Karl Kennedy
Encyclopedia
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 youngest son. The storyliners made Karl the local GP to give him immediate links with other characters.
Alan Fletcher had previously starred in Neighbours as Greg Cooper for a three week guest role in 1987. When the character of Karl Kennedy came up, Fletcher auditioned for the role in the same way as he had for the role of Greg. He was subsequently cast in the show again seven years after his first appearance. Fletcher admitted that when he joined the show again he thought he would be there for a year. In 2009, Fletcher celebrated the 15th anniversary of his character's arrival on Ramsay Street.
Holy Soap
have called Susan and Karl "contenders for the friskiest couple on Ramsay Street". Following their "passionate arguments", the couple enjoy making up together as they have a healthy attraction for each other. Fletcher says he and Woodburne find the scenes "funny". Fletcher said "Karl and Susan every now and again do go through a phase where they become slightly more amorous than in their tougher times and tougher storylines – suffice to say it's not bawdy, but I think the audience will enjoy the fun aspect". Karl and Susan have been caught in the nude together on three occasions; at the beach, in Lou Carpenter
's (Tom Oliver
) spa and when they went skinny-dipping in the bush.
at university and they had three children Malcolm
, Billy and Libby
. When Karl was suspected of causing the death of a patient, he moved his family to Erinsborough
for a fresh start. Karl was strict with his children, until he found out that the man he had grown up calling 'dad' was not his biological father and he changed his attitude. Karl and Susan have become surrogate parents for many of the local kids including Toadfish Rebecchi
, Joel Samuels
and Taj Coppin.
. Though a former GP
, Karl has been involved with various aspects of different medical situations, including mental health problems and births. He is married to Susan and they have broken up and reunited a number of times. Karl's first act of infidelity happened when he kissed Sarah Beaumont
(his receptionist at the time). After some time, Susan found out about this incident through their son, Billy. Her response was to slap Karl and throw him out. She eventually forgave him, but they separated after Susan developed retrograde amnesia
and forgot everything that happened after 1972, including her marriage to Karl and the birth of their children. They eventually reconciled, but separated again and divorced after nearly 30 years of marriage. Karl then fell for Izzy Hoyland (Natalie Bassingthwaighte
). She fell pregnant by Gus Cleary (Ben Barrack) and led Karl to believe he was the father of her baby, but she suffered a miscarriage
. The relationship between Karl and Izzy later ended. Karl nearly died after having a heart attack on a lonely road. Convinced any phone call he made would be his last, he called his ex-wife Susan, making him realise that he had made a mistake divorcing Susan although another reconciliation seemed unlikely at the time. Karl went on to make a full recovery.
After Susan's second husband Alex Kinski (Andrew Clarke
) died, Karl and Susan then attempted their relationship again but were forced to play it cool after Rachel
(Caitlin Stasey
) and Zeke Kinski
(Matthew Werkmeister
), felt that she was betraying their late father. Karl became a mentor for Zeke, helping him with school work and football. Eventually Susan and Karl won Rachel and Zeke around and Karl moved back into the Kinski household, reuniting Susan and Karl in their marital home. While in England to see their son Malcolm, Karl proposed to Susan, who accepted, on the London Eye
. Both were extremely surprised to discover that a heavily-pregnant Izzy was also in England and in a relationship with married footballer Pete Gartside. When Karl threw a surprise wedding a few days before they left for Ramsay Street, Izzy decided she was going to tell Karl that he was the father of her child. Both Pete and Izzy sneaked on board the boat Karl and Susan were getting married on, and she fell into labour after they were officially married. Karl helped deliver Holly Hoyland at the ceremony, but he did not know she was his own child. Susan overheard Izzy and Pete talking in the ambulance that Karl was the father, but she kept this from him until they arrived back in Ramsay Street. Karl then returned to London to see his new daughter. When he returned from visiting Holly in London, Karl started working for Davo Mather, until he found out that the company Vivex was supplying dodgy drugs. He and his double-crossing PA went into the warehouse and tried to find the evidence. When he was ready to leave, she hid the swipe card and they were caught. She faked an injury so he could escape, returning to his office. When he got there, CEO Christian had the police remove his things, but his PA dobbed in Christian and Karl was set free.
