List of Neighbours characters introduced in 2011


Neighbours is an Australian television soap opera that was first broadcast on 18 March 1985. The following is a list of characters that first appeared in 2011, by order of first appearance. All characters were introduced by the shows executive producer Susan Bower. The 27th season of Neighbours began airing on 11 January 2011. That same month saw Jack Finsterer join the cast as Garland Cole. Dieter Brummer made his first appearance as [|Troy Miller] in May and Carolyn Johnstone, a new love interest for Harold Bishop, followed shortly after. Ivan DeMarco and Superintendent Duncan Hayes began appearing in June. [|Ajay Kapoor], [|Rhys Lawson], Michelle Tran and Noah Parkin arrived in July. Bobby Morley made his debut as [|Aidan Foster] the following month. [|Martin Chambers], [|Priya Kapoor], Lorraine Dowski and Emilia Jovanovic began appearing from September. Kyle Canning's cousin, [|Dane], made his first appearance in October. Jessica Girdwood, Erin Salisbury and Elaine Lawson arrived in November.

Garland Cole

Garland Cole, played by Jack Finsterer, made his first on-screen appearance on 28 January 2011. Garland is an ex-con who is also involved in illegal street racing. Garland is Finsterer's second role with Neighbours. He previously appeared as Russell Sykes in 1992. Finsterer began filming his role in October 2010. A reporter for the Western Mail branded Garland a villain and said he "reared his ugly head" when he reappeared.
When Lucas Fitzgerald needs some money to buy a new motorbike, Billy Forman gives him Garland's contact details. Garland brings a car to the garage for Lucas to illegally rebirth. He comes to pick up the parts and leaves Lucas with the shell. Garland later meets Lucas and Billy at Charlie's and he tells Lucas that he recognised his name and asks him whether he raced for Reyada. Lucas tells him that he did and that he has a new bike, Garland then asks if he wants to get involved in some street racing. Lucas initially turns him down, but he later turns up at the race and wins it, earning Garland and Billy a lot of money. At the next race, Garland tells Lucas to lose, throwing the race. However, Lucas wins the race, which makes Garland angry as he lost money. Garland later turns up at the garage and gets one of his associates to beat Lucas up. Garland arranges Lucas' house to be trashed and Billy later tells Lucas that Garland is giving him a second chance. Lucas goes to the venue of the race and deliberately loses for Garland, who gets his money back.
Lucas decides to race again and Garland tells him that he was not sure he would be back and that there is one more race left for the day. He introduces Lucas to a new racer called Rob, but Lucas realises that it is Mark Brennan undercover. After the race, which Lucas wins, Garland tells Mark to go and collect his winnings and that he can shout him and Lucas breakfast. However, Lucas tells him that he some work to do at the garage and Garland questions whether they are good with each other. Lucas later calls Garland to Charlie's and just before he can get him to talk, Garland sees Kate Ramsay and tries to flirt with her. Lucas tells him that he wants back in on the car stripping and Garland tells him that he will be in touch. Garland delivers a new car to Lucas and tells him Mark, as Rob, will be helping him. When Garland comes to pick up the car, he discovers Kate hiding in the garage and demands to know what is going on. Mark tells him that he met Kate at Charlie's and that she came to meet him at the garage early. Once the parts are loaded, Garland tells Mark that they should take Kate for a drive as he is suspicious about how she turned up and Billy pulled out. The police arrive and Mark arrests Garland and takes him to the station. Mark later tells Kate that Garland was given an eighteen-month prison sentence.

Troy Miller

Troy Miller, played by Dieter Brummer, made his first screen appearance on 10 May 2011. Brummer had a seven-week contract with the show and he relocated to Melbourne for filming. Troy is Sonya Mitchell's ex-boyfriend and the biological father of Callum Jones. Brummer told a TV Week writer that Troy is "involved in Sonya's dark past" and that he comes to Erinsborough to work out something with her. When Troy arrives in Ramsay Street, Brummer explained he is not intentionally trying to stir up trouble, but there are aspects of his personality that would cause problems. The actor added his character would cause waves between Sonya and her partner, Toadfish Rebecchi. Troy flees Erinsborough after terrorising Callum, Sonya and Toadie. On 2 March 2012, it was announced that Brummer would be reprising his role of Troy for a six-week guest stint.

