Charlie Buckton
Charlie Buckton is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Esther Anderson. Anderson was added to the cast in a bid to add more "sex appeal" to the show. She said it was her dream job and relocated to Sydney immediately to accommodate filming. The character made her on-screen debut during the episode airing on 6 June 2008. Charlie was billed as having a "warm heart" and being "family oriented"; however, her actions are often misunderstood and her persona has been perceived as "brash". She is described as being "passionate about her work" and often neglects her daughter, Ruby's needs.
Charlie's first notable storyline was a lesbian relationship with Joey Collins. The storyline was implemented by producers to boost ratings and Anderson said it helped portray Charlie's vulnerable side. The storyline angered Christian and conservative oriented family groups. They complained that Home and Away had featured sexualised plotlines unsuitable for children. As a result, producers cut scenes to attune to viewers' wishes, which outraged the LGBT community. Charlie's sexuality was never named within the series, and is cited as contributing to a growing trend of 'unnamed bisexuality' for women characters who explore temporary same-sex romances in Australian drama. The storyline came to a natural end and Anderson and executive producer Cameron Welsh praised the plot because it portrayed a real-life situation and denounced the conservative views as outdated. Anderson stated that the storyline was a great one to portray in terms of acting.
Charlie's sexuality was sidelined and she began a relationship with Angelo Rosetta. Throughout their romance Charlie played out various family oriented plots and was described as having strong feelings for him. Their romance was portrayed to be wayward and unstable. In 2011, their relationship ended after producers felt there were no more storylines to give to the pair. Charlie later develops feelings for Darryl Braxton. Another notable storyline for Charlie saw her reveal that her supposed sister, Ruby, was in fact her daughter. Anderson said the filming process was challenging as they felt the need to get the story right. Viewers sympathised with Charlie and saw a "beautiful element" in the portrayal. The revelation ruined the on-screen relationship between Charlie and Ruby, and was never repaired.
Charlie has received critical analysis through her storylines and persona and opinion has been mixed. Ruth Deller of Lowculture said Charlie had endured "scandalous-headline-grabbing-faux-lesbianity", whilst Holy Soap stated that she has a "questionable taste in men." The Daily Star liked Charlie's image, which they branded "sexy", and the Daily Record praised her for the drama she creates. Anderson's portrayal of Charlie has seen her earn various award nominations, including the "Most Popular Personality on Australian Television" and "Most Popular Actress" Logie Awards. Charlie departed on 24 January 2012, following Anderson's decision to quit Home and Away. However, in November 2012, it was announced that Anderson had reprised her role and Charlie returned on 17 June 2013.
Casting
In May 2008, former model Anderson was recruited by Home and Away in a bid to add "sex appeal" to the show. Anderson was a long-time fan of Home and Away and she said she was "thrilled" when she won the role of Charlie after an audition. Four days after hearing that she had landed the part, Anderson had to move to Sydney from Melbourne for filming. Anderson has said that her job as a model should not reflect on her acting ability. She added "For me, modelling was just an avenue that got me into acting, I have always wanted to act". She also stated that the role is her dream job.Development
Characterisation
When Charlie first arrived in the Bay, Channel Seven described her as having a "bone to pick and the prowess to do it" in reference to her father, Ross' relationship with Morag Bellingham, which Charlie disapproved of because her mother had only recently died. They also described her as having a "warm heart" and being "family oriented". Charlie can be "misunderstood" at times, which makes her appear brash. On her character, Anderson said, "Charlie is strong-willed with lots of guts and she is never afraid to show who she is, which makes her genuine and likeable". Whilst interviewed by the Llanelli Star, Anderson described Charlie's responsibilities stating: "Charlie is very passionate about her work. She cares about Ruby more than life itself and is responsible for her, so these are priorities over a finding a man. I don't think it's a matter of need for her but she definitely would like someone to share her life with and that romantic element is a good balance in Charlie's somewhat serious life."Relationship with Roman Harris
Charlie's first relationship is with Roman Harris, which was confirmed by Coleby via an interview in TV Week. Roman initially rejects Charlie's advances; until she goes on a date with Angelo Rosetta. Coleby told TV Week that Charlie and Roman's first kiss is a "strange moment". The pair get off to a bad start because of a misunderstanding. Coleby said that Charlie is "feisty" and Roman finds that attractive. He added that Roman was not on the rebound after splitting up with Martha MacKenzie because Roman ended it. Coleby said that his daughter, Nicole Franklin creates problems with Charlie because Roman "has his hands full" with her. Charlie's has headstrong expectations of herself and also expects the same from those around her. This trait often causes problems for her romance with Roman.Roman soon tires of Charlie's outlook on life and decides to end their relationship. Coleby told TV Week that "whenever things go wrong in life, Charlie sees them as black and white, whereas Roman can see that there are two sides to a story." Coleby opined that Roman has "residual feelings" for Martha that he is not aware of.Natalie Franklin also makes Roman realise that Charlie is "kind of irritating". Natalie's actions make Roman realise that "they're just not suited to each other". However, Coleby said that he hoped there was a future for the characters, but felt it was better that they "move apart for a while".
