Rosetta Cammeniti

Last updated

Rosetta Cammeniti
Neighbours character
NSaleebaRosetta.jpg
Portrayed by Natalie Saleeba
Duration2006–2008
First appearance12 October 2006
Last appearance25 April 2008
Classification Former; regular
Introduced byRic Pellizzeri
In-universe information
OccupationLawyer
Father Rocco Cammeniti
Mother Lucia Cammeniti
SistersRosaria Cammeniti
Carmella Cammeniti
Husband Frazer Yeats
SonsMarco Yeats
Uncles Raimondo Cammeniti
Nieces Chloe Cammeniti
Other relatives Angelica Cammeniti
Sofia Cammeniti

Rosetta "Rosie" Cammeniti is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours , played by Natalie Saleeba. The character was introduced into the serial as part of a group of four "20 somethings." Saleeba began filming in July and she made her first on-screen appearance on 12 October 2006. Rosetta's storylines included an arranged marriage, a same-sex kiss and pseudocyesis. She departed on 25 April 2008.

Contents

Character creation and casting

Rosetta was created in 2006 along with another three characters as part of a new group of "20 somethings". [1] Nicky Whelan, Ben Lawson and Christian Clark were cast as Pepper Steiger, Frazer Yeats and Will Griggs respectively. Their introduction was part of the producers attempts to introduce more contemporary characters and to fill the void left by several cast departures. [1] [2] Executive producer Ric Pellizzeri said "We've got 15-to-18-year olds and the 35-plus brigade, we've always liked the shenanigans of Toadfish (Ryan Maloney) and friends at No. 30, so we thought, rather than introduce a new family, we'll bring in some new 20-somethings as housemates and fill the middle ground we've been missing." [2] Despite not knowing each other, the characters all share the same house upon their arrivals, which was a first for the series. [1]

Former All Saints actress Saleeba was cast as Rosetta and she began filming in July. [1] [2] Saleeba said that it was a "bonus" joining the show at the same time as the others, as it made the process easier and less intimidating joining an established cast. [2] Rosetta was given immediate family connections within the show in the form of younger sister and already established character Carmella Cammeniti (Natalie Blair). [1]

Character development

Characterisation

Before appearing on-screen Rosetta was described as Carmella's "strait-laced older sister", "a young lawyer and the object of Frazer's affections". [1] [2] Network Ten said Rosetta "appears to be just your average uptight lawyer. However, scratch the surface of the feisty Italian and you'll find that she can be every bit as passionate as her wayward younger sister Carmella." [3] They commented on the burden of her being the eldest child, which automatically ensured she had to be responsible, they also state that she transformed as a person upon arriving in Ramsay Street, describing her as uptight, but eventually settling down. [3] They add that she is eager to please her parents all the time, saying it was once her sole aim in life. [3] Rosie is also career driven and business minded putting them before a family. [4] Pellizzeri said that Saleeba plays the "perfect Neighbours character – a 27-year-old virgin." [2] Audiences felt Rosetta and Carmella were cast well as they looked alike, [5] Blair said they work well together as a unit and Rosetta's presence changes Carmella for the good. [6]

Relationships

Rosetta's relationship with Frazer is a focal point of her storylining, it has provided the character different plots, including choosing her career over starting a family and her subsequent false pregnancy, of this during an interview with entertainment website Lastbroadcast Salebba stated: "Frazer's desperate to start a family, but Rosie feels that her career as a lawyer is more important at this time in her life, it creates a lot of tension between them. But then Rosetta really does fall pregnant, with complicated consequences..." [4]

One of Rosetta's most notable storylines is a kiss shared with Pepper in the heat of the moment, the characters were portrayed agreeing to forget it ever happened. Australian press branded the kiss as a failed attempt to gain ratings for the serial, also stating it aired practically unnoticed along with a number of would be attention grabbing plots. [7] Describing Rosetta and Frazer's exit storyline, Dan Bennet speaking for Network Ten states: "It will be a bittersweet departure for them. They will experience a big tragedy and, on the beck of that, find a sense of new hope." [5]

