List of Neighbours characters introduced in 2002
The following is a list of characters that first appeared in the Australian soap opera Neighbours in 2002, by order of first appearance. They were all introduced by the show's executive producer Stanley Walsh. The 18th season of Neighbours began airing on 21 January 2002. David Karakai began appearing as Marc Lambert from February and his mother [|Chloe] Lambert arrived in April. The first member of the Hoyland family, [|Rosie], was introduced in March. Irish actor, Patrick Harvey began appearing as Connor O'Neil from April and Andrea McEwan joined the cast as Penny Watts in May. That same month also saw the introductions of Valda Sheergold and Rosie's granddaughter, Summer. Summer's brother, Boyd, arrived in June along with Nina Tucker, played by singer Delta Goodrem. July saw the introductions of Tahnee Coppin, Carmel Tyler and Penny's sister, Sindi. The fourth member of the Hoyland family, Max, made his debut in August. Maureen Edwards began portraying Ruby Dwyer from early November. Daniel Clohesy also began appearing from early November and his domestic abuse storyline formed part of a campaign by the BBC. Lori Lee and Tahnee's brother, Taj Coppin, arrived later that month.
Marc Lambert
Marcus "Marc" Lambert, played by David Karakai, made his first appearance on 20 February 2002. Marc and his wealthy family buy and run Lassiter's Hotel. Marc becomes engaged to Stephanie Scully, but he also falls for her sister, Felicity.Karakai told the BBC that he thinks his character is suited to both Stephanie and Felicity and that Marc wants both of them. However, he picked Felicity as the girl for Marc and said "Probably because he's immature, he just wants a younger girl." Karakai said that he is nothing like his character and that he would never do what Marc did to anybody. He added that he has not had any bad reactions from the public over his storyline. Of the moment when Steph realises that Marc is having an affair with her sister Felicity, The Age said the reveal "was effected by a single look between Marc, at the altar but unable to complete his vows, and Felicity, a bridesmaid. Steph knew the import of that glance in a second and with it, her heart, and viewers' hearts, shattered. It was Steph's wordless realisation, her moment of clarity, that made us weep." In May 2002, Karakai, Valance and Blair McDonough went to Sydney to film a number of scenes. Felicity runs away to the city and Marc and Stuart Parker follow her. Stuart tries to persuade them both to return home. Karakai and Valance filmed scenes together on a water taxi.
Marc was brought up within a wealthy family and he did not have to work hard for the things in his life. When the Lambert's purchase Lassiter's Hotel, Marc takes over the job of assistant manager and he spends his first days scouting the local businesses to see if they can work in a partnership together. Marc meets Stephanie Scully when she parks her motorbike in his space and he meets her again in The Coffee Shop when they both go to get a drink. They bump into each other again and Steph accuses Marc of following her, they get their phones mixed up and are forced to meet up and swap them back. Marc asks Steph to go for a drink, she turns him down, but she later notices him in the pub and goes over to talk to him. They agree to start afresh and they eventually go on a date together. Marc takes her away on a business trip to Hong Kong and they fall in love. Marc suddenly proposes and Steph accepts. Marc introduces her to his parents, [|John] and Chloe, and they immediately dislike Steph and vow to stop the engagement. Marc starts getting close to Steph's sister, Felicity, who works at Lassiter's. Marc knows who Felicity is, but she had not met Steph's new boyfriend. When she finally meets Marc, she is shocked as she had begun to develop feelings for him. Marc and Felicity end up kissing and Felicity tries to avoid Marc, so she does not ruin Steph's happiness.
Marc realises that his feelings for Felicity are stronger than his feelings for Steph. Weeks before the wedding, Felicity tells Marc that she is in love with him. Felicity decides to leave, but her mother, Lyn convinces her to stay for the wedding. Steph announces that she is pregnant and Marc decides that he has no choice but to stand by her. He rejects Felicity, but shortly before the ceremony, he and Steph learn that the pregnancy is a false alarm. Marc hesitates during the wedding and when he glances in Felicity's direction, Steph realises that he loves her sister. Marc then tells her that he cannot marry her. Felicity goes to Sydney and Marc and Stuart follow her. Marc finds her and tries to impress her with a holiday and car, but Felicity realises that they are part of the honeymoon and tells Marc to go away. Marc tries to speak to Steph, but she throws her ring at him and tells him that she never wants to see him again. Marc manages to convince Felicity that they can salvages their relationship, but she starts to back away. Marc tries to talk her into staying with him, but she ends things between them. Marc is not happy and he locks her in his car to try and talk her around. He realises that things are truly over and he leaves for London.
