Malcolm Kennedy
Malcolm Kennedy is a fictional character from the Australian television soap opera Neighbours, played by Benjamin McNair. Shortly after he was cast, McNair relocated to Melbourne to be closer to the studio. He admitted that it was a shock leaving his family and friends in Sydney. The older members of the cast eventually helped him feel more comfortable. He made his first appearance during the episode broadcast on 3 October 1994, as he arrives on Ramsay Street with his parents and siblings. An early storyline for Malcolm was a romance with Danni Stark, to whom he lost his virginity. Other storylines explored a friendship with Stonefish Rebecchi, a career as a handyman and later, coffee chain salesman, and marriage to Catherine O'Brien. The character's departure aired on 11 March 1997. McNair made two brief returns in 2002 and 2004, and a year later he reprised his role for the show's 20th anniversary. In July 2011, Malcolm returns to help his parents with their marriage and has a brief affair with Jade Mitchell. McNair returned to Neighbours in October 2014 for the 20th anniversary of the Kennedys' introduction. He also reprised his role in July 2022 for the show's final episodes and again in 2023.
Creation and casting
In 1994, the NeighboursDevelopment
Characterisation
Malcolm is the eldest Kennedy child. He was 17 upon his introduction, four years younger than McNair, who found the age gap made a big difference. He explained to Woman's Erica Goatly: "I've been through the teenage years and have sorted myself out, while Mal's still going through it." McNair also thought he was very different to his character. Malcolm is an athlete, who enjoys being in charge. He is "strong-willed" and often clashes with Libby. Following his arrival, Malcolm quickly gets involved in Ramsay Street "shenanigans". An early storyline sees Malcolm showing off his gun when it accidentally goes off and shoots Lou Carpenter in the leg.Relationship with Danni Stark
In a bid to increase ratings, producers plotted a Romeo and Juliet-style romance between Malcolm and Danni Stark. Jason Herbison of Inside Soap said "Love blooms soon after Danni Stark sets eyes on Malcolm, but their road to love is a rocky one, dogged by family feuds and a dark secret! But will love conquer all?" Malcolm was initially shown to be attracted to Bianca Zanotti, but when he makes a romantic advance, she slaps him and he turns to Danni for comfort. As she reassures him, Malcolm realises that Danni is the one he should be dating. Malcolm soon finds himself "out of his depth" with his more sexually experienced girlfriend. McNair told Goatly that his character is a virgin and does not feel able to tell Danni, so he comes across as standoffish. Once Malcolm tells Danni the truth, she seduces him. McNair said, "After they've had sex he feels great and from then on it develops into an upfront, mature sexual relationship."McNair admitted to being nervous when it came to kissing Szonert, as it marked his first on-screen kiss. He asked Szonert and co-star Richard Grieve for advice, and found it "wasn't such a big deal" because he got on well with Szonert. The kissing scenes also gave McNair confidence in his acting ability. He explained, "You have to feel what your character is feeling, but it was great because I was also able to separate the screen situation from myself." Malcolm and Danni become inseparable, and although their parents disapprove, they rent Number 32, so they can have some privacy. The relationship continues to develop quickly, and is soon tested by a pregnancy scare after Malcolm and Danni forget to use contraception while they spend the night at a hotel. McNair reckoned the couple were too young to be parents. The pair later live with Malcolm's best friend Stonefish Rebecchi after they struggle with the rent, and his mother also comes to stay. Malcolm and Danni later move back to their old homes.
