Brett Stark
Encyclopedia
Brett Stark is a fictional character
from the Australian Network Ten
soap opera Neighbours
, played by Brett Blewitt
. He debuted in the episode airing on 30 November 1993, along with his sister, Danni Stark
and remained as a regular in the show until 8 March 1996. Blewitt returned as Brett for five weeks after the death of his on-screen mother, Cheryl. He departed along with Danni 13 November 1996 and made a further cameo appearance in 2005 during Annalise Hartman
's documentary about Ramsay Street, as part of Neighbours twenty-fifth anniversary. During his duration in the serial he was portrayed as a "geek" a word that defined the character throughout his casting, storylines and perception among other characters. He had close friendly relationships with older woman including, Susan Kennedy
and Helen Daniels
, the latter he developed a crush on, which generated bad reception from some. He went on to have an affair with an older woman Judy Bergeman. He is an animal lover and was the owner Dahl the Galah
who still resides with the Kennedy family to this day.
(Caroline Gillmer
) and Darren Stark
(Scott Major
). Cheryl, his mother moves in with him when he arrives with his sister Danni Stark
(Eliza Szonert
), another new addition to the serial's cast.
Casting sessions were held with auditionees required to look geeky, Brett Blewitt went on to receive the role Fellow Neighbours actor Ryan Moloney
who plays Toadie Rebecchi originally auditioned for the role but did not meet the requirements. Jesse Spencer
, who would later go on to play Billy Kennedy also auditioned for the role and reached the last three but was turned down due to being too young for the role.
. Blewitt later revealed the casting happened really fast and that two weeks after his audition, which he thought he had ruined, he was already moved to Melbourne and filming.
In 1996 Blewitt quit the serial, he later said he made his decision based on the fact he only ever wanted to be on the show for around two years and didn't want to be scared of change. In 2005, Blewitt was asked to return in a cameo capacity, he accepted and was one of many ex-cast members who made a return to Neighbours to appear in an episode celebrating the show's 20th anniversary. The return came about after Linda Walker, the serial's production manager approached him, they shot the scenes in Sydney Harbour.
(Tom Oliver
) because he wanted everyone to be happy, whereas the rest of his family were not. He also tried to keep his family together after his mother died, putting his own grief to one side. Throughout his duration he was close to Helen Daniels
(Anne Haddy
), through their bond he later develops a crush on her, which other characters and media thought was odd. Of their closeness Blewitt stated: "I loved that Brett found such a close friend in Helen. Anything that challenged the social norm on the show I loved." Through his affair with Judy Bergman (Merridy Eastman) he was portrayed as being more "manly". This is in contrast to his early days in the serial when he used to get tongue-twisted and didn't know how to act calmly around girls. Danni is a bad influence on Brett who is impressionable where Danni is concerned, she often led him astray through her antics.
Blewitt has described Brett as a "Lovable Dork". He also branded him a "real character" and "eccentric". Blewitt also described him as: "He was very comical [...] He was such an important character, in the way of a male role model, particularly in Australia. Brett was happy in his skin, he wasn't cool and he didn't have girls falling at his feet, but he was smart and loyal and from granny Helen to Stonefish, everyone valued Brett as a friend."
win. Cheryl didn't want him to leave boarding school as she has high ambitions for Brett and wants him to study law. Brett becomes close to Helen, she helps him with his artist ambitions by applying for a job. Lou Carpenter uses Brett by giving him a job at the car Lott, in order to get close to Cheryl. Cheryl and Lou begin a relationship, this infuriates Danni and Darren. Brett offers Cheryl support and approves of Lou. He becomes friends with Rick Alessi
(Dan Falzon
) to look popular and tries to get him to become school captain. Brett also tries to win the affections of Debbie Martin
(Marnie Reece-Wilmore
) and tries to impress her by taking her on an expensive date using Cheryl's credit card. Debbie is flattered but is not looking for a relationship with Brett, however, she agrees to attend Erinsborough High's debutante ball with him and gives him a kiss at the end of the night.
