Matthew "Matt" Wilson is a fictional character in the Australian
soap opera
A soap opera (also called a daytime drama or soap) is a genre of a long-running radio or television Serial (radio and television), serial, frequently characterized by melodrama, ensemble casts, and sentimentality. The term ''soap opera'' originat ...
''
Home and Away
''Home and Away'' (''H&A'') is an Australian television soap opera. It was created by Alan Bateman and commenced broadcast on the Seven Network on 17 January 1988. Bateman came up with the concept of the show during a trip to Kangaroo Point, N ...
'', portrayed by Greg Benson. He debuted on-screen during the pilot episode airing on 17 January 1988. He was introduced as a recurring character and was later promoted to a series regular. He left the series in 1991 and returned for a guest appearance in 2002.
Casting
On 10 January 1988, one week before ''Home and Away'' debuted, ''
The Sun-Herald
''The Sun-Herald'' is an Australian newspaper published in tabloid or compact format on Sundays in Sydney by Nine Entertainment. It is the Sunday counterpart of the ''Sydney Morning Herald''. In the six months to September 2005, ''The Sun-H ...
'' announced that model and actor Benson would be starring in the series. Benson auditioned for a small part in the serial's pilot episode. He went on to play an extra and was credited as "Surfer". However, producers decided to sign Benson to appear in the series on an episodic basis as Matt. Benson was later employed as a "fully fledged" regular cast member.Oram 1989, p.125. Benson used to appear as a model in advertisements; he credited this as the reason he managed to secure his role in the serial.
In 1990, Benson and co-star Craig Thomson who plays Martin Dibble travelled to the UK in an attempt to secure a record deal. However, Benson later said that he wanted to remain in the serial "for a while" but would not rule out the possibility of a career in music. By 1991, he was one of only seven original cast members still appearing in ''Home and Away''.
Character development
Matt initially moved to the city to live with his parents. They had previously moved there after living all their lives in Summer Bay. Matt is described as having a dislike for city life, so he soon moved back to the town. Matt also tried to work in the Bayside Diner, but his love of the sea meant that he could not stick with it.Kesta and Nicholls 1992, p.13. In the ''Home and Away Annual'', Kesta Desmond said that Matt is the serial's "hunky beach boy" who wears a permanent tan. Matt is also "most at home" when he is on a surf board. Matt is a confident character, Benson said that Matt is "well sure of himself". As Matt is a keen surfer, the role worked well for Benson who grew up on the coast and learned to surf.
Producers chose what Matt's attire would consist of; including socks and a wrist watch. Benson told a writer from ''
Mat Stevenson
Mat Stevenson (born 15 April 1969) credited variously as Matthew Stevenson and Mat Stevenson, is an Australian actor, known for his TV roles in soap opera's and miniseries. He is best known for his role as Adam Cameron in TV soap opera ''Home ...
), who fills the role of his best friend. Kesta Desmond wrote in the serial's authorised annual that despite the fact they are good friends, "their personalities are quite different". Adam is characterised as "a bit of a layabout", while Matt has "a very responsible attitude to finance and work matters, always turning up for work on time and paying his rent when it is due." Stevenson told a writer from ''Look-in'' that he and Benson were best friends and would also "joke around" on set. During filming, Stevenson handed Benson a cup of coffee with a cockroach in it and ruined the scene when Benson could not stop laughing.
In August 1991, David Brown of ''
TV Week
''TV Week'' is a weekly Australian magazine that provides television program listings information and highlights, as well as television-related news.
Content ranges from previews for upcoming storylines of popular television programs, particu ...
'' reported that Benson was leaving the serial and would film his final scenes on 27 September. Benson said he had been thinking about leaving the show for "quite sometime" and he already booked a couple of auditions. He told Brown: "I know it's the right thing to do. It's been an incredible three years – the best time. The sad thing will be losing contact with the cast and crew. On the other hand, during the three years I lost friends outside ''Home and Away''." Brown reported that scriptwriters were working on Matt's exit storyline, but Benson confirmed that it would not be "too drastic." He reckoned that Matt would just get on a bus and the leave the Bay for the city.
An
urban legend
Urban legend (sometimes modern legend, urban myth, or simply legend) is a genre of folklore concerning stories about an unusual (usually scary) or humorous event that many people believe to be true but largely are not.
These legends can be e ...
among fans claimed that Matt disappeared from the series after walking into a cupboard, when in fact his last scene has him examining the damage to his car after it has rolled back into a stationary vehicle. With no explanation offered, even Lynne McGranger who plays Irene Roberts in the serial said it was one of ''Home and Away's'' mysteries. In 2008, she told ''
TV Week
''TV Week'' is a weekly Australian magazine that provides television program listings information and highlights, as well as television-related news.
Content ranges from previews for upcoming storylines of popular television programs, particu ...
'' that she wonders "where Greg Benson got to, his character Matt went into the kitchen to make a burger and was never seen again."
Storylines
Matt is first seen when
Carly Morris
Carly Lucini (also Morris) is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera ''Home and Away'', played by actress Sharyn Hodgson. She was one of the soap's original female protagonists, appearing as one of the Fletchers' foster children in ...