When Susan was diagnosed with MS
, Karl had to get another job in order to cover the finances at home. He applied to work at the hospital again and became a hospital registrar. He became doctor to Rebecca Napier's ex Richard Aaronow who was dying of kidney failure. Karl wanted to tell his kids about it but he couldn't because of patient confidentiality. Paul Robinson eventually found out and told Rebecca. Karl became close to Nicola West
(Imogen Bailey
) while she was working as a nurse at the Hospital. His relationship with Nicola opened old wounds for a jealous Susan, but Karl was actually trying to cover up Nicola's unethical behaviour – she took a blood sample from criminal Pete Ferguson without permission. When interviewed during an investigation into the matter, Nicola blamed Karl, but Karl was ultimately found innocent.
When Harold Bishop
and Lou Carpenter
went for a routine checkup it was discovered that Harold had prostate cancer and needed urgent surgery. Word quickly spread and Karl ordered Harold to have the surgery. Harold then fled Erinsborough and Karl and the rest of the street begin to panic. Fortunately though Harold saw sense and returned to have his treatment. After returning from the brink of death, Harold left Ramsay Street to go travelling again
After Zeke went missing in a rafting accident and was presumed dead, Karl couldn't handle it and desperately believed that Zeke was alive. When he realised how much his family needed him, he finally accepted that Zeke was dead and wasn't coming back. Karl and Susan then received a call from Zeke who was living with a man named Phil Andrews. Zeke had suffered amnesia in the rafting accident, but the phone call triggered a memory he couldn't explain. Susan and Karl went to rescue their son where he decided to return to Ramsay Street. Since then, Karl has worked with Zeke, re-building his trust and making him recognise that he does belong in Ramsay Street. When exchange student Sunny Lee
arrived, she and Zeke began a relationship, much to Karl's disapproval. After a while it became apparent to Karl and everyone else that Zeke was not well and he was found to be suffering from anxiety disorder
. Karl took Zeke back to the scene of the rafting accident to help him with his anxiety.
Karl spent his time writing his "Ask Dr Karl" newspaper column and co-presenting Lost Boy's radio show on PirateNet with Zeke. He co-presented the radio show with Zeke in an attempt to help Zeke with his anxiety disorder, however Zeke started to resent Karl's help. Karl was sacked by PirateNet for breaching their station charter, however, knowing how much the radio show means to Karl, Zeke started an on-air campaign to bring him back. After Paul Robinson
took over Pirate Net, he allowed Karl to come back for his regular radio show.
When Karl suffers a health scare he is taken to the hospital, where he meets a seemingly arrogant, Doctor Doug Harris. After having to wait a long time to be seen and for test results, Karl decides to expose the hospital board in a newspaper article. He then asks Doug for his job back and Doug agrees. Karl clashes with Doug on a few occasions and is shocked to find Libby is dating him. During a Million Paws Walk
, organised by Rebecca Robinson, Karl decides to walk Dahl, the Galah
, to compete against Rebecca and Cat. Dahl goes missing and Karl blames Cat, he shouts at Rebecca and she leaves upset. Karl then launches a search for Dahl. Karl and Susan both support Libby when she discovers that Steph is carrying Daniel Fitzgerald
's baby. Karl helps Susan out with a report on Lou's new used car lot and he spots a Galah nearby. Karl decides that he will help Lou bond with the bird, but he discovers that it is Dahl. Lou refuses to give up the bird as he wants to use her in his new advertisements. They begin a competition with each other to see who can attract the bird. Dahl flies in to Toadie's house and Toadie brings her back to Karl. Ringo Brown
(Sam Clark
) asks Karl to be his best man at his wedding to Donna Freedman
(Margot Robbie
). Karl forgets his wedding anniversary and tries to get Zeke and Ringo to help him out. He eventually writes Susan a song and performs it to her in Harold's Store.
