Thelma Bates

Thelma Bates
Hex character
Jemima Rooper as Thelma Bates
Portrayed by	Jemima Rooper
Information
Occupation	Ghost

Thelma Bates is a fictional character played by Jemima Rooper in Sky One's British horror dramedy series Hex. She appeared in every episode of the programme. After the departure and subsequent replacement of the programme's lead character of Cassie Hughes (Christina Cole), Thelma became the de facto protagonist as she was the only character who continued the series' narrative.

In the beginning of the show's run, Thelma's lesbianism was made very apparent, along with the realization she was in love with her best friend Cassie, with whom she attended Medenham Hall. At Medenham, Thelma was bullied by popular students Roxanne (Amber Sainsbury), Leon (Jamie Davis) and Troy (Joseph Morgan).

In the first episode of the first series, Thelma gave her life to save Cassie's - unwittingly becoming the sacrifice instrumental in returning Azazeal's power. Azazeal staged Thelma's death to appear to be a suicide.

Becoming a ghost, unseen by most characters, Thelma aided Cassie in understanding that she is descended from witches and later helped her new young friend, 500-year-old witch Ella Dee (Laura Pyper), battle against the demonic Nephilim.

Thelma is a unique character in modern television in that for the majority of the series, her interactions were limited to the series' few "supernatural" characters. With the death of Cassie, and their final kiss with both of them as ghosts, it was finally possible for Thelma to pursue relationships with other lesbian ghosts.

As a ghost, Thelma displays the ability to enter others' dreams, doing so to make-out with Cassie, later to communicate with the living and to free comrades from Malachi's control.