(
Sharyn Hodgson
Sharyn Hodgson (born 25 August 1968) is an Australian former actress, best known as an original character in TV serial ''Home and Away'' playing troubled teenager Carly Morris (later Luccini), she has subsequently returned to the role guest app ...
),
Lynn Davenport
''Home and Away'' is an Australian television soap opera. It was first broadcast on the Seven Network on 17 January 1988. The following is a list of characters that first appeared in that year, by order of first appearance. They were all introdu ...
(Helena Bozich) and
Sally Keating
Sally Fletcher (also Keating) is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera ''Home and Away'', played by Kate Ritchie. She made her first screen appearance during the serial's pilot episode, which was broadcast on 17 January 1988. Sally ...
(
Kate Ritchie
Katherine Leigh Ritchie is an Australian actress, radio presenter, and children's author. She is best known for her long-running role as original character Sally Fletcher on the television soap opera ''Home and Away'', for which she won two Go ...
) are exploring
Summer Bay
Summer Bay is the fictional coastal town featured in the Australian soap opera, ''Home and Away'', located in rural coastal New South Wales. Palm Beach, the northernmost beach in Sydney, is used for the show's exterior scenes to depict the B ...
, with Carly in particular being immediately taken by him. In order to get his attention, Carly follows Bobby Simpson's ( Nicolle Dickson) advice and pretends to drown, only to nearly end up drowning for real. Matt is in Carly's year at school and it is partly because she is trying to impress him that Carly feels embarrassed that her foster father
Tom Fletcher
Thomas Michael Fletcher (born 17 July 1985) is an English musician, composer, author and vlogger. He is one of the lead vocalists and rhythm guitarist of British pop rock band McFly, in addition to being the group's founder.
In his 20-year ca ...
(
Roger Oakley
Roger Oakley (born 21 August 1943) is a New Zealand-born actor and noted for his performances in Australian television serials, mini-series, feature and television films. He is also active as a theatre performer, director and voice-over. Oakle ...
) is working with the road gang, unaware Matt's father is a garbage collector. Matt and Carly are cast as the leads in the school play, an experience that Carly, who had been raped not long before, finds uncomfortable. Matt has to leave Summer Bay when his family move away but he returns a few months later to take Carly to the school formal. The pair move to the city together but a few weeks later Matt returns to town and tells Carly's foster brother
Steven Matheson
Steven Matheson is a fictional character from the Australian Seven Network, Channel Seven soap opera ''Home and Away'', played by Adam Willits. Steven was created by Alan Bateman as one of the serial's original characters and he first appeared i ...
(
Adam Willits
Adam Charles Willits (born 18 February 1972) is an Australian former actor, best known for being an original cast member of the television soap opera ''Home and Away'' as foster child Steven Matheson from 1988 to 1991. In 1995, Willits returned ...
) that Carly has moved out of their flat and is hanging around with a bad crowd and drinking.
Matt tries to support Carly when she tries to kick her alcohol addiction but no longer has feelings for her. He hangs around with Roo Stewart (
Justine Clarke
Justine Clarke is an Australian actress, singer, author and television host.
Clarke has been acting since the age of seven and has appeared in some of Australia's best-known TV shows. She is best-known for her portrayal as Roo Stewart on the ...
) to avoid her and then dates former school bad girl Alison Patterson (Kathryn Ridley), even though he does not like her. When Alison reveals to a journalist that
Morag Bellingham
Morag Bellingham (also Stewart) QC is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera ''Home and Away'', played by Cornelia Frances. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 7 June 1988. She appeared until 1989 a ...
(
Cornelia Frances
Cornelia Frances Zulver, OAM (7 April 1941 – 28 May 2018), credited professionally as Cornelia Frances, was an English-Australian actress. After starting her career in small cameos in films in her native England, she became best known for he ...
) is Bobby's mother, Matt breaks up with her to show her what it is like to be treated badly. He dates Carly again, thinking her family are going to move to London and the relationship will end naturally, but when she offers to stay in the Bay with him, he decides end their relationship. Matt takes a job working for Bobby and
Ailsa Stewart
Ailsa Stewart (also Hogan) is a fictional character from the Australian television soap opera ''Home and Away'', played by Judy Nunn. She made her first appearance during the episode broadcast on 17 January 1988. Ailsa was married to Alf Stewar ...
(
Judy Nunn
Judith Anne Nunn ( AM) (born 13 April 1945), (also published under the pen name of Judy Bernard-Waite), is an Australian former actress, and author of both adult and children's fiction titles. She has collaborated with writers Patricia Bernard ...
) at the new Diner. When Celia Stewart ( Fiona Spence) tries to set up a counselling service in the back room, Matt joins Steven and Brian 'Dodge' Forbes (Kelly Dingwall) in playing tricks on her by pretending he is in love with an older woman and describing Celia herself. He later applies for a job as a life saver and finds himself in competition with Adam. There is initially some ill-feeling when Matt secures the job but he and Adam sort it out and end up sharing a flat.
Some years earlier, Matt's elder brother Shane had been shot and killed.
