Melanie Pearson
Encyclopedia
Melanie Pearson is a fictional character
from the Network Ten
soap opera Neighbours
played by Lucinda Cowden
. She made her first appearance on 30 July 1987, and appeared initially from 1987 to 1991 when the character left the soap. In 2005, Cowden reprised her role for Neighbours' 20th anniversary celebrations.
. The Power, The Passion was axed and Cowden decided to call the Neighbours producer. She called on the same day Annie Jones
(Jane Harris) had decided not to renew her contract and she re-joined the cast.
In 2005, it was announced that Cowden would be reprising her role of Melanie to join the many ex-cast members returning for the show's 20th anniversary episode.
) when he brings her home to his meet Madge
(Anne Charleston
), his sister Charlene
(Kylie Minogue
) and her husband Scott
(Jason Donovan
). Melanie's hiccuping animalistic laugh makes Henry's family feel uneasy and Madge and Charlene conspire to set her up with Mike Young
(Guy Pearce
) and Gino Rossinni (Joey Perrone). Henry sees Gino handing Melanie his number and the relationship fizzles out but Melanie and Henry remain friends. Melanie is next seen working as a temporary secretary at The Daniels Corporation for Paul Robinson
(Stefan Dennis
).
When Henry has relationship difficulties with Bronwyn Davies
(Rachel Friend
), Melanie is on hand to lend a sympathetic ear during a party. Bronwyn mistakes this for something more and is annoyed. Henry tries to resume dating Melanie after seeing that he is getting nowhere with Bronwyn but Melanie turns him down.
The following year Melanie reappears and moves in with Mike, Des Clarke
(Paul Keane) and his son Jamie at Number 28. Melanie's chirpy nature immediately wins Des over but when she interferes in his relationship with Jane Harris (Annie Jones
) by taking a call and blasting Jane for her decision to end things with Des. Des is angered but comes to realize a long-distance relationship with Jane would not feasible and forgives Melanie.
After a one-night stand with Paul, who rejects and hurts her, Melanie finds happiness with nerdy waiter Kelvin Stubbs. When Kelvin makes a pass at Melanie's friend Christina Alessi
(Gayle Blakeney), Melanie refuses to believe her until she uncovers evidence of Kelvin being a love cheat and promptly dumps him. Melanie later is involved with much older businessman, Roger Walsh but his daughter Tania opposes the relationship.
When her friend Kerry Bishop
(Linda Hartley
) is killed during a protest against duck hunting, Melanie moves in with Kerry's widower Joe Mangel
(Mark Little
) and helps with the children Toby
(Ben Guerens
and Sky
(Miranda Fryer
). When Sky's biological father Eric Jensen (John Ley) comes to claim custody, Melanie offers to marry Joe to help him secure custody of Sky but he politely declines.
Melanie later begins dating Simon Hunter (Fred Whitlock) and later becomes engaged to him. Joe is devastated as he has developed feelings and is now in love with Melanie. When Melanie fills in for a contestant on a dating show, she is shocked to find Joe is her "dream date" and the pair win a romantic weekend together. Joe confesses his feelings, as does Melanie. When they return Melanie ends her engagement with Simon.
Joe and Melanie later marry with all their friends, family and Neighbours present. Within weeks of their wedding, Joe receives a call from England that his mother Nell
(Vivean Gray
) has suffered a heart attack and to fund the medical expenses they will need to sell Number 32. Melanie and Joe decide to leave, taking Sky with them and leaving Toby in the care of school principal Dorothy Burke
(Maggie Dence
), in order for him to continue his schooling. After several months touring Europe, they return and set up home in the country. Toby later visits them at Christmas. The following year the family is reunited when Toby rejoins them after a new school is opened in the district.
When Sky returns to Erinsborough in 2003, she reveals to her grandfather Harold Bishop
(Ian Smith) that Joe and Melanie had divorced a decade earlier. In 2005 Melanie appears in Annalise Hartman
's (Kimberly Davies) documentary about Ramsay, where she is seen living in London and talking about past mistakes including working for Paul and marrying Joe.
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 Network Ten
Network Ten
Network Ten , is one of Australia's three major commercial television networks. Owned-and-operated stations can be found in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, while affiliates extend the network to cover most of the country...
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 Lucinda Cowden
Lucinda Cowden
Lucinda Cowden is an Australian actress who played Melanie Pearson in Neighbours from 1987 until 1991, with a cameo appearance in the twentieth anniversary documentary in 2005....
. She made her first appearance on 30 July 1987, and appeared initially from 1987 to 1991 when the character left the soap. In 2005, Cowden reprised her role for Neighbours
Casting
Cowden joined the cast of Neighbours as Melanie on a recurring basis for a few weeks, before she left to star in The Power, The PassionThe Power, The Passion
The Power, The Passion is an Australian television daytime soap opera produced by the Seven Network in 1989.The series was devised to lure audiences away from American imports such as The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless but failed to make an impact and was cancelled due to low...
