Gabrielle Jacobs
Encyclopedia
Dr. Gabrielle Jacobs is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera
Shortland Street
and has been portrayed by Virginie Le Brun
throughout two stints, the first from 2009 to 2010 and the second from 2011 to present. She arrived in February 2009 as a potential love interest for long serving playboy Chris Warner
(Michael Galvin
).
Upon the characters arrival, she is announced to be suffering from Asperger syndrome
, a high functioning form of Autism
, making her the first regular character on the show to be associated with the syndrome. Being hired to replace the murdered Ethan Pierce
(Owen Black), Gabrielle clashes with many characters due to her blunt and antisocial behaviour but grows close to womanizer Chris Warner. The two start to date but break up following Chris' treatment of her illness. Gabrielle departed to Italy but returned the following year and admitted she still had feelings for Chris but started to date villainous Shane (Jason Hood). Her personality have caused her to clash and become friends with several notable characters, including a intense feud with Libby Jeffries
(Fleur Saville
) and a long running friendship with Sarah Potts (Amanda Billing
).
The characters unusual and comedic ways have seen the character become vastly popular amongst fans, winning "Favourite Female Character" at the Throng Shortland Street Fan Awards 2009.
would be arriving in February and would "immediately cause some consternation amongst her fellow colleagues." Former What Now
host, Virginie Le Brun
was announced to have been cast as the over achieving doctor with aspergys. At the same time as filming her first scene, Le Brun learnt her father had been diagnosed with cancer, making surgery scenes difficult to film. Gabrielle arrived and featured many scenes alongside Chris Warner
hinting at a possible relationship.
Gabrielle was axed from the show following the expiry of Le Brun's 1 year contract. Both le Brun and Producer Steven Zanoski agreed that the character had accomplished what she was brought in for and her storylines were over.
, stating; "As stories developed following Gabrielle's departure it became apparent that the character had unfinished business. After all, she is the only woman to have broken Chris Warner's heart." Le Brun was thrilled to be back in the role, stating; "It's been so exciting to be back in the building and playing Gabrielle again. I love the character and it has been lovely to catch-up with the cast and crew. I am looking forward to finding out what the writers have in store for me!" Steven Zanoski later confirmed that one of the reasons Gabrielle was brought back, was so that writers could explore her family, with sister Lana arriving in July.
(Owen Black). Her absurd and antisocial behaviour amused yet confused several members of staff including CEO Callum McKay
(Peter Mochrie
) and Chris Warner
(Michael Galvin
) and annoyed nurse Tania Jeffries
(Faye Smythe
). Gabrielle started a relationship with Kip Denton
(Will Hall), who quickly tired of the lack of emotion in the relationship and dumped her. Gabrielle struggled to operate on an ex boyfriend but was comforted by Chris, enabling her to carry through the procedure. After running over a cat, an emotional Gabrielle admitted she loved Chris. Chris' partner Libby
(Fleur Saville
) was appalled and tried to set Gabrielle up with Luke Durville
(Gerald Urquhart), who Gabrielle showed no attraction to. Chris soon admitted his love and they started to date, while Gabrielle saved Libby from a dangerous fire.
After being offered a job in Zürich
in early 2010, Gabrielle began to question emotions and when Chris talked down to her, she broke it off with him and left the country. A year later in April 2011, Gabrielle returned to the hospital and was instantly confronted with feelings towards Chris. She jumped into a relationship with manipulative Shane Tucker (Jason Hood) and later dated Jonathon McKenna (Kieren Hutchison
). Gabrielle was fazed by the arrival of estranged sister Lana Jacobs (Brooke Williams
) in July but the two made up. In October, Jonathon left her heartbroken after growing sick of her, sending Gabrielle into a nervous breakdown.
, Gabrielle is socially awkward and only gives eye contact if necessary. Though awkward she is confident. Le Brun described Gabrielle having a big heart, saying; "While her response is often quite severe, her intention never is – she's always coming from a good place." She also described Gabrielle's bluntness, saying; "She says things no one else would dream of saying, or they would but three seconds later respond with `I can't believe I just said that!' But she doesn't realise it's inappropriate." She has also been descrbed as "quirky".
