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Carmella Cammeniti
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Carmella Cammeniti (briefly Sister Mary Catherine, previously Silvani) is a fictional character on the Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, and has been portrayed by Natalie Blair since the character's first onscreen appearance on 26 November 2003.
After several guest stints in 2003 and 2004, actress Natalie agreed to return on a permanent basis due to her character's popularity. She was the last character ever to be shown on BBC ONE's transmissions of Neighbours in the United Kingdom before its move to five.
character of Carmella has been through many character changes over her duration on the soap opera.
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Encyclopedia
Carmella Cammeniti (briefly Sister Mary Catherine, previously Silvani) is a fictional character on the Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, and has been portrayed by Natalie Blair since the character's first onscreen appearance on 26 November 2003.
After several guest stints in 2003 and 2004, actress Natalie agreed to return on a permanent basis due to her character's popularity. She was the last character ever to be shown on BBC ONE's transmissions of Neighbours in the United Kingdom before its move to five.
Development
The character of Carmella has been through many character changes over her duration on the soap opera. Actress Natalie Blair stated in her reason behind her decision to quit was because of her character's transformation and storylines stating:
Natalie also described the development from "fun, feisty and foxy sort of character" into a luckless character.
Storylines
During the character's early days on Ramsay Street she had to fend off Michelle Scully (Kate Keltie) for the affections of Connor O'Neill (Patrick Harvey), but, when she became victim of a stalker, Carmella departed from Erinsborough suddenly with Eva Doyle (Lulu McClatchy), wrestling girlfriend of Toadie Rebecchi (Ryan Moloney). Upon her return she wanted Connor back, but Serena Bishop (Lara Sacher) stood in her way, and she lost out, receiving a slap from Serena's mother, Liljana (Marcella Russo) in the process.
Life as a nun
Carmella's mother, Lucia, set PI Connor on a secret mission to find Carmella the following year; when he found her, it was as a nun in a convent, living as 'Sister Mary Catherine'.
In 2006, Cameron Robinson (Adam Hunter) confronted Carmella about a conversation he remembered her having on the phone while he was in hospital in a coma. Carmella confided her darkest secret to Cameron - that she sold her cousin Teresa Cammeniti's (Hannah Greenwood) baby. Cameron agreed to keep the secret: indeed, he took the secret to his grave when Max Hoyland (Stephen Lovatt) hit him with his car. Carmella later revealed the truth about the baby to another nun, who suggested she take time off from the convent.
During her time as a nun she grew close to Ned, and after he heard her sing he encouraged her to make a recording. She did it to make him happy but admitted that she wasn't really keen on singing. When she felt Ned was prying too much into her privete affairs, she told him that she thought that they were spending too much time together, and wanted time out. He then grew close to Katya Kinski (Dichen Lachman), but when Carmella found out she and Katya began to fight over Ned.
Family arrival
Her sister Rosetta (Natalie Saleeba) moved into No. 30 Ramsay Street in October 2006.
When Sky Mangel (Stephanie McIntosh) fell into early labour, crazed Teresa lashed out at her, telling Sky she would be a horrible mother. When admitted into the psychiatric ward in Erinsborough Hospital, she managed to escape and ran to Ramsay Street (unknown to the staff). She changed into Carmella's hospital attendant uniform, but was confronted by Carmella as she tried to run back to Ramsay Street. She threw a saucer of boiling water at Carmella, and ran away. Carmella was found by her boyfriend, Will Griggs (Christian Clark), and taken to the hospital.
Many relationships and pregnancy
Teresa's attack left her with severe scarring on her face, and she could not bring herself to face public. Neighbour Harold Bishop (Ian Smith) talked her around. Will then convinced her to have surgery that would ease the scarring. Soon after, Ned Parker (Daniel O'Connor) told Carmella that he loved her; however, Carmella and Will made it clear that they loved one another. After Will tried to convince Carmella that he was not lying to her, Carmella rejected him, thinking that he could not handle who he really was. Will then left to go overseas. A week later, Will's brother, Oliver (David Hoflin) arrived in Ramsay Street. He explained about Will's dual identity, and his sudden departure. The two soon began dating, but Carmella's problems with her uncle caused them to split.
