Kyle Canning
Encyclopedia
Kyle Canning is a fictional character
from the Australian soap opera Neighbours
, played by Chris Milligan
. The actor successfully auditioned for the six week recurring role of Kyle and he made his first on screen appearance on 26 November 2008. Milligan was later asked back every couple of months to do a few weeks filming. After eighteen months of playing Kyle on a part time basis, Milligan was given a full time contract deal and he and his character were promoted to the regular cast. Milligan said he was ecstatic about his promotion and looked forward to developing his character further.
Kyle was initially portrayed as an immature bad boy, whose physical presence made him fall into the role of a bully. However, his low academic intelligence made him vulnerable to people smarter than himself. A traumatic accident and his struggle to secure employment changed Kyle's ways. The character has been described as a larrikin
, good hearted and laid back. Following his promotion to the regular cast, the show's writers gave Kyle some character traits similar to Henry Ramsay (Craig McLachlan
). Like Henry, Kyle becomes the handyman of Ramsay Street
and he later opens his own business, which brings him into contact with many of the street's residents.
Kyle's storylines have often focused on his various relationships and jobs. Kyle engaged in a brief relationship with Natasha Williams
(Valentina Novakovic), before developing a crush on Kate Ramsay
(Ashleigh Brewer
). The character later entered a casual relationship with friend and housemate, Jade Mitchell
(Gemma Pranita
). A big storyline for Kyle saw him blackmailed and physically threatened by a corrupt police officer. Kyle was forced to turn to his rival, Mark Brennan
(Scott McGregor
), for help. In August 2011, Milligan had to be written out of Neighbours, so he could recover from an injury he sustained off screen. Luke Pegler
joined the cast as Dane Canning and took over Kyle's planned storylines.
announced Milligan had landed a recurring role on Neighbours. The actor won the role of Kyle Canning following a successful audition. Milligan said securing the role had made moving away from his family and relocating to Melbourne worth the sacrifice. He made his first on screen appearance as Kyle on 26 November 2008. In March 2011, Milligan revealed to TV Week
that he initially had a six week guest role as Kyle, but he was then asked back every couple of months for a few weeks filming.
After eighteen months of playing Kyle on a part time basis, Milligan was promoted to the regular cast and given a full time contract deal. His promotion came as the show lost two male cast members, Erin Mullally
and Scott McGregor
. Milligan told Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy
he was "ecstatic" when he heard about his promotion and added "Kyle had been a guest character for nearly three years so it's great to be full-time now and to be able to evolve the character."
and "loveable-but-slightly-hopeless." The official Neighbours website said Kyle is the "local hottie", who is hard to take seriously, though his heart is in the right place. Kyle is also a "good-time guy", who has developed a thirst for adventure.
Shortly before Kyle's promotion to regular character was announced, TV Soap reported the Neighbours writers were going to give Kyle some Henry Ramsay-like traits. Of this, executive producer Susan Bower
explained "He was at school with the gang and he's been back and forwards quite a lot, and we certainly feel that he has a future for the show - in much the same way as Henry Ramsay was sort of the handyman around the place. We've got some good plans for him." Kyle has been employed at both Charlie's and Erinsborough Motors, but he has long dreamt of opening his own handyman business. During an interview with Digital Spy in June 2011, Milligan revealed Kyle eventually starts his handyman business, which brings him into contact with all of the Ramsay Street residents. Kyle later becomes involved in a storyline that sees his business threatened by the development of a new shopping complex. Milligan said Kyle is "pretty laid-back" and would become an unexpected friend to some of the characters. He added that it would be fun to see some of Kyle's family and friends introduced in the future. In August 2011, Bower told Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy, that Kyle is a guy with double standards, who "goes out and shags indiscriminately, but the girl he wants to marry has to be an angel." She revealed the writers were going to challenge this aspect of the character.
(Jordan Smith
), Natasha Williams
(Valentina Novakovic) starts dating Kyle. The following month, she decides to dump him, but to her surprise, Kyle gets there first. TV Soap explained Natasha grows bored of Kyle's company, but Kyle also becomes bored with his younger girlfriend and he "wastes no time severing their ties." Kyle's actions embarrass Natasha and he agrees to let her pretend that she dumped him. She then lies to Andrew that "she's kicked Kyle to the curb", instead of the other way around.
In January 2010, Kyle goes on a date with Kate Ramsay
(Ashleigh Brewer
). Kyle asks Kate whether she accepted his offer because she is trying to make Declan Napier
(James Sorensen
) jealous, but Kate denies it and tells Kyle she wants to get to know him better. Declan is not happy and when he sees Kate and Kyle together and he sabotages the date. In May 2011, Milligan revealed Kyle has always liked Kate because she is nice and is unlike the other girls he has dated in the past. Milligan said while Kyle like her, he would never push Kate into liking him. When Kyle sees Kate has been hurt by her ex-boyfriend, Mark Brennan
(Scott McGregor
), he feels protective towards her. Kyle worries about competing with Mark for Kate's affections, as he is not as intelligent and successful as him. Kyle also knows Kate is very smart, which further dents his confidence. When Mark learns Kyle is interested in Kate, he asks her out, but is later forced to postpone the date. Kyle decides to take advantage of the situation and invites Kate to spend the evening watching films with him. Kate accepts and enjoys the time she spends with Kyle. Mark later accuses Kate of trying to make him jealous and Kate decides to put him behind her, by agreeing to go on an official date with Kyle. When asked who he thought the right woman for Kyle is, Millligan said "That's a hard one. He and Kate would make a nice couple, but I think he needs someone who is going to challenge him."