Carolyn Johnstone

Carolyn Johnstone, played by Paula Duncan, made her first on-screen appearance on 25 May 2011. Carolyn was introduced as Harold Bishop's fiancée. On 30 March 2011, the Herald Sun reported Duncan had joined the cast of Neighbours in a guest role as Harold Bishop's love interest. Duncan began filming her first scenes as Carolyn in late March at the Nunawading studio. Duncan previously appeared in Neighbours as Amy Medway in 1985.
Of Harold and Carolyn's relationship, Duncan said "Harold is very Salvation Army, so there is no alcohol or sex." The official Neighbours website said "Harold's back and his bought with him a brand new love he picked up on his travels around Australia, to join him on his favourite Street. So, where will Harold and his new love live? In his Winnebago perhaps?" Executive producer Susan Bower said she was delighted that Harold is sharing his journey with the "beautiful and extremely talented" Duncan. She added that not everyone will welcome Harold and Carolyn when they arrive in Ramsay Street. Duncan told TV Week that she was "nervous" about joining the cast as the "vivacious" Carolyn. Duncan described her character as a "highly ambitious, dramatic, over-the-top person", who has found love with a simple and graceful man, which is what she has been searching for all her life. In May 2011, Smith revealed to Inside Soap that he suggested Harold should get married during his return to Erinsborough and so the writers made Carolyn his fiancée. Harold's relationship with Carolyn is not well received by his best friend, Lou.
Harold reveals to Toadfish Rebecchi that Carolyn used to be a corporate lawyer, but she now runs her own company, Earthly Essence Teas. Harold met Carolyn after he enquired about the tea in a cafe one day and was directed to her. Carolyn makes a surprise visit to Erinsborough to see Harold. She meets Toadfish Rebecchi and gives some tea to Lyn Scully. Harold and Carolyn talk to Troy Miller and Carolyn asks him how much it will take to get him to leave town. Toadie is not happy with what happened and tells Harold to stay out of his business. Carolyn tells Toadie that he takes Harold for granted and they argue. After realising how much Erinsborough means to Harold, Carolyn suggests that they get married while they are in town. Carolyn meets Harold's friend, Lou, and she is not impressed. Carolyn vetoes Lou's idea of a buck's night and they argue. Harold gets them to compromise on a joint party at Charlie's. On the day of the wedding, Lou and Toadie tell Carolyn that Harold has gone missing. Carolyn is not fazed and tells them Harold will be at the ceremony. Harold arrives late and he and Carolyn are married. Harold and Carolyn return from their honeymoon and try to tell Lou that he has taken on too much at the car yard, but Lou does not listen to them and he later collapses. Carolyn accompanies Harold to the hospital, where they are told Lou will be fine. Harold and Carolyn begin packing the van, ready to leave when Callum asks them to get Sonya to move back in with him and Toadie. Carolyn calls on Lucas Fitzgerald for reinforcements, but their plan fails and Harold and Carolyn are sorry they could not convince Sonya and Toadie to move in together. However, Carolyn thinks that Toadie and Sonya just need something to prompt them into action. After saying goodbye to Lou, Harold and Carolyn are delighted when Toadie and Sonya reveal they are moving back in together. They say their goodbyes and Harold and Carolyn leave. When Harold returns in 2015, he reveals that he and Caroline have since split.
Of Carolyn, the Sunday Mercury's Roz Laws said "It takes a lot to fill Madge's shoes but Harold's new fiancee Carolyn makes an impact on Ramsay Street." A Sunday Mail reporter stated "Harold has never found anybody special enough to take the place of Madge in his heart - until now. His new fiancee, Carolyn, arrives in town this week, and makes an instant impact; she's a feisty lady who shakes a few feathers."

Ivan DeMarco

Ivan DeMarco, played by Ben Knight, made his first on-screen appearance on 2 June 2011. Ivan was introduced as a love interest for Natasha Williams and was described as being a "bad boy." In June 2011, Inside Soap reported that school student Natasha Williams was to meet and "hook up" with Ivan, a guy ten years older than her. A source told the magazine that Ivan "isn't necessarily good for her." In an attempt to impress Ivan, Natasha sends him "raunchy photos" of herself. However, Ivan betrays Natasha by showing the pictures to his friends and her classmates find out causing a scandal at her school. Ivan was branded a "cad" by TV Week, whilst Susan Hill writing for the Daily Star called him a "hunky bad boy."
Ivan meets Natasha Williams on a night out. He asks to meet her again the next day and they go to the university bar. Natasha confesses that she is seventeen, but this does not worry Ivan, who tells her that he wants someone fun and up for a good time. Ivan later gives Natasha a fake ID. Natasha tries to get Ivan to meet her father, Michael, but Ivan refuses. Natasha takes him to Charlie's for lunch and arranges for Michael to meet them there. Ivan is not interested in talking to Michael, but Natasha begs him to stay. Michael asks Ivan what he wants from Natasha, but Ivan leaves. Ivan meets up with Natasha and she asks him to continue their relationship in secret. Ivan buys Natasha a necklace and takes her out to breakfast, before asking her why they have to keep sneaking around. Natasha explains that it is better that way. Natasha and Chris Pappas run into Ivan at the university, where he is working, and Natasha tells him to stay away from her. Whilst she is alone, Natasha goes over to Ivan and he tells her that he did not like being shot down and things are starting to feel a little like high school. Natasha explains that she needs more time for people to get used to the idea of them being together. They make up and Ivan asks Natasha to send him naked pictures of herself to him, which she does.
Natasha confronts Ivan when she learns that his friends have seen the pictures. Ivan convinces Natasha that it was unintended and that it will not happen again. He later goes to Charlie's to see her and offers to take her out. Natasha discovers that her pictures are on the internet. She confronts Ivan about who he sent them to and she smashes his phone. Ivan and his friends go to Charlie's and start talking about Natasha's photos. Michael sees them and he takes Ivan's phone and puts it in a glass of beer. Ivan comes to Ramsay Street to talk to Natasha and Michael punches him. Ivan comes to Natasha school and tells her that they need to talk. Ivan wants to know if Michael is still going to the police and Natasha tells him that he is. Natasha also tells him that it is her word against his about who took the photos. Ivan gets angry and Michael finds them. He asks Ivan to leave, but Ivan stays and tells Michael that Natasha took the photos. Ivan then reveals that he will go to the police if Michael does. Just as Michael is leaving the police station, Ivan appears and tells him that he is going to make an assault complaint. Michael shoves Ivan up against a wall and Ivan encourages him, reminding him there are plenty of witnesses around. Michael lets him go and tells him to get lost. Ivan then walks away.