Karl is devastated when Ringo is accidentally killed by Stephanie Scully
(Carla Bonner
) and he leads a tribute to him at the Blokes Club shed. Karl is not happy when Libby decides to lie in her statement. When he discovers that Lyn is running a blood drive in Ringo's memory, he reacts angrily. He tells Lyn that he thinks Steph should go to jail for killing Ringo. He and Susan fight and Karl later agrees to make an victim impact statement for Samantha Fitzgerald
(Simone Buchanan
). Karl and Susan compete for Citizen of the Year, but they both lose out to Lou. Following a fire at the Scully house, Karl announces that the neighbours should raise money to help Lyn rebuild it. He clashes with Jade Mitchell
(Gemma Pranita
) and they both decide that whoever raises the most money out of the men and women, will win the Men's Shed. Karl then convinces the guys to do a nude calendar. The women win, but after Susan makes him wear a dress to Charlie's, Karl and the men are given the shed back. When Karl thinks Libby is being consumed by work, he tries to set her up with his colleague, Jonathan Swan (Gary Abrahams). Libby is embarrassed and she fakes a relationship with Lucas to get back at Karl. Karl is not happy when Susan invites Summer Hoyland
(Jordy Lucas
) to stay without consulting him. Karl later tells Susan that he thinks they are heading in different directions and he worries that he is not enough for her. They make up and begin planning a holiday together.
Karl clashes with new doctor Rhys Lawson (Ben Barber), after he gives his patient, Jim Dolan (Scott Parmeter), some medical advice. Malcolm comes for a visit and detects all is not well, even though Karl reassures him that he and Susan are fine. Karl becomes angry when he learns Susan wants to postpone their holiday for Jim. Karl asks Jim to keep his distance from Susan for a while, but later confesses that he overreacted and calls Susan to meet Jim. Malcolm tells Karl not to make anything more out of Susan's friendship with Jim. Karl invites Jim over for lunch, which pleases Susan. Jim collapses and Karl helps to save him. Karl asks Rhys if he can be Jim's attending physician and he agrees. Karl witnesses Susan kissing Jim as she comforts him. When Susan tries to take Jim out of the hospital, Karl stops her. When they go outside to talk, Jim dies. Susan is angry with Karl for keeping her from Jim and she goes away with Malcolm to plan Jim's funeral. Karl is left unsure if and when she will return. Karl introduces Rhys to the head of surgery, Martin Chambers (John Wood
), when he covers up a mistake for him. Karl asks Paul not to print Susan's negative newspaper article about Jim and the hospital. Paul amends the article and Karl joins Susan. On her return, Susan tells Malcolm and Summer that she and Karl have decided to separate. Malcolm initially blames Susan for the separation, but Karl tells him he initiated it. Karl tells Susan it is too hard to be friends with her and he starts looking for other places to live.
, Fletcher was nominated for "Best Actor", "Best Couple" (with Jackie Woodburne) and "Best Storyline" for Susan and Karl's wedding. The following year, Fletcher was again nominated for "Best Couple" with Woodburne. 2009 saw Fletcher again nominated for "Best Actor", he was also nominated alongside Woodburne, Valentine, Stasey and Werkmeister for "Best Family". At the first Digital Spy Soap Awards
ceremony, Fletcher was nominated for "Most Popular Actor". He and Woodburne were also nominated for "Best On-Screen Partnership" and their 2007 storyline in London was nominated for "Storyline of the Year". 2011 saw Fletcher nominated for "Best Daytime Star" at the Inside Soap Awards.
In 2007, Australian newspaper the Herald Sun
placed Karl's affair with Sarah at number eight on their list of Neighbours Top Ten moments. They said "In one of the most shocking storylines, no one could believe that the perfect Dr Karl, played by Alan Fletcher, could cheat on his wife of many years, Susan, played by Jackie Woodburne. But, that's exactly what happened when he couldn't resist his receptionist Sarah Beaumont played by the vampy Nicola Charles". In 2009, Karl came tenth in a poll by British men's magazine Loaded
for "Top Soap Bloke". The following year, he was voted the third "Most Popular Doctor".
In 2010, to celebrate Neighbours' 25th anniversary Sky
, a British satellite broadcasting company profiled 25 characters of which they believed were the most memorable in the series history. Karl is in the list and describing him they state: "Karl and Susan became a truly legendary soap couple in an age when they have become thin on the ground. On paper, it's not quite clear why – they're just a pleasant, middle-class couple, and Karl can be a bit moany sometimes. But the important thing is it works, and watching the writers break them up and put them back together several times has made for great telly. And you know it's only a matter of time before Karl adds another unexpectedly sexy neighbour to his cheatin' list..."
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...
, 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 youngest son. The storyliners made Karl the local GP to give him immediate links with other characters.
