Cody Willis
Encyclopedia
Cody Willis is a fictional character
from the Australian soap opera Neighbours
, originally played by Amelia Frid
. She made her first on-screen appearance on 24 November 1989. The character departed in 1991, but returned in 1993 with Peta Brady
in the role. Cody was last seen on-screen on 29 March 1996, following her death.
. Frid said that there was a lot of interest in renewing her contract, as her on-screen family had just been introduced. However, her Principal told her that the school could not support her if she wanted to continue with Neighbours and take her VCE. Frid and Cody departed on-screen on 30 July 1991. When the character was brought back, Frid was not asked to return and producers recast and gave the role to newcomer Brady. Brady was a full time student at Sydney University when she won the role of Cody. After four years in the role, Brady decided to quit Neighbours. She said that Cody "has been great fun to play", but it was time to move on.
(Kristian Schmid) girlfriend. Cody was initially described as being "studious" and a "high achiever." Her parents were very proud of her. Cody became a "determined young woman" and she once wore a fake moustache, so she could play on the men's cricket team. Cody earned a scholarship to study in America and she "jumped at the chance" to leave. Of her character, Brady said "I think people have liked the down-to-earth qualities of Cody." She added that viewers have told her that they are happy to see "someone who isn't scarily beautiful" on the show.
When Cody returns from America she is a "changed person" and "clearly broken-hearted." The BBC
said that Cody had gained a "broader outlook on life" due to her time away. Cody tries hard to establish her relationship with her family, but her "bizarre" mood swings alarm her parents. Doug (Terence Donovan
) and Pam (Sue Jones
) also find it hard to understand why Cody is steering clear of her "male admirers", Rick Alessi
(Dan Falzon
) and Michael Martin
(Troy Beckwith). Michael falls for Cody as he believes that they are two of a kind. Inside Soap
said "Both feel lonely and isolated after returning to their families after a long time away and initially they vow to stay just good friends." However, Michael's sister, Debbie
(Marnie Reece-Wilmore
), decides to play cupid to get them together. This does not sit well with Michael's mother. When Rick first meets Cody, he thinks she is gorgeous and the girl for him. He tries to flirt with her at every opportunity, but Cody is determined to stay away from boys. She tells Debbie that she had her heart broken in America and that she is scared of getting hurt again. In her book, Neighbours: the first 10 years, Josephine Monroe said that Cody and Rick were "made for each other" because they shared the same sense of humour and they were ambitious. It is later revealed that Cody had secretly married American Drew Grover (Christopher Kirby). Their marriage breaks up when Cody realises that she loves Rick. Brady said that she is not like Cody at all when it comes to men and she added "Cody always seemed to need to have a man in tow."
In 1996, Cody is shot after a drugs bust in Ramsay Street goes wrong. She is hit by a stray bullet as police try to apprehend the drug dealers. The situation was described as being perhaps one of the most disturbing events to have ever occurred in Ramsay Street. Cody is left in a critical condition and she is taken to the hospital, where she undegoes surgery. Cody's mother flies down from Darwin to be by her daughter's bedside, but Cody later dies. Months before the storyline was due to air in the United Kingdom, the Dunblane massacre
occurred and the BBC
were urged not to show the scenes, which had been labelled "inappropriate and insensitive."
. She is the youngest child born to Doug and Pam Willis. Cody is sister to Adam (Ian Williams), Brad (Scott Michaelson
) and Gaby (Rachel Blakely
). Cody falls for Todd Landers, who is her classmate at Erinsborough High. When Todd's girlfriend, Melissa Jarrett
(Jade Amenta) goes away to America, Cody decides to make a play for Todd. Cody tries to seduce Todd, but he remains committed to Melissa. Todd later kisses Cody, but he stays with Melissa. Cody then began dating Josh Anderson
(Jeremy Angerson). Melissa and Josh begin to spend more time together studying and they fall for each other. Todd then breaks up with Melissa for Cody.
Cody's parents move into Ramsay Street and Todd tells Cody that he is being sent back to Adelaide. Cody begs Todd to stay, but he is forced to leave. However, Todd does not get on the bus to Adelaide and Cody hides him in her room. Pam finds Todd, but his uncle, Jim Robinson
(Alan Dale
) allows him to stay with him. Pam finds condoms in Cody's bag and fears she is having sex with Todd. The condoms had been given to all of the students at the school during a sex education class. Cody is forbidden from seeing Todd and they decide to run away. Cody catches a bad fever and is forced to return home.
Dorothy Burke
(Maggie Dence
) puts Cody forward for a scholarship in America. Cody does not want to leave Todd, but they decide to split up. The later decide to have a long distance relationship. While she is away, Cody writes a letter to Todd telling him that their relationship is over. Cody later marries Drew Grover (Christopher Kirby). When she realises that Drew does not love her, Cody returns to Erinsborough.