Brett later gets a pet rat and lectures Danni about animal rights. He then begins a romance with Lata Chatterji (Kamila Webb) but her older brother Vikram (Nigel Rodrigues) is livid and disapproves of their relationship, they later end their romance after Lata is sent away to live with an aunt. As a parting gift, Lata buys Brett a Galah, who he names Dahl.
Brett's affections soon turn to Libby Kennedy
(Kym Valentine
), who has moved from Greendale with her family. He kisses her during a school play , but criticises him for his bad kissing. Brett and Susan Kennedy
(Jackie Woodburne
) travel to Kenya
, Brett claims that Cheryl ruined his life trying to get him to do things he didn't want, he then decides he doesn't want to attend university. When he returns home his friendship with Libby gets back on track. He declares to his family he wants independence and build an African styled tent in the garden and moves into it. Brett meets a golfing friend of his mothers, Judy Bergman (Merridy Eastman), they get on well and begin to spend time together they kiss and start a secret affair. When everyone finds out, Brett leaves to go sailing around the world and gives Dahl to the Kennedy family. During his sailing endeavor, Brett is held on suspicion of drug smuggling in Ecuador
but is eventually released.
After Cheryl dies, Brett returns, he feels guilty for not being around when Cheryl died, Marlene reminds him how much she loved him and wanted him to be happy. Darren is uncontrollable, his actions make Brett's grief worse but he chooses not to abandon him. Darren continues to threaten Lou over Cheryl leaving her whole estate to him, Lou tells Brett he will share his gains with the rest of the Stark family. Brett stays around to help Darren on a job, he later finds out Darren is doing the job to spite Malcolm Kennedy
(Benjamin McNair
), much to Brett's annoyance. Darren tries to rip Mal off, so Brett refuses to help him further. Brett comforts Libby when she decides to end her relationship with Darren, resulting in conflict with the brothers. Brett becomes upset that his family has fallen apart, so he and Danni leave to start a new life elsewhere. Before leaving, Brett and Darren reconcile and remain in contact. He later appears in Annalise Hartman's
(Kimberley Davies
) documentary on Ramsay Street, where he jokes that he would be interested in seeing Libby again if he broke up with Darren.
Entertainment website Hecklerspray profiled their favourite characters from the serial, one of them was Brett. Commenting on him they stated: "With a cleft chin of glory and a more intelligent persona than the average Ramsay Street resident (read: geek), Brett was old beyond his years." They went onto say how he is easily dragged into trouble by Danni and branding him as "boring" compared to her. Also stating that his relationships with Helen Daniels and Susan Kennedy were "creepy" even though they were not sexual, subsequently branding his and Susan's "African holiday" storyline as pointless. Paul Lang of entertainment website lowculture
also branded Brett as "creepy" for his attraction to Helen.
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 Network Ten
Network Ten
Network Ten , is one of Australia's three major commercial television networks. Owned-and-operated stations can be found in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, while affiliates extend the network to cover most of the country...
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...
, played by Brett Blewitt
Brett Blewitt
Brett Blewitt, is an Australian actor who played Brett Stark on the Australian soap opera Neighbours from 1993 to 1996...
. He debuted in the episode airing on 30 November 1993, along with his sister, Danni Stark
Danni Stark
Danielle "Danni" Stark is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Eliza Szonert. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 30 November 1993 and remained in the show until 13 November 1996, with a brief cameo in 2005 in Annalise Hartman's...
and remained as a regular in the show until 8 March 1996. Blewitt returned as Brett for five weeks after the death of his on-screen mother, Cheryl. He departed along with Danni 13 November 1996 and made a further cameo appearance in 2005 during 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...
's documentary about Ramsay Street, as part of Neighbours twenty-fifth anniversary. During his duration in the serial he was portrayed as a "geek" a word that defined the character throughout his casting, storylines and perception among other characters. He had close friendly relationships with older woman including, Susan Kennedy
Susan Kennedy
Susan Kennedy , is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten 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 on-screen appearance on 3 October 1994 along...
and 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...