Character creation and casting
In 1994, the Neighbours storyliners decided to introduce the "solid" Kennedy family. They felt that they needed to take the show back to its roots when it seemed that all the houses on Ramsay Street were populated with misfits and distant relatives. Susan was given the job of teacher at the local school and Karl was made the local GP, giving the family immediate links with other characters.Alan Fletcher had previously starred in Neighbours as Greg Cooper for a three week guest role in 1987. When the character of Karl Kennedy came up, Fletcher auditioned for the role in the same way as he had for the role of Greg. He was subsequently cast in the show again seven years after his first appearance. Fletcher admitted that when he joined the show again he thought he would be there for a year. In 2009, Fletcher celebrated the 15th anniversary of his character's arrival on Ramsay Street.
Character development
Susan and Karl were childhood sweethearts who married before they both graduated from university. Karl has cheated on Susan twice and the couple have broken up and divorced, but they later reunited and have re-married. Karl and Susan are best friends who enjoy each other's company, share a deep connection and take joy in each other's quirks and ways. Woodburne described them as having a "really solid foundation for a marriage" and she has said that she does not want to see Susan and Karl's relationship break up again.Holy Soap
Holy Soap
Holy Soap is a UK television and entertainment website founded in June 2009 by the British television company Channel 5. The website is the official UK home of the Australian soap operas Home and Away and Neighbours, which are broadcast on the channel...
have called Susan and Karl "contenders for the friskiest couple on Ramsay Street". Following their "passionate arguments", the couple enjoy making up together as they have a healthy attraction for each other. Fletcher says he and Woodburne find the scenes "funny". Fletcher said "Karl and Susan every now and again do go through a phase where they become slightly more amorous than in their tougher times and tougher storylines – suffice to say it's not bawdy, but I think the audience will enjoy the fun aspect". Karl and Susan have been caught in the nude together on three occasions; at the beach, in Lou Carpenter
Lou 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...
's (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:...
) spa and when they went skinny-dipping in the bush.
Background
Doctor Karl Kennedy met his wife Susan SmithSusan 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...
at university and they had three children Malcolm
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...
, Billy and Libby
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...
. When Karl was suspected of causing the death of a patient, he moved his family 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 fresh start. Karl was strict with his children, until he found out that the man he had grown up calling 'dad' was not his biological father and he changed his attitude. Karl and Susan have become surrogate parents for many of the local kids including Toadfish Rebecchi
Toadfish Rebecchi
Jarrod Vincenzo Rebecchi is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Ryan Moloney. He debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 8 February 1995....
, Joel Samuels
Joel Samuels
Joel Matthew Samuels is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Daniel MacPherson. Joel made his first on-screen appearance on 13 May 1998...
and Taj Coppin.
1994–
Dr Karl Kennedy previously ran the local medical practice 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...
. Though a former GP
General practitioner
A general practitioner is a medical practitioner who treats acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health education for all ages and both sexes. They have particular skills in treating people with multiple health issues and comorbidities...
, Karl has been involved with various aspects of different medical situations, including mental health problems and births. He is married to Susan and they have broken up and reunited a number of times. Karl's first act of infidelity happened when he kissed Sarah Beaumont
Sarah Beaumont
Sarah Beaumont is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Nicola Charles. She made her first on-screen appearance on in 25 September 1996. Sarah departed on 13 July 1999...
(his receptionist at the time). After some time, Susan found out about this incident through their son, Billy. Her response was to slap Karl and throw him out. She eventually forgave him, but they separated after Susan developed retrograde amnesia
Retrograde amnesia
Retrograde amnesia is a loss of access to events that occurred, or information that was learned, before an injury or the onset of a disease....
and forgot everything that happened after 1972, including her marriage to Karl and the birth of their children. They eventually reconciled, but separated again and divorced after nearly 30 years of marriage. Karl then fell for Izzy Hoyland (Natalie Bassingthwaighte
Natalie Bassingthwaighte
Natalie Bassingthwaighte is an Australian actress, singer-songwriter and television personality. She began her career as an actress on the television series All Saints. She then starred in the American television movie Counterstrike...
). She fell pregnant by Gus Cleary (Ben Barrack) and led Karl to believe he was the father of her baby, but she suffered a miscarriage
Miscarriage
Miscarriage or spontaneous abortion is the spontaneous end of a pregnancy at a stage where the embryo or fetus is incapable of surviving independently, generally defined in humans at prior to 20 weeks of gestation...
