Chelsea Murphy
Chelsea Murphy is a fictional character from the Australian television soap opera Neighbours, played by Viva Bianca. She made her first appearance during the episode broadcast on 18 January 2024. Chelsea is introduced as the sister of Cara Varga-Murphy. Chelsea is characterised as an entrepreneur and businesswoman. Bianca described her as "a really effective manipulator" and who has ulterior motives behind her actions. Chelsea is portrayed as scheming against other characters in the show throughout her duration. She arrives in Erinsborough with the intention of romantically pursuing Paul Robinson.
Chelsea seduces Paul and installs herself as manager of Lassiters Hotel, taking advantage of Paul's grief over the death of his son. As her storyline progressed, Bianca believed that Chelsea had genuine feelings for Paul. Writers developed a feud with Krista Sinclair. This escalates when Chelsea locks her in a sauna room causing the death of Krista's unborn baby. Chelsea attempts to hide her involvement but leaves Erinsborough when her secrets are exposed. Chelsea departed during the episode broadcast on 8 May 2024 and returned on 19 December 2024, in scenes revealing she is pregnant. Chelsea then plots to win back Paul after a DNA test reveals he is the father of her baby Thomas Murphy. A paternity sage then evolves after the man whom Chelsea cheated on Paul with, Jeffrey Swan, reveals he altered the DNA results and that he is Thomas' father. Chelsea continues to keep Paul close to Thomas, but leaves Erinsborough again when the truth comes out. She departed again during the episode broadcast on 10 June 2025.
Television critics have assessed that Chelsea is "evil", "scheming", "dastardly" and a "devious character". Despite her short tenure, Chelsea's characterisation made her a "divisive character" with viewers generating many differing reactions. This resulted in her becoming a "love-to-hate" figure within the series.
Development
Introduction
Bianca's casting in an unnamed guest role was announced via a press release issued by Amazon MGM Studios in the United States. The character was announced in advance spoilers and it was revealed she would be introduced as the sister of established character Cara Varga-Murphy who gives her "an unexpected visit". The show officially announced the casting and character details on 14 January 2024. Chelsea is named after the Neighbours crew member Chelsea Chua. Bianca revealed that the part of Chelsea is an extended guest role. In a backstage video, she stated "Chelsea sticks around for a while and has quite a bit of business to tend to, and is determined to do so." Bianca described Chelsea as "a really effective manipulator" and has ulterior motives behind her actions. Bianca added that Chelsea has "always got something else kind of ticking." One of Chelsea's introductory stories involve her romantic pursuit of businessman Paul Robinson. Bianca described Chelsea as "a woman who has a serious agenda and very, very ambitious hopes for her life and sees them through Paul." Dennis added that "it's very blatant that Chelsea is seen as a gold-digger" during her introduction scenes. Bianca revealed that Chelsea would create "major trouble for other people but then in turn herself and she then needs to cover her tracks. And we see lies upon lies and she's burying herself in a hole. And in doing so she becomes quite vulnerable I think and it all becomes very messy for Chelsea."Susannah Alexander from Digital Spy reported that Chelsea claims to be in Erinsborough to retail her new perfume in Melbourne. She also detailed Chelsea's secret interest in Paul, which is revealed in her introductory scenes. Writers portrayed Cara as delighted to have Chelsea around, but Cara's wife Remi Varga-Murphy is annoyed by Chelsea's presence but Cara is defensive over her behaviour. Remi becomes concerned that Chelsea offers relationship advice to her teenage son, JJ Varga-Murphy, after he shows interest in the older Sadie Rodwell. Chelsea also befriends Cara and Remi's new friends David Tanaka and Aaron Brennan.
