Ned Willis
Ned Willis is a fictional character from the Australian television soap opera Neighbours, played by Ben Hall. The character was created in the early 1990s, but he was not seen on-screen. Over twenty years later, the show's UK broadcaster Channel 5 confirmed that Hall had been cast in the role and would make a short guest appearance. He made his debut in the episode broadcast on 6 April 2016. Series producer Jason Herbison had plans to promote Hall to the regular cast, but the actor was unsure about making a long-term commitment to the show. Following his initial guest stint, Hall returned twice in August and November 2016. Ned is often portrayed as a complex, manipulative character, but he is a good person at heart. He tries to do things for the right reasons, but often goes about it in the wrong way. Hall thought Ned was close to becoming a bad boy at times, a trait he enjoyed playing. The character was introduced during the Hotel Death Trap storyline, in which the boiler room at Lassiters Hotel explodes, killing his half-brother and grandfather.
His early storylines focused on the strained relationship he had with his father Brad Willis and his attraction to Brad's partner Lauren Turner, which culminated in a kiss between them. His storylines during his second and third stints included an on-off relationship with Elly Conway, the introduction of his married former lover Regan Davis, and his arrest for arson. Hall later reprised the role and returned on 20 June 2018, as part of the regular cast. Kendall also reprised her role as Lauren to help facilitate Ned's permanent move to Erinsborough, as it emerges that he still has feelings for her and needs to give her and Brad some space. Ned later forms a romantic relationship with Elly's younger sister Bea Nilsson. Later, Ned embarks on a polyamorous relationship with Amy Greenwood and Levi Canning, a storyline which was critiqued by fans and reporters. Hall departed the serial on 8 June 2022, but later returned as part of the then series finale and again in 2025 for the show's final episodes.
Creation and casting
The character of Ned Willis was created in the early 90s shortly after his parents Brad Willis and Beth Brennan departed the show. The character was never seen on-screen, but he was often mentioned by various Willis family members. In September 2015, the serial's executive producer, Jason Herbison, told Inside Soap of the show's intentions to introduce Ned to and said that production was "keeping him in reserve". On 10 March 2016, the show's UK broadcaster Channel 5 announced that the character was being introduced on 6 April with actor Ben Hall cast in the role. Hall later revealed that he had initially auditioned for another role. Ned's introduction meant that all of Brad's children would be seen together on-screen for the first time. Hall later confirmed that Ned would not be a permanent cast member, as he had only been brought in for a short guest stint.In June 2016, Sophie Dainty of Digital Spy confirmed that Hall had returned to filming, after the actor posted various photos of himself on the set to his social media accounts. When asked if he always knew that the character was going to return, Hall replied, "It wasn't decided at that point, actually. It just came up and when I found out the opportunity was there to come back, I took it gladly. It's been a really fun period of shooting now that I know the ropes a little bit more." Hall thought that the character might have been brought back as he had proved popular with viewers on social media. Ned returned on 10 August.
Herbison later revealed that they had plans to promote Hall to the regular cast, but the actor was unsure about making a long-term commitment to the show. Hall admitted that he was initially had doubts about joining the cast full time, as he had been offered some other acting jobs, but he found himself enjoying the role and considered committing to a longer stint.
Development
Characterisation
Hall explained that in Ned's fictional backstory, he was left with Beth after her marriage to Brad ended and they moved to Sydney. Some time later, Beth sent Ned to live with his grandparents Pam and Doug Willis in Darwin. Hall also said that Ned has "a bit of history" with Doug due to a recent event. Hall liked that Ned is a tattoo artist, deeming the job "cool". He also believed that there had been very few tattoo artists in the show's history. Hall commented that Ned's occupation would lead to some "mischief".Ahead of his arrival on-screen, Hall described Ned as being a "very complex" and "quite manipulative" character because "he has had a bit to deal with". Hall said his favourite aspect of Ned's personality was that he "prefers actions over words". Ned would rather go and do something about the issue instead of just talking about it. Hall continued, "He shows his feelings through actions rather than just saying meaningless words." Hall also liked that Ned tries to "better himself", but remains conflicted on the inside. Ned often finds that his anger gets the better of him, especially when it comes to Brad.
In an interview with Sarah Ellis of Inside Soap, Hall thought Ned had the potential to be a bad boy character, and he enjoyed playing him when he flirted with that line. But he also called Ned "quite a good person at heart", as he does not act out of spite and is not deliberately malicious. He continued, "He genuinely tries to do things for the right reasons – although he goes about it in the wrong way. But let's just say I wouldn't want him to become too much of a goody two-shoes!"
Introduction
Hall admitted to being "a bit nervous" ahead of Ned's arrival. He described Ned's entrance as "a massive moment" and he hoped that it would live up to fans' expectations of the character. He also said, "I really wanted to make an entrance as a fully developed, interesting character." The character made his debut during the Hotel Death Trap storyline, in which the boiler room at Lassiters Hotel explodes. Ned is invited to Erinsborough by his grandfather Doug, but they are forced to evacuate the hotel following the explosion. Later that day, Ned comes face-to-face with his father, Brad. Doug witnesses their reunion, before collapsing and dying. Doug's death came shortly after Ned's half-brother Josh Willis was also killed off.Hall believed that Ned was willing to try and get along with his father. He said that Ned comes to Erinsborough with the "right intentions", although he is unsure what he will achieve. The actor continued, "It's a lot of pain to get over, it's a lot of hurt to be left by your father. To suddenly try and reconcile after twenty years is not going to be easy!" Rebekah Elmaloglou who plays Brad's second wife Terese Willis told Sarah Ellis from Inside Soap that Terese feels a lot of guilt for Brad and Ned's fractured relationship, as she is partly responsible for taking Brad away from Beth. Hall also said that Ned would enjoy getting to know his sisters and becoming part of the family again. He added that Ned would have to learn how to be both a brother and a son, which he would get right and wrong at times.
