# Lizzie Chen-Williams

Lizzie Chen-Williams, played by Lily Best, made her first appearance on 17 December 2021 and her last appearance on 7 May 2024 when the character was killed off at Dave Chen-Williams (Dominic Power) and Cindy Cunningham (Stephanie Waring) wedding. The character was announced in the programme's 2021 winter trailer, where she was confirmed to be a new love interest for Sid Sumner (Billy Price). The trailer also showed her having a connection with Serena (Emma Lau), who had previously had a romantic interest in Sid. Later scenes confirmed that she is the stepsister of Serena. On being introduced as part of the family, Best said that she felt lucky to be involved, especially due to the Chen-Williams being the first East Asian family on a soap opera. The Chen-Williams were initially popular with viewers. The family was longlisted for "Best Family" in the 2022 Inside Soap Awards, but they did not make shortlist.

## Storylines

Lizzie arrived in the village in 2021 and she encountered Romeo Nightingale (Owen Warner) and Sid Sumner. Lizzie got along with Sid, and they ended up sleeping together. Sid and Lizzie’s relationship took a turn for the worst when Serena’s friend revealed that Sid was a drug dealer and the pair both split up.
In September 2023 Lizzie was apart of the Rayne Royce (Jemma Donovan) murder storyline Rayne is found dead in a pool in the mansion that she were staying in with Rayne's friends and enemies. And the suspects were Romeo, Lacey Lloyd (Annabelle Davis), Prince McQueen (Malique Thompson-Dwyer), Peri Lomax (Ruby O'Donnell), Zoe Anderson (Garcia Brown), Hunter McQueen (Theo Graham), Nadira Valli (Ashling O'Shea) and Phoenix Hathaway (Tylan Grant) and Lizzie was also a suspect.
Rayne set up Lizzie's half-brother Sam Chen-Williams (Matthew McGivern) by framing him for sending vile texts to Zoe Anderson, which caused Sam to leave the village after Lizzie struggled to believe his innocence. In January 2024 it was revealed that Romeo pushed Rayne into the pool in self-defence after she began attacking him and he accidentally killed her. Rayne had previously suffered a head injury during a confrontation with Prince McQueen, who had pushed her to the ground.
When Lizzie was having a conversation with Cindy about how she gave birth to her daughter Holly Cunningham (Amanda Clapham) and not telling anyone, Lizzie revealed that when she was 16, she fell pregnant and gave birth to a baby girl without telling her family. And Cindy promised her that she would find her daughter. When Kitty Draper (Iz Hesketh) returned with Beau Ramsey (Jon-Paul Bell) and when she found out about Lizzie's death she told Beau that she was the parent to her daughter. Lizzie was killed-off in a previously unannounced departure on 7 May 2024 after taking impure drugs from Dilly Harcourt (Emma Johnsey-Smith) sold to her by Warren Fox (Jamie Lomas).

## Development
### Casting and characterisation

Best described Lizzie as "the epitome of bubbly" and said that she "brings a really good energy into the room… unless you annoy her or upset her". When asked if her character has any secrets, Best opined that Lizzie is a fairly open character, but hinted that she has some underlying insecurities which viewers would see when she argues with Serena. Lizzie's debut formed part of the introduction of the Chen-Williams, a new family on Hollyoaks. On being introduced as part of the family, Best said that she felt lucky to be involved, especially due to the Chen-Williams being the first East Asian family on a soap opera.
The role is Best's first television role following her education at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts. She described her audition process for Hollyoaks as one of the nicest that she had experienced, noting that it was relaxed and that the casting directors made her feel welcome. The final round of Best's audition process involved her visiting the Hollyoaks studio, which she found daunting. She found the cast and crew to be welcoming, and after she was informed that she had been cast as Lizzie, she cried due to feeling lucky. An official Hollyoaks video highlighting the Chen-Williams family called Lizzie "The sassy sister".

### Relationship with Sid Sumner

Speaking more about Lizzie's initial connection with Sid, the actress said that she likes Sid a lot due to seeing the real him. Lizzie is also initially unaware that Sid and her stepsister have shared a kiss. On it eventually being revealed to Lizzie, Best said that it would hit her "like a ton of bricks" due to not expecting it at all. However, she noted that despite her feelings for Sid, Lizzie would step aside and support Serena and Sid if they decided to pursue a romantic relationship. When the truth emerges, Sid affirms that he wants to continue his relationship with Lizzie. Best said that she likes Sid and Lizzie together due to their contrasting personalities, with Sid's moodiness and her own character being a "breath of fresh air". They both get jobs at The Dog in the Pond public house, which for Lizzie allows her to be creative and have fun. On the eventuality of more drama hitting her relationship with Sid, Best said that Lizzie would not enjoy the drama but would take it on due to being a "force to be reckoned with". Speaking to Digital Spy at the Inside Soap Awards 2022, Lily said of Billy's departure "That was hard.
   "I felt really bad for Lizzie, because she thought Sid was her guy. They went through a lot at the beginning and I think she thought they were fine. Obviously losing Billy in general is sad because he's so much fun. I feel like Lizzie is finding herself again and she's figuring out what's important to her again and that's nice."
—Best speaks out on cast member exit (2022)
The actress admitted she "would love" to see Lizzie find love again, though suggested that "she needs some time to be on her own and get to know herself again, but we'll see".

