Mark Brennan (Neighbours)
Encyclopedia
Mark Brennan is a fictional character
from the Australian soap opera Neighbours
, played by model and television presenter Scott McGregor
. He made his first on-screen appearance on 30 August 2010. McGregor initially had a four week guest contract with the show, but this was increased to six months. Shortly after, it was announced that McGregor's contract had been extended again to twelve months and that he would become a regular cast member. In February 2011, McGregor announced his departure from Neighbours, so he could pursue modelling opportunities in Europe. He filmed his final scenes at the end of April and departed on screen on 22 June 2011.
Mark was introduced as the detective leading the investigation into the attempt on Paul Robinson
's (Stefan Dennis
) life. He receives conflicting information from everyone he interviews and does not realise who the culprit is because of this. McGregor told SX News
that he enjoyed being involved in the storyline. Mark is described as being handsome, charming and a perfectionist. He is dedicated to his job and usually puts it ahead of everything else. As a consequence, Mark struggles to balance his work and personal lives. McGregor revealed that he does share some similarities with his character.
Mark begins a relationship with Kate Ramsay
(Ashleigh Brewer
), despite being wary of her ex-boyfriend and the age gap between them. Mark's focus on his work eventually forces him to choose between Kate and Paul's case. Mark's relationship with Kate ends and Mark becomes jealous of the attention she receives from Kyle Canning
(Chris Milligan
). Mark later has a one-night stand with her best friend. He also faces problems at work when he reports a fellow officer for corruption. Mark is forced to go into witness protection and he left during a special real time episode. Mark became popular with viewers due to his good looks.
. McGregor's contract was then increased again to twelve months when Mark proved proved popular with viewers. In December 2010, it was announced that Mark would become a regular role. McGregor told the Herald Sun
that he is enjoying working on Neighbours, but that he did not "realise how full-on it is."
describe Mark as being "handsome" and a "charming investigator." Mark is a perfectionist, who puts his work ahead of everything else and he struggles to hold down a relationship because of it. His dedication to his job means that he does not have much time to socialise. When McGregor was asked if there were any similarities between him and Mark, he said that there was and that he liked getting into character. Mark struggles with balancing his career and personal life and McGregor told SX News
that he would like to see Mark either grow in his job or get "tempted by the wrong side of the law" in the future. Mark manages to develop friendships with some of the other male characters, like Lucas Fitzgerald
(Scott Major
). Of this, McGregor said "Even though we're friends there are always references to me being a cop and they're always quite wary." When Mark becomes involved in an illegal street racing investigation, he expresses an interest in buying a motorbike. Inside Soap said they would like to see Mark on the road letting his "wild side" out. McGregor said he "loved" the storyline as he was given the chance to ride a motorbike.
(Stefan Dennis
) is pushed from the Lassiter's Hotel mezzanine, Mark is introduced as the lead detective on the case. Mark has his "work cut out for him" as he begins to question each suspect, as they point the finger at someone else. He also receives conflicting information as everyone has their own suspicions as to who committed the crime. McGregor revealed that Kate Ramsay
(Ashleigh Brewer
) gives Rebecca Robinson (Jane Hall
) a false alibi, Lyn Scully
(Janet Andrewartha
) gets Diana Marshall
(Jane Badler
) into trouble when her earring is found at the crime scene and Andrew Robinson
(Jordan Smith
) does not help himself with his attitude to Mark and the investigation. Of the case, McGregor told the official Neighbours site, "Brennan is in the thick of the investigation so it's pretty exciting, I've never had so much responsibility." McGregor later explained that it had been "great" to be involved in the storyline, even though he did not share many scenes with Stefan Dennis, as he was in a hospital bed. Rebecca Robinson is revealed to have been the one who pushed Paul and McGregor said that he knew early on in the storyline that it was her. However, Mark does not know that Rebecca is the culprit and McGregor said that it is because he is thrown by the false alibis. McGregor later said his first week on Neighbours, filming the Who Pushed P.R? storyline, has stuck in his mind as there were many long interview scenes he had to get through.