Accident
During the 1996 end-of-season cliffhanger, Malcolm's windpipe is crushed during an accident at Chez Chez, where he is doing some repair work with Darren Stark. Malcolm trips over a dustsheet and causes a plank holding paint and tools to fall on his neck. Darren and Karl pull the plank off Malcolm's neck and find Malcolm cannot breathe. Karl realises the only way to save Malcolm is to perform an emergency tracheotomy. However, Karl has not practiced medicine since Cheryl Stark's death, which he believes he caused. Jason Herbison of Inside Soap said "Karl freezes, and unless he gets his nerve back, he could have more blood on his conscience." Karl manages to perform the procedure and saves Malcolm's life. McNair later called the storyline "awesome" and revealed it was his favourite.Departure
McNair chose to depart Neighbours in 1997. His exit aired on 11 March 1997, along with Radha Mitchell's, who plays Malcolm's love interest Catherine O'Brien. On-screen, Malcolm decides to go travelling after learning that Catherine has had an affair with Darren Stark. Malcolm punches Darren, before announcing his intentions to leave Erinsborough. Catherine tries to get him to change his mind, but Malcolm packs his bags and goes to the airport. Catherine books a ticket on the same plane and asks to come with him. Malcolm finds it "tough" to forgive Catherine, as he has been hurt by her betrayal, but he eventually agrees to let her come and they reunite as they leave for Europe.Return (2002)
In February 2002, Tim Randall of the Daily Record reported McNair had reprised his role for six weeks. The actor stated "It's been five years since Mal packed his bags and went to England and that's five full years of doing other things for me. But I learnt a lot doing Neighbours and coming back for a stint is perfect. Let's just say he's not the Mal he used to be." Malcolm's friends and family are pleased to see him again, but they soon come to realise that he is a changed man. Malcolm is no longer easygoing, instead he has become a ruthless entrepreneur and has his eyes on Harold Bishop's coffee shop. McNair explained "Mal has turned into a bit of a business tycoon. He's now married - though his wife Catherine is in England - and he works for a coffee shop chain called Cuppa Diem. He comes back to Erinsborough to open up a franchise, and he thinks that Harold's coffee shop is the perfect venue to launch it." Malcolm does not reveal his intentions for the coffee shop right away and just states that he is home for a visit. McNair told Inside Soap's Herbison that Malcolm is very happy to see everyone again and he has brought them all presents.Malcolm is also really happy to see Toadfish Rebecchi because they used to be good friends. Toadie Rebecchi is the first to notice that Malcolm's ego "has grown to the size of Anson's Corner" and his reasons for returning are not all personal. Toadie later overhears Malcolm talking to Harold about the coffee shop and Cuppa Diem. He suggests that Harold joins the franchise or he will regret it. Malcolm says it with a smile, but Harold is aware that he is being threatened. Toadie attempts to question Malcolm about what he saw, but they are interrupted by a phone call that reveals his true agenda to his parents. McNair revealed "Mal gets this phone call, and from the tone of his voice, it's clear he's under pressure from London to close the coffee shop deal. It's the first Karl or Susan have heard of it, and they can't believe their son is money-driven. We get the impression that this is an issue that's really going to test the family." McNair added that he had great fun catching up with his on-screen family, as they had always been very close. At the end of his guest stint in May, Doug Anderson of The Sydney Morning Herald wished Malcolm good luck.
McNair returned again in 2004 and 2005, where he joined many former cast members reprising their roles for the show's 20th anniversary episode, "Friends for Twenty Years".
Return (2011)
On 9 May 2011, it was announced that McNair would be returning to Neighbours for a four-month guest stint. The actor begin filming his first scenes the following week and Malcolm began appearing from 18 July. Malcolm returns to Ramsay Street to help repair his parents' marriage, after Susan becomes emotionally involved with another man. Of his return, McNair said "It's great to be back. While there have been a few changes and lots of new faces, Mum and Dad are still the same, so it really is like coming home." During an interview with Digital Spy, McNair explained that Malcolm returns to Ramsay Street to see his parents after sensing that there is a problem between them. He has also been speaking to Libby and Billy and they agree that there is trouble brewing. McNair said "Malcolm is trying to get to the bottom of it without appearing too nosy. He cares about his parents deeply and wants them to live a life of harmony, so if he can help, he'll certainly try."The actor said Malcolm is not surprised that his parents are facing marital problems, but it may be a surprise as to where the troubles are coming from. Previous problems have come from Karl and his infidelity issues, but this is something different. McNair revealed that he thinks Malcolm does have what it takes to get things back on track for his parents as he has a lot of compassion and maturity to deal with both sides of the story. When asked if Malcolm has changed since his last appearance, McNair revealed that he is very similar and still assertive in a business sense. Malcolm is now working with a large company as an area manager and he has an air of confidence about him. He is successful and travels throughout Europe. Malcolm and his wife, Catherine, have become a professional couple and have decided not to have children.