. The relationship between Karl and Izzy later ended. Karl nearly died after having a heart attack on a lonely road. Convinced any phone call he made would be his last, he called his ex-wife Susan, making him realise that he had made a mistake divorcing Susan although another reconciliation seemed unlikely at the time. Karl went on to make a full recovery.
After Susan's second husband Alex Kinski (Andrew Clarke
Andrew Clarke (actor)
Andrew Clarke in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, is an Australian actor most known for his television work. Andrew Clarke was one of the most popular Australian actors in the 1980s and 1990s. He is also a two-time Logie winner.-Career:...
) died, Karl and Susan then attempted their relationship again but were forced to play it cool after Rachel
Rachel Kinski
Rachel Kinski is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Caitlin Stasey. She made her first on-screen appearance on 18 August 2005. She is the middle child of Alex Kinski and sister to Zeke and Katya. Rachel's storylines ranged from parental bereavement and first...
(Caitlin Stasey
Caitlin Stasey
Caitlin Jean Stasey is an Australian actress from Melbourne, who is best known for her previous role as Rachel Kinski in Neighbours. Previously she played Francesca Thomas in The Sleepover Club...
) and Zeke Kinski
Zeke Kinski
Ezekiel "Zeke" Kinski is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Matthew Werkmeister. He made his first on-screen appearance on 22 August 2005. Zeke is the son of Alex Kinski and the younger brother of Katya and Rachel...
(Matthew Werkmeister
Matthew Werkmeister
Matthew Werkmeister is an Australian stage and television actor. He is best known for his role as Zeke Kinski in the soap opera Neighbours which he joined in 2005...
), felt that she was betraying their late father. Karl became a mentor for Zeke, helping him with school work and football. Eventually Susan and Karl won Rachel and Zeke around and Karl moved back into the Kinski household, reuniting Susan and Karl in their marital home. While in England to see their son Malcolm, Karl proposed to Susan, who accepted, on the London Eye
London Eye
The London Eye is a tall giant Ferris wheel situated on the banks of the River Thames, in London, England.It is the tallest Ferris wheel in Europe, and the most popular paid tourist attraction in the United Kingdom, visited by over 3.5 million people annually...
. Both were extremely surprised to discover that a heavily-pregnant Izzy was also in England and in a relationship with married footballer Pete Gartside. When Karl threw a surprise wedding a few days before they left for Ramsay Street, Izzy decided she was going to tell Karl that he was the father of her child. Both Pete and Izzy sneaked on board the boat Karl and Susan were getting married on, and she fell into labour after they were officially married. Karl helped deliver Holly Hoyland at the ceremony, but he did not know she was his own child. Susan overheard Izzy and Pete talking in the ambulance that Karl was the father, but she kept this from him until they arrived back in Ramsay Street. Karl then returned to London to see his new daughter. When he returned from visiting Holly in London, Karl started working for Davo Mather, until he found out that the company Vivex was supplying dodgy drugs. He and his double-crossing PA went into the warehouse and tried to find the evidence. When he was ready to leave, she hid the swipe card and they were caught. She faked an injury so he could escape, returning to his office. When he got there, CEO Christian had the police remove his things, but his PA dobbed in Christian and Karl was set free.
When Susan was diagnosed with MS
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which the fatty myelin sheaths around the axons of the brain and spinal cord are damaged, leading to demyelination and scarring as well as a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms...
, Karl had to get another job in order to cover the finances at home. He applied to work at the hospital again and became a hospital registrar. He became doctor to Rebecca Napier's ex Richard Aaronow who was dying of kidney failure. Karl wanted to tell his kids about it but he couldn't because of patient confidentiality. Paul Robinson eventually found out and told Rebecca. Karl became close to Nicola West
Nicola West
Nicola West is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Imogen Bailey. She made her on-screen debut on 5 May 2008. She departed the show on 8 October 2008...
(Imogen Bailey
Imogen Bailey
Imogen Bailey is an Australian model, actress and singer. She is currently based in Sydney and is best known for her role on the long-running Australian soap Neighbours as Nicola West.-Modeling:...
) while she was working as a nurse at the Hospital. His relationship with Nicola opened old wounds for a jealous Susan, but Karl was actually trying to cover up Nicola's unethical behaviour – she took a blood sample from criminal Pete Ferguson without permission. When interviewed during an investigation into the matter, Nicola blamed Karl, but Karl was ultimately found innocent.