(Ryan Moloney
) and Samantha Fitzgerald
(Simone Buchanan
), she agrees to go to dinner with him. Brewer welcomed the storyline and said that her character is ready to move on from her previous relationship with Declan Napier
(Erin Mullally
). Declan appears during Kate and Mark's date, which makes Kate "furious" as it means he still has a hold on her life. Despite Kate telling Declan that she is over him, Declan believes that Mark is a threat. McGregor said that Mark puts Declan's nose out of joint. Declan becomes a nuisance and tries to control Kate by telling her that Mark threatened and attacked him. Kate believes Declan at first, but when she discovers the truth she has to work to get Mark back. However, this pushes their romance into "top gear" after Kate goes to the station to see him and they kiss in front of Mark's colleagues. McGregor said it was "awkward" filming his first on-screen kiss with Brewer. Mark likes Kate as she is "a pretty easy-going girl who doesn't let too much get to her", but McGregor told TV Week that Mark is wary of starting a relationship with her because of Declan and because he is focused on his work. He is also hesitant because of the age gap between them. McGregor told Holy Soap "Kate's 19 and my character is about 25. It's funny because a few friends of mine have mentioned it, but I think it's because of what they do and where they are in life. At one point Kate's having driving lessons, and I'm working as a detective who's moved up through the ranks quickly, so we do seem quite different in age, but it's better left unsaid I think!" He added that Mark and Kate's relationship "may not be the easiest of rides."
Mark and Kate break up after Kate confesses to lying in her police statement during Paul's investigation. McGregor told Inside Soap that Mark has not stopped loving Kate and that since he has time to think about it, the issue is not "black and white." Mark realises that Kyle Canning
(Chris Milligan
) has taken an interest in Kate and he does not like the idea of Kate moving on, especially with Kyle. McGregor admitted that Mark thinks Kyle is an idiot and when he sees him with Kate, Mark comes up with a plan to get close to his ex-girlfriend. McGregor explained, "He comes up with a reason to summon her to the station - which Kate sees right through!" Mark later asks Lucas, who lives with Kate, for his advice, but Lucas is not much help. Both Kate and Mark want to get back together and Brewer explained "They both have a lot of history, such as the lie that Kate told to protect Rebecca and then Mark does something which really hurts Kate, and this prevents them from moving forward." The actress also reveled that she believes Mark is "the one" for Kate as they are both academic and focused.
with Kate's friend, Jade Mitchell
(Gemma Pranita
) in April 2011. After he reports fellow colleague, Constable Wes Holland (Daniel Hamill), for corruption, Mark goes for a drink at Charlie's to escape his troubles at the station. McGregor told Inside Soap that "Mark's life has been turned upside down since he blew the whistle on Constable Holland" and that he is now being treated like he did the wrong thing. After playing pool together, Mark and Jade begin kissing as "Jade proves to be the perfect distraction." Inside Soap said that of all the women Mark might seek comfort in, Jade seems the most unlikely as there is tension between them. Jade believes Mark sided with Toadie against her sister and she has been telling Kate not to give him a second chance. Jade challenges Mark and Lucas to a game of pool and "sparks of a different kind" begin to fly between herself and Mark. McGregor explained the situation, saying "Mark has had a really bad day at work, so he's out for a fun night. To his surprise, he enjoys Jade's company. Lucas goes home early - and Mark and Jade end up sharing a kiss." The next morning it becomes clear that Mark and Jade spent the night together and Mark is full of regret. McGregor said Mark is "terrified" that Kate will find out and even though Jade agrees to keep quiet, he does not feel any less guilty. Mark's problems at work continue and he becomes a victim of harassment, when his car tyres are let down. Mark talks to his superior officer, but nothing happens and he feels like he has no support from people at his work place.
In May 2011, McGregor revealed a little more of Mark's exit storyline, saying "Things get very difficult for Mark, and he's forced to make some tough decisions - both about his career and his feelings for Kate." Mark is forced to go into witness protection after his exposure of Wes Holland leads him to be stalked. He is the star witness for the trial, so he needs to go into protective custody. Mark does not want to leave Kate behind and tries to convince her to go with him. Kate then has thirty minutes to decide if she wants to pack up her life and leave with Mark or stay behind in Erinsborough. Executive producer Susan Bower
promised viewers that Mark's departure would be dramatic, saying "A beloved character was leaving us. We didn't want him to go out with a whimper. We wanted him to go out with a bang."