After their break up Charlie gets drunk and goes into work as normal the next day. While on duty Annie Campbell becomes stuck down a storm drain. Charlie attempts to save her but a storm forces the water levels to rise. As Charlie is hungover, Anderson told Inside Soap that "Charlie's a bit dazed and confused when all this happens". However, she is a "professional and goes straight into work mode". When Charlie frees Annie, a wave of water floods the drain and Charlie is swept away. Roman then arrives on the scene and fights to save Charlie. Anderson explained that it is up to Roman to save Charlie's life and said "of all people it has to be the guy who's just broken her heart". Off-screen the scenes in the storm drain posed a series of logistical challenges for the production team. The series had a specially built set for the scenes and they placed jets under the water to create rough waves. Anderson said that she could swim and was not afraid to film in the water. The only problem was the temperature of the water. Anderson said "It was absolutely freezing. Filming was tough work, but I think the finished result is worth it."
Relationship with Joey Collins
In 2009, Home and Away producers introduced a storyline that saw Charlie begin a relationship with another woman. Producers hoped the plot would boost the shows ratings. Over five weeks, the storyline would see Charlie realise that her friendship with Joey Collins is beginning to develop into something else. As they fall for each other, Charlie and Joey share intimate kissing and dance scenes. Anderson explained that the producers came to her about the storyline and asked if she was okay with it, as it was to be emotional and it required commitment. Anderson told them that she was okay with it and she said she was pleased to be given the storyline as it showed more of Charlie's vulnerable side. This was Anderson's first big storyline in the show and she was required to work more hours. Anderson explained that she and Bell formed a trust early on, which helped them to portray the story in the right light. Anderson spoke with gay friends, so she could form an accurate portrayal of her character's feelings. The storyline "throws world upside down" and changes her whole identity; it surprises her.Upon the announcement of the storyline, church and conservative family groups attacked the plot. Pro-Family Perspectives director Angela Conway said "They continue to market to kids and they continue to develop quite sexualised plot lines". Two weeks after the storyline began airing, viewing figures for the show fell by over 100,000 and Channel Seven was inundated with complaints from parents asking for their children not to be exposed to same-sex relationships in a family show. Following pressure from the conservative groups, it was announced that Channel Seven had decided to censor a kissing scene between Charlie and Joey. Producers were to cut "intimate images" from a scene in which the characters share a passionate kiss.
Gay and lesbian groups staged protests against the show, despite an announcement from Channel Seven saying that the episode would be shown in its entirety. The broadcaster said the kiss would air as planned, but they had decided against showing a "more lusty follow up" scene. Seven's head of creative drama and development, Bevan Lee, said Home and Away bosses cut the "more lusty follow up because it fitted better with the storyline". Lee added that he was "saddened" that the storyline had been reduced to a "facile argument about six missing seconds of screen time and that the bulk of commentators, both conservative and liberal, are making pronouncements on story material they know nothing of". British broadcaster, Five, said that they would show the kiss during their airing of the episode. The channel said "Five, the UK broadcaster for Home and Away, will screen a lesbian kiss in a forthcoming episode. It forms part of a six-week-long story, about the attraction between two female characters, Joey and Charlie. There will be several episodes where the characters kiss". They added that the producers at Channel Seven "edit all episodes for artistic and editorial reasons only" and the storyline would remain uncompromised in its Australian airing.
A Channel Seven spokeswoman revealed that the network received fewer than 30 telephone calls nationally after screening the "lesbian kiss" episode of the show. The calls were evenly split between those supporting the broadcast of the kiss, and those raising concerns. The show's series producer Cameron Welsh and Anderson both spoke out in defence of the storyline. Welsh said, "The idea of this show has always been that we hold a mirror to society – and when society changes, we change with it. What's ahead in Home and Away is right not only for the series, but also for the times we are living in". Anderson said that she felt it was the right time to tell this story and added, "It's really important for us to reflect society, and this storyline is what is going on for many people in real life". She also said that she did not think the plot would be so shocking, but was glad the show was exploring a gay relationship.
The end of the storyline was criticised by gay advocates after Charlie was seen having sex with Hugo Austin and Joey left Summer Bay alone. Anderson also suggested that Hugo may have been enough to "sway" Charlie towards men. Some sceptics had suggested that Home and Away would not allow Charlie and Joey to remain in a same-sex relationship. Anderson later acknowledged she had feared that the story would see her typecast as "the lesbian cop." Anderson reflected on the storyline during an interview with The Daily Telegraph, saying "The Charlie/Joey storyline was the first time you got to see Charlie's vulnerable side. blew my mind – I wasn't expecting it at all. I think it was a fantastic storyline because for the first time I got to show the producers and audience what I could do."