. The Power, The Passion was axed and Cowden decided to call the Neighbours producer. She called on the same day Annie Jones
Annie Jones (actress)
Annie Jones is an Australian actress who is best known for her role as Jane Harris in the soap opera Neighbours. She has won 2 Logie Awards.-Biography:...
(Jane Harris) had decided not to renew her contract and she re-joined the cast.
In 2005, it was announced that Cowden would be reprising her role of Melanie to join the many ex-cast members returning for the show's 20th anniversary episode.
Storylines
Melanie is first seen on the arm of Henry Ramsay (Craig McLachlanCraig 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:...
) when he brings her home to his meet Madge
Madge Bishop
Margaret Mary "Madge" Bishop is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Anne Charleston. She made her first on-screen appearance on 20 January 1986. Madge was one of the matriarchs of the Ramsay family. She departed in 1992, before making a return in 1996...
(Anne Charleston
Anne Charleston
Anne Charleston is an Australian actress currently based in Galway, Ireland and the UK. She is known for her roles as Madge Bishop in the Australian soap opera Neighbours and Lily Butterfield in Emmerdale.-Early career:...
), his sister Charlene
Charlene Robinson
Charlene Edna Robinson is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours played by Kylie Minogue. She made her first on-screen appearance on 17 April 1986 when she came to join her mother Madge in Ramsay Street. Charlene was a tomboy and later worked as a Mechanic...
(Kylie Minogue
Kylie Minogue
Kylie Ann Minogue, OBE - often known simply as Kylie - is an Australian singer, recording artist, songwriter, and actress. After beginning her career as a child actress on Australian television, she achieved recognition through her role in the television soap opera Neighbours, before commencing...
) and her husband Scott
Scott Robinson (Neighbours)
Scott James Robinson is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Jason Donovan. He made his first on-screen appearance on 18 March 1985, in the show's first episode. Scott was originally played by Darius Perkins until he was recast.-Casting:Darius...
(Jason Donovan
Jason Donovan
Jason Donovan is an Australian actor and singer. He initially achieved fame in the Australian soap opera Neighbours, before beginning a career in music in 1988. In the UK he has sold over 3 million records, and his début album Ten Good Reasons was one of the highest-selling albums of 1989...
). Melanie's hiccuping animalistic laugh makes Henry's family feel uneasy and Madge and Charlene conspire to set her up with Mike Young
Mike Young (Neighbours)
Michael James "Mike" Young is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Guy Pearce. He made his first on-screen appearance on 20 January 1986...
(Guy Pearce
Guy Pearce
Guy Edward Pearce is an English-born Australian actor and musician, known for his roles as Leonard Shelby in Christopher Nolan's Memento, Lieutenant Ed Exley in L.A...
) and Gino Rossinni (Joey Perrone). Henry sees Gino handing Melanie his number and the relationship fizzles out but Melanie and Henry remain friends. Melanie is next seen working as a temporary secretary at The Daniels Corporation for 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...
).
When Henry has relationship difficulties with Bronwyn Davies
Bronwyn Davies
Bronwyn Ramsay is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Rachel Friend. She made her first on-screen appearance on 7 July 1988. Bronwyn is the sister of Sharon Davies. Bronwyn fell in love with Henry Ramsay and when he left for New Zealand, she...
(Rachel Friend
Rachel Friend
-Career:Friend joined the cast of the soap opera Neighbours in 1988, when she was eighteen. Friend chose to postpone her university degree to join the show as Bronwyn Davies. Friend quit Neighbours in 1990. That same year saw her win the Logie Award for "Most Popular Actress".Other roles have...
), Melanie is on hand to lend a sympathetic ear during a party. Bronwyn mistakes this for something more and is annoyed. Henry tries to resume dating Melanie after seeing that he is getting nowhere with Bronwyn but Melanie turns him down.
The following year Melanie reappears and moves in with Mike, Des Clarke
Des Clarke (Neighbours)
Desmond Kingsley "Des" Clarke is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Paul Keane. He made his first on screen appearance on 18 March 1985, the show's first episode.-Stroylines:...
(Paul Keane) and his son Jamie at Number 28. Melanie's chirpy nature immediately wins Des over but when she interferes in his relationship with Jane Harris (Annie Jones
Annie Jones (actress)
Annie Jones is an Australian actress who is best known for her role as Jane Harris in the soap opera Neighbours. She has won 2 Logie Awards.-Biography:...
) by taking a call and blasting Jane for her decision to end things with Des. Des is angered but comes to realize a long-distance relationship with Jane would not feasible and forgives Melanie.
After a one-night stand with Paul, who rejects and hurts her, Melanie finds happiness with nerdy waiter Kelvin Stubbs. When Kelvin makes a pass at Melanie's friend Christina Alessi
Christina Alessi
Christina Alessi is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Gayle Blakeney. She made her first on-screen appearance on 18 January 1990, when she moved into Ramsay Street with her twin sister, Caroline. Christina marries Paul Robinson and gives birth to their son,...