When asked who she would like to see her character, Jade Mitchell
, find love with, Gemma Pranita
suggested Kyle. Pranita thought Jade and Kyle's "contrasting personalities" would work together if they entered a relationship. She explained "I think the characters can learn a lot from each other. Jade is very worldly and smart and Kyle has a more simple and uncomplicated nature." Kyle and Jade share a house together and on the night of their housewarming party they kiss, which thrills Jade. However, Kyle still sees her as a friend. Kyle and Jade later have sex together and Kyle suggests they engage in a friends with benefits
arrangement, to which Jade agrees. During a feature on soap couples that should be together, Inside Soap said Kyle should give up lusting after Kate and realise Jade is "The One." The magazine opined that while neither of them have had a relationship for more than twenty four hours, it does put them on an even playing field.
had joined the cast to fill in for Milligan and take over a planned storyline for Kyle. Pegler plays Dane Canning, Kyle's cousin. He arrives in Ramsay Street to take over Kyle's room at Number 26, while Kyle goes to care for his sick mother. On 13 September 2011, Channel 5 reported Milligan had returned to the set in time to film the final episodes of the 2011 season. Milligan was still using crutches and the Herald Sun
said his injury would be worked into his storylines. Of his return, Milligan said "After a month of virtually sitting on the couch, I'm rapt to be back at work. I just have to pace myself a bit."
(Matthew Werkmeister
) to join them when they decide to skip school one day. Principal Andrew Simpson (Peter Flanigan) bans pranks on muck-up day
, but the boys run through the school wearing balaclavas and spraying silly string, scaring several students. Andrew suspends them for a week. The students go on a rafting trip and Kyle fights with Declan Napier. Andrew suggests a raft race and Kyle joins Zeke, Justin, Bridget Parker
(Eloise Mignon
) and Libby Kennedy
(Michala Banas
). Their raft capsizes, during a prank set up by Kyle and Justin. The two boys make it to the riverbank, but Zeke goes missing and Kyle is left traumatised by the accident. A few months later, Kyle agrees to pose as Zeke's radio personality, Lost Boy, in order to keep Sunny Lee
(Hany Lee
) from discovering the truth. Kyle bullies Harry Ramsay
(Will Moore) and later asks his sister, Kate, to the Debutant Ball. Kate turns him down and Kyle ends up going to the Ball with Donna Freedman
(Margot Robbie
). When Libby suspects Kyle has not written his English essays himself, Sunny reveals Kyle is blackmailing her into writing them for him.
Kyle goes to Harold's Store and enquires about a job. He also asks Kate for a date and she agrees. The date ends when Declan starts a fight with Kyle. A few months later, Andrew Robinson convinces Rebecca Robinson (Jane Hall
) to give Kyle a job at Charlie's. Kyle briefly dates Natasha Williams and competes with Lucas Fitzgerald
(Scott Major
) for the spare room at Kate's house. Kyle applies for a job with Lou Carpenter
's (Tom Oliver
) second hand car business and he is given a trial run. Kyle realises Lou does not trust him to close a sale and he quits. Lou apologies and Kyle asks for a pay rise and the chance to run the car yard on his own, which Lou agrees to. Kyle continues to have financial trouble, but he manages to get a job with Jade Mitchell. While running late to meet a client, Kyle accidentally moons some onlookers as he changes in his car. Mark Brennan charges him with indecent exposure and Kyle has to pay a fine, which leaves him without money for rent. Jade fires him, but Kate helps him out by employing him at Harold's Store for the day.
After Kyle fixes a chair, Lucas suggests he starts a handyman business and Kate helps him work out a budget. Kyle asks Kate on a date and she agrees. Kyle organises a sale at the car yard and it attracts the attention of Wes Holland, a corrupt police officer who threatens Kyle for money. Kyle turns to Mark for help and when Wes comes to collect his money, Mark arrests him. Kyle moves into Lyn Scully
's (Janet Andrewartha
) spare room and later rents the house from her. He asks Kate out again, but she turns him down. Kyle asks Jade to move in with him and when they have trouble raising the rent, Mark also moves in. Kyle quits his job, after he loses a car selling competition with Lou. He decides to set up a handyman business and Lou invests in it. Kyle and Jade kiss at their house warming party, but Kyle tells Jade that it did not mean anything. Mark leaves and Kyle and Jade struggle to find a new housemate. Kyle asks his friend Honga to move in, but Jade objects and asks Michelle Tran (HaiHa Le) to move in instead.
