Beverly Marshall
Encyclopedia
Beverly Marshall is a fictional character
from the Australian soap opera Neighbours
. The character was originally played by Lisa Armytage and she made her first on-screen appearance on 6 July 1987. Shaunna O'Grady
took over from Armytage and began playing the character from 16 March 1989 until her departure on 5 September 1990. Beverly is a doctor and was Jim Robinson
's second wife. O'Grady reprised her role of Beverly in 2005 to help celebrate Neighbours' 20th anniversary, she made a cameo in Annalise Hartman
's documentary on Ramsay Street
.
in the role. O'Grady took over the role of Beverly in 1989, after she successfully passed a screen test when she dropped into Grundys
while passing through Melbourne. O'Grady has described taking over the role from Lisa Armytage as "very strange". On her experience of joining the cast she said "It really was fun, as I recall. Cast and crew were friendly, and we laughed a LOT". There was a notable difference between the two actresses, O'Grady was blonde while Armytage was a brunette. Of this O'Grady said "We don't look at all alike, obviously we aren't the same person and there's been no attempt to make me look like Lisa". She also added "I think I will just be recognised as a different actor and go from there".
When O'Grady's contract came up for renewal, the decision was taken not to renew it. O'Grady has said that she would still be in Neighbours now if it had been up to her. In 2005, O'Grady became one of many ex-cast members who made a return to Neighbours to appear in an episode celebrating the show's 20th anniversary.
' life, she earns Jim's "undying gratitude". Ruth Deller of television website Lowculture
also commented on Jim and Beverly's relationship, saying "After a typical Ramsay Street start of hating each other's guts, he (Jim) married [...] Beverly Marshall, but they later divorced. Beverly became the first female character not to take her husband's name. Armytage explained Jim and Beverly's relationship, saying that Beverly was initially not interested in Jim. Armytage added that Jim is very defensive when they first meet and it takes a while before they start to relate to each other.
(Anne Scott-Pendlebury
), to come to Erinsborough
for a visit. Hilary tried to set Beverly and her cousin, Jim Robinson
(Alan Dale
) up together and Beverly fell for Jim. She set up a surgery in the medical practice following the departure of Clive Gibbons
(Geoff Paine) and chose to move to Erinsborough permanently. Beverly helped deliver Daphne Clarke
's (Elaine Smith
) son, Jamie, after she went into labour while on a fishing trip with her husband Des
(Paul Keane
), Jim and Beverly. Stephen Armstrong came back into Beverly's life and she chose him over Jim. However, when Stephen began getting violent again, Beverly threw him out. She begged Jim to take her back and Jim proposed to her.
Beverly and Jim were married at Jim's house. Their honeymoon plans were upset when Beverly's niece and nephew, Katie
(Sally Jensen) and Todd Landers
(Kristian Schmid) ran away. When they were found, they revealed that Annette and their father were having marital problems. Beverly and Jim let Katie and Todd stay with them. Beverly was nervous about Jim's mother in law, Helen Daniels
(Anne Haddy
) and wondered if she would accept her. However, Helen was happy that Jim had found someone else. Beverly asked Jim if they could try for a baby, but Jim was reluctant after having raised four children of his own. However, he agreed and Beverly discovered she was pregnant, but not long after she suffered a miscarriage.
When a young single mother left her child at Beverly's surgery, Beverly took the boy home and decided to apply for legal guardianship of him. However, the child's mother, returned to town with the and they began blackmailing Beverly. Jim found out when he noticed that large amounts of money were missing from their bank account. Beverly told him everything and Jim called the police. The child was then taken away and put up for adoption. An ex-partner of Beverly's, Ewan O'Brien, came to Erinsborough to ask her to help with a research paper and Jim became jealous of him. The tensions between Beverly and Jim eventually forced Beverly to take Todd and move to the flat above her surgery.
Beverly then discovered she was pregnant and she reconciled with Jim, but she miscarried again. She was then told that she couldn't carry a child to full term. When Ewan asked Beverly to join him in Perth, Beverly decided to leave Erinsborough. Just before she left, Jim told her that he wanted to remain friends. Beverly and Jim divorced a year later. When Annalise Hartman
(Kimberly Davis) returned to Ramsay Street to show the residents a documentary she had made, Beverly was featured in it and she revealed that she owed her professional confidence to her time on Ramsay Street.
said Beverly's most notable moment was "When she slapped one of her patients."
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
from the Australian soap opera Neighbours
Neighbours
Neighbours is an Australian television soap opera first broadcast on the Seven Network on 18 March 1985. It was created by TV executive Reg Watson, who proposed the idea of making a show that focused on realistic stories and portrayed adults and teenagers who talk openly and solve their problems...