Mark's departure unfolds in real time and the episode focuses entirely on a thirty minute timeframe between 6.30pm and 7pm, which is when Neighbours airs. McGregor revealed that the show's bosses took inspiration from American drama 24
while writing his character's exit. Neighbours script producer, Emma Gordon, told the The West Australian
that the episode was a challenge, but the best way to do justice to McGregor's departure. She explained: "It is a bit different and a bit out of our normal storytelling process but it gives such a sense of tension which is exactly the feeling we wanted to create." The episode was filmed over two nights and Gordon explained that "extraordinary effort" went in to ensuring the continuity was perfect. During the final climatic scenes, it began raining and Gordon said it was awful for the cast and crew, but the scenes looked "spectacular." A week after McGregor's on-screen departure, it was revealed that Mark would be killed off while in witness protection. McGregor said that he was fine with Mark's death and that he could still return in the future, saying "There have been plenty of other characters who've come back from the dead - but that's not to say I'd want to. But if Brennan ever does pop up again, I'd like to be asked first for the role."
(Jordy Lucas
) gives her statement, she tells Mark that Andrew Robinson was really angry with his father. Mark then brings Andrew in for questioning. The West Waratah Star prints a story about a key witness in the case and Natasha Williams
(Valentina Novakovic) admits that she spoke to the reporter, but her words were twisted. Mark gives her a warning. Mark also warns Andrew to stop trying to do his job for him, when he is handed a mobile phone from Diana's associate. Mark later arrests Diana for conspiracy to commit murder.
Paul wakes up from his coma and Mark tries to question him. Paul mentions Diana's name and Mark goes to get her, but discovers that she has gone. Mark goes to Harold's Store and he flirts with Kate. He helps her out and asks her to dinner, which Kate initially turns down. After she changes her mind, Mark and Kate go to Charlie's, but Kate cuts the date short. Kate apologises to Mark for leaving early and he and Declan trade barbs. Kate and Mark have coffee together and he asks her out again. Mark tells Declan to let Kate move on. Kate later confronts Mark about him making threats to Declan, which he denies doing. Kate realises that Declan made the story up and apologises to Mark. He tells her that she needs time to sort things out, but Kate returns to the station and kisses Mark. Mark later rechecks Kate's interview and believes she may have lied. He asks her about it, but Kate tells him that she was nervous. Mark decides to choose his relationship with Kate over the case.
When Mark sees Lucas Fitzgerald with Billy Forman (Jez Constable), he tells him to stay away as Billy has a record. Kate's home is trashed and Mark realises that Lucas has something to do with it. Lucas explains that he owes money to someone. When Lucas sees Mark with Megan Phillips (Cate Commisso), Mark has to explain that he and Megan are working undercover. It is revealed that Mark is trying to bring down an illegal car rebirthing and street racing ring run by Garland Cole (Jack Finsterer
). Mark attends a race under the name of Rob and he runs into Lucas. He tells Lucas to race, so it does not raise suspicion. He later asks Lucas to wear a wire when he next meets Garland. Garland delivers a car to Lucas to rebirth and he and Mark work on it together. Mark is not happy to learn that Lucas told Billy to stay away. Garland returns and finds Kate hiding in the garage and Mark tells him that she came to meet him. Once the parts are loaded up, Garland reveals his suspicions about Kate turning up and Billy pulling out. However, the police then arrive and Mark arrests Garland.
Kate confesses to giving Rebecca a false alibi and Mark ends their relationship. Mark charges Kyle Canning with indecent exposure and gives a talk at Erinsborough High about responsible partying. He raids a dance party being thrown by Andrew and Tomas Bersky (Tim Munley), but he does not find anything. Andrew later tells Mark that Tomas was selling drugs and Mark arrests him. Mark briefly moves in with Toadie, when his home has to be fumigated. Kyle tells Mark that he is being threatened by Constable Wes Holland and Mark agrees to help. After seeing Wes accept money from Kyle, he arrests him. Mark's colleagues turn against him and he gets angry with Detective Sergeant Wilks (Simon Maiden). Mark goes to Charlie's and meets up with Jade and Lucas. Mark and Jade start kissing and they have a one-night stand. Mark feels guilty and he tries to tell Kate, but Jade stops him. Kate eventually discovers the truth and she is angry with Mark.