, producers sought to break ground, after previously receiving controversy over the character Angus Phelps
who suffered from Tourettes Syndrome. Le Brun was happy that a high profile show such as Shortland Street was giving the condition coverage, stating; "I think it's really positive bringing something like this into the forefront. I had never heard of Asperger's before my audition, and I started researching it because I wanted to make it authentic." The character was said to question the nations social consciousness. Le Brun struggled to portray difficult lines with no emotion, describing them as some of the shows most difficult lines ever spoken. Storylines airing upon her first stint in 2009 saw colleagues bewildered and hesitant at the new doctor, with Kip Denton
not handling no emotion in his relationship and quitting their brief liaison. In 2010 Gabrielle began to question feelings and when she was talked down to by partner, Chris
, she broke it off with him and left the show. In 2011 upon her return, it is revealed Gabrielle is revealed to be in turmoil over a man dying while fixing one of her surgical machines in Zurich but she is unable to express the emotion she holds inside. Chris begins to suspect Shane Tucker of using Gabrielle's condition to manipulate her into a relationship and Jonathon later dumps Gabrielle after growing sick of her lack of spontaneous
behaviour. This causes Gabrielle to become very self conscious, with Le Brun explaining; "She was pretty crazy about him and she really got her heart broken good and truly for the first time ever. It really knocked her for six and she kind of imploded a little bit and went, 'Oh gosh, I'll never be loveable, no one will ever love me rwally because I'm too weird.' She turns it all inwards and it went quite badly."
. While Chris was involved with Libby Jeffries
, he and Gabrielle started to share a lot of scenes together on screen, with Chris being one of the only characters to accept Gabrielle's aspergers. Chris eventually fell in love with Gabrielle and admitted this at his farewell party in front of Libby. After arriving back in New Zealand he dumps Libby for Gabrielle, though she is at first hesitant, worried she has hurt Libby. The two eventually get together and settle down, with Chris thinking Gabrielle is 'the one'. Producer Steven Zanoski liked the partnership but noted flaws, stating; "Chris has always gone out with glamorous women in the past and now he's found someone who challenges his mind, it helps that she is gorgeous as well. Chris is slowly trying to change Gabrielle, but whether she wants to be changed is another story." Gabrielle soon grows sick of Chris patronizing her and dumps him shortly before leaving the country. Upon her return in April 2011, Gabrielle struggles not to be jealous of Chris moving on with Rachel McKenna
and later states she is still in love with Chris. After he tries to warn Shane Tucker off Gabrielle for her best interests, Gabrielle lashes out at him for prying into her business.
Hugh Sundae of The New Zealand Herald
praised Gabrielle, saying anything involving the character was bound to be good. Brooke Williams
who appeared as Gabrielle's sister Lana Jacobs in July 2011 stated upon arrival that Gabrielle was her favourite character.
As soon as she learnt about her character's condition, Le Brun accepted the heavy scrutiny she was going to receive due to the controversy of the topic. Gabrielle's portrayal of Asperger syndrome
was praised, with Jon Boyer of Autism New Zealand stating on her return to the soap in 2011; "Autism New Zealand is thrilled that the character of Gabrielle Jacobs is returning to Shortland Street. The rise in awareness for Autism and Aspergers Syndrome that this character generated was fantastic and we commend Virginie Le Brun for the research she undertook before taking on this challenging role. We would like to congratulate the makers of Shortland Street for presenting Aspergers Syndrome in a fair, balanced yet very entertaining way." Le Brun received positive feedback for her portrayal of Asperger's Syndrome. Mothers of teenagers with the syndrome said their children had taken pride in seeing Gabrielle's character on TV. Le Brun explained the benefits of portraying the role as helping educate viewers about Aspergys, stating; "Kids who have Aspergers have tuned in where they might not have done so before. I think they can find it quite reassuring. We've had the odd email or mums saying they look at it as a bit of an inspiration that while things are difficult, you can do good things with your life."