Storylines

A lawyer and the older sister of Carmella, Rosetta moves into No. 30 Ramsay Street along with Pepper Steiger, Frazer Yeats and Will Griggs. She had previously lived with her mother Lucia (Maria Mercedes), until she decided to cut herself loose, break up with her fiancé she was not in love with, and move to Erinsborough. Rosetta develops feelings for housemate Will, but did not act upon them out of fear of being rejected; meanwhile, fellow housemate Frazer had hidden feelings for her. Upon finding out Will only had eyes for sister Carmella, Rosetta's feelings for him disappeared.

Rosetta has an affair with Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis) which leads him to leave his new wife Lyn Scully (Janet Andrewartha) on the day of their wedding. The affair does not last, and Rosetta and Frazer begin dating. However, when Frazer confesses to Rosetta that he is really George Brown, the brother of her former fiancé, Johnny Brown, she leaves him and takes comfort with Paul. Upon learning that Paul had an affair with her best friend, Pepper, Rosetta lashes out at him, accusing him of mistreating her friend. Pepper, overwhelmed by Rosetta's act of friendship, spontaneously kisses her before Rosetta kisses her back, unaware that Frazer's brother Ringo (Sam Clark) is watching. Ringo spreads the word, and everyone briefly suspects Rosetta and Pepper are gay. Rosetta reunites with Frazer, who has required a wheelchair following an accident on a race track. After they sort out their issues and learn more about each other, Rosetta and Frazer get engaged.

Frazer surprises everyone by walking on the day of the wedding. After the wedding ceremony the mini bus that is taking residents back to the street crashes leaving many injured, including Carmella and Ringo. Rosetta's boss Tim Collins (Ben Anderson) puts a lot of pressure on her by giving her more opportunities, which conflicts with everyone's increasing expectation that she and Frazer will start a family. After Tim's pressure puts Toadie in hospital from a panic attack, they decide to quit and start their own partnership, which becomes a success.

Though Frazer wants children, they both realise that they are not ready, so they agree to wait. After seeing how difficult it was for Carmella during Chloe's birth, Rosetta is convinced that she will never be able to stand the emotional strain of having children. However, she finds out, much to her distress, that she is pregnant. Frazer tells her that if she cannot raise the baby, he will – as a sole parent. Rosetta promises to try to raise the baby because she wants to save their marriage. Rosetta starts to look forward to having the baby, especially after becoming Chloe's godmother. When Rosetta believes she has lost the baby, a doctor confirms that there was no baby in the first place. They go for another scan and the doctor finds a heartbeat. After this Rosetta and Frazer decide to go to Italy to visit her extended family. Rosetta gives birth to a son, who she and Frazer name Marco, and they settle down in Italy.

Reception

Saleeba was nominated in the "Best Newcomer" category at the "2007 Inside Soap Awards". [8] They following year she and Lawson were nominated for "Best Couple". [9] Lowculture's Ruth Deller praised Rosetta's relationship with Frazer describing it as a high point for Neighbours and said the serial would be "dull" without them. [10] She also compared them with past couples saying, "Of the more recent additions to the cast [...] two of the most loved have been Frazer and Rosie. Brittle, neurotic, flawed but ultimately sweet Rosie and thoroughly nice and not-unattractive Frazer are one of those Ramsay Street couples that just work, and have been totally right for the show – feeling just as, well, Neighbours-y as pairings such as Madge and Harold, Scott and Charlene and Des and Daphne." [10] TV Scoop called Rosie and Frazer "fully-formed, warm, witty characters who have been a genuinely great addition to the street". [11] The Birmingham Mail chose Paul confessing his love for Rosetta and her confusion as their "pick of the day". [12] Natalie Craig writing for The Sydney Morning Herald said Rosetta is like Maria from West Side Story - because she was "young, Italian and forced into an engagement with a man she does not desire". She jested it made Erinsborough appear like The Bronx. [13] A writer from Inside Soap revealed that the magazines staff were invested in Rosie and Frazer's relationship. They revealed "will it last? We sure hope so! If a couple as perfect as these two can't make it, then nobody can!" [14]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ned Parker</span> Soap opera character

Ned Parker is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Daniel O'Connor. He made his first appearance on screen on 9 August 2005, arriving to see his brother, Stuart. He departed on 31 July 2008.