Kyle and Jade soon get fed up of Michelle, but they realise they cannot kick out because she is dating Lucas. Jade and Kyle have sex and agree to be friends with benefits. Kyle and Jade's initial attempts to get Michelle to leave fail, but she eventually leaves when Rhys Lawson (Ben Barber
), posing as a property inspector, tells her she needs to pay for damages to the house. Michelle exposes Kyle and Jade's arrangement to Lucas and Sonya Mitchell
(Eve Morey
). Kyle goes on a date with Danielle Paquette (Georgia Bolton) and invites Rhys to move in. Kyle learns a shopping complex is being built in Erinsborough and realising it could ruin his new business, he starts a petition and teams up with Paul Robinson
(Stefan Dennis
) to stop the development. The company behind the development offer Kyle a large amount of money for his business, but he does not want to sell up. Kyle tells Jade he has feelings for her, but she rejects him. Kyle goes to Frankston to care for his sick mother and his cousin, Dane, comes to stay. Kyle returns a few weeks later with his leg in plaster. He learns Kate has quit teaching because she kissed Noah Parkin (Orpheus Pledger), a student. Kyle later finds a letter addressed to Kate from Noah, which reveals Mark has died.
said Kyle's most memorable moment is "When he thought he had killed Zeke in the raft race disaster." Jaci Stephen of the Daily Mail
branded the serial "The Kyle Show" after he became the centre of more storylines in 2011. What's on TV
branded Kyle a "lovable troublemaker", while Channel 5 called him a "cheeky chappy." The Daily Record
called Kyle a "wannabe-Romeo" during his pursuit of Kate. They later said he is a "lovable idiot", which makes him irresistible to Jade. Sarah Ellis of Inside Soap wondered how long Kyle and Jade's friends with benefits deal would last until they saw what the rest of the world could. In October 2011, a writer for the Daily Record praised Kyle's promotion to regular cast member, saying "whoever decided to bring him in on a permanent basis deserves a big pat on the back." They added Kyle had been a breath of fresh air ever since he moved into Ramsay Street.
Character (arts)
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 Chris Milligan
Chris Milligan
Chris Milligan is an Australian actor. He has appeared in numerous television series and is best known for his role as Kyle Canning in the soap opera Neighbours.-Career:...
. The actor successfully auditioned for the six week recurring role of Kyle and he made his first on screen appearance on 26 November 2008. Milligan was later asked back every couple of months to do a few weeks filming. After eighteen months of playing Kyle on a part time basis, Milligan was given a full time contract deal and he and his character were promoted to the regular cast. Milligan said he was ecstatic about his promotion and looked forward to developing his character further.
Kyle was initially portrayed as an immature bad boy, whose physical presence made him fall into the role of a bully. However, his low academic intelligence made him vulnerable to people smarter than himself. A traumatic accident and his struggle to secure employment changed Kyle's ways. The character has been described as a larrikin
Larrikinism
Larrikinism is the name given to the Australian folk tradition of irreverence, mockery of authority and disregard for rigid norms of propriety. Larrikinism can also be associated with self-deprecating humour.- Etymology :...
, good hearted and laid back. Following his promotion to the regular cast, the show's writers gave Kyle some character traits similar to Henry Ramsay (Craig McLachlan
Craig McLachlan
Craig McLachlan is an Australian actor and singer. He appeared in shows such as Sons and Daughters, Neighbours, Bugs and Home and Away.-Biography:...
). Like Henry, Kyle becomes the handyman of Ramsay Street
Ramsay Street
Ramsay Street is the fictional cul-de-sac in which the characters of the Australian soap opera Neighbours live. The street is set in the equally fictional Melbourne suburb of Erinsborough. Neighbours storylines primarily centre around the residents of the Street, which was named after the...
and he later opens his own business, which brings him into contact with many of the street's residents.
Kyle's storylines have often focused on his various relationships and jobs. Kyle engaged in a brief relationship with Natasha Williams
Natasha Williams (Neighbours)
Natasha Williams is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Valentina Novakovic. The role of Natasha is Novakovic's first acting job and she relocated from Sydney to Melbourne for filming...
(Valentina Novakovic), before developing a crush on Kate Ramsay
Kate Ramsay
Kate Ramsay is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Ashleigh Brewer. She made her first on-screen appearance on 15 May 2009. She is the eldest sibling of Harry and Sophie Ramsay...
(Ashleigh Brewer
Ashleigh Brewer
Ashleigh Brewer is an Australian actress. She is best known for playing Kate Ramsay in the long-running Australian soap opera Neighbours.-Biography and personal life:...
). The character later entered a casual relationship with friend and housemate, Jade Mitchell
Jade Mitchell
Jade Mitchell is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Gemma Pranita. Pranita's casting was announced in September 2010 and it was revealed that Jade would be introduced as the younger sister of Sonya Mitchell...
