Caitlin McLean

Caitlin has never had it easy. A single mum to Jenny, Drew and Ruby, she never planned to have three children to three different fathers but she wouldn’t change them for the world. Not to mention she virtually raised her kid sister, Ellie. They don’t always see eye-to-eye, but, it’s true what they say, blood is thicker than water – which is especially true for Caitlin’s relationship with her mother, Maggie. Tolerating Maggie’s alcoholism whilst growing up, the pair managed to mend their relationship when Maggie became sober.

The news that Maggie had cirrhosis and needed a liver transplant rocked Caitlin’s world and desperate to keep her mother alive she reached out to her estranged Uncle John. Maggie was furious, telling Caitlin she would rather die than accept his help. When Maggie grew too sick to consent, Caitlin took the decision into her own hands and ordered the transplant. On learning the truth about her donor, Maggie turned back to the drink. Caitlin was disgusted and disowned her mother. But watching Caitlin and John play happy families was the final straw for Maggie and she confessed to Caitlin – John raped her and he is Caitlin’s father.

Caitlin’s identity was completely rocked and, after vanquishing Uncle John, she descended into a spiral of rage and self-loathing, which kicked-off a short affair with Gabriel and saw her physically lashing out at new husband Pete. Realising the hurt she caused, Caitlin refocused on saving her marriage, but Caitlin was devastated when Pete up-and-left without warning. Worse still, she learnt Pete did not want to be contacted by her, so a crushed Caitlin was forced to restart her life and vowed to put herself first.

When Ruby arrived home for her mother’s birthday, Caitlin thought it a welcome surprise. Little did she know that Ruby was pregnant. Behind Caitlin’s back, Maggie helped Ruby have an abortion and the weight of this decision saw Maggie start drinking again. On learning about her mother’s lies and her daughter’s secret abortion, Caitlin decided enough was enough – she left Shieldinch to spend Christmas with Jenny.

Caitlin entered into a relationship with Sergeant Joe Dunn and, while on the surface everything seemed to be going great, Joe had a darker intent. Joe groomed Caitlin’s youngest daughter, Ruby, who fell pregnant again and this time she was keeping the baby. Ruby wanted nothing to do with her mother and moved out. Caitlin, not one to be messed with, publicly accused Joe of being a paedophile and found herself in trouble with the police. Caitlin is now awaiting trial for Joe’s murder. Will Caitlin take the fall, or did someone else deliver the killer blow?

Played by Gayle Telfer Stevens