Waring) goes on the run from the social services. She steals Tony Hutchinson's (Nick Pickard) car and Ben Davies (Marcus Patric) escorts her to an airport. Cindy is driving the car, with Ben in her passenger seat. To get away faster, they drive at high speeds, knock Anna over, but carry on driving regardless. The incident formed Waring's exit from the series as Cindy. Ben remained in the show, and writers explored the consequences solely through him and Anna. Patric told Sally Brockway from Soaplife that Ben knew they ran someone over and called an ambulance. Patric believed Ben is "wrestling with his conscience" and "felt bad" about not helping Anna. Ben returns to the scene of the accident to confront his guilt. Anna is taken to the hospital and later recovers from her injuries.
The writers made Tony the main suspect in the hit-and-run investigation. At the time, he was drunk and has no memory of what happened, leaving him unsure if he was involved or not. The police discover that Tony's car collided with Anna and he does not have an alibi. Anna, Geri and Alex blame Tony and move out of the flat they share with him. Pickard told All About Soap's Rachel Corcoran that their reaction makes Tony "feel guilty" and "very alone". Tony considers leaving because of Anna, but Ruth Osborne (Terri Dwyer) defends his innocence. She takes Tony to visit a hypnotist and unlocks his memory. His alibi is confirmed and Tony vows to find the real culprit.
Anna is forced to accept the culprit may never be found. Writers revisited the story in the July 2001 episodes. Anna is nearly run over by a car driven by Dan Hunter (Andrew McNair), with Ben as his passenger. The incident triggers Anna to remember that Ben had committed the original hit and run crime. Kay told an Inside Soap reporter that Anna believed she had overcome her ordeal. The incident leaves Anna "shocked and traumatised" and becomes "determined" to confront Ben. He denies being the culprit but later confesses he ran her over. Kay added that "Ben's terrified about her going to the police". Anna decides to forgive Ben, keep his secret and focus on her new pregnancy. Writers developed a friendship between Anna and Ben, which annoys his girlfriend Mandy Richardson (Sarah Jayne Dunn). Anna begins to use Ben as a confidant and continues to support her. Anna collapses in The Loft nightclub and is rushed to hospital with Ben for support. Anna is relieved that her unborn child has survived but it criticised by hospital staff for being irresponsible. Ben defends Anna's actions which further annoys Mandy.
Relationship with Alex Bell Writers created a relationship storyline between Anna and Alex. Kay and Lazzeri also began a relationship off-screen. Lazzeri told Julia Kuttner from Daily Record that their relationship added to the realism of their character's romance. He added "when we kissed and cuddled each other we didn't feel embarrassed, we felt really relaxed."
Alex receives test results from a sperm donation which claim he is infertile. Lazzeri told Susan Riley from Soaplife that Alex discovering he is infertile is a "life-changing event" and a story about "masculinity". Writers decided to complicate Anna and Alex's potential relationship via the infertility plot. Alex presumes that Chloe Bruce (Mikyla Dodd) is discussing his infertility issues via her radio show and plots revenge against her. Alex takes Chloe on a date and has sex with her and humiliates her. Chloe responds by discussing the matter on her radio show, prompting Alex to call in to defend himself, unaware that the broadcast is live and Anna hears. Lazzeri revealed that Alex is "almost in love" with Anna but is "ruining everything between them". He added that Anna does not understand Alex's behaviour. Lazzeri added his certainty that Anna would forgive Alex.
During April 2001's episodes, Anna is portrayed more determined to pursue romance with Alex and tries to support him through a family crisis. Anna organises a toga party to cheer Alex up but her plans are ruined. Kay told Francesca Babb from All About Soap that Anna is secretly trying to win Alex over. His father arrives at the party and Alex begins behaving strangely. It transpires that Alex cannot deal with his father being gay and chooses to ignore Anna. The pair have an argument during the episode broadcast on 18 April 2001, which sees the start of their relationship. Anna confronts Alex, Kay assessed that the story showed Anna "has so much strength" and proved she is "determined" to help Alex despite his behaviour. Kay added that Anna knows Alex has a "good side" no matter "how nasty he acts". Alex gets drunk and to prove he is not gay like his father, tries to force himself sexually onto Anna. Kay branded the scene "completely out of order" and stressed that "Anna makes sure he knows it".