, the latter he developed a crush on, which generated bad reception from some. He went on to have an affair with an older woman Judy Bergeman. He is an animal lover and was the owner Dahl the Galah
Galah
The Galah , Eolophus roseicapilla, also known as the Rose-breasted Cockatoo, Galah Cockatoo, Roseate Cockatoo or Pink and Grey, is one of the most common and widespread cockatoos, and it can be found in open country in almost all parts of mainland Australia.It is endemic on the mainland and was...
who still resides with the Kennedy family to this day.
Creation and casting
The character of Brett was created in 1993 as part of a new family, the Starks, joining already existing characters Cheryl StarkCheryl Stark
Cheryl Stark is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Caroline Gillmer. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 26 July 1993. Colette Mann took over the role for eight weeks from late 1995 to early 1996 whilst Gillmer was ill...
(Caroline Gillmer
Caroline Gillmer
Caroline Gillmer is an Australian actress, best known for her roles in various television series, such as Prisoner as Helen Smart and Neighbours as Cheryl Stark....
) and Darren Stark
Darren Stark
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...
(Scott Major
Scott Major
Scott Major is an Australian actor. Major's acting début was playing Murray on Home and Away in the 1990s. He joined the Neighbours cast for a brief period in 1993 as the original Darren Stark. and then was a part of the Heartbreak High cast as "Rivers" from 1994–1995...
). Cheryl, his mother moves in with him when he arrives with his sister Danni Stark
Danni Stark
Danielle "Danni" Stark is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Eliza Szonert. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 30 November 1993 and remained in the show until 13 November 1996, with a brief cameo in 2005 in Annalise Hartman's...
(Eliza Szonert
Eliza Szonert
Eliza Szonert is an Australian actress.Szonert is best known for playing Danni Stark in Australia's long-running soap opera, Neighbours, from 1993 to 1996. Szonert reprised the role in 2005 for the show's 20th anniversary....
), another new addition to the serial's cast.
Casting sessions were held with auditionees required to look geeky, Brett Blewitt went on to receive the role Fellow Neighbours actor Ryan Moloney
Ryan Moloney
Ryan Moloney is an Australian actor best known for his portrayal of the fictional character Jarrod "Toadfish" Rebecchi in the Australian soap opera Neighbours.-Before Neighbours:...
who plays Toadie Rebecchi originally auditioned for the role but did not meet the requirements. Jesse Spencer
Jesse Spencer
Jesse Gordon Spencer is an Australian actor and musician. He is best known for his current portrayal of Dr. Robert Chase on the medical drama House and for playing Billy Kennedy in the Australian soap-opera Neighbours....
, who would later go on to play Billy Kennedy also auditioned for the role and reached the last three but was turned down due to being too young for the role.
. Blewitt later revealed the casting happened really fast and that two weeks after his audition, which he thought he had ruined, he was already moved to Melbourne and filming.
In 1996 Blewitt quit the serial, he later said he made his decision based on the fact he only ever wanted to be on the show for around two years and didn't want to be scared of change. In 2005, Blewitt was asked to return in a cameo capacity, he accepted and was one of many ex-cast members who made a return to Neighbours to appear in an episode celebrating the show's 20th anniversary. The return came about after Linda Walker, the serial's production manager approached him, they shot the scenes in Sydney Harbour.
Characterisation
Brett has been portrayed as an extremely kind and caring character. He is a geek and bookish and knows plenty of trivia about wild animals. He always supported his family in their time of need, he was also approving of his mother's relationship with Lou CarpenterLou Carpenter
Louis "Lou" Carpenter is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Tom Oliver. He made his first on-screen appearance on 30 March 1988. Lou appeared for a brief time, before leaving and later returning in January 1992 as a regular cast member. He is the longest...