Cody's family are happy to have her home. Cody becomes withdrawn and Pam introduces her to Debbie Martin. Cody falls for Rick Alessi, because he is different. However, their romance is cut short, when Rick leaves for Hong Kong. Cody later becomes friends with Debbie's brother, Michael and they spend a lot of time together. Rick returns to Ramsay Street and a rivaly breaks out between him and Michael. Cody and Michael begin dating and Michael puts pressure on Cody to have sex. They later decide to be friends instead. Cody is stunned when Drew arrives in Ramsay Street and tries to stop him revealing the truth about their marriage. The truth does come out and Doug and Pam are shocked. Drew and Cody agree to divorce and Drew goes home.
Cody and Rick eventually start a relationship after he escorts her to the deb ball. Cody moves in with Marlene Kratz
(Moya O'Sullivan) after Doug and Pam move to Darwin. She later moves in with Debbie's family. Rick is offered a job in Darwin and he leaves, after he and Cody agree to try a long distance relationship. Cody gets a job as a receptionist at Karl Kennedy
's (Alan Fletcher) surgery and moves in with Mark Gottlieb (Bruce Samazan
). Cody ends her relationship with Rick for Stonefish Rebecchi
(Anthony Engelman). They later decide to be friends and Cody begins dating her college tutor, Adrian Ewart (Jeremy Kewley
). When she finds out that he has a girlfriend, she ends the relationship. However, Adrian begins stalking Cody and she is forced to issue him with a restraining order.
Stonefish and Malcolm Kennedy
(Benjamin McNair
) buy a used car from a pair of drug dealers. The police realise that the dealers have hidden drugs in the car and arrive in Ramsay Street to try and catch the dealers. The police set up a base for their operation in Cody's house. The drug dealers arrive and a shootout breaks out between them and the police. A shot is fired through the window and it hits Cody in the stomach. Cody is then rushed to the hospital for surgery. Cody lays in a critical condition for a week and Pam arrives to visit her. Cody regains consciousness, but she suddenly starts arresting. The doctors try to help, but Cody dies. She later appears to Sam Kratz
(Richard Grieve
) before a memorial service is held for her. Her body is then taken to Darwin to be buried.
tried to choose the characters she would be most starstruck by if she met them. She said "It would have to be the Willis family. All of them. Pam, Doug, Adam, Gaby, Brad and Cody".
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...
, originally played by Amelia Frid
Amelia Frid
Amelia Frid is an Australian actress who played Cody Willis in Neighbours. She retired from acting to concentrate on studies and her current profession is forensic psychology. Frid's final appearance in Neighbours as Cody Willis was 30 July 1991 which was her 16th birthday...
. She made her first on-screen appearance on 24 November 1989. The character departed in 1991, but returned in 1993 with Peta Brady
Peta Brady
Peta Brady is an Australian actress. She is best known for playing Cody Willis in the TV soap opera Neighbours. Since she left the show, Brady has appeared in the film Mullet, the TV sitcom Kath & Kim and the SBS series RAN ...
in the role. Cody was last seen on-screen on 29 March 1996, following her death.
Casting
Frid successfully auditioned for Neighbours in 1989 and was cast in the role of Cody. Frid called the experience a "right time, right place thing", she also added that "it was all kind of surreal". Frid decided to leave when her contract was due to end. At the same time she was also studying for her VCEVictorian Certificate of Education
The Victorian Certificate of Education or VCE is the credential awarded to secondary school students who successfully complete high school level studies in the state of Victoria, Australia. Study for the VCE is usually completed over two years, but it can be spread over a longer period in some cases...
. Frid said that there was a lot of interest in renewing her contract, as her on-screen family had just been introduced. However, her Principal told her that the school could not support her if she wanted to continue with Neighbours and take her VCE. Frid and Cody departed on-screen on 30 July 1991. When the character was brought back, Frid was not asked to return and producers recast and gave the role to newcomer Brady. Brady was a full time student at Sydney University when she won the role of Cody. After four years in the role, Brady decided to quit Neighbours. She said that Cody "has been great fun to play", but it was time to move on.
Character development
Cody was one of the first members of the Willis family to arrive in Ramsay Street and she became Todd LandersTodd 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) girlfriend. Cody was initially described as being "studious" and a "high achiever." Her parents were very proud of her. Cody became a "determined young woman" and she once wore a fake moustache, so she could play on the men's cricket team. Cody earned a scholarship to study in America and she "jumped at the chance" to leave. Of her character, Brady said "I think people have liked the down-to-earth qualities of Cody." She added that viewers have told her that they are happy to see "someone who isn't scarily beautiful" on the show.
