Kate Ramsay
Kate Ramsay is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Ashleigh Brewer. The actress successfully auditioned for the role and relocated to Melbourne for filming. She made her first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 15 May 2009. Kate was introduced along with her siblings Harry and Sophie as a new generation of the Ramsay family. Her storylines have included dealing with the death of her mother, becoming the legal guardian of her siblings, her relationships with Declan Napier and Mark Brennan and kissing a student. For her portrayal of Kate, Brewer earned a nomination for Most Popular New Female Talent at the 2010 Logie Awards. In November 2013, it was announced Brewer had quit Neighbours and Kate was killed off during the episode broadcast on 8 April 2014.
Creation and casting
In February 2009, a reporter for Channel 5 announced Neighbours were introducing a new generation of the Ramsay family to the show. The Ramsays had not appeared regularly in Neighbours since 2001. Executive producer Susan Bower said the introduction of the new Ramsay family members was based on the American drama series Party of Five. Bower explained "We have three orphans, basically. That, as you can imagine, has a tremendous amount of story material with it and they're fabulous! Wait until you see this cast. They just clicked". Bower introduced the new characters despite the show receiving criticism because they did not have a nuclear or "normal" family.Brisbane actress Ashleigh Brewer arrived in Melbourne the week after graduating from her school to scout around casting agents and look for acting work. While she was in the city, Brewer successfully auditioned for an ongoing role in Neighbours as Kate Ramsay, the eldest member of the new Ramsay family. Brewer told the official Neighbours website getting the part of Kate was "beyond any expectations" and a dream come true. The actress relocated to Melbourne for filming and she made her debut as Kate on 15 May 2009. Brewer's on screen siblings, Harry and Sophie followed shortly after. Of her character, Brewer said "I almost feel like viewers know Kate already because of the Ramsay history which makes playing her even more exciting." In December 2011, a reporter from the Herald Sun reported Brewer had signed a new contract to stay with Neighbours until March 2013. On 19 July 2013, Brewer celebrated filming 1000 episodes.
Development
Characterisation
Kate's early scenes saw her dealing with her mother, Jill's, death in a car accident. Brewer told Jason Herbison of Inside Soap that following Jill's death Kate was "extremely distressed, upset and confused", making it hard for her to care for her younger siblings. Kate was also faced with having people interfere with her life, which was difficult as she had trust issues. Brewer admitted the storyline was challenging due to the emotion required. Due to caring for her siblings, Kate develops a "maturity beyond her years" and she often put the needs of others before her own. The official Neighbours website describes Kate as "mature, independent and trustworthy", she is also a proud woman and very protective of her family. After moving into Ramsay Street, Kate began to bond with the other teenagers. Following the death of Bridget Parker, the bonds tightened between Kate, Declan Napier and Donna Freedman. Donna often turned to Kate for help with her fashion business.Channel 5's Holy Soap website said Kate has a natural talent for dancing. She gave up her hobby a couple of years before her mother died, but after encouragement from her brother, she began dancing again. Kate was later involved in a storyline, which saw her dance for Jason Coleman at his Ministry of Dance. She has also been tasked with organising the Deb Ball, which she decided to make environmentally friendly. This caused her to clash with Amanda Fowler, her enemy in and out of school. Kate has been called too serious by her younger sister and has been advised to "stop carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders" and have some fun with her life. When she was asked how Kate has changed as a character, Brewer told Channel 5 "She is still very responsible and I think she'll always be like that. She is definitely more confident and doesn't shy aware from standing up for herself to family members or her friends." Brewer opined Kate does have a sense of fun, despite going through so much in her life.
Relationship with Declan Napier
In late 2009, the character became the centre of disapproval from viewers, who felt fellow character Declan Napier was moving on too fast after his wife's death when he developed feelings for Kate. Sorensen then backed the storyline, insisting the storyline with Kate was a good thing, stating: "It's a difficult situation. Declan was truly in love with Bridget. He was one of the lucky ones to have found his soulmate early in life, but at the same time, he has to move on and live his life." further adding: "A lot of people do think it's too soon for another relationship. But I can assure you that it's done very tastefully." He then added an explanation for how Kate directly affected his character, adding: "He feels as though he's cheated on Bridget and that he hasn't mourned for long enough to be able to move on without showing proper respect to the love of his life. He's left confused and upset". As scenes from the storyline began to air Brewer defended her character and made comment on the storyline, reassuring viewers adding: "I think they'll be okay with it... I think they'll be accepting. It's done very tastefully and very slowly. The two characters don't rush anything".Kate was then portrayed as troubled after Declan felt he could not forget Bridget, putting their romance in jeopardy. Of this Sorensen praised his and Brewer's storyline, explaining "I'm glad that, some months down the track, all wasn't forgotten. It's such a sad situation. Declan really does like Kate and she feels the same way about him. But his heart won't let him move on". After the couple began dating it attracted a bigger mixed response from viewers, many felt it was still too soon after Bridget. Some viewers still refused to accept Kate's new romance, prompting Sorenson to defend Kate and Declan for a final time. The storyline then carried on progressing and viewers saw the two characters grow closer until they started a relationship, despite the mixed response received from fans of Declan and Bridget.