Brad and Ned's relationship is further strained when Brad reports his son to the police. The storyline begins as Ned's half-sister Piper Willis realises that there are holes in Ned's account of the day of the explosion. Piper tells her parents, and while Brad feels he cannot confront Ned, Terese insists that he goes to the police. Meanwhile, Ned confides in Brad's partner Lauren Turner about where he really was. When Ned is brought down to the police station for questioning, he soon learns that Brad was the one who reported him. Ned leaves the station and declares that his father is dead to him. He plans to leave Erinsborough, but stays when Lauren and Terese tell him that his mother tried to keep him and Brad apart.
Crush on Lauren Turner
During an interview published on the show's official website, Hall commented that Ned would develop a "risqué" crush on someone who lives on Ramsay Street. In an interview for the Neighbuzz podcast, Hall said that producers originally planned for Ned to have a crush on Terese. Ned forms an immediate bond with Brad's partner Lauren Turner, as she is caring and gentle towards him, which is something he has not had since he left home. An Inside Soap columnist noted that Ned's loyalties clearly lay with Lauren instead of his father, and they wondered if Ned was potentially "blurring the lines of her motherly concern". Hall commented that Ned was raised by a single mother, so Lauren's kind nature helps to settle him in and make Erinsborough feel like home. He is aware that she is Brad's partner and "a big no-go zone" when it comes to any romantic feelings. Ned grows even closer to Lauren when she asks him pose for her art project.Ned soon becomes suspicious that Brad is cheating on Lauren with his former wife Terese, after he sees them talking and sharing a hug. Hall said Ned is "hypersensitive" to anything that Brad does that reminds him of what he did to his mother Beth, so when he sees Brad spending time with Terese and not Lauren, he concludes that something is going on between them. Ned shares his suspicions with his sister Piper, but she tells him that he is mistaken, and that Brad and Terese are mostly likely spending time together because of what happened to Josh. Of the situation, Hall commented, "Ned thinks Brad is just falling into his old ways of cheating – he wants to tell Lauren what he saw, but he's waiting for the right moment." Ned later raises his concerns with Brad, but he is left "frustrated" when his father refuses to discuss his actions.
Lauren tries to help Ned and Brad bond, but Ned finds it easier to talk with her. Kendall said that her character is aware of Ned's flirting and innuendo, which leaves her feeling a little nervous around him. Kendall also explained that when Ned insists that something is going on between Brad and Terese, Lauren is quick to dismiss his concerns, but she soon becomes suspicious too. She confronts Brad, but when he refuses to give her a straight answer, she is left feeling confused. When Lauren is alone with Ned, she vents to him about Brad and Terese and tells him that she cares about him. Ned then kisses Lauren, but she pushes him away and he quickly runs off. Kendall said Lauren is "really shocked, and feels incredibly uncomfortable about the whole situation." Ellis pointed out that Lauren had been seen looking at Ned's muscles and wondered if she actually enjoyed the kiss, but Kendall insisted that there was a big difference between noticing Ned's attractiveness and acting on it. Lauren had no intention of doing anything.
Brad eventually admits to Ned that he and Terese are involved in organising a false testimony for the upcoming trial surrounding the explosion. The confession brings Brad and Ned together, as he also wants to see justice for Josh's death. However, when Lauren says she is going to tell Brad about the kiss, Ned persuades her not to, saying it would ruin the relationship that he has built with his father. Kendall thought that Ned was being "quite manipulative" in that moment. Lauren agree to keep quiet, but warns Ned that she will speak to Brad if he crosses the line with her again. The truth about the kiss is later revealed when Piper overhears Ned and Lauren arguing. She insists that they tell Brad, and as Lauren is uncomfortable about keeping it from him any longer, they confess what happened, leaving Brad "stunned." The actress praised the direction of the storyline, calling it "a gutsy move, and very left-field". She also enjoyed working with Hall on the story.
Returning to Erinsborough is "awkward" for Ned, especially when Brad thinks that he still has feelings for Lauren. Hall believed that Ned was remorseful about the kiss, and he wanted to show Brad and Lauren that he had moved on by entering into a new relationship. Hall also explained that Ned still cares for Lauren and he turns to her for advice, but he has put any romantic feelings aside, so they can form a friendship instead. Hall also admitted that he thought it was "a bit weird" of Ned to feel that way about Lauren in the first place. Ned is surprised by Brad and Lauren's engagement, as he knows how "fragile" their relationship has been since the kiss. Hall added, "But Ned wants to be happy for them and he wants them to be happy too. Ned is not malicious, so once he understands it, he's okay with it and wants it to work."