Grace Black

Grace Sarah Black is the daughter of Fraser Black and Tracey Donovan, the sister of Clare Devine, the half-sister of Rex Gallagher, Dee Dee Hutchinson and Adam, Liam and Jesse Donovan, the adoptive half-sister of Ro Hutchinson, the widow of Trevor Royle, the mother of Curtis Royle and the wife of Freddie Roscoe.
Like her sister Clare, Grace has a villainous streak and would often plot and manipulate to get what she wants especially in her early years. Grace has gone onto murder three people so far during her time one of which was her own brother. However, despite her ruthless and cold nature, Grace has softened over the years exposing a more vulnerable side.
By 2023, Grace had made close friends and house mates with both, Cindy Cunningham and Zara Morgan. Seeing Cindy's problems after the damage of The Cunningham Grande Bazaar, Grace agrees to a bank heist however it fails but accepting all the bad she's done over the years, Grace takes full responsibility and is sent to prison and after blackmailing a guard, Grace gets her wish to have a transfer to a prison in Glasgow. However just some months later Grace made a return, now engaged to Freddie (later married) and lying her way through the justice system for early release. 
== Biography ==
=== 1981-2013: Life Before Hollyoaks ===
Grace was born to Tracey and Fraser Black in April 1981. Her sister Clare was born in June 1982. Fraser ended up raising them both as a single father after Tracey abandoned them to escape Fraser's criminal antics. Fraser believed that Grace was more capable of looking after herself and showed more care towards Clare, ultimately straining their relationship. In 1989, Grace witnessed Fraser murder a man, but she would hide her terror from him, making Fraser believe that she was disturbed. In 2000, Grace had an affair with Glenn Donovan, who she would later encounter 17 years later.
=== 2013-2014: Arrival and Settling In ===
Grace arrived in the village from London for Clare's funeral in November 2013, determined to discover the truth behind her death. Upon noticing the suspicious behaviour of Mercedes McQueen, Lindsey Roscoe and Cindy Cunningham, Grace monitored them, unaware the three were covering up the murder of Doctor Browning (Clare's killer). When Mercedes received Doctor Browning's life insurance money, she flaunted her new-found wealth in the village, infuriating Grace. To Grace's jealousy, Fraser enlisted Trevor to seduce Mercedes, intending to con her out of her inheritance. As Grace became ridden with jealousy, Trevor confronted her about her temper outbursts: Grace admitted her attraction to him and they had sex in the office of The Loft. Upon finding CCTV footage of them together, Fraser coerced Trevor into rejecting Grace, devastating her. Ray McCormick, an enemy of Fraser, kidnapped Grace and held her for ransom. On New Year's Eve, Trevor uses Mercedes's money to free Grace, and admitted his love for her.
In an attempt to force Freddie Roscoe to kill Mercedes, Grace threatened to harm someone close to him, but Freddie refused. After Freddie discovered Trevor and Grace's secret relationship, he showed Fraser photographs of them together. Fraser then had Trevor put in prison, separating him from an outraged Grace. Grace exacted revenge by taking Freddie's brother Joe Roscoe hostage, shooting him in the leg and leaving him trapped during the demolishing of the Fern Street council flats. Meanwhile, Freddie planned to kill Mercedes but aborted, instead hitting Jim McGinn with his car. Trevor was later released after giving the police information on Fraser, but Grace talked him out of getting revenge. After learning that Fraser had another daughter - Rose - with Tegan Lomax, Grace feared that Fraser would prefer Rose over her and planned to push Tegan off a cliff. Trevor prevented her, but Fraser disowned Grace.
Ray continued to target Grace to get to Fraser, attacking her at Clare's graveside. Fraser ordered Trevor to kill Ray, but he discovered that Fraser murdered his father Sydney Royle in 1992 and ordered Ray to kill Fraser. Grace intercepted and ended up killing Ray, allowing Fraser to believe Trevor had killed him. After Joe was revealed to still be alive, Fraser used Grace as a scapegoat and had her arrested for Joe's attempted murder. In revenge, Grace ordered a chauffeur to take Fraser and his girlfriend Sandy Roscoe to a field and gas the limousine. However, she had a change of heart and warned Fraser, resulting in the limousine only leaving with Sandy. Fraser ended up being murdered merely a few days later.
=== 2014-2015: Revenge and Motherhood ===
Despite having attempted to kill Fraser, Grace was left devastated by his death and attempted to identify his killer. After accusing Tegan, Ste Hay, Joe and Freddie, Grace ultimately settled on blaming Trevor and had him arrested. After being found not guilty of Joe's attempted murder, Freddie worked with Mercedes to kill Grace. Grace was shot by Mercedes, causing her to become infertile. After reconciling with Trevor following his release from prison, the pair successfully attempted IVF. Robert 'Big Bob' Gupta soon followed, having met Trevor in prison. After Big Bob kidnapped Esther Bloom under the belief that she was Grace, Grace and Trevor ended up going to rescue her. However, Big Bob ended up threatening to shoot Grace, the stress causing her to miscarry shortly afterwards. During a siege at Dee Valley University Hospital, Big Bob took Grace hostage amongst several others, and Grace saved Esther's life again after she went into anaphylactic shock. In the aftermath, Esther decided to become a surrogate mother for the pair.