Natalie Saleeba is an Australian actress of a Lebanese descent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Will Griggs</span> Australian fictional character

Will Griggs is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Christian Clark. The character debuted on-screen in the episode airing on 12 October 2006. He was introduced into the serial as part of a group of four characters branded as "20 somethings". Clark quit the series prematurely to concentrate on a film career and Will departed on 23 January 2007. Upon his departure from the serial, his younger adoptive brother Oliver Barnes was written into storylines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carmella Cammeniti</span> Fictional character in Neighbours

Carmella Cammeniti is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Natalie Blair. She appeared on a recurring basis from 2003 to 2005, then became a main character from 2006 to 2008, before making a final guest appearance in 2011. Carmella was created as a replacement for Nina Tucker, portrayed by Delta Goodrem, who was written out of the series when Goodrem became ill. Her early storylines, including a romance with Connor O'Neill, were originally intended for Nina. The daughter of a protective gangster father, Carmella was initially a "fun, feisty" character. She gradually became "tortured [and] depressive", with storylines which saw her attract the attention of a stalker, become a nun, suffer facial scarring, develop an addiction to prescription medication and lose her husband after a bushfire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pepper Steiger</span> Soap opera character

Heidi "Pepper" Steiger is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Nicky Whelan. The character was introduced into the serial as part of a group of four characters branded as "20 somethings". She made her debut in the episode broadcast on 12 October 2006. Pepper left the soap on 1 November 2007 after Whelan quit her contract. During her stint in the serial Pepper was involved in notable storylines including a same-sex kiss, a hostage situation and cervical dysplasia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frazer Yeats</span> Character in Neighbours

Frazer Yeats is a fictional character from the Australian television soap opera Neighbours, played by Ben Lawson. The character was introduced into the serial as part of a group of four characters branded as "20 somethings". He debuted in the episode airing on 12 October 2006. He departed the serial 25 April 2008 after Lawson quit. He was central to notable storylines such as gambling, paralysis, pseudocyesis and causing the accidental death of his younger brother as a minor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ringo Brown</span> Fictional character

Ringo Brown is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Sam Clark. Clark was given the role after he entered and won a Dolly magazine competition. He made his first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 24 January 2007. Ringo's storylines have included his ongoing battle with an eating disorder, a bus crash, a relationship with an older woman, the collapse of a warehouse roof at an illegal dance party and his on-off relationship with Donna Freedman. In July 2010, it was announced that Clark had decided to leave Neighbours. He filmed his final scenes at the end of the month and Ringo made his last credited appearance on 1 October 2010, but was killed off-screen in the next episode.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marco Silvani</span> Fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours

Marco Silvani is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Jesse Rosenfeld. He made his first on-screen appearance on 19 October 2007. Marco began a relationship with a pregnant Carmella Cammeniti, which caused tensions between himself and the baby's father, Oliver Barnes. Marco later asked Carmella to marry him and on the same day, he was injured in a bush fire. Marco died from his injuries shortly after and he departed on-screen on 2 July 2008.