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
Shortland Street
Shortland Street
Shortland Street is a New Zealand prime-time soap opera, first broadcast on Television New Zealand's TV2 on 25 May 1992. It is the country's longest-running drama and soap opera, being broadcast continuously for over 4500 episodes and 19 years, and is one of the most watched television programs in...
and has been portrayed by Virginie Le Brun
Virginie Le Brun
Virginie Le Brun is a New Zealand actress best known for her role as Dr. Gabrielle Jacobs in the TV series Shortland Street. She is the daughter of vintners Adele and Daniel Le Brun.-External links:...
throughout two stints, the first from 2009 to 2010 and the second from 2011 to present. She arrived in February 2009 as a potential love interest for long serving playboy Chris Warner
Chris Warner
Dr. Christopher "Chris" Warner is a fictional character and current main protagonist on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. He is portrayed by Michael Galvin. He is the only original character to still be on the show....
(Michael Galvin
Michael Galvin
Michael Galvin is a New Zealand actor, singer and playwright, well known for his role as Dr. Chris Warner on the soap opera Shortland Street, a character he has played almost continuously since the shows debut in 1992.-Early life:...
).
Upon the characters arrival, she is announced to be suffering from Asperger syndrome
Asperger syndrome
Asperger's syndrome that is characterized by significant difficulties in social interaction, alongside restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests. It differs from other autism spectrum disorders by its relative preservation of linguistic and cognitive development...
, a high functioning form of Autism
Autism
Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their...
, making her the first regular character on the show to be associated with the syndrome. Being hired to replace the murdered Ethan Pierce
Ethan Pierce
Dr. Ethan Pierce is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street and was portrayed by Owen Black from August 2008 to January 2009 and again from May to June 2009...
(Owen Black), Gabrielle clashes with many characters due to her blunt and antisocial behaviour but grows close to womanizer Chris Warner. The two start to date but break up following Chris' treatment of her illness. Gabrielle departed to Italy but returned the following year and admitted she still had feelings for Chris but started to date villainous Shane (Jason Hood). Her personality have caused her to clash and become friends with several notable characters, including a intense feud with Libby Jeffries
Libby Jeffries
Olivia "Libby" Jeffries is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She was portrayed by Fleur Saville from 2006 to 2010....
(Fleur Saville
Fleur Saville
Fleur Saville in Auckland is a New Zealand television actress best known for her roles in the television sitcoms Being Eve and The Tribe in which she became known to international audiences for her portrayal of Ruby...
) and a long running friendship with Sarah Potts (Amanda Billing
Amanda Billing
Amanda Billing is best known for her role as Doctor Sarah Potts on New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street.-Biography:...
).
The characters unusual and comedic ways have seen the character become vastly popular amongst fans, winning "Favourite Female Character" at the Throng Shortland Street Fan Awards 2009.
Creation and casting
It was announced in January 2009 that a character with Asperger syndromeAsperger syndrome
Asperger's syndrome that is characterized by significant difficulties in social interaction, alongside restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests. It differs from other autism spectrum disorders by its relative preservation of linguistic and cognitive development...
would be arriving in February and would "immediately cause some consternation amongst her fellow colleagues." Former What Now
What Now
What Now is a long running New Zealand children's television program that premiered in 1981. It is filmed before a live studio audience at Whitebait Productions in Christchurch....
host, Virginie Le Brun
Virginie Le Brun
Virginie Le Brun is a New Zealand actress best known for her role as Dr. Gabrielle Jacobs in the TV series Shortland Street. She is the daughter of vintners Adele and Daniel Le Brun.-External links:...
was announced to have been cast as the over achieving doctor with aspergys. At the same time as filming her first scene, Le Brun learnt her father had been diagnosed with cancer, making surgery scenes difficult to film. Gabrielle arrived and featured many scenes alongside Chris Warner
Chris Warner
Dr. Christopher "Chris" Warner is a fictional character and current main protagonist on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. He is portrayed by Michael Galvin. He is the only original character to still be on the show....
hinting at a possible relationship.
Gabrielle was axed from the show following the expiry of Le Brun's 1 year contract. Both le Brun and Producer Steven Zanoski agreed that the character had accomplished what she was brought in for and her storylines were over.