After discovering Freddie killed Fraser, Grace confronted him at The Loft, with Freddie pushing Grace over the balcony. Instead of killing him, Grace approached Mercedes, intending to fake her death and frame Freddie. Mercedes, who had just fallen out with her family, agreed, and Grace stabbed Mercedes. However, Joe discovered that Mercedes was hiding in a villa in France. In January 2015, Trevor's fifteen-year-old son Dylan Jenkins arrived in the village to get to know his father. Grace attempted to act as a step-mother figure to Dylan but struggled especially with his rebellious behaviour. Meanwhile, Esther successfully fell pregnant, carrying Grace and Trevor's child.
In March 2015, Lindsey - now Freddie's fiancée - discovered that Mercedes was still alive. Instead of Freddie being accused of Mercedes's murder, Phoebe McQueen became prime suspect when Lindsey framed her. However, Grace was later charged and held on remand awaiting trial, not wanting to reveal that Mercedes was alive in case Esther changed her mind about being her surrogate. Grace ended up being incarcerated alongside Esther's girlfriend Kim Butterfield, who had since developed an obsession with her and intentionally got herself imprisoned. The pair began an affair, whilst Kim took drastic action when Grace was targeted by Reenie McQueen. Trevor learned that Mercedes was still alive and brought her back to England, securing Grace's release. However, this caused Esther to change her mind about being their surrogate. Shortly afterwards, Grace resumed her revenge plan against Freddie by attempting to shoot him on his wedding day to Lindsey, but a scuffle over the gun resulted in Phoebe being shot.
Dylan's mother Val Jenkins arrived in the village in June 2015 after Dylan was hit by a car. Grace grew jealous as she became aware of Val and Trevor's closeness, and lost trust in him after learning that Val had tried to kiss him. Meanwhile, Kim's obsession with Grace caused her to turn against Esther and spike her, causing Esther to go into labour and give birth to a son. A battle ensued between Grace and Esther - Grace named the baby Curtis Royle, whilst Esther named him Stefan Bloom. During the feud, Grace turned on Kim so Kim decided to leave with Esther and 'Stefan'. Trevor and Grace followed in pursuit, resulting in a crash between Kim and Esther and a prison van carrying Dylan. In hospital, Grace managed to convince Esther that Kim was unstable, but the death of Dylan by The Gloved Hand Killer caused Trevor to leave Grace who forced her to leave the village without Curtis.
=== 2015-2016: Trevor's Death and Family Changes ===
Trevor had a change of heart in October 2015 and had Robbie Roscoe track her down. Grace claimed to forgive Trevor, but began plotting to get him sent to prison. Trevor found out and the pair sorted out their differences and decided to leave the village together. However, D.S. Thorpe ended up pulling them over to search their car and found an unconscious Freddie in the boot, resulting in Trevor's arrest. Grace initially believed the accusations and the pair separated, with Grace embarking on a brief relationship with Esther. However, Esther found out that Trevor had an alibi for Will Savage's murder, securing his release. Grace and Trevor then reconciled.
Grace and Trevor got engaged, despite Trevor's affair with Sienna Blake. Grace was distracted by the arrival of her estranged brother, Liam Donovan, and she paid him to leave the village. In May 2016, Grace and Trevor finally married, but Trevor died from a stab wound inflicted by Dylan's friend (and the step-daughter of Trevor's rival Ben Bradley) Nico Blake. Grace was left devastated and Esther - deciding that Grace needed her estranged family around her - invited Liam, Adam and Jesse Donovan over. Having been turned against Grace by Adam, Liam and Jesse plotted to steal Trevor's life insurance.
== Kill Count ==
=== Murders ===
# Ray McCormick, 21st March 2014 - Stabbed: Fraser Black had ordered Trevor Royle to kill Ray, but Trevor ordered Ray to kill Fraser. Grace ended up killing Ray to protect Fraser, but Fraser believed Trevor had killed him.
# Eva Falco, 17th January 2017 - Shot in revenge for Eva accidentally shooting Esther Bloom in the head.
# Liam Donovan, 26th March 2020 - Pushed down a flight of stairs during a siege at The Dog in the Pond.
=== Attempted Murders ===
# Mercedes McQueen, 11th December 2013 - Lured her to The Loft with Trevor Royle's phone, planning to bludgeon her to death in revenge for her sister Clare Devine's death, but Tegan Lomax showed up and Grace ended up attacking her by mistake.
# Mercedes McQueen, 16th January 2014 - Abducted Joe Roscoe in order to force his brother Freddie Roscoe to kill Mercedes by running her over, also as revenge for the death of her sister Clare Devine. Just as Freddie was about to go through with it, he changed his mind and swerved at the last moment, resulting in him accidentally running over Jim McGinn.
# Joe Roscoe, 16th January 2014 - Shot in the leg by Grace and left to die in 28b Fern Street during the flat's demolishing.