When Harold Bishop
Harold Bishop
Harold Bishop is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Ian Smith. He made his first on-screen appearance on 30 January 1987. Smith was offered a role by Neighbours creator and executive producer Reg Watson...
and Lou Carpenter
Lou 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...
went for a routine checkup it was discovered that Harold had prostate cancer and needed urgent surgery. Word quickly spread and Karl ordered Harold to have the surgery. Harold then fled Erinsborough and Karl and the rest of the street begin to panic. Fortunately though Harold saw sense and returned to have his treatment. After returning from the brink of death, Harold left Ramsay Street to go travelling again
After Zeke went missing in a rafting accident and was presumed dead, Karl couldn't handle it and desperately believed that Zeke was alive. When he realised how much his family needed him, he finally accepted that Zeke was dead and wasn't coming back. Karl and Susan then received a call from Zeke who was living with a man named Phil Andrews. Zeke had suffered amnesia in the rafting accident, but the phone call triggered a memory he couldn't explain. Susan and Karl went to rescue their son where he decided to return to Ramsay Street. Since then, Karl has worked with Zeke, re-building his trust and making him recognise that he does belong in Ramsay Street. When exchange student Sunny Lee
Sunny Lee
Sunny Lee is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Hany Lee. She made her first on-screen appearance on 8 April 2009. Sunny was created by executive producer Susan Bower in response to criticism that Neighbours was "too white"...
arrived, she and Zeke began a relationship, much to Karl's disapproval. After a while it became apparent to Karl and everyone else that Zeke was not well and he was found to be suffering from anxiety disorder
Anxiety disorder
Anxiety disorder is a blanket term covering several different forms of abnormal and pathological fear and anxiety. Conditions now considered anxiety disorders only came under the aegis of psychiatry at the end of the 19th century. Gelder, Mayou & Geddes explains that anxiety disorders are...
. Karl took Zeke back to the scene of the rafting accident to help him with his anxiety.
Karl spent his time writing his "Ask Dr Karl" newspaper column and co-presenting Lost Boy's radio show on PirateNet with Zeke. He co-presented the radio show with Zeke in an attempt to help Zeke with his anxiety disorder, however Zeke started to resent Karl's help. Karl was sacked by PirateNet for breaching their station charter, however, knowing how much the radio show means to Karl, Zeke started an on-air campaign to bring him back. After Paul Robinson
Paul Robinson (Neighbours)
Paul Stewart Robinson is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, a long-running serial drama about social life in the fictional Melbourne suburb of Erinsborough. He is played by Stefan Dennis. Paul debuted in the serial's first episode in 1985 and appeared on a...
took over Pirate Net, he allowed Karl to come back for his regular radio show.
When Karl suffers a health scare he is taken to the hospital, where he meets a seemingly arrogant, Doctor Doug Harris. After having to wait a long time to be seen and for test results, Karl decides to expose the hospital board in a newspaper article. He then asks Doug for his job back and Doug agrees. Karl clashes with Doug on a few occasions and is shocked to find Libby is dating him. During a Million Paws Walk
Million Paws Walk
The Million Paws Walk is a national activity day by the Australian Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals held in May.Dog owners take their animals walking on designated routes in various cities and towns, with the aim to get around 250,000 animals nationally Owners of other...
, organised by Rebecca Robinson, Karl decides to walk 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...
, to compete against Rebecca and Cat. Dahl goes missing and Karl blames Cat, he shouts at Rebecca and she leaves upset. Karl then launches a search for Dahl. Karl and Susan both support Libby when she discovers that Steph is carrying Daniel Fitzgerald
Daniel Fitzgerald (Neighbours)
Daniel Fitzgerald is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Brett Tucker. He made his first on-screen appearance on 1 September 1999. Dan becomes a teacher at Erinsborough High and shares a house with fellow teacher, Tess. He remained as a recurring...
's baby. Karl helps Susan out with a report on Lou's new used car lot and he spots a Galah nearby. Karl decides that he will help Lou bond with the bird, but he discovers that it is Dahl. Lou refuses to give up the bird as he wants to use her in his new advertisements. They begin a competition with each other to see who can attract the bird. Dahl flies in to Toadie's house and Toadie brings her back to Karl. Ringo Brown
Ringo Brown
Ringo Brown is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Sam Clark. Clark was given the role after he entered and won a Dolly magazine competition. He made his first on-screen appearance on 24 January 2007...