When Cody returns from America she is a "changed person" and "clearly broken-hearted." The BBC
BBC
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 that Cody had gained a "broader outlook on life" due to her time away. Cody tries hard to establish her relationship with her family, but her "bizarre" mood swings alarm her parents. Doug (Terence Donovan
Terence Donovan (actor)
Terence Donovan , also known as Terry Donovan, is an English-born Australian actor and the father of fellow actor and entertainer Jason Donovan...
) and Pam (Sue Jones
Sue Jones (actress)
Sue Jones is an Australian actress, born in Wales, UK. She is probably best known for playing Pam Willis in Neighbours from 1990 to 1994. She had also played an on-going role in the situation comedy The Tea Ladies , and was Kathy Hall in Prisoner in 1981...
) also find it hard to understand why Cody is steering clear of her "male admirers", 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...
) and Michael Martin
Michael Martin (Neighbours)
Michael Martin is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Troy Beckwith. He made his first on-screen appearance on 8 October 1985. The character was originally played by Samuel Hammington. Beckwith took over the role in 1992...
(Troy Beckwith). Michael falls for Cody as he believes that they are two of a kind. Inside Soap
Inside Soap
Inside Soap is a weekly UK magazine, released every Tuesday. It covers current and future storylines in soap operas shown in the United Kingdom....
said "Both feel lonely and isolated after returning to their families after a long time away and initially they vow to stay just good friends." However, Michael's sister, Debbie
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:...
), decides to play cupid to get them together. This does not sit well with Michael's mother. When Rick first meets Cody, he thinks she is gorgeous and the girl for him. He tries to flirt with her at every opportunity, but Cody is determined to stay away from boys. She tells Debbie that she had her heart broken in America and that she is scared of getting hurt again. In her book, Neighbours: the first 10 years, Josephine Monroe said that Cody and Rick were "made for each other" because they shared the same sense of humour and they were ambitious. It is later revealed that Cody had secretly married American Drew Grover (Christopher Kirby). Their marriage breaks up when Cody realises that she loves Rick. Brady said that she is not like Cody at all when it comes to men and she added "Cody always seemed to need to have a man in tow."
In 1996, Cody is shot after a drugs bust in Ramsay Street goes wrong. She is hit by a stray bullet as police try to apprehend the drug dealers. The situation was described as being perhaps one of the most disturbing events to have ever occurred in Ramsay Street. Cody is left in a critical condition and she is taken to the hospital, where she undegoes surgery. Cody's mother flies down from Darwin to be by her daughter's bedside, but Cody later dies. Months before the storyline was due to air in the United Kingdom, the Dunblane massacre
Dunblane massacre
The Dunblane massacre was a multiple murder-suicide which occurred at Dunblane Primary School in the Scottish town of Dunblane on 13 March 1996. Sixteen children and one adult were killed by Thomas Hamilton before he committed suicide.-Timeline of events:...
occurred and the BBC
BBC
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...
were urged not to show the scenes, which had been labelled "inappropriate and insensitive."
Storylines
Cody was born in 1975 in ErinsboroughErinsborough
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...
. She is the youngest child born to Doug and Pam Willis. Cody is sister to Adam (Ian Williams), Brad (Scott Michaelson
Scott Michaelson
Scott Michaelson is an Australian actor and manager who is most famous for playing Brad Willis in Neighbours...
) and Gaby (Rachel Blakely
Rachel Blakely
Rachel Blakely is an Australian actress. Her works include films such as Love Until, Young Hercules and Counterstrike, as well as guest appearances on television shows such as Xena: Warrior Princess, State Coroner and Flipper; from 2006 to 2007 she starred as Glenda Fry in the Australian...
). Cody falls for Todd Landers, who is her classmate at Erinsborough High. When Todd's girlfriend, Melissa Jarrett
Melissa Jarrett
Melissa Jarrett is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Jade Amenta. She made her first appearance on 8 August 1989. Melissa departed on 9 April 1991.-Casting:...
(Jade Amenta) goes away to America, Cody decides to make a play for Todd. Cody tries to seduce Todd, but he remains committed to Melissa. Todd later kisses Cody, but he stays with Melissa. Cody then began dating Josh Anderson
Josh Anderson (Neighbours)
Josh Anderson may refer to:*Josh Anderson , character who appeared on the soap opera Neighbours*Josh Anderson , Major League Baseball outfielder...
(Jeremy Angerson). Melissa and Josh begin to spend more time together studying and they fall for each other. Todd then breaks up with Melissa for Cody.
Cody's parents move into Ramsay Street and Todd tells Cody that he is being sent back to Adelaide. Cody begs Todd to stay, but he is forced to leave. However, Todd does not get on the bus to Adelaide and Cody hides him in her room. Pam finds Todd, but his uncle, 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...
) allows him to stay with him. Pam finds condoms in Cody's bag and fears she is having sex with Todd. The condoms had been given to all of the students at the school during a sex education class. Cody is forbidden from seeing Todd and they decide to run away. Cody catches a bad fever and is forced to return home.