Return
In March 2011 after weeks of rumours, it was announced Gabrielle would be returning to Shortland Street after over a year off screen. It was revealed that after Gabrielle's departure, a definite gap was felt and fans requested for her return. Producer Steven Zanoski felt that Gabrielle had to learn return following Chris' reconciliation with ex partner, Rachel McKennaRachel McKenna
Rachel McKenna is a fictional character from the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street, played by Angela Bloomfield. Rachel first appeared on the show from 1993 to 1999. Then from 2001 to 2003. Rachel then made a very brief appearance in 2007 before returning as a core cast member in October 2009...
, stating; "As stories developed following Gabrielle's departure it became apparent that the character had unfinished business. After all, she is the only woman to have broken Chris Warner's heart." Le Brun was thrilled to be back in the role, stating; "It's been so exciting to be back in the building and playing Gabrielle again. I love the character and it has been lovely to catch-up with the cast and crew. I am looking forward to finding out what the writers have in store for me!" Steven Zanoski later confirmed that one of the reasons Gabrielle was brought back, was so that writers could explore her family, with sister Lana arriving in July.
2009–
Gabrielle arrived in February 2009 after being hired to head the Surgery department following the murder of Ethan PierceEthan Pierce
Dr. Ethan Pierce is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street and was portrayed by Owen Black from August 2008 to January 2009 and again from May to June 2009...
(Owen Black). Her absurd and antisocial behaviour amused yet confused several members of staff including CEO Callum McKay
Callum McKay
Callum McKay is a fictional character portrayed by actor Peter Mochrie in the TVNZ soap opera Shortland Street. He is a doctor and the Chief Executive Officer of Shortland Street Hospital.-Introduction:...
(Peter Mochrie
Peter Mochrie
Peter Mochrie is an actor who has appeared in various Australian television programs during his 25-year career. Since 2006 Mochrie has starred in the New Zealand soap Shortland Street as Dr Callum McKay....
) and Chris Warner
Chris Warner
Dr. Christopher "Chris" Warner is a fictional character and current main protagonist on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. He is portrayed by Michael Galvin. He is the only original character to still be on the show....
(Michael Galvin
Michael Galvin
Michael Galvin is a New Zealand actor, singer and playwright, well known for his role as Dr. Chris Warner on the soap opera Shortland Street, a character he has played almost continuously since the shows debut in 1992.-Early life:...
) and annoyed nurse Tania Jeffries
Tania Jeffries
Tania Jeffries is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. Tania Jeffries is the younger sister to nurse Maia Jeffries, PA Libby Jeffries and daughter of hospital receptionist, Yvonne Jefferies...
(Faye Smythe
Faye Smythe
Faye Smythe is a New Zealand television actor, best known for her role in Shortland Street as Nurse Tania Jeffries.-Early life:...
). Gabrielle started a relationship with Kip Denton
Kip Denton
Kip Denton was a fictional character in the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street.-2007-2009:He is a doctor at Shortland Street Hospital, who had filled in for Dr. Craig Valentine while he was in Australia...
(Will Hall), who quickly tired of the lack of emotion in the relationship and dumped her. Gabrielle struggled to operate on an ex boyfriend but was comforted by Chris, enabling her to carry through the procedure. After running over a cat, an emotional Gabrielle admitted she loved Chris. Chris' partner Libby
Libby Jeffries
Olivia "Libby" Jeffries is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She was portrayed by Fleur Saville from 2006 to 2010....
(Fleur Saville
Fleur Saville
Fleur Saville in Auckland is a New Zealand television actress best known for her roles in the television sitcoms Being Eve and The Tribe in which she became known to international audiences for her portrayal of Ruby...
) was appalled and tried to set Gabrielle up with Luke Durville
Luke Durville
Dr. Luke Durville is a fictional character on New Zealand's long-running soap opera, Shortland Street. Durville has been played by Gerald Urquhart since the character's first appearance on 14 September 2007 and appears sporadically each year often disappearing from four to eleven months at a...
(Gerald Urquhart), who Gabrielle showed no attraction to. Chris soon admitted his love and they started to date, while Gabrielle saved Libby from a dangerous fire.