. The character was originally played by Lisa Armytage and she made her first on-screen appearance on 6 July 1987. Shaunna O'Grady
Shaunna O'Grady
Shaunna O'Grady is an Australian actress who played the second incarnation of Jim Robinson's wife, Beverley Marshall on the long running soap opera Neighbours. She is the grand-daughter of writer John O'Grady , and is married to the television director Chris Adshead.-External links:...
took over from Armytage and began playing the character from 16 March 1989 until her departure on 5 September 1990. Beverly is a doctor and was Jim Robinson
Jim Robinson (Neighbours)
James "Jim" Robinson is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Alan Dale. He made his first on-screen appearance on 18 March 1985, which was the shows first episode. Jim was the patriarch of the Robinson family. Dale departed the show in 1993 after...
's second wife. O'Grady reprised her role of Beverly in 2005 to help celebrate Neighbours
Annalise Hartman
Annalise Kratz is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Kimberley Davies. She debuted on-screen in the episode airing on 15 January 1993 and departed in 1996, and a brief return in 2005. Annalise has often been portrayed as having a conniving persona...
's documentary on Ramsay Street
Ramsay Street
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 around the residents of the Street, which was named after the...
.
Casting
Beverly Marshall was originally played by Lisa Armytage. Armytage quit the role in 1988 and the script writers decided to send the character off to a conference for a few months. This allowed them time to cast Shaunna O'GradyShaunna O'Grady
Shaunna O'Grady is an Australian actress who played the second incarnation of Jim Robinson's wife, Beverley Marshall on the long running soap opera Neighbours. She is the grand-daughter of writer John O'Grady , and is married to the television director Chris Adshead.-External links:...
in the role. O'Grady took over the role of Beverly in 1989, after she successfully passed a screen test when she dropped into Grundys
Reg Grundy Organisation
The Reg Grundy Organisation was an Australian television production company founded in 1959 by businessman Reg Grundy . It has since branched out into Europe and the USA. The company first produced game shows, before branching into soap operas in 1973...
while passing through Melbourne. O'Grady has described taking over the role from Lisa Armytage as "very strange". On her experience of joining the cast she said "It really was fun, as I recall. Cast and crew were friendly, and we laughed a LOT". There was a notable difference between the two actresses, O'Grady was blonde while Armytage was a brunette. Of this O'Grady said "We don't look at all alike, obviously we aren't the same person and there's been no attempt to make me look like Lisa". She also added "I think I will just be recognised as a different actor and go from there".
When O'Grady's contract came up for renewal, the decision was taken not to renew it. O'Grady has said that she would still be in Neighbours now if it had been up to her. In 2005, O'Grady became one of many ex-cast members who made a return to Neighbours to appear in an episode celebrating the show's 20th anniversary.
Characterisation
On her arrival into Neighbours, Beverly was described has having an "intense and frequently difficult relationship with Jim Robinson". When Beverly saves Helen DanielsHelen Daniels
Helen Daniels is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, portrayed by Anne Haddy. Following the death of Jim Robinson in 1993, she remained the only original character left in the series until her own death in 1997, making her the second longest-serving original character...
' life, she earns Jim's "undying gratitude". Ruth Deller of television website Lowculture
Lowculture
lowculture.co.uk is a UK television website founded in January 2003 by Paul Lang, who currently works as the art director of Doctor Who Adventures.-Purpose:...
also commented on Jim and Beverly's relationship, saying "After a typical Ramsay Street start of hating each other's guts, he (Jim) married [...] Beverly Marshall, but they later divorced. Beverly became the first female character not to take her husband's name. Armytage explained Jim and Beverly's relationship, saying that Beverly was initially not interested in Jim. Armytage added that Jim is very defensive when they first meet and it takes a while before they start to relate to each other.
Background
Beverly Marshall was the youngest of two girls. Her sister Annette (Tania Uren) went on to marry and raise a family, but Beverly concentrated on becoming a doctor. While she was at medical school she met Stephen Armstrong (Peter Adams) and fell in love. After a few years, Stephen started hitting Beverly and she left him.1987–1990
Beverly accepted an invitation from Hilary RobinsonHilary Robinson
Hilary Robinson is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Anne Scott-Pendlebury. The character first appeared on-screen on 25 June 1987, returning in 1988, in a guest capacity and returned in a permanent role in 1989 and left the show in 1990. She...
(Anne Scott-Pendlebury
Anne Scott-Pendlebury
Anne Scott-Pendlebury is an Australian television and film actress, who played the role of Hilary Robinson in the soap opera, Neighbours during the late 1980s and early 1990s...
), to come to Erinsborough
Erinsborough
Erinsborough is the fictional suburb in which the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours is set. The show focuses on the domestic and professional lives of the people who live and work in the suburb...
for a visit. Hilary tried to set Beverly and her cousin, Jim Robinson
Jim Robinson (Neighbours)
James "Jim" Robinson is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Alan Dale. He made his first on-screen appearance on 18 March 1985, which was the shows first episode. Jim was the patriarch of the Robinson family. Dale departed the show in 1993 after...
(Alan Dale
Alan Dale
Alan Hugh Dale is a New Zealand actor. As a child, Dale developed a love of theatre and also became a rugby player. After retiring from the sport he took on a number of professions to support his family, before deciding to become a professional actor at the age of 27. With work limited in New...
