The Kennedy family are a fictional family from the Australian soap opera Neighbours. They have been a large part of the show since 1994, when the five-strong family moved into Ramsay Street. Both Karl Kennedy (Alan Fletcher) and his wife Susan (Jackie Woodburne) celebrated 20 years on the show in 2014, and are stalwarts of the fictional Erinsborough community, with Karl serving as the area's doctor and Susan as principal of Erinsborough High. They have earned multiple award nominations for their roles. The Kennedy family has expanded to introduce several others since its conception, although plays a relatively minor role as of 2014, with Karl and Susan as the only members of their family still residing in Ramsay Street.
Storylines of the Kennedy family have included troubles within Karl and Susan's marriage over their 20 years in the show, which included two separation periods in the 2000s and a divorce, teenage angst storylines for their three children Malcolm (Benjamin McNair), Billy (Jesse Spencer) and Libby (Kym Valentine), Karl's interaction with other Erinsborough residents through his job as a doctor, Susan's professions as school principal and also briefly editor of the Erinsborough News, and the death of Libby's husband in a riding accident shortly after the birth of their son.
Creation and development
In 1994, the "solid" Kennedy family was introduced in an attempt to bring the show back to its family-orientated roots. Father Karl was given the job of GP and mother Susan was chosen as the new Erinsborough High principal to give the characters immediate links with other characters. Alan Fletcher, who previously appeared on the show in a minor role in 1987,[1] was cast as Karl, while former Prisoner actress Jackie Woodburne was cast as Susan. Benjamin McNair, Kym Valentine and Jesse Spencer played Karl and Susan's three teenage children, Malcolm, Libby and Billy, respectively. They replaced the Willis family on the show and also as occupants of Number 28 Ramsay Street.[2]
Karl and Susan's marriage was initially presented as strong, with both Woodburne and Fletcher commenting that they enjoyed them having a "really solid foundation for a marriage".[3] However, they experienced marital difficulties when Karl cheated on Susan with his receptionist Sarah Beaumont (Nicola Charles) and, although they reconciled, this made Susan lose trust in Karl's commitment to their marriage. As a result, she wrongly accuses him of having an affair with Izzy Hoyland (Natalie Bassingthwaighte), and they divorce, with Karl eventually starting a relationship with Izzy. Susan briefly remarries to Alex Kinski (Andrew Clarke) and their step-children become part of the extended Kennedy family, with both Billy and Malcolm having left the series several years earlier. Susan and Karl eventually reunite, and, despite separating again for several years, they remain together on the soap today,[4] 20 years after their initial debut.[5]
Libby remained in the serial until 2011. In this time she married twice and had a son, Ben Kirk (most recently Felix Mallard), whose father Drew (Dan Paris) died in a riding accident. Karl's father Tom Kennedy (Bob Hornery) made guest appearances between 1996 and 2007, and was the first major character on the show to suffer from Alzheimer's disease.[citation needed]
In October 2014, Malcolm returned to visit his parents and tell them that he and Catherine were expecting their first child. Malcolm then asked his parents to consider moving to London to help out with the baby.[6] The storyline marked Karl and Susan's 20th year in Neighbours and featured several flashbacks to previous episodes and storylines featuring the Kennedy family.[6] Woodburne commented "It was scary seeing them – and astonishing that we've been on Ramsay Street for two decades!"[6] After their friends gave them advice on whether they should stay or go, Karl and Susan decided to remain in Erinsborough.[6]
Storylines
The Kennedys, Karl (Alan Fletcher), Susan (Jackie Woodburne), Malcolm (Benjamin McNair), Libby (Kym Valentine) and Billy (Jesse Spencer), move from Greendale[7] to Ramsay Street in late 1994. They initially struggle to adapt, but soon become settled, with Karl going into partnership with Tamsin Caldo (Soula Alexander) at the local medical clinic and Susan becoming a teacher at Erinsborough High. Billy befriends and gets into trouble with Toadie Rebecchi (Ryan Moloney), while Libby falls for Luke Handley (Bernard Curry), an older man and Malcolm starts a relationship with Danni Stark (Eliza Szonert). Despite being reasonably stable in his marriage, Karl develops feelings for Kate Cornwall (Christie Sistrunk), a terminally-ill patient and confesses to Susan that they kissed before she died. Susan forgives him, but her trust is shaken further when he cheats on her with his young attractive receptionist Sarah Beaumont (Nicola Charles). They briefly separate, but reconcile and try and put their trust issues behind them. Karl's father Tom Kennedy (Bob Hornery) visits and tells Karl that he is not his biological father, leading him to his real father, Ronald Davies-Smythe (Tony Hawkins). Karl does accept Ronald, but he dies shortly after and Karl continues to consider Tom as his father.