### Role in the Chen-Williams family

   "I think you'll see that in a lot of the scenes, as they talk about how important family is. They always find a way back together. They'll have some challenges, but love wins in the end. "I think they're going to have some really testing times."
—Chen-Williams family (2021)
Best said that she felt lucky to be involved, especially due to the Chen-Williams being the first East Asian family on a soap opera. They're going to have a tough time, but the Chen-Williams are a really strong family."
Best also explains about uncle Ethan Williams (Matthew James-Bailey) and Maya Harkwell (Ky Discala) criminal antics "No, she knows nothing about that. She'd be shocked if she knew! You see in the Christmas episode that when Ethan comes in, Lizzie is so excited to see him. The younger kids idolise him a little bit, so it'd be really shocking. I don't think she'd be a fan of that."
Best also spoke out on what's to come for the Chen-Williams family, Lily further teased "Some stuff comes up about Mason Chen-Williams (Frank Kauer) that is quite shocking. What you know of him, this sweet little boy, kind of changes."She also addressed perceptions of the Chen-Williams family changing, noting: "I feel like Ethan's very consistent. With Ethan, you kind of know that he's a bit of a bad guy. But what we thought of Dave is very different to what he is. You see little cracks in the family but I also think you see why we're all still so close and such a good unit."

### Murder of Rayne Royce

Like everyone else at the party, Lizzie has also found herself on the receiving end of Rayne's nasty streak in recent weeks. Most recently, Lizzie's brother Sam was forced out of the village (he'll be back, though) thanks to Rayne's devious antics. But is this enough to drive her to kill? Lily Best who played Lizzie said "Lizzie’s motive is that Rayne has not been very nice to her and her friends.
Best gave her thoughts on the upcoming storyline, the actress said that her "favourite" theory is that two people are responsible for the influencer's death.
   "One of my favourite theories is that it is two people, either Prince and Hunter or Prince and Lacey or Nadira and Lacey," she said. "It could be anyone."
Picking her two top suspects, Best added "I think my favourite one is the duo of Prince and Hunter."
On 5 January 2024 the murderer was revealed as Romeo Nightingale, having accidentally killed his girlfriend Rayne during a final showdown by the pool.
   "But mainly because her brother Sam left because Rayne lied and set him up, and Lizzie really struggled to believe him. They had a huge argument where he left, so now Lizzie is without Sam because of Rayne."

### Death

The character died at her dad's wedding after a heartfelt moment with him. Dave intevitably takes the news hard, with Ethan determined to support him, particularly in regards to Cindy, who struggles to know how to support her new husband. Lizzie isn't the only major exit, with Warren Fox and Scott Drinkwell (Ross Adams) also set to leave due to the cast cuts of the show in the year jump.
Best spoke out and said “And that’s a wrap for Lizzie Chen-Williams” she began on Instagram, accompanying a photo of her in character. “So many big feelings for a little post but firstly, I want to say a big thank you to all the viewers who have been so kind and welcoming. “The amount of love I’ve received not just about Lizzie's exit but throughout my whole time at Hollyoaks has been so incredible, it's kind of scary to be on that screen sometimes and you guys took a bit of that fear away so thank you. I’m just so glad people loved her as much as I did. “To the people behind the camera thank you. I don’t think you’ll ever get enough credit for how hard you work and the amount of time you dedicate but please know it doesn’t go unnoticed. The resilience that has been shown especially under recent circumstances is something else. "Thank you for getting me through the long days…. Thank you for giving Lizzie a proper send off. And to everyone who worked on the final days of the shoot thank you,” she continued, whilst also praising her agent, director and her co-stars including on-screen father Dominic Power.
   "From that first meeting in the hotel lobby to sobbing on the loft floor, I am so so happy I got to do it with all of you. No words will be enough. I love you guys so much. To everyone I have had the privilege of working with, thank you I’ve been very lucky. “It’s never easy to say goodbye especially to a character and a place that becomes your whole world for a few years but being completely honest it was my choice to go. It felt like it was time. Lots of love and a million more thank yous. Here’s to the next chapter."

## Reception

The Chen-Williams were initially popular with viewers. The family was longlisted for "Best Family" in the 2022 Inside Soap Awards, but they did not make shortlist.
Speaking to Digital Spy at the Inside Soap Awards 2022, Lily said of Billy's departure "That was hard. The actress admitted she "would love" to see Lizzie find love again, though suggested that "she needs some time to be on her own and get to know herself again, but we'll see".