fictional character
In fiction, a character is a person or being in a narrative (such as a novel, play, radio or television series, music, film, or video game). The character may be entirely fictional or based on a real-life person, in which case the distinction o ...
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 ...
'', 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 later.
Sydney
Sydney is the capital city of the States and territories of Australia, state of New South Wales and the List of cities in Australia by population, most populous city in Australia. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Syd ...
, went onto have two other soap roles before joining the cast of ''Home and Away''. In 1989, Newman-Phillips was chosen as one of four cast members who toured and promoted the show in United Kingdom, following its debut there. The actors also helped launch the show's official UK fan club.
Development
Narelle is described as the "''Home and Away'' dreamer, a dizzy 20-year-old blonde who plotted on leaving her home town of Yabbie Creek, to become a rich and famous popstar".
Narelle's first on-screen kiss is with fellow character
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 ...
), at the age of seventeen, Steven is three years younger than Narelle. As the age difference was reflected off-screen too, it made everyone involved in the scenes nervous. Willits said, "I'd go for an older woman, if Steven can, I certainly can." While discussing the scenes he added "In the script, he had this plan to get Narelle to kiss me, because he has done a survey and he's a pretty hot kisser. It wasn't as though they were in love though." In an interview with Murray Clifford from ''
Evening Times
The ''Glasgow Times'' is an evening tabloid newspaper published Monday to Saturday in the city of Glasgow, Scotland. Called ''The Evening Times'' from 1876, it was rebranded as the ''Glasgow Times'' on 4 December 2019. Whilst interviewed by ''
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 ...
'', Willits stated: "When you consider rehearsals and retakes, we kissed a hell of a lot. It was great. She gave me all the pointers". While Newman-Phillips said, "Adam's a sweetie after all the fuss had died down it was great fun." Willits later revealed that Steven and Narelle's kiss was "his greatest moment" in the show.
Newman-Phillips was contracted as a guest cast member. Of her Narelle's exit from the series, the actress told a reporter from ''TV Life'' that "Narelle left in search of a guy. It was left open-ended. Now I think they want me back so I could be returning to the show around March." She added that it would have been great to reprise her role, something which has never happened. In December 1989, Mike Brenard from ''
The People The People may refer to:
Legal jargon
* The People, term used to refer to the people in general, in legal documents
* "We the People of the United States", from the Preamble to the U. S. Constitution
* In philosophy, economics, and political scienc ...
'' reported that Newman-Phillips had been involved in a contractual pay dispute with producers. Newman-Phillips refused to comment on the issue but her mother, Heather claimed poor treatment of her daughter that played into her departure. She added that Newman-Phillips received "low wages" for her role and was never compensated for the show's success in the UK.
Storylines
Narelle arrives at the Summer Bay House asking to audition for
Frank Morgan
Francis Phillip Wuppermann (June 1, 1890 – September 18, 1949), known professionally as Frank Morgan, was an American character actor. He was best known for his appearances in films starting in the silent era in 1916, and then numerous sound ...
's (
Alex Papps
Alex Papps (born 11 February 1969) is an Australian actor, television host, writer and singer.
Early life
Papps was born in Melbourne in 1969, to Apollo Papps who, though identifying as Greek, was born in Cairo, and a mother of English and Jew ...
) band. Narelle is the cousin of
Lance Smart
Lance Smart is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera ''Home and Away'', played by Peter Vroom. Vroom appeared from the pilot episode as one of the serial's original characters. Lance is characterised a "slow witted ...
(Peter Vroom) and Bobby Simpson ( Nicolle Dickson) helps her to get ready and she starts her audition by dancing around Frank's living room and singing for him. Bobby thinks Narelle is better suited to stripping so Frank told her that she could not join the band, but should pursue a career in dancing. Narelle tells Bobby that she should dress more feminine in order to impress Frank, who Narelle thinks is attractive.