Karl feuds with Libby's boyfriend Darren Stark's (Todd MacDonald) mother Cheryl (Caroline Gillmer), but is devastated when, in trying to help her when she is knocked down by a lorry, he gives her drugs she is allergic to and she dies. As a result, Karl stops medical practice briefly but continues when he saves Malcolm's life via an emergency tracheotomy, establishing his own surgery in the Lassiter's Complex. Toadie moves in with the Kennedys when his family leave the area. Billy's long-term relationship with Anne Wilkinson (Brooke Satchwell) results in them moving away from the area in 2000. Libby and Darren's relationship breaks down when he cheats on her with Malcolm's girlfriend Catherine O'Brien (Radha Mitchell), and she later enters a new relationship with Drew Kirk (Dan Paris), but their marriage is seriously shaken when Libby is told she cannot have children after a motorcycle accident involving her best friend Steph Scully (Carla Bonner). However, miraculously, Libby becomes pregnant and has a son, Ben (currently Felix Mallard), but Drew dies a year later in a riding accident, devastating Libby. Malcolm and Catherine leave together and later marry off-screen, although he returns in 2002 as a ruthless businessman to open an English-based coffee shop in Erinsborough.
Susan slips on spilt milk and hits her head, resulting in retrograde amnesia. She fails to remember Karl or her children, believing she is a 16-year-old girl in 1972. After accepting what has happened to her, Susan still ends things with Karl, insistent that she does not know how to love him. They divorce, but decide to remarry after rekindling their feelings, and her memory returns in the wedding ceremony. Karl develops alcoholism when he is caught drink-driving and receives a large fine, but overcomes the addiction. Susan becomes suspicious that Karl has feelings for their neighbour, Izzy Hoyland (Natalie Bassingthwaighte), and Malcolm shares her suspicions when he briefly returns. He confronts her, and although he discovers there is nothing going on, Susan and Karl separate anyway and eventually divorce. Libby is reunited with Darren after moving on from Drew's death and they move away, leaving a separated Karl and Susan as the only remaining Kennedys.
While Karl and Izzy have a brief romance, Susan starts a relationship with Alex Kinski (Andrew Clarke), and he moves in with her, along with his two children Rachel (Caitlin Stasey) and Zeke (Matthew Werkmeister). Alex is diagnosed with Lymphoma however and he marries Susan on his deathbed. Rachel and Zeke's sister Katya (Dichen Lachman) moves in with them as well. Karl and Susan realise they are still in love with each other, and plan to remarry in London. Although the ceremony goes ahead, Izzy appears and gives birth to Karl's daughter, Holly Hoyland (currently Lucinda Armstrong Hall). Holly lives in London with Izzy but Karl visits her regularly and she visits Erinsborough a few times. Rachel and Zeke both eventually move out, with various lodgers including Summer Hoyland (Jordy Lucas) and Natasha Williams (Valentina Novakovic) living with the Kennedys at times.
Susan develops multiple sclerosis, leading Libby to move back home with Ben, her relationship with Darren over. Susan goes on a retreat but ultimately learns to manage her illness. Libby gets a job teaching at Erinsborough High, like her mother years before her. She dates her colleague Daniel Fitzgerald (Brett Tucker), and they eventually marry, with Daniel adopting Ben. Libby loses a baby and this prompts her to ask Susan to be her and Dan's surrogate. Susan becomes pregnant but loses the baby after an argument with Dan, causing Libby to blame her husband and their marriage to break down, with Dan leaving soon after. Libby lies in court to protect Steph when she kills Ringo Brown (Sam Clark) in a hit and run, but her lies are undone and Libby leaves to visit Ben, who is away attending boarding school.