In August 2010, Declan and Kate's relationship ended when Kate chose to break up with him after he began pushing her away. Declan starts a new job and he later lies to his family in front of her. Erin Mullally said "Declan's been pushing Kate away, he has so much going on in his life. He's holding on to these massive pieces of information that he feels he can't share with anyone – not even Kate." When Kate sees Declan lying to his mother, she believes that he is not the boy she fell for and does not know if she can trust him. Mullally said that Declan is not prepared for the moment Kate breaks up with him and he is confused. Declan goes to Ringo Brown's bucks night where he meets Kate's rival, Candace, who makes it clear that she is attracted to him. Declan and Candace later share a kiss, which Kate sees. Mullally said "Candace gets talking to Declan and is there for him, he wants comfort and makes that split-second decision to kiss her. He doesn't think about the consequences". Declan does not know Kate saw them together and Mullally added that he hoped they could move on as they "really do work as a couple".
Relationship with Mark Brennan
In November 2010, Brewer revealed that Kate was to find a new romance with an existing character. Brewer said "Declan and Kate are pretty much dead and gone. There's a new relationship in the works that you're about to see, which is really fun and exciting". She also branded the new relationship a "refreshing change for Kate", stating that she is usually the person doing the looking after and she needs to be with someone who can look after her. Jackie Brygel from TV Week revealed that Kate's new love interest would be Mark Brennan. When he asks Kate out, she initially turns him down. However, when he rescues her from lawyers Toadfish Rebecchi and Samantha Fitzgerald, she changes her mind. Brewer thought that Kate was ready to move on from Declan, even though Kate herself does not want to. Brewer quipped that it was about time Kate had a new man. During the date with Mark, Declan appears and Kate is furious to think he still has a hold on her life. Kate's new romance enabled her to let go of her responsibilities a little and Brewer was happy with the development, saying "She's really happy in this new relationship and the audience is going to see a new side to Kate. She lets go a bit and starts acting a bit younger, which I was really hoping for!".Kate and Mark's romance moves into "top gear" when they share a kiss in front of Mark's colleagues outside the police station. Brewer said that it had taken Kate a "little while" to realise that she wanted to make things work with Mark because of the unfinished business with Declan. However, all of Kate's feelings for Declan had gone after becoming aware of the negativity surrounding him. Declan tries to cause problems for Kate by lying about Mark threatening and hurting him, which she initially believes. Kate then has to work to get Mark back. Brewer believed the Kate and Mark's relationship would be long-term and she admitted that she wanted to see where it goes. Kate and Mark break up after Kate confesses to lying in a police statement. Brewer thought that they both want to get back together, but they are not able to move on from the things that are keeping them apart. She explained that they both have history, like the lie Kate told to protect Rebecca and Mark's one-night stand, which hurt Kate, and this prevents them from moving forward. The actress believed Mark was "the one" for Kate and added "She is trying to deal with the break-up and I don't think in her mind or his that they truly believe this is forever. They just need a bit of time to sort out their issues".
McGregor announced his departure from Neighbours in February 2011. Mark's exit storyline saw him leave for witness protection, after he is stalked. Mark does not want to leave Kate behind and tries to convince her to pack up her life and go with him. Kate then has just thirty minutes to make up her mind. Brewer told a Channel 5 reporter that Kate decides to go with her instincts and chooses to go with Mark. Of her choice, Brewer said "Kate makes decisions very quickly. She didn't have time to think about the consequences; that was just something she would have to deal with at a later date". When asked what the deciding factor is for Kate, Brewer explained that it felt right to her and she knows how much she loves Mark. Kate has to convince Sophie to leave with her and Brewer thought it was not fair of Kate to expect her sister to make such a huge decision so quickly. The episode unfolded in real time and was filmed over two nights. Brewer said the biggest challenge during filming was the bad weather during the night shoot. The actress admitted that it was "incredibly stressful and exhausting, but the final result was worth it." Kate does not leave with Mark and she struggles with knowing that he is gone for good.
In November 2012, it was announced that McGregor would be returning as Mark in May 2013. Executive producer Richard Jasek stated that Mark would return during an eclipse and Kate would be left questioning whether she had really seen him. In April 2013, Brewer revealed that Mark's return scenes had to be filmed within one week because McGregor was only in the country for a brief time. Brewer told a Press Association reporter that Kate would be "torn" when Mark returns. She had believed that he had died while he was in witness protection and Brewer admitted that she was also surprised to learn Mark was coming back. She said "So Kate had cried her eyes out for months, and then I had this meeting and they said 'We're bringing him back.' and I was like 'So that was all for nothing?!'" The actress added that her character would have to make a decision as she had finally moved on with somebody else.