Jen Handley
Encyclopedia
Jen Handley is a fictional character
from the Australian soap opera Neighbours
, played by Alyce Platt
. She made her first on-screen appearance on 14 February 1995. Jen is Luke Handley
's sister. She departed on 6 March 1996.
and made her first appearance in mid-February 1995. Platt told Carolyne Randoe
of New Idea Magazine that she was thrilled at the prospect of regular work and wanted to perfect her craft.
, played by Ian Rawlings
who Platt had worked with on Sons and Daughters
as a couple a decade prior. "Ian played Wayne and I played his wife Amanda Morrell, We stayed very good friends for a while after I left Sons And Daughters, but we lost touch when I moved to Melbourne – so it was great to see him again.”
Platt then mentioned that Jen was the opposite of her "Unlike me, Jen is quite an unstable person, but Philip provides the much-needed stability in her life, He’s very different to every other guy she’s ever been out with and that’s part of the attraction for her." Platt was also concerned that Jen would end up being little more than a plot device to help the character of Philip move on rather than be a character in her own right.
, which killed her younger sister, Morgan, so she can prevent anyone from suffering in the same way. Cody introduces Jen to Philip Martin, whose wife Julie (Julie Mullins) had died several months earlier. Jen and Philip begin dating after several hurdles, which wins approval from Philip's daughter, Hannah
(Rebecca Ritters
). However, Jen is scared at how rapid the relationship is moving and fears losing her independence, forcing Philip to back off. Their relationship soon resumes. Jen and Hannah bond after Jen buys Hannah her first bra.
When Brook Allen (Felix Nobis), Jen's ex-boyfriend arrives in Erinsborough, Philip feels threatened as Brook is closer to Jen's age than he is. Jen sees that Philip is constantly trying to change his image to keep up with Brook and she tells him to remain himself and Brook soon leaves. Philip later asks Jen to move in with him and Hannah. Jen begin sleepwalking and is nearly run over by Big Kev Rebecchi
's (Don Bridges) truck. She soon realises she that is under stress from exams. Things are not helped when during a relaxation break Jen becomes obsessed with a daytime soap opera.
Jen's relationship with Philip ultimately crumbles after it becomes evident that she wants out after behaving mysteriously. Philip's son Michael
(Troy Beckwith)
returns at Christmas and warns Jen off any attempt at a reconciliation. Jen then moves into Number 30 with her brother, Luke
(Bernard Curry
) and Cody and later begins working as barmaid.
After a brief relationship with James Grimmer (Matthew Parkinson), Jen decides to leave Ramsay Street to pursue her calling as an artist in the outback. when she receives an art scholarship
She and Philip reconcile and after an emotional goodbye with Luke and Cody, Philip drives her to the airport. When Cody is killed in a shooting several weeks later, Jen sends a message to her memorial service describing Cody as her best friend, which is read by Cody's mother Pam (Sue Jones).
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
from the Australian soap opera Neighbours
Neighbours
Neighbours is an Australian television soap opera first broadcast on the Seven Network on 18 March 1985. It was created by TV executive Reg Watson, who proposed the idea of making a show that focused on realistic stories and portrayed adults and teenagers who talk openly and solve their problems...
, played by Alyce Platt
Alyce Platt
Alyce Platt is an Australian actress known for her roles in television soap operas, and as a television presenter.Her acting roles include Amanda Morrell in Sons and Daughters from 1983–1985, a guest role in the short-lived serial Family and Friends in 1990, and the on-going part of Jen Handley in...
. She made her first on-screen appearance on 14 February 1995. Jen is Luke Handley
Luke Handley
Luke Handley is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Bernard Curry. He made his first on-screen appearance on 7 March 1995. Luke's storylines included a brief fling with Libby Kennedy, a relationship with Serendipity Gottlieb, suffering a breakdown, being...
's sister. She departed on 6 March 1996.
Casting
Platt joined the cast of Neighbours in late 1994 as Jen Handley, a university clasmate friend of Cody WillisCody Willis
Cody Willis is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, originally played by Amelia Frid. She made her first on-screen appearance on 24 November 1989. The character departed in 1991, but returned in 1993 with Peta Brady in the role...
and made her first appearance in mid-February 1995. Platt told Carolyne Randoe
of New Idea Magazine that she was thrilled at the prospect of regular work and wanted to perfect her craft.
Character development
Shortly after being introduced, Platt's character became the love interest of widower Philip MartinPhilip Martin (Neighbours)
Philip Gordon Martin is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Ian Rawlings. Originally played by Christopher Milne during the character's first appearance in 1985, Rawlings took over the role when the character returned to the show in 1992 and...