Wanting a new challenge, Susan enrols at Eden Hill University, but receives threats about her status as a mature student. She discovers her tutor is behind the threats as he has a petty vendetta against her relating back to when she was his teacher. Malcolm returns for a visit and causes trouble by seducing Jade Mitchell (Gemma Pranita) when she is in a relationship. Karl and Susan's marriage hits brief difficulties but they work through their issues; however, when Susan grows close to dying patient Jim Dolan (Scott Parmeter) Karl feels threatened. They eventually separate again, upsetting Malcolm, although he is unable to reconcile them before he returns to London to reconcile with his wife Catherine. Susan moves out into a nearby flat and becomes editor of the Erinsborough News, employing Summer Hoyland. Karl and Susan's dog Audrey dies.
Carmel Tyler (Kirsty Child) visits and falls for Karl. She tries to kiss him, but he rejects her as he is still in love with Susan. Susan's boss Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis) sells the Erinsborough News and Sarah Beaumont returns to oversee the merger between it and the West Waratah Star. Susan rejects a job from her due to her pride, and Sarah tries to rekindle her romance with Karl, although he again rejects her due to his feelings for Susan. When Sarah leaves, Karl and Susan reunite, just before they lodge their divorce papers. Susan gets her old job as school principal back, but due to the stress she is under she has a minor MS relapse. Susan also becomes a wedding celebrant, and marries her friends Georgia Brooks (Saskia Hampele) and Kyle Canning (Chris Milligan).
In 2014, the two elder Kennedy children pay visits. Holly meets Libby and Ben when she visits from London and Libby acts as school principal for a while, while Susan recovers from the flu. Ben admits that he wants to be known as Ben Kirk again, and leaves with Libby for Drew's hometown of Oakey to feel closer to his father. Malcolm later visits with the news that he and Catherine are having a baby, and he wants Karl and Susan to move to London to help him when the baby is born. Karl and Susan reminisce about their 20 years in the street and decide to stay. Nate Kinski (Meyne Wyatt) moves in with the Kennedys, as he is the nephew of Susan's ex-husband, Alex. Susan helps him navigate through post-traumatic stress from his time in the army. Karl invests in the local bar, Off-Air, and Susan agrees to do the monthly finances for him. Ben returns to Erinsborough and decides to permanently stay with Karl and Susan after naked pictures of him are posted online by his ex-girlfriend.
The Kennedy family, and Karl and Susan in particular, are considered an icon of Neighbours not just because of their long tenure on the show but also due to their memorable mix of comedic and dramatic storylines. At the 2007 Inside Soap Awards, Fletcher and Woodburne were nominated for "Best Soap Couple" and "Best Storyline" for Susan and Karl's wedding.[8] This was the same the following year.[9]
In 2007, the Herald Sun placed Karl's affair with Sarah at number eight on a list of Neighbours Top Ten moments.[10] They said "In one of the most shocking storylines, no one could believe that the perfect Dr Karl, played by Alan Fletcher, could cheat on his wife of many years, Susan, played by Jackie Woodburne. But, that's exactly what happened when he couldn't resist his receptionist Sarah Beaumont played by the vampy Nicola Charles".[10] In 2010, to celebrate Neighbours' 25th anniversary Sky, a British satellite broadcasting company profiled 25 characters of which they believed were the most memorable in the series history.[11] Karl is in the list and describing him they state: "Karl and Susan became a truly legendary soap couple in an age when they have become thin on the ground. On paper, it's not quite clear why – they're just a pleasant, middle-class couple, and Karl can be a bit moany sometimes. But the important thing is it works, and watching the writers break them up and put them back together several times has made for great telly. And you know it's only a matter of time before Karl adds another unexpectedly sexy neighbour to his cheatin' list..."[11] On Susan, they said "Kindly but strong matriarch Susan may not be the most medically robust woman (amnesia, multiple sclerosis, frequent questionable haircuts), but she gets by thanks to her family. She's so devoted, in fact, that after Malcolm, Billy and Libby (sort of) flew the nest, she went and inherited Zeke and Rachel from second husband Alex. Despite her big heart, she can be counted on to get fierce with anyone who tries to upset the Ramsay Street balance – her frequent fights with Izzy in the middle of the street over Karl cemented her reputation as everyone's favourite soap mum."[11]