Relationships and scheming
Digital Spy's Daniel Kilkelly revealed Chelsea would begin scheming to get closer to Paul. She becomes annoyed when Paul is distracted by his ex-wife, Terese Willis. Chelsea decides to give herself a make-over inspired by Terese's style to gain Paul's attention. Her plan begins to work as Paul takes notice of her. Bianca enjoyed working on the storyline with Dennis because she had watched the character's stories when she was young. She added "now I'm on set, going head to head with Paul Robinson and working with Stefan almost every day." Advance episode spoilers revealed that Chelsea would continue to be central the show's dramas. This included taking advantage of a grieving Paul after the death of his son David, installing herself as the manager of Lassiters Hotel and feuding with Krista Sinclair.Writers developed the rivalry between Chelsea and Paul's ex-wife, Terese, which ends in a confrontation. Chelsea takes revenge by sabotaging a memorial plaque dedicated to Terese's dead son, Josh Willis. Chelsea conceals the plaque in rubbish and ensures it is disposed of. Bianca told a TV Week reporter that Chelsea is "triggered" by Paul and Terese's bond. Chelsea realises that Paul and Terese's common experience of losing a child threatens her schemes. Bianca explained that Chelsea is "worried" that she will lose Paul to Terese. She also views Terese as "a successful older woman who has built a robust business for herself – exactly what Chelsea aspires to." Bianca added that Chelsea wants the "financial security" Paul offers, but Chelsea is "falling for Paul" and wants a "genuine and romantic" future with him. She concluded that the confrontation with Terese is a "sucker punch" for Chelsea to overcome. Dennis revealed that "there is this genuine affection underneath" and questioned whether the feelings were "strong enough to create longevity." Elmaloglou and Dennis told a Virgin Radio UK interviewer of their shock at how quickly the show's producer Jason Herbison developed two separate "love triangle" stories which merge into one complicated love entanglement. One features Terese, her husband Toadie Rebecchi and his ex-wife Melanie Pearson and the other features Terese, Paul and Chelsea. Elmaloglou told the radio host that "Paul's got Chelsea and yeah, I think you know, we all love a bit of drama, and we expect it when we work on a show like Neighbours." When Toadie betrays Terese by having sex with Melanie, Paul sees this as an opportunity to grow closer to Terese. Dennis told Ellis that Paul's relationship with Chelsea is "the only problem" stopping him from pursuing Terese. He is doing a "juggling act" trying to figure out how to be with both Chelsea and Terese. Elmaloglou added that Terese initially lets Paul spend time with Chelsea instead of being overly reliant on him.
Writers continued displaying Chelsea's scheming when she concocts a plan to become pregnant with Paul's child. Chelsea decides to enact her plan after realising that Paul values family in his will. She faces difficulties in her attempts to become pregnant after Paul dismisses the seriousness of their relationship. Dennis commented that if Chelsea did become pregnant, then Paul "would be really happy." Chelsea becomes enraged when Paul's sister, Lucy Robinson chooses Krista to present an important business meeting. A Neighbours publicist revealed that "Chelsea sees red" and wants to take over the presentation. They added that Chelsea "goes to great lengths to make that happen." Chelsea also continues to manage Lassiters, and repeatedly tries to undermine her rival, Krista. A TV Week reporter revealed that Chelsea's jealousy over Paul heaping praise on Krista leads her to make a drastic move, which leaves both Krista and her unborn baby in danger. Chelsea locks Krista in a sauna so she can take her place in a work presentation, leading Krista to collapse and lose her unborn baby.
Writers explored Chelsea and Krista's rivalry over the following episodes. Bianca told Sarah Ellis from Inside Soap that "Chelsea feels threatened by Krista's power." Chelsea envisions herself and Paul as a "power couple" and wants to "shine at Lassiters" to achieve her this. Bianca noted that "Krista already possesses what Chelsea so desperately wants" and she is "envious" of her. She defended her character's behaviour, noting "Chelsea is riddled with guilt" about Krista's miscarriage and it was unintentional that the situation becomes so "awry". Chelsea is also "terrified" about her actions being exposed, likening Chelsea's predicament to a "domino game she's lost total control of." Bianca assessed that it showcased how "extreme" Chelsea is but ultimately she really needs her relationship with Paul to work or "she will land back on her ass". A co-dependent dynamic was written for the characters, as they become reliant on each other to hide their secrets. Bianca described that "they become strangely co-dependent" and "they hold the key to one another's Achilles heel." Chelsea later takes advantage of Krista's grief and tempts Krista into taking drugs. Inside Soap's Ellis reported that Krista would be unaware that Chelsea purposely caused her drugs relapse. Bianca worried that her character's schemes were out of control in this plot and hoped for a redemption story arc. She hoped that Chelsea would achieve her goals of snaring Paul's livelihood and become the "power couple".
Additional spoilers revealed Chelsea's ruthlessness to keep her secrets from being revealed to Paul. The arrival of IT technician Jeffrey Swan panics Chelsea, as he has a report on the events leading to Krista's collapse. Jeffrey's report directly implicates Chelsea in the incident. Chelsea becomes determined to convince Jeffrey to doctor his report and makes him an "indecent proposal" in exchange. Jeffrey then pursues a romance with Chelsea, behind Paul's back. Michael Adams from Metro reported that Chelsea is "left embarrassed" because it is "evident" that Jeffrey has "fallen for her".