Al Simpson
Alexander Irving Simpson (July 19, 1916 – September 13, 1976) was an American football coach. He served as the head football coach at Southern Oregon College of Education—now known as Southern Oregon University—in Ashland, Oregon for five ...
( Terence Donovan), Bobby's adopted father, returns to town and tries to blackmail
Donald Fisher
Donald George Fisher (September 3, 1928 – September 27, 2009) was an American billionaire businessman and philanthropist. He co-founded the Gap Inc. clothing stores with his wife Doris F. Fisher.
Early life and education
Fisher was born i ...
(
Norman Coburn
Norman Coburn (born 6 March 1937) is an Australian former actor, playwright and writer best known for his television serial and soap opera roles. He started his early career in theatre, film and television in the United Kingdom in the mid-1950s. ...
), who believes he accidentally shot Shane while hunting and has kept quiet ever since. Instead Donald turns himself in, at which point he discovers his gun was not the one that killed Shane. Matt and Bobby manage to expose Al as the real murderer.
Matt and Adam begin renting the beach house and invite
Marilyn Chambers
Marilyn Ann Taylor (née Briggs; April 22, 1952 – April 12, 2009), known professionally as Marilyn Chambers, was an American pornographic actress, exotic dancer, model, actress, singer and vice-presidential candidate. She was known f ...
(
Emily Symons
Emily Symons (born 10 August 1969) is an Australian actress, active on both Australian and British television. She is known for playing Anne Costello in the short-lived soap opera '' Richmond Hill'' in 1988 and when that series ended in 1989, s ...
) to move in with them. Matt's stay at the house is beset by problems, including crooked landlord Ernie Jacobs ( David Weatherley) repeatedly trying to evict them and Adam and Marilyn's on-off romance, which sees them asking Matt to decide which of them would have to move out. When a botched DIY job by Adam leaves Matt trapped in the bathroom for hours, he moves into Grant Mitchell's (
Craig McLachlan
Craig Dougall McLachlan (born 1 September 1965) is an Australian actor, musician, singer and composer. He has been involved in film, television, the music industry and music theatre for over 30 years. He is best known for appearing in the soap o ...
Les Hill
Les Hill (born 1 August 1973) is an Australian actor who has appeared in many Australian television productions including ''Home and Away'', '' Underbelly'', and '' Rescue: Special Ops''.
Early life
Hill was born in the Royal Hospital for W ...
) when he asks to join the surf club by setting him up with a punishing training regime that leaves him exhausted. Grant decides to tell Blake the truth. Matt and Steven are later responsible for working out that Grant's sister Kim (
Rachael Beck
Rachael Elizabeth Beck (born 2 September 1971) is an Australian stage and television singer-actress. From 1991 to 1994 Beck had a major role on the popular sitcom, '' Hey Dad..!'', as Samantha Kelly. From 2006 to 2008, Beck appeared on all thre ...
) is a drug addict.
When Adam tries to arrange for some of his friends to go on a surfing trip, Josh Webb (Erick Mitsak) plans to use the trip to get Adam and Blake alone, so lets the handbrake off Matt's car, causing it to damage another vehicle and leaving Matt, whose insurance had expired, having to pay for the damage to both cars and unable to afford the trip.
Matt is not seen again for eleven years when he returns for Summer Bay's sesquicentenary celebrations, where it is revealed that he married a woman called Tracey. However, even though they are both now married to other people, he is Carly's date for the celebratory boat cruise. When the boat capsizes, they are quickly rescued and Matt joins the hunt for the missing passengers and crew. He is part of the team that finds Sally, Blake and
Sophie Simpson
Sophie Dean (also Simpson) is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera ''Home and Away'', played by Rebekah Elmaloglou. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 23 January 1990 and appeared as a regular unti ...
(
Rebekah Elmaloglou
Rebekah Sophie Elmaloglou (born 23 January 1974) is an Australian actress, known for her roles as teenage tearaway Sophie Simpson on ''Home and Away'' and Terese Willis on ''Neighbours''. She also made guest appearances in '' E Street'', '' A ...
), but has to return home before the search is completed.
In other media
Matt was the subject in ''The Matt Wilson Story'', one of a series of tie-in novels published in 1989 chronicling the characters' lives prior to the series.
Reception
Clive Hopwood in the book ''Home and Away Special'' said that Matt was "the local lifeguard and ace surfer" who had good looks that were "enough to make any female volunteer want to be rescued and given the kiss of life, preferably several times." Hopwood also said that Benson's portrayal of Matt was natural. He said it was no surprise he took to the role "like a duck, or rather a lifeguard, to water".
Off-screen Benson was in a relationship with Amanda Newman-Phillips who played
Narelle Smart
Narelle Smart is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera ''Home and Away'', played by Amanda Newman-Phillips. Narelle debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 25 March 1988, but left the show just over six months ...
. The character of Matt was very popular with female viewers due to his appearance. Newman-Phillips said that she tried to hide their relationship; to avoid "breaking the hearts" of Matt's fans.Hopwood 1990, p.35.
Internet Movie Database
IMDb, historically known as the Internet Movie Database, is an online database of information related to films, television series, podcasts, home videos, video games, and streaming content online – including cast, production crew and biograp ...