After being offered a job in Zürich
Zürich
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is located in central Switzerland at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich...
in early 2010, Gabrielle began to question emotions and when Chris talked down to her, she broke it off with him and left the country. A year later in April 2011, Gabrielle returned to the hospital and was instantly confronted with feelings towards Chris. She jumped into a relationship with manipulative Shane Tucker (Jason Hood) and later dated Jonathon McKenna (Kieren Hutchison
Kieren Hutchison
Kieren Robert Hutchison is a New Zealand actor. He was born in Auckland, New Zealand.-Career:Hutchison is best known for playing the roles of Jonathon McKenna in the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street, Andy Hargrove on One Tree Hill, Kerry Connelly on Wildfire and Jake Preston on Monarch Cove...
). Gabrielle was fazed by the arrival of estranged sister Lana Jacobs (Brooke Williams
Brooke Williams
Brooke Williams is a New Zealand actress, best known for playing Jennsen Rahl in Legend of the Seeker and Aurelia in Spartacus: Blood and Sand.-Career:...
) in July but the two made up. In October, Jonathon left her heartbroken after growing sick of her, sending Gabrielle into a nervous breakdown.
Characterisation
Gabrielle is described as a no-fuss high achiever who knows what she wants and is highly intelligent. Due to her Asperger syndromeAsperger syndrome
Asperger's syndrome that is characterized by significant difficulties in social interaction, alongside restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests. It differs from other autism spectrum disorders by its relative preservation of linguistic and cognitive development...
, Gabrielle is socially awkward and only gives eye contact if necessary. Though awkward she is confident. Le Brun described Gabrielle having a big heart, saying; "While her response is often quite severe, her intention never is – she's always coming from a good place." She also described Gabrielle's bluntness, saying; "She says things no one else would dream of saying, or they would but three seconds later respond with `I can't believe I just said that!' But she doesn't realise it's inappropriate." She has also been descrbed as "quirky".
Asperger syndrome
By introducing a character with Asperger syndromeAsperger syndrome
Asperger's syndrome that is characterized by significant difficulties in social interaction, alongside restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests. It differs from other autism spectrum disorders by its relative preservation of linguistic and cognitive development...
, producers sought to break ground, after previously receiving controversy over the character Angus Phelps
Angus Phelps
Angus Phelps is a fictional character on the TVNZ soap opera Shortland Street.Angus attends Ferndale High School and has Tourette's syndrome. He is chummy with Sophie and Hunter McKay and is in love with Sophie. However on occasions he has called her a skank and a barbie...
who suffered from Tourettes Syndrome. Le Brun was happy that a high profile show such as Shortland Street was giving the condition coverage, stating; "I think it's really positive bringing something like this into the forefront. I had never heard of Asperger's before my audition, and I started researching it because I wanted to make it authentic." The character was said to question the nations social consciousness. Le Brun struggled to portray difficult lines with no emotion, describing them as some of the shows most difficult lines ever spoken. Storylines airing upon her first stint in 2009 saw colleagues bewildered and hesitant at the new doctor, with Kip Denton
Kip Denton
Kip Denton was a fictional character in the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street.-2007-2009:He is a doctor at Shortland Street Hospital, who had filled in for Dr. Craig Valentine while he was in Australia...
not handling no emotion in his relationship and quitting their brief liaison. In 2010 Gabrielle began to question feelings and when she was talked down to by partner, Chris
Chris Warner
Dr. Christopher "Chris" Warner is a fictional character and current main protagonist on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. He is portrayed by Michael Galvin. He is the only original character to still be on the show....
, she broke it off with him and left the show. In 2011 upon her return, it is revealed Gabrielle is revealed to be in turmoil over a man dying while fixing one of her surgical machines in Zurich but she is unable to express the emotion she holds inside. Chris begins to suspect Shane Tucker of using Gabrielle's condition to manipulate her into a relationship and Jonathon later dumps Gabrielle after growing sick of her lack of spontaneous
Spontaneous
Spontaneous* Spontaneous abortion* Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis* Spontaneous combustion* Spontaneous emission* Spontaneous fission* Spontaneous generation* Spontaneous human combustion* Spontaneous Music Ensemble* Spontaneous order...
behaviour. This causes Gabrielle to become very self conscious, with Le Brun explaining; "She was pretty crazy about him and she really got her heart broken good and truly for the first time ever. It really knocked her for six and she kind of imploded a little bit and went, 'Oh gosh, I'll never be loveable, no one will ever love me rwally because I'm too weird.' She turns it all inwards and it went quite badly."