(Gemma Pranita
Gemma Pranita
Gemma Pranita is a Thai-born Australian actress. Pranita was encouraged to join the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts by her drama teacher, and from 1999 to 2003, she competed at state level in the Shakespeare Globe Association's annual Shakespeare festival. Pranita formed a theatre...
). A big storyline for Kyle saw him blackmailed and physically threatened by a corrupt police officer. Kyle was forced to turn to his rival, Mark Brennan
Mark Brennan (Neighbours)
Mark Brennan is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by model and television presenter Scott McGregor. He made his first on-screen appearance on 30 August 2010. McGregor initially had a four week guest contract with the show, but this was increased to six months...
(Scott McGregor
Scott McGregor (model)
Scott McGregor is an Australian model, television presenter and actor.-Career:Since 2005 he has worked as a model on the Nine Network program Temptation, as well as television presenting work for Foxtel...
), for help. In August 2011, Milligan had to be written out of Neighbours, so he could recover from an injury he sustained off screen. Luke Pegler
Luke Pegler
Luke Pegler is an Australian actor. He has starred in two WWE Films productions: The Condemned with Stone Cold Steve Austin, and See No Evil with Kane. Pegler joined the cast of Rescue: Special Ops in season 2 as Bingo. Pegler's character died when he got hit by a car...
joined the cast as Dane Canning and took over Kyle's planned storylines.
Casting
On 20 October 2008, The Courier-MailThe Courier-Mail
The Courier-Mail is a daily newspaper published in Brisbane, Australia. Owned by News Limited, it is published daily from Monday to Saturday in tabloid format. Its editorial offices are located at Bowen Hills, in Brisbane's inner northern suburbs, and it is printed at Murarrie, in Brisbane's...
announced Milligan had landed a recurring role on Neighbours. The actor won the role of Kyle Canning following a successful audition. Milligan said securing the role had made moving away from his family and relocating to Melbourne worth the sacrifice. He made his first on screen appearance as Kyle on 26 November 2008. In March 2011, Milligan revealed to TV Week
TV Week
TV Week is a weekly television magazine in Australia, first published as a Melbourne-only publication in December 1957 , and bearing a strong affiliation to television station GTV.The publication is still publishing weekly...
that he initially had a six week guest role as Kyle, but he was then asked back every couple of months for a few weeks filming.
After eighteen months of playing Kyle on a part time basis, Milligan was promoted to the regular cast and given a full time contract deal. His promotion came as the show lost two male cast members, Erin Mullally
Erin Mullally
Erin Mullally is an Australian actor and model best known for playing the role of Declan Napier in Neighbours. Mullally was cast in the role after original actor, James Sorensen, left the show. The character of Declan is Mullally's first major television role...
and Scott McGregor
Scott McGregor (model)
Scott McGregor is an Australian model, television presenter and actor.-Career:Since 2005 he has worked as a model on the Nine Network program Temptation, as well as television presenting work for Foxtel...
. Milligan told Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy
Digital Spy
Digital Spy is a British entertainment and media news website. According to Alexa Internet traffic statistics, as of February 2011, Digital Spy is the 93rd most popular website in the United Kingdom, with an overall Alexa ranking of 2,088....
he was "ecstatic" when he heard about his promotion and added "Kyle had been a guest character for nearly three years so it's great to be full-time now and to be able to evolve the character."
Characterisation
When Kyle first joined Neighbours, he was an immature "bad boy", who often hung around with school bullies, Justin Hunter (Chris Toohey) and Shane Gregory (Ryan Bate). Channel 5 said Kyle's physical presence made him fall easily into the role of a bully and eventual group leader, but his low academic intelligence made him vulnerable to people smarter than himself. Following a traumatic rafting accident on a school trip and his struggle to find employment, Kyle decides to change as he does not want to be the same person anymore. Milligan said his character has a "good heart" and that he has had to learn things for himself, as he as not had the right people around to show him the way. Kyle has been described as being a "trouble maker", a larrikinLarrikinism
Larrikinism is the name given to the Australian folk tradition of irreverence, mockery of authority and disregard for rigid norms of propriety. Larrikinism can also be associated with self-deprecating humour.- Etymology :...
and "loveable-but-slightly-hopeless." The official Neighbours website said Kyle is the "local hottie", who is hard to take seriously, though his heart is in the right place. Kyle is also a "good-time guy", who has developed a thirst for adventure.
Shortly before Kyle's promotion to regular character was announced, TV Soap reported the Neighbours writers were going to give Kyle some Henry Ramsay-like traits. Of this, executive producer Susan Bower
Susan Bower
Susan Bower is an Australian television producer and television writer best known for her work on the soap opera Neighbours.-Career:Bower is a former nurse who worked at The Alfred Hospital for 20 years before getting her scriptwriting breakthrough on A Country Practice, where she provided the...
explained "He was at school with the gang and he's been back and forwards quite a lot, and we certainly feel that he has a future for the show - in much the same way as Henry Ramsay was sort of the handyman around the place. We've got some good plans for him." Kyle has been employed at both Charlie's and Erinsborough Motors, but he has long dreamt of opening his own handyman business. During an interview with Digital Spy in June 2011, Milligan revealed Kyle eventually starts his handyman business, which brings him into contact with all of the Ramsay Street residents. Kyle later becomes involved in a storyline that sees his business threatened by the development of a new shopping complex. Milligan said Kyle is "pretty laid-back" and would become an unexpected friend to some of the characters. He added that it would be fun to see some of Kyle's family and friends introduced in the future. In August 2011, Bower told Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy, that Kyle is a guy with double standards, who "goes out and shags indiscriminately, but the girl he wants to marry has to be an angel." She revealed the writers were going to challenge this aspect of the character.