(Tom Oliver
Tom Oliver
Tom Oliver is an English television, film and theatre actor best known today for playing the role of Lou Carpenter in the Australian soap opera Neighbours.-Career:...
) because he wanted everyone to be happy, whereas the rest of his family were not. He also tried to keep his family together after his mother died, putting his own grief to one side. Throughout his duration he was close to 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:...
), through their bond he later develops a crush on her, which other characters and media thought was odd. Of their closeness Blewitt stated: "I loved that Brett found such a close friend in Helen. Anything that challenged the social norm on the show I loved." Through his affair with Judy Bergman (Merridy Eastman) he was portrayed as being more "manly". This is in contrast to his early days in the serial when he used to get tongue-twisted and didn't know how to act calmly around girls. Danni is a bad influence on Brett who is impressionable where Danni is concerned, she often led him astray through her antics.
Blewitt has described Brett as a "Lovable Dork". He also branded him a "real character" and "eccentric". Blewitt also described him as: "He was very comical [...] He was such an important character, in the way of a male role model, particularly in Australia. Brett was happy in his skin, he wasn't cool and he didn't have girls falling at his feet, but he was smart and loyal and from granny Helen to Stonefish, everyone valued Brett as a friend."
Storylines
Brett arrives in Ramsay Street with Danni after they are expelled from their respective boarding schools . Cheryl doesn't want her children to stay around, as she is enjoying her LottoLottery
A lottery is a form of gambling which involves the drawing of lots for a prize.Lottery is outlawed by some governments, while others endorse it to the extent of organizing a national or state lottery. It is common to find some degree of regulation of lottery by governments...
win. Cheryl didn't want him to leave boarding school as she has high ambitions for Brett and wants him to study law. Brett becomes close to Helen, she helps him with his artist ambitions by applying for a job. Lou Carpenter uses Brett by giving him a job at the car Lott, in order to get close to Cheryl. Cheryl and Lou begin a relationship, this infuriates Danni and Darren. Brett offers Cheryl support and approves of Lou. He becomes friends with Rick Alessi
Rick Alessi
Riccardo "Rick" Alessi is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Dan Falzon. He made his first on-screen appearance on 8 June 1992 and he remained until his departure on 9 March 1995.-Casting:...
(Dan Falzon
Dan Falzon
Dan Falzon is an Australian actor of Maltese descent, best known for his role as Rick Alessi on the television soap opera Neighbours. He also appeared in the Channel Nine drama The Alice, as a park ranger. He also formed the short lived pop group Milk with his brother, releasing the single...
) to look popular and tries to get him to become school captain. Brett also tries to win the affections of Debbie Martin
Debbie Martin
Deborah "Debbie" Martin is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Marnie Reece-Wilmore. She made her first on-screen appearance on 27 July 1985. Debbie was initially played by Mandy Storvik and later Katrina McEwan. Reece-Wilmore was cast in the role in 1992...
(Marnie Reece-Wilmore
Marnie Reece-Wilmore
Marnie Reece-Wilmore is an Australian actor from Sydney. She is best known for her role in Neighbours during the 1990s.-Early work:...
) and tries to impress her by taking her on an expensive date using Cheryl's credit card. Debbie is flattered but is not looking for a relationship with Brett, however, she agrees to attend Erinsborough High's debutante ball with him and gives him a kiss at the end of the night.
Brett later gets a pet rat and lectures Danni about animal rights. He then begins a romance with Lata Chatterji (Kamila Webb) but her older brother Vikram (Nigel Rodrigues) is livid and disapproves of their relationship, they later end their romance after Lata is sent away to live with an aunt. As a parting gift, Lata buys Brett a Galah, who he names Dahl.
Brett's affections soon turn to Libby Kennedy
Libby Kennedy
Elizabeth Grace "Libby" Kennedy is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Kym Valentine. She made her first on-screen appearance on 3 October 1994 and departed in 2004, before returning on 12 November 2007. Libby is the only daughter of Karl and Susan Kennedy...