Narelle attends the school dance and asks Bobby if she has made her move on Frank. Martin Dibble (Craig Thomson) and Lance convince Narelle to sneak into the local hospital to find out what had happened to Frank and Roo Stewart ( Justine Clarke), after they break up. She later visits Frank with the proposal that he moves in with her. Frank is tired of life at the caravan park and takes her up on the offer, moving into the flat above the general store. This annoys Celia Stewart ( Fiona Spence) who does not approve of Narelle's short skirts.
Alf Stewart
Alfred James "Alf" Stewart is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera ''Home and Away'', played by Ray Meagher. Alf was created as one of the show's eighteen original characters. Meagher auditioned for the role of Tom Fletcher, befo ...
(
Ray Meagher
Raymond Francis Meagher (born 4 July 1944) is an Australian actor, who has appeared in Australian film and television since the mid-1970s. He is notable as the longest continuing performer in an Australian television role, portraying Alf Ste ...
) employs Narelle at the general store which annoys Celia even more. Celia begins to order Narelle around at work and treats her badly. After helping Steven out with his science project on kissing,
she falls for him and they begin dating, much to the town's shock as there is a four-year age gap. However, this is cut short when Narelle falls for his uncle,
Philip
Philip, also Phillip, is a male name derived from the Macedonian Old Koine language, Greek (''Philippos'', lit. "horse-loving" or "fond of horses"), from a compound of (''philos'', "dear", "loved", "loving") and (''hippos'', "horse"). Prominen ...
(John Morris) and kisses him. In order to save Steven's reputation out of fear he may be bullied for being dumped, Philip and Narelle concoct a story in which Steven dumps Narelle. Celia threatens to evict Narelle from the flat but after she supports her in time of family drama, she relents. The next target of Narelle's affections is Gary Samuels ( Darius Perkins) but she changes her mind when Carly Morris (
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 ...
) accuses Gary of raping her. Narelle then decides to leave Summer Bay in order to find herself a man. She later settles in
Queensland
Queensland ( , commonly abbreviated as Qld) is a States and territories of Australia, state in northeastern Australia, and is the second-largest and third-most populous state in Australia. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Austr ...
and Bobby visits her for several weeks.
Reception
The role of Narelle made Newman-Phillips one of the most famous soap stars in the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
and was tipped to replace
Kylie Minogue
Kylie Ann Minogue (; born 28 May 1968) is an Australian singer, songwriter, and actress. Frequently referred to as the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Princess of Pop", she has achieved recognition in both the music industry and fas ...
(
Neighbours
''Neighbours'' is an Australian television soap opera that has aired since 18 March 1985. It was created by television executive Reg Watson. The Seven Network commissioned the show following the success of Watson's earlier soap '' Sons and ...
) as the "number one". Sue Corbett from '' Sunday Life'' reported that Newman-Phillips and Benson were "expected to attract the same cult following as their screen rivals Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan." Writers from ''
Edinburgh Evening News
The ''Edinburgh Evening News'' is a daily newspaper and website based in Edinburgh, Scotland. It was founded by John Wilson (1844–1909) and first published in 1873. It is printed daily, except on Sundays. It is owned by National World, whic ...
'' and ''
Daily Mirror
The ''Daily Mirror'' is a British national daily Tabloid journalism, tabloid newspaper. Founded in 1903, it is part of Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN), which is owned by parent company Reach plc. From 1985 to 1987, and from 1997 to 2002, the tit ...
'' branded the character a "dizzy blonde". Another ''Daily Mirror'' reporter called her "sex-pot Narelle" and Mike Brenard from ''The People'' branded her role in the soap as the "sexbomb Narelle". Journalist Murray Clifford wrote that Narelle is a "gorgeous blond" in articles published in both ''
South Wales Echo
The ''South Wales Echo'' is a daily tabloid newspaper published in Cardiff, Wales and distributed throughout the surrounding area. It has a circulation of 6,026.
Background
The newspaper was founded in 1884 and was based in Thomson House, C ...