) up together and Beverly fell for Jim. She set up a surgery in the medical practice following the departure of Clive Gibbons
Clive Gibbons
Clive Archibald Gibbons is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Geoff Paine. Paine was spotted by the Reg Grundy Organisation and offered the role of Clive. He made his first appearance on 22 January 1986...
(Geoff Paine) and chose to move to Erinsborough permanently. Beverly helped deliver Daphne Clarke
Daphne Clarke
Daphne Rose Clarke is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Elaine Smith. She made her first on-screen appearance in the serial's first episode on 18 March 1985. Daphne a stripper hired for Des Clarke's bucks party and she moved in him. She and Des fell in love...
's (Elaine Smith
Elaine Smith (actress)
Elaine Smith found fame as an actress on Australian television.She is best known for her role as Daphne Clarke in the soap opera Neighbours...
) son, Jamie, after she went into labour while on a fishing trip with her husband Des
Des Clarke (Neighbours)
Desmond Kingsley "Des" Clarke is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Paul Keane. He made his first on screen appearance on 18 March 1985, the show's first episode.-Stroylines:...
(Paul Keane
Paul Keane
Paul Keane is an Australian actor well known for playing Des Clarke in the soap opera Neighbours. Other TV credits include Bliss and Flight Into Hell. He was trained at the National Institute of Dramatic Art, graduating in 1983....
), Jim and Beverly. Stephen Armstrong came back into Beverly's life and she chose him over Jim. However, when Stephen began getting violent again, Beverly threw him out. She begged Jim to take her back and Jim proposed to her.
Beverly and Jim were married at Jim's house. Their honeymoon plans were upset when Beverly's niece and nephew, Katie
Katie Landers
Katie Landers is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Sally Jensen. She made her first on screen appearance on 15 February 1988. Katie is the niece of Beverly Marshall and sister to Todd Landers. During her time in the show, she became close friends with Toby...
(Sally Jensen) and Todd Landers
Todd Landers
Not to be confused with Simpsons character Todd FlandersTodd Robert Landers is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Kristian Schmid. He made his first on-screen appearance on 15 February 1988. Todd died on 13 July 1992, but reappeared as a ghost the...
(Kristian Schmid) ran away. When they were found, they revealed that Annette and their father were having marital problems. Beverly and Jim let Katie and Todd stay with them. Beverly was nervous about Jim's mother in law, Helen Daniels
Helen Daniels
Helen Daniels is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, portrayed by Anne Haddy. Following the death of Jim Robinson in 1993, she remained the only original character left in the series until her own death in 1997, making her the second longest-serving original character...
(Anne Haddy
Anne Haddy
Anne Haddy was an Australian film and television actress, best known for her role in the long-running soap opera, Neighbours.-Early and personal life:...
) and wondered if she would accept her. However, Helen was happy that Jim had found someone else. Beverly asked Jim if they could try for a baby, but Jim was reluctant after having raised four children of his own. However, he agreed and Beverly discovered she was pregnant, but not long after she suffered a miscarriage.
When a young single mother left her child at Beverly's surgery, Beverly took the boy home and decided to apply for legal guardianship of him. However, the child's mother, returned to town with the and they began blackmailing Beverly. Jim found out when he noticed that large amounts of money were missing from their bank account. Beverly told him everything and Jim called the police. The child was then taken away and put up for adoption. An ex-partner of Beverly's, Ewan O'Brien, came to Erinsborough to ask her to help with a research paper and Jim became jealous of him. The tensions between Beverly and Jim eventually forced Beverly to take Todd and move to the flat above her surgery.
Beverly then discovered she was pregnant and she reconciled with Jim, but she miscarried again. She was then told that she couldn't carry a child to full term. When Ewan asked Beverly to join him in Perth, Beverly decided to leave Erinsborough. Just before she left, Jim told her that he wanted to remain friends. Beverly and Jim divorced a year later. When Annalise Hartman
Annalise Hartman
Annalise Kratz is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Kimberley Davies. She debuted on-screen in the episode airing on 15 January 1993 and departed in 1996, and a brief return in 2005. Annalise has often been portrayed as having a conniving persona...
(Kimberly Davis) returned to Ramsay Street to show the residents a documentary she had made, Beverly was featured in it and she revealed that she owed her professional confidence to her time on Ramsay Street.
Reception
Beverly was named as a "firm favourite with viewers" in John Kercher's 1989 book, Neighbours: facts, features, interviews with your favourite TV stars. Kercher also named Beverly's relationship with Jim as "intriguing". Ruth Deller named Beverly as Ramsay Street's "superdoc". In another feature, Lowculture called Beverly the "resident awesome all-powerful Neighbours doctor who came inbetween Clive Gibbons and Karl Kennedy". The BBCBBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
said Beverly's most notable moment was "When she slapped one of her patients."
External links
- Beverly Marshall at the Internet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...