Relationship with Chris Warner
The character of Gabrielle was originally written into the show as a potential love interest for long serving character Chris WarnerChris Warner
Dr. Christopher "Chris" Warner is a fictional character and current main protagonist on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. He is portrayed by Michael Galvin. He is the only original character to still be on the show....
. While Chris was involved with Libby Jeffries
Libby Jeffries
Olivia "Libby" Jeffries is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She was portrayed by Fleur Saville from 2006 to 2010....
, he and Gabrielle started to share a lot of scenes together on screen, with Chris being one of the only characters to accept Gabrielle's aspergers. Chris eventually fell in love with Gabrielle and admitted this at his farewell party in front of Libby. After arriving back in New Zealand he dumps Libby for Gabrielle, though she is at first hesitant, worried she has hurt Libby. The two eventually get together and settle down, with Chris thinking Gabrielle is 'the one'. Producer Steven Zanoski liked the partnership but noted flaws, stating; "Chris has always gone out with glamorous women in the past and now he's found someone who challenges his mind, it helps that she is gorgeous as well. Chris is slowly trying to change Gabrielle, but whether she wants to be changed is another story." Gabrielle soon grows sick of Chris patronizing her and dumps him shortly before leaving the country. Upon her return in April 2011, Gabrielle struggles not to be jealous of Chris moving on with Rachel McKenna
Rachel McKenna
Rachel McKenna is a fictional character from the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street, played by Angela Bloomfield. Rachel first appeared on the show from 1993 to 1999. Then from 2001 to 2003. Rachel then made a very brief appearance in 2007 before returning as a core cast member in October 2009...
and later states she is still in love with Chris. After he tries to warn Shane Tucker off Gabrielle for her best interests, Gabrielle lashes out at him for prying into her business.
Reception
Gabrielle has been seen as highly popular to fans, taking out "Favourite Female Character" at the Throng Shortland Street Fan Awards 2009 and winning runner up in "Favourite New Character" and "Funniest Moment".Hugh Sundae of The New Zealand Herald
The New Zealand Herald
- External links :* * *...
praised Gabrielle, saying anything involving the character was bound to be good. Brooke Williams
Brooke Williams
Brooke Williams is a New Zealand actress, best known for playing Jennsen Rahl in Legend of the Seeker and Aurelia in Spartacus: Blood and Sand.-Career:...
who appeared as Gabrielle's sister Lana Jacobs in July 2011 stated upon arrival that Gabrielle was her favourite character.
As soon as she learnt about her character's condition, Le Brun accepted the heavy scrutiny she was going to receive due to the controversy of the topic. Gabrielle's portrayal of Asperger syndrome
Asperger syndrome
Asperger's syndrome that is characterized by significant difficulties in social interaction, alongside restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests. It differs from other autism spectrum disorders by its relative preservation of linguistic and cognitive development...
was praised, with Jon Boyer of Autism New Zealand stating on her return to the soap in 2011; "Autism New Zealand is thrilled that the character of Gabrielle Jacobs is returning to Shortland Street. The rise in awareness for Autism and Aspergers Syndrome that this character generated was fantastic and we commend Virginie Le Brun for the research she undertook before taking on this challenging role. We would like to congratulate the makers of Shortland Street for presenting Aspergers Syndrome in a fair, balanced yet very entertaining way." Le Brun received positive feedback for her portrayal of Asperger's Syndrome. Mothers of teenagers with the syndrome said their children had taken pride in seeing Gabrielle's character on TV. Le Brun explained the benefits of portraying the role as helping educate viewers about Aspergys, stating; "Kids who have Aspergers have tuned in where they might not have done so before. I think they can find it quite reassuring. We've had the odd email or mums saying they look at it as a bit of an inspiration that while things are difficult, you can do good things with your life."