Daniel Fitzgerald (<i>Neighbours</i>) Soap opera character

Daniel "Dan" Fitzgerald is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Brett Tucker. He made his first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 1 September 1999. Dan becomes a teacher at Erinsborough High and shares a house with fellow teacher, Tess Bell. He remained as a recurring character until 2000. Tucker returned on 30 October 2007 and became part of the regular cast. Dan re-joined the high school and he began a relationship with Libby Kennedy. In June 2009, it was announced that Tucker had quit the show and Dan departed on 1 December 2009. On 13 September 2010, Dan made a one-off appearance which was filmed prior to Tucker's departure in 2009. The character later appeared in a flashback broadcast on 4 July 2011, played by James Roach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nicola West</span> Fictional television character

Nicola West is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Imogen Bailey. She made her on-screen debut on 5 May 2008. She departed the show on 8 October 2008. The character has been central to many storylines including an HIV scare, incest and mental illness.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donna Freedman</span> Fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours

Donna Freedman is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Margot Robbie. She made her first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 2 June 2008. Donna was initially introduced as a guest character, but Robbie was promoted to the regular cast shortly after she made her debut. Donna was originally portrayed as an obsessive fan of musician Ty Harper and someone who had a desire for friends and acceptance. After befriending the teens of Ramsay Street, Donna changes her ways and matures into a warm, loveable girl. She has been described as being fiery, beautiful, kooky and confident.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sienna Cammeniti</span> Soap opera character

Sienna Cammeniti is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by model Erin McNaught. McNaught was cast in the role to help boost falling ratings in Australia. The character made her first screen appearance on 2 May 2008. Sienna was introduced as the cousin of the established Carmella Cammeniti. In July 2008, McNaught decided to cut her contract short and Sienna departed on 3 October 2008. During her time on Neighbours, McNaught's casting and acting were negatively received by critics, acting agencies and viewers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunny Lee</span> Fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours

Sunny Lee is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Hany Lee. She made her first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 8 April 2009. Sunny was created by executive producer Susan Bower in response to criticism that Neighbours was "too white". Lee came to the attention of Neighbours producers after she entered a competition run by Dolly Magazine to win a three-month contract with the show. Despite not winning, she was cast as Sunny soon afterwards. In August 2009, it was announced that Lee and Sunny would be departing Neighbours and Sunny made her final appearance on 19 November 2009.

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 and his wife Susan 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.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Downie, Stephen (4 October 2006). "New kids on the block". The Daily Telegraph . Archived from the original on 11 June 2015. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Koch, Phillip (8 October 2006). "New housemates move in". The Courier-Mail . Retrieved 26 December 2010.
  3. 1 2 3 "Rosetta Cammeniti". Neighbours.com.au. Network Ten. 2007. Archived from the original on 23 April 2008. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
  4. 1 2 "Natalie Saleeba (Neighbours' Rosie Cammeniti) Interview". LastBroadcast. 2008. Archived from the original on 4 October 2011. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
  5. 1 2 "Network Ten's Dan Bennett". TV Week . 2 January 2008.
  6. Natalie Blair. Soapstars in Panto (Internet broadcast). United Kingdom: The Soap Show. Archived from the original (MP3) on 12 October 2007. Retrieved 1 March 2011.
  7. Clune, Richard (18 March 2007). "Neighbours' ratings slump". The Daily Telegraph . Archived from the original on 21 August 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
  8. "Inside Soap TV award nominations in full". Metro . 3 July 2007. Archived from the original on 26 May 2011. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
  9. Miles, Tina (15 July 2008). "Love at the 2008 Soap Award nominations". Liverpool Echo . Archived from the original on 11 October 2012. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
  10. 1 2 Deller, Ruth (16 July 2008). "The Italian Job". Lowculture . Archived from the original on 20 August 2011. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
  11. "Small Screen Icons: Karl and Susan, Neighbours". TV Scoop. 10 March 2008. Archived from the original on 19 March 2011. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
  12. "Pick of the day". Birmingham Mail . (Trinity Mirror). 27 April 2007. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
  13. Craig, Natalie (16 October 2006). "Neighbours". The Sydney Morning Herald . (Fairfax Media). Retrieved 20 July 2011.
  14. "Happy ever after?". Inside Soap Yearbook 2008 (2). (Hachette Filipacchi UK): 20, 21. November 2008.