(Gayle Blakeney), Melanie refuses to believe her until she uncovers evidence of Kelvin being a love cheat and promptly dumps him. Melanie later is involved with much older businessman, Roger Walsh but his daughter Tania opposes the relationship.
When her friend Kerry Bishop
Kerry Bishop
Kerry Bishop is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Linda Hartley-Clark. She made her first on-screen appearance on 1 February 1989. Kerry is the only daughter of Mavis and Harold Bishop and sister to David Bishop. She gave birth to a daughter, Sky, and...
(Linda Hartley
Linda Hartley
Linda Hartley-Clark is an Australian actress who played Kerry Bishop on the Australian soap opera Neighbours from 1989 to 1990. She also did a guest stint in 2005 playing Gabrielle Walker, who in the storyline was recognised by Harold Bishop as Kerry's lookalike...
) is killed during a protest against duck hunting, Melanie moves in with Kerry's widower Joe Mangel
Joe Mangel
Walter Joseph "Joe" Mangel is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Mark Little. He debuted on-screen in the episode airing on 8 August 1988. Little later departed the serial and Joe left in 1991. In 2005 Little agreed to reprise the role as part...
(Mark Little
Mark Little (Australian actor)
Mark Little , is an Australian actor, television presenter and comedian, born in Brisbane, Queensland.-Career:Little appeared in a string of Australian films and TV series during the 1980s. He also performed his own comedy/performance in Melbourne's burgeoning comedy clubs throughout the eighties...
) and helps with the children Toby
Toby Mangel
Toby Mangel is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Ben Geurens. He made his first on-screen appearance on 10 November 1988. Toby was originally played by Finn Greentree-Keane from 1988 until 1990...
(Ben Guerens
Ben Guerens
Ben Geurens is an actor.-Biography:Geurens graduated from NIDA in 2004. At drama school his credits include The Return, Romeo and Juliet, Much Ado About Nothing and Who's Afraid of the Working Class.-Roles:Geurens is best known for playing suburban rascal Toby Mangel on the soap opera Neighbours...
and Sky
Sky Mangel
Sky Mangel is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Stephanie McIntosh. She made her first on-screen appearance on 1 February 1989, played by Miranda Fryer. McIntosh took over the role on 13 August 2003 when the character returned to the show...
(Miranda Fryer
Miranda Fryer
Miranda Fryer is an Australian actress who played the part of Sky Bishop/Mangel in the Australian soap opera Neighbours from 1989 to 1991.-External links:...
). When Sky's biological father Eric Jensen (John Ley) comes to claim custody, Melanie offers to marry Joe to help him secure custody of Sky but he politely declines.
Melanie later begins dating Simon Hunter (Fred Whitlock) and later becomes engaged to him. Joe is devastated as he has developed feelings and is now in love with Melanie. When Melanie fills in for a contestant on a dating show, she is shocked to find Joe is her "dream date" and the pair win a romantic weekend together. Joe confesses his feelings, as does Melanie. When they return Melanie ends her engagement with Simon.
Joe and Melanie later marry with all their friends, family and Neighbours present. Within weeks of their wedding, Joe receives a call from England that his mother Nell
Nell Mangel
Eleanor "Nell" Worthington is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Vivean Gray. She made her first on-screen appearance on 29 April 1986. She was known almost exclusively to others as "Mrs Mangel". The character caused controversy among some of the...
(Vivean Gray
Vivean Gray
Vivean Gray is an English actress, who found her niche playing gossipy characters in Australian television series. In her early life, she lived in England but moved to Australia after she had trouble finding any acting opportunities...
) has suffered a heart attack and to fund the medical expenses they will need to sell Number 32. Melanie and Joe decide to leave, taking Sky with them and leaving Toby in the care of school principal Dorothy Burke
Dorothy Burke
Dorothy Miriam Burke is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Maggie Dence. She made her first on-screen appearance on 7 March 1990...
(Maggie Dence
Maggie Dence
Maggie Dence is an Australian actress who after high profile television comedy work became better known for several soap opera roles....
), in order for him to continue his schooling. After several months touring Europe, they return and set up home in the country. Toby later visits them at Christmas. The following year the family is reunited when Toby rejoins them after a new school is opened in the district.
When Sky returns to Erinsborough in 2003, she reveals to her grandfather Harold Bishop
Harold Bishop
Harold Bishop is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Ian Smith. He made his first on-screen appearance on 30 January 1987. Smith was offered a role by Neighbours creator and executive producer Reg Watson...
(Ian Smith) that Joe and Melanie had divorced a decade earlier. In 2005 Melanie appears in Annalise Hartman
Annalise Hartman
Annalise Kratz is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Kimberley Davies. She debuted on-screen in the episode airing on 15 January 1993 and departed in 1996, and a brief return in 2005. Annalise has often been portrayed as having a conniving persona...
's (Kimberly Davies) documentary about Ramsay, where she is seen living in London and talking about past mistakes including working for Paul and marrying Joe.