List of Neighbours characters introduced in 2009
The following is a list of characters that first appeared in the Australian soap opera Neighbours in 2009, by order of first appearance. They were all introduced by the show's executive producer Susan Bower. The 25th season of Neighbours began airing on 19 January 2009. Robert Mammone began appearing as [|Phil Andrews] from early February and Donna Freedman's mother [|Cassandra Freedman] also arrived that month. Former AFL player Clint Bizzell began appearing as [|Adam Clarke] from March and Kaela Hilton joined as [|Melissa Evans]. Sunny Lee, played by Hany Lee, arrived in April and a new generation of the Ramsay family, Kate, Harry and Sophie Ramsay, were introduced in May. June saw the birth of India Napier, the child of the established Declan Napier and Bridget Parker. July saw the introductions of [|Amanda Fowler] and [|Josh Burns] played by comedian, Scott Brennan. [|Sonya Mitchell], Jumilla Chandra and [|James Linden] all arrived in August. Teenager, [|Robin Hester] began appearing from September as did fashion designer, Saffron Jankievicz. Mia Zannis arrived in November.
Phil Andrews
Phil Andrews, played by Robert Mammone, made his first appearance on 9 February 2009. The character and Mammone's casting details were announced in the 3–9 January 2009 issue of TV Week. Of the character, a writer stated "Phil's a mysterious middle-aged man who has kept largely to himself since a family tragedy."Phil finds Zeke Kinski after he is washed ashore following a rafting accident. Phil convinces Zeke that he is his father and Zeke, who is suffering from a Fugue state, believes him. While researching a story, Elle Robinson and Lucas Fitzgerald find a drawing of Zeke at an artist's stall. After talking to the artist and taking the drawing, Elle and Lucas go to the Andrews farm to wait for Phil. Phil denies knowing the boy in the drawing and he hastily leaves in his truck, leaving Elle and Lucas behind. Elle and Lucas decide to break into Phil's house and they discover a boy's bedroom and one of Zeke's T-shirts. Elle takes the T-shirt, but later decides to return it. When she returns to put it back, she is shocked to find the room has been emptied. Elle goes to Susan Kennedy, who contacts [|Sergeant Rick Lawson]. They go to a lock-up belonging to a friend of Phil's and he explains that Phil had lost his wife and son, Trent, in a car accident. When they eventually speak to Phil he insists he knows nothing about Zeke. Once they leave, Phil makes a call to his apparently dead son Trent, telling him to come home.
Zeke later finds some newspaper cuttings about the deaths of Phil's wife and son and becomes confused. Phil tells him that the newspaper had mixed him up with a friend of his that had died instead. Susan and Karl Kennedy go back to the lock-up and are stunned to find Zeke alive. Zeke insists that his name is Trent and that he was fine with Phil, the police are called and Phil is arrested. Zeke struggles with his return to Erinsborough and his friends take him to the lock-up, where he finally realises that Phil had lied to him. As he was about to leave, Phil walks in and apologises for what he had done to Zeke. Zeke is angry with him, but he then shook Phil's hand and thanks him for saving his life.
Cassandra Freedman
Cassandra Freedman, played by Tottie Goldsmith, is the mother of Donna, Tegan and Simon Freedman. She made her first on-screen appearance on 10 February 2009. Cassandra has been described as a troublesome Femme fatale, who is manipulative and selfish.Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke, played by Clint Bizzell, made his first screen appearance on 20 March 2009. Bizzell's casting was publicised on 23 March 2009, although he joined the serial in late 2008 to film his five-week guest role. Bizzell's character, Adam, is an AFL champion, who "initially appears to be a good bloke". However, when Adam befriends Ringo Brown, he quickly leads him astray.Adam plays for the Portside Falcons football club and he has become a notorious figure with the press. Adam befriends new player Ringo Brown and he starts manipulating him. During the team's presentation, Adam invites Ringo back to his house for a party. Adam tells Ringo that he cannot bring his friends and that he should ditch them. During a night out, Ringo is told that he will have to go through an initiation. At Adam's house, he is told to strip naked and wait in the bathroom. When he comes out and finds everyone in the early hours of the morning, Adam tells him that he had passed the test. Ringo realises that he is running late for school and Adam offers him a lift in his car, which he also lets Ringo drive. They are pulled over by the police, but the police officer recognises Adam and lets them go. Adam goes into Ringo's school and charms his teacher.