Teaching organisation TES commented on Woodburne's portrayal of Susan in terms of her suitability as a teacher. They said that "Susan Kennedy from Neighbours manages to be the comforting mother figure as well as coming down hard when necessary", and praised her for showing "the highs and lows of the job".[12] In June 2014, Kerry Barrett from All About Soap was pleased to see Libby return, saying "We were just as thrilled as the Kennedys were to see lovely Lib back in Erinsborough. And when Karl asked if she had anything to go home to, we thought how brilliant it would be if she stayed."[13] The returns of other characters including Holly Hoyland and Malcolm Kennedy were also praised as a worthy celebration of Susan and Karl's 20 years on Neighbours.[citation needed]
In January 2018, the Kennedy family were voted Australia's fourth All-Time Favourite TV Drama Family by readers of TV Tonight.[14]
Impact
In February 2015, British actor and Academy Award winner Eddie Redmayne revealed to a journalist from Elle UK magazine that he uses the work of Karl and Susan as acting inspiration. He said "Watch, and you'll find that everything they do is on another level of genius. I really do think so. They are the greatest unsung acting duo in history."[15] Redmayne later told News.com.au he is a huge fan of the couple and that he learned a lot from them when he used to watch Neighbours daily.[16] Both Fletcher and Woodburne responded to Redmayne's comments. Fletcher said, "To receive such generous praise from an actor of Eddie Redmayne's startling ability and status has been thrilling for both of us. It never ceases to excite me to hear examples of the influence Neighbours has had beyond Australia."[16] Woodburne added, "It's always wonderful when someone compliments your work, but to have such lovely things said from such an incredibly talented actor is very humbling and means more to me than he will ever know."[16]
Related Research Articles
Libby Kennedy is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Kym Valentine. She made her first appearance during the episode broadcast on 3 October 1994. Valentine auditioned for the role when she was 15, and upon being cast as Libby, she relocated from Sydney to Melbourne, where the show is filmed. Libby was introduced along with her parents and brothers during a period of low ratings for the show. Valentine departed on 2 October 2003, before returning for six months the following year and a single episode on 27 July 2005. She returned on a permanent basis on 12 November 2007.
Ramsay Street is the fictional cul-de-sac in which the characters of the Australian soap opera Neighbours live. The street is set in the equally fictional Melbourne suburb of Erinsborough. Neighbours storylines primarily centre on the residents of the street, which was named after Jack Ramsay, the grandfather of original character Max Ramsay. A blackjack game between Jack and Sam Robinson determined whose name the street would be named after. Only six houses on the street are featured on a regular basis; numbers 22 to 32. Number 34 was featured for the only time in 2018. The cul-de-sac is at the end of a long street and the rest of the houses are on the other side of the main road which bisects it. The street behind Ramsay Street is named Mirrabooka Drive. A storyline within the show saw the name of the street nearly changed to Ramsbottom Street. Harold Bishop led a protest against it and won.
Karl Kennedy is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Alan Fletcher. The actor previously appeared in the soap in 1987 as mechanic Greg Cooper. He made his first screen appearance as Karl during the episode broadcast on 20 September 1994. Karl and his family were created by Neighbours storyliners in an attempt to bring the show back to its roots. Karl was given the job of local GP to provide him with immediate links to other characters. Debuting shortly before his wife, Susan Kennedy, he is the longest running continuously appearing character in the series' history.
Boyd Hoyland is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Kyal Marsh. He made his first on-screen appearance on 5 June 2002. In 2007, Marsh quit the serial and his character departed on 3 August 2007 along with Stephanie McIntosh's character Sky.
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.
