Zara Morgan is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Kelly Condron. The character initially appeared from 1 April 1999 to 22 December 2005. In July 2021, 15 years after her initial departure from the soap, it was announced that Condron would be reprising her role as Zara from August 2021. Casting and characterisation Departure In July 2005, it was announced that the serial's production team planned to write out some of their established characters. Kris Green of Digital Spy said he had heard that Condron's contract would not be renewed. In November, it was reported she had already finished filming with the series. Condron said that she was already pursuing other projects. Producers remained secretive about how they would write Zara out of the series. The character departed on 22 December 2005. Reintroduction On 19 July 2021, it was announced that Condron would return in August 2021 after a 16-year absence from Hollyoaks. It was stated by Hollyoaks that she had become an "eco-warrior" and that she had matured in her years away from the fictional village. Zara's return sees her arrive in Hollyoaks for the funeral of her mother Sue Morgan (Marian McLoughlin) through social media. After being approached by the Hollyoaks casting team, Condron felt that she could not refuse their offer of reprising her role as Zara. This was accredited to Zara becoming involved in an "important and relevant" storyline which piqued Condron's interest. Condron was happy to return to the serial and thanked the cast and crew for making her feel welcome; she felt that despite it being nearly 16 years since her exit, the environment of the set felt familiar. On her character's personality, Condron said that Zara returns "all grown up" as a keen environmentalist, but affirmed that she still has a fiery and outspoken nature. Storylines 1999–2005 Zara arrives in the village with her family in April 1999, her father Andy Morgan (Ross Davidson) having purchased Deva in an attempt to repair his marriage to her mother Sue Morgan (Eve White), her brother Adam Morgan (David Brown) having been accepted to study at college, and Zara having been enrolled to attend Hollyoaks Comprehensive despite her record of expulsions. Zara's behaviour is driven by Andy and Sue’s failing marriage, and she would often create trouble by defying Andy and Sue at home, playing truant and bullying students