(Sam Clark
Sam Clark
-Studio albums:-Singles:-Music videos:-Filmography:-Awards and nominations:-External links:* on SoundCloud...
) asks Karl to be his best man at his wedding to Donna Freedman
Donna Freedman
Donna Jane Brown is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Margot Robbie. She made her first on-screen appearance on 2 June 2008. Donna was initially a guest character, but Robbie was promoted to regular cast member shortly after she made her debut...
(Margot Robbie
Margot Robbie
Margot Robbie is an Australian actress. She is known for her role as Donna Freedman on the soap opera Neighbours, which earned her two Logie Award nominations. In 2011, Robbie began appearing as Laura Cameron in the ABC drama series Pan Am.-Early life:Robbie was born on 2 July 1990 and grew up on...
). Karl forgets his wedding anniversary and tries to get Zeke and Ringo to help him out. He eventually writes Susan a song and performs it to her in Harold's Store.
Karl is devastated when Ringo is accidentally killed by Stephanie Scully
Stephanie Scully
Stephanie Jo "Steph" Scully is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Carla Bonner. She made her first on-screen appearance on 21 October 1999. Stephanie is the eldest daughter of Joe and Lyn Scully and the mother to a son, Charlie...
(Carla Bonner
Carla Bonner
Carla Bonner is an Australian actress best known for playing the role of Steph Scully in the soap opera Neighbours, a role she played from 1999 to 2010...
) and he leads a tribute to him at the Blokes Club shed. Karl is not happy when Libby decides to lie in her statement. When he discovers that Lyn is running a blood drive in Ringo's memory, he reacts angrily. He tells Lyn that he thinks Steph should go to jail for killing Ringo. He and Susan fight and Karl later agrees to make an victim impact statement for Samantha Fitzgerald
Samantha Fitzgerald
Samantha "Sam" Fitzgerald is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Simone Buchanan. She made her first on-screen appearance on 21 March 2008 and departed the show on 25 June 2008. She returned briefly on 24 November 2008. Sam's main storylines have...
(Simone Buchanan
Simone Buchanan
Simone Louise Buchanan is an Australian actress best known for her television roles as Debbie Kelly in the situation comedy Hey Dad..! and Samantha Fitzgerald in the soap opera Neighbours....
). Karl and Susan compete for Citizen of the Year, but they both lose out to Lou. Following a fire at the Scully house, Karl announces that the neighbours should raise money to help Lyn rebuild it. He clashes with Jade Mitchell
Jade Mitchell
Jade Mitchell is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Gemma Pranita. Pranita's casting was announced in September 2010 and it was revealed that Jade would be introduced as the younger sister of Sonya Mitchell...
(Gemma Pranita
Gemma Pranita
Gemma Pranita is a Thai-born Australian actress. Pranita was encouraged to join the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts by her drama teacher, and from 1999 to 2003, she competed at state level in the Shakespeare Globe Association's annual Shakespeare festival. Pranita formed a theatre...
) and they both decide that whoever raises the most money out of the men and women, will win the Men's Shed. Karl then convinces the guys to do a nude calendar. The women win, but after Susan makes him wear a dress to Charlie's, Karl and the men are given the shed back. When Karl thinks Libby is being consumed by work, he tries to set her up with his colleague, Jonathan Swan (Gary Abrahams). Libby is embarrassed and she fakes a relationship with Lucas to get back at Karl. Karl is not happy when Susan invites Summer Hoyland
Summer Hoyland
Summer Rose Hoyland is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Jordy Lucas. She made her first on-screen appearance on 20 May 2002. The character was originally played by Marisa Siketa from her arrival to her departure in 2005 and her subsequent...
(Jordy Lucas
Jordy Lucas
Jordy Lucas is an Australian actress best known for playing the role of Summer Hoyland in Neighbours.-Personal life:...
) to stay without consulting him. Karl later tells Susan that he thinks they are heading in different directions and he worries that he is not enough for her. They make up and begin planning a holiday together.