Isabelle "Izzy" Hoyland is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Natalie Bassingthwaighte. She made her first appearance during the episode broadcast on 1 September 2003. Izzy was introduced as Max Hoyland's younger sister. The character departed in 2006, following Bassingthwaighte's decision to focus on her music career. However, in March 2007, Bassingthwaighte made a brief return to film a few episodes set in London. The character was well received by critics and viewers and Bassingthwaighte earned three Logie Award nominations for her role. In October 2017, Bassingthwaighte reprised the role for a guest appearance and she returned on 12 February 2018 until 20 March 2018. She reprised the role again on 21 July 2022 for the serial's then final episodes.
Darcy Tyler is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Mark Raffety. He made his first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 15 November 2000. The following year, Raffety became a series regular. He departed in June 2003, but made returns in 2004 and 2005.
Sarah Beaumont is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Nicola Charles. Shortly after Charles moved to Australia, she was encouraged to try out for a part in the serial by a drama coach. The actress received the role of Sarah and made her first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 25 September 1996. In January 1999, it was announced that Charles had decided to quit Neighbours to move to London with her then fiancé. She filmed her final scenes in April 1999 and Sarah departed on-screen on 13 July 1999. Charles later appeared in the show's 20th anniversary episode, which was broadcast in July 2005. Charles reprised the role in 2012 and Sarah made a six-week return from 4 February 2013. She returned again from 5 April 2016.
Darren Stark is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Todd MacDonald. He made his first on-screen appearance on 20 July 1993 and was originally played by Scott Major. When the character was released from prison in 1996, MacDonald took over the role and remained with the show until 1998. MacDonald has since returned twice for guest stints, plus a cameo appearance in the serial's twentieth anniversary episode.
Susan Kennedy is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Jackie Woodburne. The character and her family were created by storyliners in an attempt to bring the show back to its roots. Susan made her first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 3 October 1994, along with her eldest son and daughter. The storyliners made Susan a teacher at Erinsborough High to give her immediate links with other characters. Since her introduction, Susan's personality and appearance have been through several changes.
Zeke Kinski is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Matthew Werkmeister. He made his first on-screen appearance on 22 August 2005. Zeke is the son of Alex Kinski and the younger brother of Katya and Rachel. His storylines have included the death of his father, being trapped in the warehouse collapse, developing an anxiety disorder, joining Pirate Net and forming many romantic relationships. In October 2010, it was announced that Werkmeister and his character were to leave Neighbours. Zeke made his final appearance on 11 March 2011. In February 2014, it was announced that Werkmeister would be returning to Neighbours for a brief guest stint and Zeke returned on 7 April 2014.
Ben Ian Kirk is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, last played by Felix Mallard. The character was previously played by Noah Sutherland, Sean Berends and Blake O'Leary. He made his first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 14 December 2001. Ben is the son of Libby Kennedy and Drew Kirk. Ben and Libby departed Ramsay Street in 2003, returning briefly the next year before moving to Shepparton with Darren Stark. The family returned in 2007, with Libby and Ben remaining permanently. Ben departed Neighbours on 2 September 2010. In March 2014, it was announced that Ben and Libby would return, with Mallard cast as Ben. He made his screen return on 11 June 2014. The character returned again from 23 July 2015 until 16 November before making a permanent return on 31 March 2016, moving in with his grandparents. Mallard left the show in late 2017, with his on-screen departure airing on 10 April 2018. The character made two guest appearances on 31 December 2018 and 7 January 2019.
The "Erinsborough High Fire" is a storyline from the Australian television soap opera Neighbours that ran on 20 and 21 October 2015, airing over episodes 7237 and 7238. These episodes were broadcast on 4 and 5 November 2015 in the United Kingdom. The storyline sees the fictional Erinsborough High School engulf in a deliberately-lit fire, which leads to a long arson mystery. Involving half the cast, the storyline was Neighbours' big stunt event of the year and came about when Paul Robinson sells the school to Eden Hills Grammar for it to be closed, causing the staff and the students to protest in a school sleep-out. Many characters' have their storylines climaxed whilst being trapped in the fire, including the love triangle between Brad Willis, Lauren Turner and Terese Willis when Brad chooses to save Lauren over Terese. Expecting mother Amber Turner and Susan Kennedy are trapped in a classroom during the fire when Amber goes into labour and the two are forced to decide whether to "fight or flight" in "genuinely frightening" scenes.
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