The BBC said Marc's most notable moment was "Calling off the wedding when he was supposed to say I do." In 2007, the Herald Sun placed Steph's discovery of Marc and Felicity's affair at number four on their list of Neighbours Top Ten moments. They said "Steph and Marc had a quick engagement, but in the meantime Marc fell in love with Flick. Flick tried but couldn't hide the fact that she also loved her sister's betrothed. Steph and Marc made it all the way to the altar, but after she said "I do", he replied: "I can't, I'm in love with your sister." Priceless".
Rosie Hoyland
Reverend Rosie Hoyland, played by Maggie Millar, made her first on-screen appearance on 13 March 2002. Rosie an Anglican Minister and the mother of Max and Izzy Hoyland. During an interview with George Negus, Millar revealed that she got the role of Rosie, "quite by accident" and that it regenerated her love of acting. Millar had called the show's casting director Jan Russ to see if a friend of hers could visit the set, and Russ revealed that there was a role coming up. Millar came out of retirement to play Rosie. In October 2002, it was announced that Millar's contract would not be renewed when it ran out in November of that year. Millar was upset by the news and fans began a campaign to keep her and Rosie in the show. More than 700 people wrote to Millar's website, backing the campaign. A BBC reporter said that fans wanted to keep the mix of young and old characters and that Rosie had been a popular character since she joined Neighbours.Rosie arrives in Erinsborough as the new reverend of St. Stephens Church. She immediately catches the eye of Lou Carpenter and Harold Bishop. It is revealed that Rosie sent her son, Max, to boarding school, while she went to find herself and become a minister. Max resented Rosie for leaving him, but forgave her when she supported him after his wife died. Rosie then became a mother figure to her grandchildren, Boyd and Summer, and took them in when Max starts working on oilrigs. Rosie soon becomes involved in committees and community events. She also becomes a regular visitor to the Coffee Shop and the pub, which are owned by Harold and Lou. Rosie conducts the christening of Ben Kirk. Lou sets about trying to win Rosie over and offers to help with the church fundraisers. Rosie is initially oblivious to Lou's interest in her and she builds up a strong friendship with Harold. Rosie eventually realises that both Lou and Harold like and she is put in an awkward position, when both men ask her out one evening. Rosie arranges to meet them both at the hospital and she suggests they help her out with her work, knowing they would agree. She later winds them up by having dinner with her brother, Colin, without telling them who he is.
Rosie supports Harold when he temporarily loses his sigh and keeps him company in the hospital. Rosie and Lou walk in on Harold confessing that he likes Rosie, and Rosie is put in an uncomfortable position. Rosie encourages Lou to move in with Harold, when he is discharged from the hospital. As a thank you to Rosie, Harold invites her for dinner. Rosie does not feel right about excluding Lou and invites him to join them for dessert. Rosie became more attracted to Lou and she tells him that she only sees Harold as a good friend. Harold is devastated when Rosie tells him the truth. Rosie and Lou are accidentally locked in the vestibule at the church one night and a fire breaks out. Felicity Scully sees the fire and saves them. Rosie immediately starts planning fundraisers to rebuild the church. Harold discovers that Rosie and Lou are in a relationship, and he is hurt that they did not tell him. Max returns from the oilrigs and decides to settle in Erinsborough, so he could raise his children. Rosie is sad that Boyd and Summer have to move out of her home, but Max tells her that she can visit them anytime she wants. Lou and Rosie's relationship becomes strained. Lou writes a letter to Rosie, but Harold accidentally drops it into some water. Rosie is confused when Lou gives her the cold shoulder. Harold eventually explains what had happened and Rosie and Lou agrees to give their relationship another go.
Rosie's conventional approach to community and church-related matters makes the Bishop uncomfortable and he eventually has Rosie transferred out of Erinsborough. Rosie is shocked when she is told that she will be moving to Byron Bay. Lou and Harold then fight for Rosie to stay. The Archbishop tells Rosie that he will look into the matter. Lou and Harold's friendship begins to suffer and Rosie puts her relationship with Lou on hold. Harold joins a dating agency and Rosie confesses to Lyn Scully that she has started to develop strong feelings for him. Harold meets Ruby Dwyer and Rosie becomes suspicious of her, but refuses to admit that she is jealous. She later breaks up with Lou. Money starts to go missing whenever Ruby is around and Rosie tries to tell Harold that she suspects Ruby is taking it. Ruby confesses to Rosie that she has a gambling addiction and she arranged to have Harold's house burgled. Rosie eventually tells Harold what Ruby had told her and Harold is furious that Rosie broke her vows to the church. Ruby reports her to the Bishop and some people stop coming to Rosie's services. Rosie announces that she is going to work in Papua New Guinea and she later settles in Fiji.
A BBC writer stated that Rosie's most notable moment was "Escaping from the burning church in episode 4000."