Ringo breaks the rookie sprint record at the club and Adam decides to hire a room at Lassiter's Hotel and throws a party. Declan Napier receives complaints about the noise from the room and he eventually throws Adam and everyone else out. Ringo stays to clean up, but Adam returns and encourages Ringo to leave with him. Adam encourages Ringo to quit school to concentrate on his football career. Adam suggests that they go and choose a car for Ringo and during the ride, Adam loses control of his car and crashes into an Easter display. Adam tells Ringo to take the blame for the accident and he does. The press get hold of the story and Adam assures Ringo that everything will be fine. Zeke Kinski overhears them and broadcasts the details on his radio show. Adam and Ringo's coach, Nathan Black reprimands Adam and sacks Ringo.
Melissa Evans
Melissa Evans, played by Kaela Hilton, made her first screen appearance on 2 April 2009. Melissa was introduced as the manager of the local radio station PirateNet.When Zeke Kinski returns to Erinsborough following the rafting accident, he finds a new interest when he starts listening to the radio station, PirateNet. After frequently requesting songs, Zeke ends up talking to Melissa about working at PirateNet. Melissa sends him the details of where to find the station and when Zeke turns up, Melissa gives him a lesson in running his own radio deck. He then begins his radio career as "Lost Boy". When Libby Kennedy becomes suspicious about where Zeke is going, she and Daniel Fitzgerald follow him to the radio station and sneak in. Melissa demands to know who they are and Zeke is forced to tell them about his secret identity. A few months later, Zeke is still working at the radio station with Melissa. When Karl Kennedy comes to see Zeke, Melissa recognises Karl from his medical advice column in the newspaper and suggests that he make for a good guest a slot on Zeke's show. Melissa is pleased with Karl's guest slot and following an appearance by Lily Allen, Melissa decides to offer Karl a permanent place. However, Melissa is forced to sack Karl after he plays one of his own songs. Melissa then asks Sunny Lee to come on board as Zeke's new broadcasting partner, "Found Girl".
Following Zeke's arrest, Melissa informs him that the chief sponsor of PirateNet is not impressed by the publicity surrounding Zeke and that she is going to have to suspend him from the station. Kate Ramsay and Susan Kennedy suggest that Zeke tell his side of the story to the newspaper, but the publicity makes things worse for the station and Melissa sacks him. When Zeke goes to talk to her, he discovers that the owners of the station's property have decided to sell up. Zeke manages to convince Paul Robinson to buy the station and PirateNet becomes a commercial station much to Melissa's displeasure.