# Jim McGinn, 24th January 2014 - Prepared to smother him with a pillow to prevent him from exposing her and Fraser, but fled after Jim regained consciousness.
# Tegan Lomax, 6th March 2014 - Prepared to push her from a cliff out of jealousy as Fraser paid more attention to Tegan and Rose Lomax than her, but was talked down by Trevor.
# Fraser Black, 17th April 2014 - Hired a chauffeur to kill Fraser and Sandy Roscoe by gassing them, but Grace changed her mind and warned only Fraser.
# Sandy Roscoe, 17th April 2014 - Hired a limousine driver to kill Fraser and Sandy by gassing them, but Grace changed her mind and warned only Fraser.
# Freddie Roscoe, 19th May 2015 - Prepared to shoot him after learning that he killed Fraser, but was talked down by Trevor.
# Sienna Blake, 23rd August 2016 - Attempted to shoot her for her affair with Trevor before his death, but ended up shooting Liam Donovan.
# Warren Fox, 15th September 2017 - Stabbed after Warren chose to marry Sienna instead of leaving her to be with Grace.
# Ellie Nightingale, 30th January 2018 - Prepared to throw her down The Loft stairs under the belief that she had slept with Glenn Donovan, but was stopped by Cindy Cunningham.
# Glenn Donovan, 15th October 2018 - Ordered Jay Johnson to kill Glenn, but Jay was fatally shot by Liam Donovan.
# Glenn Donovan, 17th October 2018 - Spiked Glenn's drink along with the WAGs (Simone Loveday, Kim Butterfield, Maxine Minniver and Courtney Campbell).
# Harry Thompson, 6th June 2019 - Prepared to shoot Harry under the belief that he had left her paralysed in a hit-and-run, but had her mind changed by Liam and Jesse Donovan.
# Mercedes McQueen, 6th November 2019 - Attempted to shoot Mercedes, but her shot missed. James Nightingale assisted Grace with firing the second shot, which struck Mercedes, who survived.
# DeMarcus Westwood, 11th August 2022 - Prepared to shoot DeMarcus, believing that he was responsible for the death of her boyfriend Saul Reeves, but was interrupted by Felix Westwood.
# Rex Gallagher, 7th August 2024 - Attacked Rex, held him hostage on The Love Boat and prepared to kill him as revenge for Rex and Ste Hay trying to kill her husband Freddie Roscoe, but she was stopped by Freddie.
==Appendices==
===Residences===
===Employment History===
Job 	Duration
The Loft owner 	2014 to 8th June 2021, November 2021 to August 2023
La Gymnastique silent partner	16th September 2022 to 2024
The Love Boat owner 	Since 6th August 2024
== Background Information ==
* Actress Tamara Wall was suggested by name by Bryan Kirkwood to audition for the role of Grace, after Kirkwood saw a play starring Wall. Kirkwood had also previously cast Wall in a role in EastEnders.
* In 2014, Channel 4 told Kirkwood to axe Grace due to her unpopularity with viewers. However, Kirkwood refused and instead opted to sit down with Wall and discuss where to take the character.
* Susie Amy, who went on to play Scarlett Morgan, auditioned for the role of Grace.
* Grace was 11 years old the night that her father, Fraser Black, murdered Trevor Royle's father, Sid. This was in November 1992, meaning Grace was likely born in 1981 (from episode 3790, aired 31st January 2014).
** Grace celebrated her birthday Episode 5568 (14th April 2021)
== Introduction Sequence ==
* 2013-2014: Grace throws a drink at the camera after Fraser, who is sitting in a chair, snaps his fingers.
* 2014-2015: Grace throws a drink at the camera (same shot with Fraser removed).
* 2015: Grace throws a necklace at the camera with Trevor beside her.
* 2015-2016: Grace throws wine at the camera and then poses as it trickles down the lens.
* 2016-2019: Grace throws wine at the camera whilst in The Loft.
* 2019-2020: Grace throws a glass of wine over Liam.
* 2020-2022: Grace throws wine at the camera.
* 2022: Grace takes Saul Reeves's hand and places it over her shoulder.
* 2022-2023: Grace walks through The Cunningham Grande Bazaar.
* 2023: Grace walks through the doors of The Cunningham Grande Bazaar with Zara Morgan.
== Quotes ==
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== See Also ==
* List of appearances
* Black family
* Roscoe family
* List of LGBTQ+ Characters
* List of Serial Killers
== Gallery ==
Grace_Black.jpg|Promotional image
Category:Hollyoaks characters
Category:Hollyoaks Later characters
Category:2013 debuts
Category:2023 departures
Category:2024 returns
Category:1981 births
Category:2016 marriages
Category:2024 marriages
Category:Black family
Category:Roscoe family
Category:Gangsters
Category:Businesspeople
Category:The Loft employees
Category:Residents of 3 Oakdale Drive, Flat 3
Category:Hollyoaks Villains
Category:Ex-convicts
Category:Killers
Category:Serial killers
Category:LGBT characters
Category:Current characters