, played by Ian Rawlings
Ian Rawlings
Ian Rawlings is an Australian actor. He had two long-running roles in Australian soap operas.-Television Work:He started out playing the role of the spiteful and scheming Wayne Hamilton in Sons and Daughters...
who Platt had worked with on Sons and Daughters
Sons and Daughters (Australian TV series)
Sons and Daughters was a Logie Award winning Australian soap opera created by Reg Watson and produced by the Reg Grundy Organisation between 1981 and 1987. The first episode aired in December 1981, during the Christmas/New Year non-ratings period, and the official broadcast date of the final...
as a couple a decade prior. "Ian played Wayne and I played his wife Amanda Morrell, We stayed very good friends for a while after I left Sons And Daughters, but we lost touch when I moved to Melbourne – so it was great to see him again.”
Platt then mentioned that Jen was the opposite of her "Unlike me, Jen is quite an unstable person, but Philip provides the much-needed stability in her life, He’s very different to every other guy she’s ever been out with and that’s part of the attraction for her." Platt was also concerned that Jen would end up being little more than a plot device to help the character of Philip move on rather than be a character in her own right.
Storylines
Jen is first seen in Cody Willis' medical class at Eden Hills University and the two become fast friends. Jen reveals that the reason she is studying medicine is to research Aplastic anemiaAplastic anemia
Aplastic anemia is a condition where bone marrow does not produce sufficient new cells to replenish blood cells. The condition, per its name, involves both aplasia and anemia...
, which killed her younger sister, Morgan, so she can prevent anyone from suffering in the same way. Cody introduces Jen to Philip Martin, whose wife Julie (Julie Mullins) had died several months earlier. Jen and Philip begin dating after several hurdles, which wins approval from Philip's daughter, Hannah
Hannah Martin
Hannah Martin is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Rebecca Ritters. She made her first on-screen appearance on 20 July 1992. Hannah is the only child of Philip and Julie Martin and the younger sister to Michael and Debbie. The Martin family were written out...
(Rebecca Ritters
Rebecca Ritters
Rebecca Ritters is an Australian actress, mostly known for her role as Hannah Martin in the soap opera Neighbours. She first appeared in the show in 1992 when she was eight years old and remained in the show for a further seven years...
). However, Jen is scared at how rapid the relationship is moving and fears losing her independence, forcing Philip to back off. Their relationship soon resumes. Jen and Hannah bond after Jen buys Hannah her first bra.
When Brook Allen (Felix Nobis), Jen's ex-boyfriend arrives in Erinsborough, Philip feels threatened as Brook is closer to Jen's age than he is. Jen sees that Philip is constantly trying to change his image to keep up with Brook and she tells him to remain himself and Brook soon leaves. Philip later asks Jen to move in with him and Hannah. Jen begin sleepwalking and is nearly run over by Big Kev Rebecchi
Kevin Rebecchi
Kevin "Big Kev" Rebecchi is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Don Bridges. He made his first on-screen appearance on 8 February 1995 and made his final appearance on 3 March 2008.-Storylines:...
's (Don Bridges) truck. She soon realises she that is under stress from exams. Things are not helped when during a relaxation break Jen becomes obsessed with a daytime soap opera.
Jen's relationship with Philip ultimately crumbles after it becomes evident that she wants out after behaving mysteriously. Philip's son Michael
Michael Martin (Neighbours)
Michael Martin is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Troy Beckwith. He made his first on-screen appearance on 8 October 1985. The character was originally played by Samuel Hammington. Beckwith took over the role in 1992...
(Troy Beckwith)
returns at Christmas and warns Jen off any attempt at a reconciliation. Jen then moves into Number 30 with her brother, Luke
Luke Handley
Luke Handley is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Bernard Curry. He made his first on-screen appearance on 7 March 1995. Luke's storylines included a brief fling with Libby Kennedy, a relationship with Serendipity Gottlieb, suffering a breakdown, being...
(Bernard Curry
Bernard Curry
Bernard Curry is a Sydney-based Australian actor, best known for his role in soap operas Neighbours and Home and Away.-Career:...
) and Cody and later begins working as barmaid.
After a brief relationship with James Grimmer (Matthew Parkinson), Jen decides to leave Ramsay Street to pursue her calling as an artist in the outback. when she receives an art scholarship
She and Philip reconcile and after an emotional goodbye with Luke and Cody, Philip drives her to the airport. When Cody is killed in a shooting several weeks later, Jen sends a message to her memorial service describing Cody as her best friend, which is read by Cody's mother Pam (Sue Jones).