Karl clashes with new doctor Rhys Lawson (Ben Barber), after he gives his patient, Jim Dolan (Scott Parmeter), some medical advice. Malcolm comes for a visit and detects all is not well, even though Karl reassures him that he and Susan are fine. Karl becomes angry when he learns Susan wants to postpone their holiday for Jim. Karl asks Jim to keep his distance from Susan for a while, but later confesses that he overreacted and calls Susan to meet Jim. Malcolm tells Karl not to make anything more out of Susan's friendship with Jim. Karl invites Jim over for lunch, which pleases Susan. Jim collapses and Karl helps to save him. Karl asks Rhys if he can be Jim's attending physician and he agrees. Karl witnesses Susan kissing Jim as she comforts him. When Susan tries to take Jim out of the hospital, Karl stops her. When they go outside to talk, Jim dies. Susan is angry with Karl for keeping her from Jim and she goes away with Malcolm to plan Jim's funeral. Karl is left unsure if and when she will return. Karl introduces Rhys to the head of surgery, Martin Chambers (John Wood
John Wood (Australian actor)
John Wood is a Gold Logie Award-winning Australian actor, best known for his role as Senior Sergeant Tom Croydon in the Seven Network's long running police drama Blue Heelers.-TV career:...
), when he covers up a mistake for him. Karl asks Paul not to print Susan's negative newspaper article about Jim and the hospital. Paul amends the article and Karl joins Susan. On her return, Susan tells Malcolm and Summer that she and Karl have decided to separate. Malcolm initially blames Susan for the separation, but Karl tells him he initiated it. Karl tells Susan it is too hard to be friends with her and he starts looking for other places to live.
Reception
Fletcher has earned various award nominations for his role as Karl. At the 2007 Inside Soap AwardsInside Soap Awards
The Inside Soap Awards is a yearly award ceremony run by Inside Soap magazine since 1996. The awards celebrate the British and Australian soap operas and their actors. Until 2007, EastEnders had won the award for "Best Soap" on every occasion...
, Fletcher was nominated for "Best Actor", "Best Couple" (with Jackie Woodburne) and "Best Storyline" for Susan and Karl's wedding. The following year, Fletcher was again nominated for "Best Couple" with Woodburne. 2009 saw Fletcher again nominated for "Best Actor", he was also nominated alongside Woodburne, Valentine, Stasey and Werkmeister for "Best Family". At the first Digital Spy Soap Awards
Digital Spy Soap Awards
The Digital Spy Soap Awards was an event that honoured the successes in British soap operas in 2007-8. It was hosted by the entertainment website Digital Spy....
ceremony, Fletcher was nominated for "Most Popular Actor". He and Woodburne were also nominated for "Best On-Screen Partnership" and their 2007 storyline in London was nominated for "Storyline of the Year". 2011 saw Fletcher nominated for "Best Daytime Star" at the Inside Soap Awards.
In 2007, Australian newspaper the Herald Sun
Herald Sun
The Herald Sun is a morning tabloid newspaper based in Melbourne, Australia. It is published by The Herald and Weekly Times, a subsidiary of News Limited, itself a subsidiary of News Corporation. It is available for purchase throughout Melbourne, Regional Victoria, Tasmania, the Australian Capital...
placed Karl's affair with Sarah at number eight on their list of Neighbours Top Ten moments. They said "In one of the most shocking storylines, no one could believe that the perfect Dr Karl, played by Alan Fletcher, could cheat on his wife of many years, Susan, played by Jackie Woodburne. But, that's exactly what happened when he couldn't resist his receptionist Sarah Beaumont played by the vampy Nicola Charles". In 2009, Karl came tenth in a poll by British men's magazine Loaded
Loaded (magazine)
Loaded, first published in 1994, is a British magazine for men that is considered to be the "original lads' mag". Its motto is "For men who should know better".-History:...
for "Top Soap Bloke". The following year, he was voted the third "Most Popular Doctor".
In 2010, to celebrate Neighbours
British Sky Broadcasting
British Sky Broadcasting Group plc is a satellite broadcasting, broadband and telephony services company headquartered in London, United Kingdom, with operations in the United Kingdom and the Ireland....
, a British satellite broadcasting company profiled 25 characters of which they believed were the most memorable in the series history. Karl is in the list and describing him they state: "Karl and Susan became a truly legendary soap couple in an age when they have become thin on the ground. On paper, it's not quite clear why – they're just a pleasant, middle-class couple, and Karl can be a bit moany sometimes. But the important thing is it works, and watching the writers break them up and put them back together several times has made for great telly. And you know it's only a matter of time before Karl adds another unexpectedly sexy neighbour to his cheatin' list..."