After breaking up with Oliver, she began a dangerous romance with teenager Ringo Brown (Sam Clark), who was helping her in her new business. Ringo was dating fellow student Rachel Kinski (Caitlin Stasey) at the time; this, and the age difference created controversy. She also became addicted to prescription drugs.
She then found out that she was pregnant with ex-boyfriend Oliver's baby. She was later told by the doctor that her former addiction to prescription pills could have harmed her baby, although this did not happen. Carmella then told Oliver, who was thrilled by the news.
Relationship with Marco
Carmella later began an online business with business partner Marco (Jesse Rosenfeld), to whom she became attracted. She felt at the time that their relationship should be strictly professional, as she was still in love with Oliver. Later, she was taken ill while at Marco's apartment, and was rushed to hospital with stomach cramps. She had an ultrasound scan, which showed that she had the condition placenta previa, but that the baby was fine. The ultra-sound was also able to show the sex of the baby, a girl. Carmella finally revealed her true feelings to Oliver and was devastated when he admitted he didn't love her.
Carmella and Rosie were staying at Marco's family farmhouse when they made the discovery that he was married. Carmella confronted Marco about his wedding photos she found and he told her that he was once married but is now divorced; they ended up sharing a kiss. Carmella became jealous when she thought Marco was going on a date, which eventually drew them together.
Birth of Chloe
In the season return of 2008, Carmella decided she wanted a natural birth, without drugs, due to her previous medication addiction. When discussing this with Marco, she asked him to be present at the birth as well as Oliver, to which he agrees. Carmella went in to labour, and was scared as she was premature but still wanted a natural birth. The doctor informed Carmella that the baby was in discomfort and needed to be delivered quickly. He recommended a Caesarean section, leaving Carmella devastated. She gave birth to Chloe, who was immediately moved to the neonatal intensive-care unit. Chloe's life hung in the balance initially, but after a couple of days she was able to breathe on her own, allowing Carmella to hold her daughter for the first time.
Carmella later broke up with Marco, who decided to go to work on a vineyard in Darwin. However, soon after Carmella called him on his mobile phone and asked him to come back to Ramsay Street.
Carmella and Chloe then moved in with Marco, in Harold Bishop (Ian Smith)'s old house, number 24.
As Oliver's dislike of Marco grew, Oliver filed for sole custody of his daughter Chloe, much to Carmella's disgust. He said he felt that he was being left out, and that Marco was taking over the role as Chloe's father. Carmella had tried talking to Oliver, but it always ended in argument. Oliver later decided to stop fighting for custody. Carmella was offered a trip to Italy, and decided that she and Chloe would go, much to Oliver's dismay.
Marriage and death of Marco
On the 27 June 2008, Marco proposed to Carmella, who accepted. However, on the same day a bushfire started near them. After getting to safety in a house, Marco went back outside to help find a bag belonging to Chloe. Marco then went back to the house, but he became trapped outside, and rescuers could not open the door in time to save Marco from serious injury. Knowing he had little time to live, he persuaded Carmella to marry him by his hospital bed, which she did.
Departure
After Marco's death, Carmella believed that she saw Marco's spirit several times, and that even after she stopped seeing him, that he was still around her. Elle supported Carmella's theory, and the two rekindled their friendship in running the General Store together.
On the 8 August 2008, Oliver left for New York; she was invited to go too, but declined, saying that she couldn't leave Marco's memories.
Carmella and Chloe leave to go to Portugal in early December 2008 to be with Oliver. She says an emotional goodbye to all her friends on Ramsay Street and leaves. Oliver, Carmella and Chloe send a video message to Rebecca saying that they will be staying in Lisbon for the time being.
Reception
In 2005, actress Natalie Blair won a Logie Award for Most Popular New Female Talent. following her appearances as Carmella. This led to more guest stints, and on 15 May 2006, Carmella returned as an official cast member due to her on-screen chemistry with co-star Connor O'Neill (Patrick Harvey). The actress was also nominated for a Golden Logie in 2007 and 2008.
Tabloid The Herald Sun describes the character of Carmella as becoming one of the show's most popular characters. With Scott Ellis of the tabloid's television magazine stating that soap can have slightly surreal standards, but when it comes to the character of Carmella, she has been through a wringer. He made a point of the many storylines that transformed the character:
Family
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