Relationships
Following her split from Andrew RobinsonAndrew Robinson (Neighbours)
Andrew Benito Robinson is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Jordan Smith. He made his first on-screen appearance on 13 November 1991. Shannon Holmes previously played the role from the character's birth in 1991 until 1992...
(Jordan Smith
Jordan Smith (actor)
Jordan Patrick Smith is a Scottish-born Australian actor best known for playing Andrew Robinson in the Australian soap opera Neighbours.-Personal life:...
), Natasha Williams
Natasha Williams (Neighbours)
Natasha Williams is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Valentina Novakovic. The role of Natasha is Novakovic's first acting job and she relocated from Sydney to Melbourne for filming...
(Valentina Novakovic) starts dating Kyle. The following month, she decides to dump him, but to her surprise, Kyle gets there first. TV Soap explained Natasha grows bored of Kyle's company, but Kyle also becomes bored with his younger girlfriend and he "wastes no time severing their ties." Kyle's actions embarrass Natasha and he agrees to let her pretend that she dumped him. She then lies to Andrew that "she's kicked Kyle to the curb", instead of the other way around.
In January 2010, Kyle goes on a date with Kate Ramsay
Kate Ramsay
Kate Ramsay is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Ashleigh Brewer. She made her first on-screen appearance on 15 May 2009. She is the eldest sibling of Harry and Sophie Ramsay...
(Ashleigh Brewer
Ashleigh Brewer
Ashleigh Brewer is an Australian actress. She is best known for playing Kate Ramsay in the long-running Australian soap opera Neighbours.-Biography and personal life:...
). Kyle asks Kate whether she accepted his offer because she is trying to make Declan Napier
Declan Napier
Declan Napier is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Erin Mullally. The character first appeared on-screen on 25 July 2007. In January 2010 it was announced that original actor James Sorensen had quit the role of Declan and the decision to recast...
(James Sorensen
James Sorensen
James Sorensen is a professional model and actor. He is of Danish, British and Portuguese descent. He has a twin sister and a brother who is 6 years younger.-Biography:...
) jealous, but Kate denies it and tells Kyle she wants to get to know him better. Declan is not happy and when he sees Kate and Kyle together and he sabotages the date. In May 2011, Milligan revealed Kyle has always liked Kate because she is nice and is unlike the other girls he has dated in the past. Milligan said while Kyle like her, he would never push Kate into liking him. When Kyle sees Kate has been hurt by her ex-boyfriend, Mark Brennan
Mark Brennan (Neighbours)
Mark Brennan is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by model and television presenter Scott McGregor. He made his first on-screen appearance on 30 August 2010. McGregor initially had a four week guest contract with the show, but this was increased to six months...
(Scott McGregor
Scott McGregor (model)
Scott McGregor is an Australian model, television presenter and actor.-Career:Since 2005 he has worked as a model on the Nine Network program Temptation, as well as television presenting work for Foxtel...
), he feels protective towards her. Kyle worries about competing with Mark for Kate's affections, as he is not as intelligent and successful as him. Kyle also knows Kate is very smart, which further dents his confidence. When Mark learns Kyle is interested in Kate, he asks her out, but is later forced to postpone the date. Kyle decides to take advantage of the situation and invites Kate to spend the evening watching films with him. Kate accepts and enjoys the time she spends with Kyle. Mark later accuses Kate of trying to make him jealous and Kate decides to put him behind her, by agreeing to go on an official date with Kyle. When asked who he thought the right woman for Kyle is, Millligan said "That's a hard one. He and Kate would make a nice couple, but I think he needs someone who is going to challenge him."
When asked who she would like to see her character, Jade Mitchell
Jade Mitchell
Jade Mitchell is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Gemma Pranita. Pranita's casting was announced in September 2010 and it was revealed that Jade would be introduced as the younger sister of Sonya Mitchell...