(Kym Valentine
Kym Valentine
Kym Valentine is a Maltese Australian actress best known for her portrayal of Libby Kennedy in the soap opera Neighbours.-Early and personal life:...
), who has moved from Greendale with her family. He kisses her during a school play , but criticises him for his bad kissing. Brett and Susan Kennedy
Susan Kennedy
Susan Kennedy , is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten 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 on-screen appearance on 3 October 1994 along...
(Jackie Woodburne
Jackie Woodburne
Jackie Woodburne is a Northern Irish-born Australian actress.-Personal life:Woodburne was born in Carrickfergus, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Her father was a member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary. She has two older siblings: John and Stephen. At age three she emigrated with her family to...
) travel to Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
, Brett claims that Cheryl ruined his life trying to get him to do things he didn't want, he then decides he doesn't want to attend university. When he returns home his friendship with Libby gets back on track. He declares to his family he wants independence and build an African styled tent in the garden and moves into it. Brett meets a golfing friend of his mothers, Judy Bergman (Merridy Eastman), they get on well and begin to spend time together they kiss and start a secret affair. When everyone finds out, Brett leaves to go sailing around the world and gives Dahl to the Kennedy family. During his sailing endeavor, Brett is held on suspicion of drug smuggling in Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
but is eventually released.
After Cheryl dies, Brett returns, he feels guilty for not being around when Cheryl died, Marlene reminds him how much she loved him and wanted him to be happy. Darren is uncontrollable, his actions make Brett's grief worse but he chooses not to abandon him. Darren continues to threaten Lou over Cheryl leaving her whole estate to him, Lou tells Brett he will share his gains with the rest of the Stark family. Brett stays around to help Darren on a job, he later finds out Darren is doing the job to spite Malcolm Kennedy
Malcolm Kennedy
Malcolm George "Mal" Kennedy is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Benjamin McNair. He made his first on-screen appearance on 3 October 1994 arriving to live in Ramsay Street with his family...
(Benjamin McNair
Benjamin McNair
Benjamin John McNair is an Australian actor. McNair is perhaps best known for his role as Malcolm Kennedy in the soap opera Neighbours which he played from 1994–97 returning briefly in 2002, 2004 and 2011 with a cameo appearance in 2005.-Early life:McNair moved to Australia with his family when he...
), much to Brett's annoyance. Darren tries to rip Mal off, so Brett refuses to help him further. Brett comforts Libby when she decides to end her relationship with Darren, resulting in conflict with the brothers. Brett becomes upset that his family has fallen apart, so he and Danni leave to start a new life elsewhere. Before leaving, Brett and Darren reconcile and remain in contact. He later appears in Annalise Hartman's
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...
(Kimberley Davies
Kimberley Davies
Kimberley Davies is an Australian actress most famous for playing Annalise Hartman on the Australian soap opera Neighbours from 1993 to 1996...
) documentary on Ramsay Street, where he jokes that he would be interested in seeing Libby again if he broke up with Darren.
Reception
Brett was positively received for his "kindly nature" by Josephine Monroe in her book "Neighbours: The first 10 years", she further described him stating: "Brett is the sort of boy most girls call a nerd. He's not particularly good-looking, is bookish, knows lots of useless information about the life-cycle of fruit flies and gets tongue-twisted in the presence of girls."Entertainment website Hecklerspray profiled their favourite characters from the serial, one of them was Brett. Commenting on him they stated: "With a cleft chin of glory and a more intelligent persona than the average Ramsay Street resident (read: geek), Brett was old beyond his years." They went onto say how he is easily dragged into trouble by Danni and branding him as "boring" compared to her. Also stating that his relationships with Helen Daniels and Susan Kennedy were "creepy" even though they were not sexual, subsequently branding his and Susan's "African holiday" storyline as pointless. Paul Lang of entertainment 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 branded Brett as "creepy" for his attraction to Helen.