Sunny Lee
Sunny Lee, played by Hany Lee, 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". Lee came to the attention of Neighbours producers after she entered a competition run by Dolly Magazine to win a three-month contract with the show. Sunny is an exchange student from South Korea who is taken in by Karl and Susan Kennedy.Kate Ramsay
Kate Ramsay, played by Ashleigh Brewer, made her first on-screen appearance on 15 May 2009. She is the eldest sibling of Harry and Sophie Ramsay. In February 2009, it was announced that Neighbours producers were introducing a new generation of the Ramsay family to the show. Brisbane actress Ashleigh Brewer successfully auditioned for the role of Kate. Kate is strong and always feels like she should put other people's needs before her own. Network Ten say that Kate is "a natural leader", commenting that her siblings rely on her to keep the family together.Harry Ramsay
Harry Ramsay, played by Will Moore, made his first on-screen appearance on 18 May 2009. Speaking of his character being part of the Ramsay family, Moore said "At first I thought "Oh my God, am I supposed to do something special?" Everyone said "Your character's Harry Ramsay? Like Ramsay Street?" So I have those connections, but I got used to playing it after a while. It's pretty cool to be playing a part that has so much history and it's cool that we're related to so many of the original characters – Anne Robinson and Max Ramsay had an affair and had our mum." Harry has been described as a loner, an outcast and unlucky in love.Sophie Ramsay
Sophie Ramsay, played by Kaiya Jones, made her first on-screen appearance on 18 May 2009. Sophie is the youngest of the Ramsay siblings. Former The Saddle Club actress, Kaiya Jones was cast as Sophie completing the new Ramsay family unit. Jones began filming her scenes with Neighbours in February 2009.India Napier
India Napier, played by Alia and Gabriella De Vercelli, is the only daughter of Declan Napier and Bridget Parker. She was born on-screen on 23 June 2009.In 2008, it was announced that a 17-year-old Bridget Parker was to fall pregnant by her boyfriend Declan Napier. As the storyline progressed, Bridget was seen considering abortion or adoption, before ultimately deciding to have the child with Declan's support. This caused controversy among conservative family groups and critics in Australia who accused Neighbours of using their characters to normalise teenage pregnancy. The storyline continued despite the controversy it caused.
Alia and Gabriella De Vercelli were cast as India when they were four months old. Their mother, Vanessa De Vercelli, described the girls' working relationship with James Sorensen as "beautiful". She added that Sorensen had been there right from the start and he was like a "real nervous dad". In January 2010, it was announced that Sorensen was to leave Neighbours and the role of Declan was given to Erin Mullally. De Vercelli said that the transition had been "quite well" and that the girls have taken to Mullally. In October 2010, it was announced that the character was to leave Neighbours along with her on-screen father and grandmother after Mullally and Jane Hall quit the show. She departed on 15 March 2011.
Bridget falls pregnant shortly after losing her virginity to Declan. She considers having an abortion after Declan runs away. However, the couple reunite and face the challenge of raising a child together. They marry two weeks before the birth and decide to attend a music festival to celebrate their last weeks of freedom. While Declan is away, Bridget goes into labour in a tent with a St John's Ambulance nurse to help. Declan arrives back just in time to see the birth of a daughter. The baby has breathing difficulties and she has to be air lifted to the hospital where she was later declared fit and well. Bridget and the baby come home the following week. When Declan and Bridget are putting their daughter to sleep, Bridget tells her about her dreams of becoming a doctor and travelling to various countries to help people. Bridget mentions India and she and Declan decide to name their baby, India. Declan and Bridget choose Donna and Ringo Brown to be godparents. On a car trip to Oakey to introduce India to the Parker relatives, the car comes off the road when Steve Parker swerves to avoid a horse. Bridget and India are found together and taken to the hospital. Bridget later dies from her injuries, leaving India without a mother. Declan rejects his daughter, as she looks too much like Bridget. Steve and Miranda decide to take India with them to Oakey, but Declan decides to keep her and raise her by himself.
On the day of India's first birthday, she chokes on a marshmallow and is rushed to the hospital. Declan is upset and worried about his daughter, but she is given the all clear. Paul Robinson pays for a private pediatrician to check her over and Rebecca tells Declan that Paul saved India's life. Callum Jones invites India on his school radio show and interviews her with Declan present. She cries on cue to one of the questions, which makes Declan and Callum laugh. India gets to meet her uncle Oliver and cousin Chloe when they come to get Declan, India and Rebecca. The family all leave for Portugal.
Upon India's introduction, the Daily Record called her "a screamer" and said "If her lungs are anything to go by, she's set for a great future as an opera singer." The paper said Bridget and Declan are left at their wits' end and cannot work out what is wrong with their daughter. They added "What can be wrong with her? Nothing much, apart from a reluctance to ever take a nap. Clearly she's learning early that Erinsborough is a bizarre place to live - and is keen to check it out early."