Hunter Owen

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Evil-doer
Full Name	Hunter Owen
Alias	Tyler White (fake passport)
Origin	EastEnders
Occupation	Student Ex-offender
Powers / Skills	Intimidation Charisma Deception Gunmanship
Hobby	Spending quality time with his mother Mel and protecting her at all costs Playing with his guns
Goals	Kill Ray Kelly for trying to kill his mother Mel Owen (succeeded) Avoid imprisonment over Ray Kelly's murder (failed) Get revenge on Jack Branning for his involvement in Hunter's arrest (partially succeeded, later abandoned) Escape Albert Square away from police (failed)
Crimes	Murder Unlawful possession of firearm Blackmail Attempted murder
Type of Villain	Vengeful Juvenile Delinquent

Hunter Owen is a fictional character and supporting antagonist of the British soap opera EastEnders, appearing as a major antagonist in 2018 and 2019 respectively.

In his characterisation, he is the son of Mel Healy and her late husband Steve Owen. His notable storyline was killing Mel's spouse Ray Kelly in self-defence after the latter tried to murder them both, after which Hunter perpetuated a siege when he held Mel and several other characters hostage at gunpoint in The Queen Victoria public house; Hunter wanted to get revenge on Mel's old fiancé Jack Branning for reporting him to the police for Ray's murder. This lasted until Hunter attempted to escape with his former girlfriend Louise Mitchell, shooting both her half-brother Ben and then her boyfriend Keanu Taylor in the process, but was ultimately killed by a police marksman in the end.

He was portrayed by Charlie Winter.

Biography

Hunter Owen arrives to Albert Square not long after his mother Mel Owen reappeared following a prolonging absence. Appearing as a charismatic youngster at first, Hunter was keen to learn how his late father Steve Owen died, after initially being told that his father died from a heart attack. He soon learns the truth when Mel's associate Ciara Maguire, ex-wife of gang lord Aidan Maguire, revealed the truth to him in retribution for Mel being unable failed to pay back money to Ciara in exchange for her not telling Hunter about the real circumstances behind Steve's death. Hunter was speechless to learn that his father was not a good person who he originally believed to be, but was actually a villain who killed his ex-girlfriend Saskia Duncan before framing his DJ employee Matthew Rose for the crime. Ciara then tells Hunter that Steve died in a car explosion whilst trying to kidnap a baby.

Hunter is anguished at his mother Mel Owen for lying to him all this time. They later forgive each other afterwards knowing that Mel lied to Hunter was to protect him. Hunter continues his relationship with Louise Mitchell but she later breaks up with him after finding out he was blackmailing her on an unknown phone number and after they both had sex together at his mother's office.

Hunter starts looking up to policeman Ray Kelly as a father, he later finds out he's a bigamist and Mel begins to marry him into getting his money. Mel would later slap the other two women who are married to him as well. Mel gets a phone call from Ray to meet him in the woods, knowing that Ray has kidnapped Hunter. They both meet up and Ray starts threatening Mel until she aims a gun at him. Mel tries calling up Hunter's phone and she hears a ringing vibration sound somewhere in the woods. Mel finds Hunter and she unties him from a tree. Ray turns psychotic and starts hitting the car with a shovel with Hunter and Mel trying to escape. Mel runs Ray over with the car and they crash into a tree. Ray is presumed dead but he wakes up and tries to kill Mel by choking her. Hunter shoots Ray, ultimately killing him. Ray's body is later found by the police and they find out Hunter killed him with the help from Jack Branning, who's involved with Hunter's imprisonment, Mel breaks up with Jack. Hunter is later arrested by police.

Mel finds out Hunter has escaped from prison. Hunter tries ringing up her phone from a phonebooth but is too late when Mel left the house. At night, Hunter meets Mel in her office, reuniting together. They both later go to a hidden apartment to avoid anybody looking suspicious.

After Hunter recovering from his wounds, he plans to get revenge on Jack for putting him in prison. He shows up at the back of the Queen Victoria pub, holding Linda Carter hostage when Mick walks in the room. Hunter lets go of Linda and leaves Mick hostage. Linda tells Jack that Hunter is waiting for him in the room. Jack tackles him to the ground but fails to get the gun off him. Hunter orders Jack, Mick, Mel and Linda to lead him out of pub at gunpoint without attracting attention. Keegan Baker spots Hunter yelling "He's got a gun!" Everybody in the pub are screaming. Everybody tries to grab the gun off Hunter which accidentally shoots Ben Mitchell in the crossfire. Ben struggling to breathe, Hunter proceeds to grab a pregnant Louise Mitchell as they head off outside and Phil Mitchell arrives to the pub with a crowbar but drops it when he tries to help his son Ben alongside Sonia Fowler, who works as a nurse.

The final showdown occurs when Hunter takes Louise outside and is stopped by police forces, stopping the latter from escaping. Keanu Taylor runs to save Louise but is shot in the shoulder by Hunter before throwing Louise to the ground. Hunter attempts to shoot Louise while pregnant but a SWAT Marksman finishes him off, shooting Hunter twice, killing him. Louise runs away scared and rushes over to injured Keanu. Mel breaks down over Hunter's dead body, the only son she's got.

Two months later, Mel Owen dies by getting run over by a lorry after she was continuously chased by Sharon Watts trying to expose Sharon's affair with Keanu, resulting in her pregnant in his child as well.

Sharon's affair is later exposed when Phil and the whole Mitchell's family finds out. Phil throws Sharon out of the house leaving her with nothing. Sharon is left defeated when she humiliated herself after admitting to those in the Queen Vic about having Keanu Taylor's baby. Dennis Rickman Jr. is anguished at Sharon and refuses to go with her. Sharon cries and storms off in defeat.

Quotes

“	Not so tough now, Keanu!	„
	~ Hunter Owen while aiming his pistol in the mirror.

“	I'll shoot her, I will	„
	~ Hunter's last words before his death

Trivia

• He made a total of 101 appearances during his time on the show.