, find love with, Gemma Pranita
Gemma Pranita
Gemma Pranita is a Thai-born Australian actress. Pranita was encouraged to join the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts by her drama teacher, and from 1999 to 2003, she competed at state level in the Shakespeare Globe Association's annual Shakespeare festival. Pranita formed a theatre...
suggested Kyle. Pranita thought Jade and Kyle's "contrasting personalities" would work together if they entered a relationship. She explained "I think the characters can learn a lot from each other. Jade is very worldly and smart and Kyle has a more simple and uncomplicated nature." Kyle and Jade share a house together and on the night of their housewarming party they kiss, which thrills Jade. However, Kyle still sees her as a friend. Kyle and Jade later have sex together and Kyle suggests they engage in a friends with benefits
Casual relationship
A casual relationship, colloquially known as a fling, is a physical and emotional relationship between two people who may have a sexual relationship or a near-sexual relationship without necessarily demanding or expecting the extra commitments of a more formal romantic relationship...
arrangement, to which Jade agrees. During a feature on soap couples that should be together, Inside Soap said Kyle should give up lusting after Kate and realise Jade is "The One." The magazine opined that while neither of them have had a relationship for more than twenty four hours, it does put them on an even playing field.
Wes Holland
When Kyle decides to hold a sale at the car yard to bring in extra revenue, it attracts the attention of Constable Wes Holland (Daniel Hamill). Wes demands money from Kyle in return for providing security for the event. Kyle is stunned and Milligan told Inside Soap that he does not know how to react. The actor explained "Holland makes it clear that if Kyle doesn't pay up, big trouble will come his way - and how do you respond to that?" Kyle is shaken up by the confrontation with Wes and he turns to Kate, who advises him to speak to Mark. Kyle is reluctant because of his history with the detective. However, when Kyle returns to the car yard to remove the sale signs, he gets another visit from Wes. The officer gets physical with Kyle and threatens to destroy his stock. Kyle then decides to go to Mark for help. Kyle explains the situation to Mark, but the story is not very believable. Milligan said "At first it isn't easy for them to work together because it's hard for Kyle to seek help off someone he's already had problems with, and he knows how Brennan feels about him - plus it's another cop, so he isn't convinced that Brennan will believe him." Mark is under the impression Wes is a trusted colleague, so he decides to get proof before he believes Kyle. Mark finds the evidence he needs and he and Kyle confront Wes. When asked if the situation would be a turning point for Kyle and Mark, Milligan said that it was. He added while they would not become best friends, they would not be enemies either.Temporary departure
On 9 August 2011, Milligan snapped his Achilles tendon while playing football and had to be written out of the show. The actor took a break from Neighbours for around five weeks and the writers were forced to rewrite scenes which feature his character. Bower said "We've rewritten some scenes which explain Kyle's absence, and as a former nurse, I'll be monitoring his rehabilitation." A few days later, it was announced Luke PeglerLuke Pegler
Luke Pegler is an Australian actor. He has starred in two WWE Films productions: The Condemned with Stone Cold Steve Austin, and See No Evil with Kane. Pegler joined the cast of Rescue: Special Ops in season 2 as Bingo. Pegler's character died when he got hit by a car...
had joined the cast to fill in for Milligan and take over a planned storyline for Kyle. Pegler plays Dane Canning, Kyle's cousin. He arrives in Ramsay Street to take over Kyle's room at Number 26, while Kyle goes to care for his sick mother. On 13 September 2011, Channel 5 reported Milligan had returned to the set in time to film the final episodes of the 2011 season. Milligan was still using crutches and the Herald Sun
Herald Sun
The Herald Sun is a morning tabloid newspaper based in Melbourne, Australia. It is published by The Herald and Weekly Times, a subsidiary of News Limited, itself a subsidiary of News Corporation. It is available for purchase throughout Melbourne, Regional Victoria, Tasmania, the Australian Capital...
said his injury would be worked into his storylines. Of his return, Milligan said "After a month of virtually sitting on the couch, I'm rapt to be back at work. I just have to pace myself a bit."
Storylines
Shortly after moving to Erinsborough, Kyle becomes friends with school bullies, Justin Hunter and Shane Gregory. Kyle invites Zeke KinskiZeke Kinski
Ezekiel "Zeke" Kinski is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Matthew Werkmeister. He made his first on-screen appearance on 22 August 2005. Zeke is the son of Alex Kinski and the younger brother of Katya and Rachel...
(Matthew Werkmeister
Matthew Werkmeister
Matthew Werkmeister is an Australian stage and television actor. He is best known for his role as Zeke Kinski in the soap opera Neighbours which he joined in 2005...
) to join them when they decide to skip school one day. Principal Andrew Simpson (Peter Flanigan) bans pranks on muck-up day
Muck-up day
"Muck-up day" is the name given to an unofficial tradition within secondary schools where graduating final-year students are involved with pranks and other activities on their last official day of school. These pranks are known in the United States and some other countries as senior pranks...
, but the boys run through the school wearing balaclavas and spraying silly string, scaring several students. Andrew suspends them for a week. The students go on a rafting trip and Kyle fights with Declan Napier. Andrew suggests a raft race and Kyle joins Zeke, Justin, Bridget Parker
Bridget Parker
Bridget Louise "Didge" Parker is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Eloise Mignon. In 2007 the show was revamped to boost falling ratings in Australia. As part of this, the show's focus returned to family dynamics and the character of Bridget and her family...