Dorothy Burke
Dorothy Burke
Dorothy Miriam Burke is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Maggie Dence. She made her first on-screen appearance on 7 March 1990...
(Maggie Dence
Maggie Dence
Maggie Dence is an Australian actress who after high profile television comedy work became better known for several soap opera roles....
) puts Cody forward for a scholarship in America. Cody does not want to leave Todd, but they decide to split up. The later decide to have a long distance relationship. While she is away, Cody writes a letter to Todd telling him that their relationship is over. Cody later marries Drew Grover (Christopher Kirby). When she realises that Drew does not love her, Cody returns to Erinsborough.
Cody's family are happy to have her home. Cody becomes withdrawn and Pam introduces her to Debbie Martin. Cody falls for Rick Alessi, because he is different. However, their romance is cut short, when Rick leaves for Hong Kong. Cody later becomes friends with Debbie's brother, Michael and they spend a lot of time together. Rick returns to Ramsay Street and a rivaly breaks out between him and Michael. Cody and Michael begin dating and Michael puts pressure on Cody to have sex. They later decide to be friends instead. Cody is stunned when Drew arrives in Ramsay Street and tries to stop him revealing the truth about their marriage. The truth does come out and Doug and Pam are shocked. Drew and Cody agree to divorce and Drew goes home.
Cody and Rick eventually start a relationship after he escorts her to the deb ball. Cody moves in with Marlene Kratz
Marlene Kratz
Marlene Kratz is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Moya O'Sullivan. She made her first on-screen appearance on 5 July 1994 and remained in the show until 14 October 1997, when the character went on a three month cruise and never returned....
(Moya O'Sullivan) after Doug and Pam move to Darwin. She later moves in with Debbie's family. Rick is offered a job in Darwin and he leaves, after he and Cody agree to try a long distance relationship. Cody gets a job as a receptionist at Karl Kennedy
Karl Kennedy
Karl Raymond Kennedy is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Alan Fletcher. The character and his family were created by storyliners in an attempt to bring the show back to its roots. Karl made his first on-screen appearance on 20 September 1994 along with his...
's (Alan Fletcher) surgery and moves in with Mark Gottlieb (Bruce Samazan
Bruce Samazan
Bruce Samazan is an Australian actor who appeared in several soap operas and drama series on Australian television, the only actor to have played regular roles in Australia's "Big Three" soap operas of the 1990s .-E Street:Samazan was a brickie's labourer, until 1989 when he accompanied his...
). Cody ends her relationship with Rick for Stonefish Rebecchi
Stonefish Rebecchi
Kevin "Stonefish" Rebecchi is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap Neighbours, played by Anthony Engelman. He made his first appearance on 31 March 1994. Stonefish was the first of the Rebecchi family to appear and he was later followed by his mother, father and brothers. The...
(Anthony Engelman). They later decide to be friends and Cody begins dating her college tutor, Adrian Ewart (Jeremy Kewley
Jeremy Kewley
Jeremy Leo Kewley is an Australian actor, based in Melbourne, who made his professional acting debut at the age of 14 in the feature film The Devil's Playground .-Early life:...
). When she finds out that he has a girlfriend, she ends the relationship. However, Adrian begins stalking Cody and she is forced to issue him with a restraining order.
Stonefish and 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...
) buy a used car from a pair of drug dealers. The police realise that the dealers have hidden drugs in the car and arrive in Ramsay Street to try and catch the dealers. The police set up a base for their operation in Cody's house. The drug dealers arrive and a shootout breaks out between them and the police. A shot is fired through the window and it hits Cody in the stomach. Cody is then rushed to the hospital for surgery. Cody lays in a critical condition for a week and Pam arrives to visit her. Cody regains consciousness, but she suddenly starts arresting. The doctors try to help, but Cody dies. She later appears to Sam Kratz
Sam Kratz
Sam Kratz is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Richard Grieve. He first appeared in 1994 and remained in the show until 1996. In 2005, Sam made a cameo in his wife Annalise's documentary about Ramsay Street....
(Richard Grieve
Richard Grieve
Richard Grieve is an actor, currently living in England. He was born in Hong Kong. He has worked extensively in film, television, theatre and musical theatre, but is perhaps best known for his roles in the British soap Emmerdale, and two Australian television series, Neighbours and Home and...
) before a memorial service is held for her. Her body is then taken to Darwin to be buried.
Reception
The BBC said Cody's most notable moment was "Being shot and killed." During a feature on Neighbours, Anna Pickard of The GuardianThe Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
tried to choose the characters she would be most starstruck by if she met them. She said "It would have to be the Willis family. All of them. Pam, Doug, Adam, Gaby, Brad and Cody".