(Eloise Mignon
Eloise Mignon
Eloise Mignon is an Australian actress born in Kuwait.-Career:Mignon was educated at Melbourne Girls College, Wesley College and St Michael's Grammar School her screen credits include a role in Legacy of the Silver Shadow and a main character Mara Lomax in children's sci-fi series Silversun. She...
) and Libby Kennedy
Libby Kennedy
Elizabeth Grace "Libby" Kennedy is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Kym Valentine. She made her first on-screen appearance on 3 October 1994 and departed in 2004, before returning on 12 November 2007. Libby is the only daughter of Karl and Susan Kennedy...
(Michala Banas
Michala Banas
Michala Elizabeth Laurinda Banas is a New Zealand television actress, and singer now living in Australia.-Career:Born in Wellington, New Zealand, she starred in her first commercial at only 18 months of age....
). Their raft capsizes, during a prank set up by Kyle and Justin. The two boys make it to the riverbank, but Zeke goes missing and Kyle is left traumatised by the accident. A few months later, Kyle agrees to pose as Zeke's radio personality, Lost Boy, in order to keep Sunny Lee
Sunny Lee
Sunny Lee is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Hany Lee. She made her first on-screen appearance on 8 April 2009. Sunny was created by executive producer Susan Bower in response to criticism that Neighbours was "too white"...
(Hany Lee
Hany Lee
Hany Lee Choi is a Korean Australian actress best known for playing the role of Sunny Lee on the Australian soap opera, Neighbours.-Early and personal life:...
) from discovering the truth. Kyle bullies Harry Ramsay
Harry Ramsay
Harry Ramsay is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Will Moore. The character first appeared on-screen on 18 May 2009...
(Will Moore) and later asks his sister, Kate, to the Debutant Ball. Kate turns him down and Kyle ends up going to the Ball with Donna Freedman
Donna Freedman
Donna Jane Brown is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Margot Robbie. She made her first on-screen appearance on 2 June 2008. Donna was initially a guest character, but Robbie was promoted to regular cast member shortly after she made her debut...
(Margot Robbie
Margot Robbie
Margot Robbie is an Australian actress. She is known for her role as Donna Freedman on the soap opera Neighbours, which earned her two Logie Award nominations. In 2011, Robbie began appearing as Laura Cameron in the ABC drama series Pan Am.-Early life:Robbie was born on 2 July 1990 and grew up on...
). When Libby suspects Kyle has not written his English essays himself, Sunny reveals Kyle is blackmailing her into writing them for him.
Kyle goes to Harold's Store and enquires about a job. He also asks Kate for a date and she agrees. The date ends when Declan starts a fight with Kyle. A few months later, Andrew Robinson convinces Rebecca Robinson (Jane Hall
Jane Hall (actress)
Jane Hall is an Australian actress and comedian.-Biography:Born in Melbourne, Hall grew up in the Dandenong Ranges....
) to give Kyle a job at Charlie's. Kyle briefly dates Natasha Williams and competes with Lucas Fitzgerald
Lucas Fitzgerald
Lucas Fitzgerald is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, portrayed by Scott Major. He made his first on-screen appearance on 22 July 2008. The role of Lucas is Major's second character on the show, he previously played Darren Stark in 1993. Lucas is the brother of Daniel...
(Scott Major
Scott Major
Scott Major is an Australian actor. Major's acting début was playing Murray on Home and Away in the 1990s. He joined the Neighbours cast for a brief period in 1993 as the original Darren Stark. and then was a part of the Heartbreak High cast as "Rivers" from 1994–1995...
) for the spare room at Kate's house. Kyle applies for a job with Lou Carpenter
Lou Carpenter
Louis "Lou" Carpenter is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Tom Oliver. He made his first on-screen appearance on 30 March 1988. Lou appeared for a brief time, before leaving and later returning in January 1992 as a regular cast member. He is the longest...
's (Tom Oliver
Tom Oliver
Tom Oliver is an English television, film and theatre actor best known today for playing the role of Lou Carpenter in the Australian soap opera Neighbours.-Career:...
) second hand car business and he is given a trial run. Kyle realises Lou does not trust him to close a sale and he quits. Lou apologies and Kyle asks for a pay rise and the chance to run the car yard on his own, which Lou agrees to. Kyle continues to have financial trouble, but he manages to get a job with Jade Mitchell. While running late to meet a client, Kyle accidentally moons some onlookers as he changes in his car. Mark Brennan charges him with indecent exposure and Kyle has to pay a fine, which leaves him without money for rent. Jade fires him, but Kate helps him out by employing him at Harold's Store for the day.
After Kyle fixes a chair, Lucas suggests he starts a handyman business and Kate helps him work out a budget. Kyle asks Kate on a date and she agrees. Kyle organises a sale at the car yard and it attracts the attention of Wes Holland, a corrupt police officer who threatens Kyle for money. Kyle turns to Mark for help and when Wes comes to collect his money, Mark arrests him. Kyle moves into Lyn Scully
Lyn Scully
Lynette "Lyn" Scully is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Janet Andrewartha. The character debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 21 October 1999, along with her family and remained a prominent feature within the show until late 2006...
's (Janet Andrewartha
Janet Andrewartha
Janet Andrewartha is an Australian actress. She is famous for playing on-going roles in two popular Australian soap operas: that of Reb Kean in Prisoner and Lyn Scully in Neighbours.-Biography:...
) spare room and later rents the house from her. He asks Kate out again, but she turns him down. Kyle asks Jade to move in with him and when they have trouble raising the rent, Mark also moves in. Kyle quits his job, after he loses a car selling competition with Lou. He decides to set up a handyman business and Lou invests in it. Kyle and Jade kiss at their house warming party, but Kyle tells Jade that it did not mean anything. Mark leaves and Kyle and Jade struggle to find a new housemate. Kyle asks his friend Honga to move in, but Jade objects and asks Michelle Tran (HaiHa Le) to move in instead.
Kyle and Jade soon get fed up of Michelle, but they realise they cannot kick out because she is dating Lucas. Jade and Kyle have sex and agree to be friends with benefits. Kyle and Jade's initial attempts to get Michelle to leave fail, but she eventually leaves when Rhys Lawson (Ben Barber
Ben Barber
Ben Barber is a Australian actor best known for playing Rhys Lawson in the Australian soap opera Neighbours.-Career:...
), posing as a property inspector, tells her she needs to pay for damages to the house. Michelle exposes Kyle and Jade's arrangement to Lucas and Sonya Mitchell
Sonya Mitchell
Sonya Mitchell is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Eve Morey. She made her first on-screen appearance on 14 August 2009. Sonya was initially a recurring character, but Morey was promoted to regular cast member in July 2010...
(Eve Morey
Eve Morey
Eve Morey is an Australian actress best known for playing Sonya Mitchell in the soap opera Neighbours.-Career:Morey majored in drama and media studies, while undertaking a Bachelor of Arts Degree at Deakin University...
). Kyle goes on a date with Danielle Paquette (Georgia Bolton) and invites Rhys to move in. Kyle learns a shopping complex is being built in Erinsborough and realising it could ruin his new business, he starts a petition and teams up with Paul Robinson
Paul Robinson (Neighbours)
Paul Stewart Robinson is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, a long-running serial drama about social life in the fictional Melbourne suburb of Erinsborough. He is played by Stefan Dennis. Paul debuted in the serial's first episode in 1985 and appeared on a...
(Stefan Dennis
Stefan Dennis
Stefan Dennis is an Australian actor, best known for playing the role of Paul Robinson in the soap opera, Neighbours, from its first episode in March 1985 to the present day...
) to stop the development. The company behind the development offer Kyle a large amount of money for his business, but he does not want to sell up. Kyle tells Jade he has feelings for her, but she rejects him. Kyle goes to Frankston to care for his sick mother and his cousin, Dane, comes to stay. Kyle returns a few weeks later with his leg in plaster. He learns Kate has quit teaching because she kissed Noah Parkin (Orpheus Pledger), a student. Kyle later finds a letter addressed to Kate from Noah, which reveals Mark has died.
Reception
Holy SoapHoly Soap
Holy Soap is a UK television and entertainment website founded in June 2009 by the British television company Channel 5. The website is the official UK home of the Australian soap operas Home and Away and Neighbours, which are broadcast on the channel...
said Kyle's most memorable moment is "When he thought he had killed Zeke in the raft race disaster." Jaci Stephen of the Daily Mail
Daily Mail
The Daily Mail is a British daily middle-market tabloid newspaper owned by the Daily Mail and General Trust. First published in 1896 by Lord Northcliffe, it is the United Kingdom's second biggest-selling daily newspaper after The Sun. Its sister paper The Mail on Sunday was launched in 1982...
branded the serial "The Kyle Show" after he became the centre of more storylines in 2011. What's on TV
What's On TV
What's on TV is a weekly television listings magazine published by IPC Media, a Time Warner subsidiary.-Overview:What's on TV is a weekly UK television magazine. It publishes features, TV listings, news and gossip from soap operas, as well as puzzles and competitions...
branded Kyle a "lovable troublemaker", while Channel 5 called him a "cheeky chappy." The Daily Record
Daily Record (Scotland)
The Daily Record is a Scottish tabloid newspaper based in Glasgow. It had been the best-selling daily paper in Scotland for many years with a paid circulation in August 2011 of 307,794 . It is now outsold by its arch-rival the Scottish Sun which in September 2010 had a circulation of 339,586 in...
called Kyle a "wannabe-Romeo" during his pursuit of Kate. They later said he is a "lovable idiot", which makes him irresistible to Jade. Sarah Ellis of Inside Soap wondered how long Kyle and Jade's friends with benefits deal would last until they saw what the rest of the world could. In October 2011, a writer for the Daily Record praised Kyle's promotion to regular cast member, saying "whoever decided to bring him in on a permanent basis deserves a big pat on the back." They added Kyle had been a breath of fresh air ever since he moved into Ramsay Street.
External links
- Character profile at the Official AU Neighbours website
- Character profile at the Official UK Neighbours website