Mark helps organise a search for Charlie Hoyland (Jacob Brito) when he goes missing. After his flat is let out, Mark moves in with Kyle and Jade. A brick is thrown through Mark's car window and he starts receiving threatening texts. Mark and Kyle discover their house has been trashed and a threatening message has been painted on a door. Mark tells Superintendent Duncan Hayes (Paul Ireland) that he is being stalked and Duncan suggests Mark goes into witness protection. Mark tells Kate that he loves her, but she just wants to be friends. Mark then tells Duncan that he will enter witness protection. Mark and Kate have dinner together and make up. Mark tells Kate that he is going into protection and wants her to go with him. Kate agrees and Mark starts packing. Kyle realises that Mark is leaving and they say their goodbyes. Mark and Duncan wait for Kate, but she does not arrive in time and they leave without her. Mark sends Kate a text from Duncan's phone, telling her he loves her.
) said that McGregor is "fantastic" as Mark and he added "He's not only spectacularly handsome, he's also a very fine actor." Holy Soap
said Mark's most memorable moment was "His first kiss with Kate – at the police station in front of all his colleagues!" In March 2011, Mark came second in a poll run by Inside Soap magazine to find reader's favourite "hunky" soap detective. He received 31% of the vote. In April, the magazine's letters editor, Sarah Ellis, said she would like to buy a calender featuring Mark, as she would love to have the "hunky policeman [...] adorning the walls of Inside Soap towers." When Mark becomes jealous of Kate and Kyle and attempts to ask her out once again, British magazine Buzz became bored of the repetitive nature of the storyline. They said "honestly, how many times have we been through this with these two?" They later branded him "one angry man" during the police corruption storyline. They said he slept with Jade because "too much stewing over work and not enough play makes Brennan a dull boy". TV Week described Mark's departure episode as "edge-of-your-seat."
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 model and television presenter Scott McGregor
Scott McGregor (model)
Scott McGregor is an Australian model, television presenter and actor.-Career:Since 2005 he has worked as a model on the Nine Network program Temptation, as well as television presenting work for Foxtel...
. He made his first on-screen appearance on 30 August 2010. McGregor initially had a four week guest contract with the show, but this was increased to six months. Shortly after, it was announced that McGregor's contract had been extended again to twelve months and that he would become a regular cast member. In February 2011, McGregor announced his departure from Neighbours, so he could pursue modelling opportunities in Europe. He filmed his final scenes at the end of April and departed on screen on 22 June 2011.
Mark was introduced as the detective leading the investigation into the attempt on 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...
's (Stefan Dennis
Stefan Dennis
Stefan Dennis is an Australian actor, best known for playing the role of Paul Robinson in the soap opera, Neighbours, from its first episode in March 1985 to the present day...
) life. He receives conflicting information from everyone he interviews and does not realise who the culprit is because of this. McGregor told SX News
SX News
SX News is a weekly gay and lesbian newspaper based in Sydney, Australia.One of several titles published by Evolution Publishing under the Gay News Network banner...
that he enjoyed being involved in the storyline. Mark is described as being handsome, charming and a perfectionist. He is dedicated to his job and usually puts it ahead of everything else. As a consequence, Mark struggles to balance his work and personal lives. McGregor revealed that he does share some similarities with his character.
Mark begins a relationship with Kate Ramsay
Kate Ramsay
Kate Ramsay is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Ashleigh Brewer. She made her first on-screen appearance on 15 May 2009. She is the eldest sibling of Harry and Sophie Ramsay...
(Ashleigh Brewer
Ashleigh Brewer
Ashleigh Brewer is an Australian actress. She is best known for playing Kate Ramsay in the long-running Australian soap opera Neighbours.-Biography and personal life:...
), despite being wary of her ex-boyfriend and the age gap between them. Mark's focus on his work eventually forces him to choose between Kate and Paul's case. Mark's relationship with Kate ends and Mark becomes jealous of the attention she receives from Kyle Canning
Kyle Canning
Kyle Canning is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Chris Milligan. The actor successfully auditioned for the six week recurring role of Kyle and he made his first on screen appearance on 26 November 2008. Milligan was later asked back every couple of months...
(Chris Milligan
Chris Milligan
Chris Milligan is an Australian actor. He has appeared in numerous television series and is best known for his role as Kyle Canning in the soap opera Neighbours.-Career:...
). Mark later has a one-night stand with her best friend. He also faces problems at work when he reports a fellow officer for corruption. Mark is forced to go into witness protection and he left during a special real time episode. Mark became popular with viewers due to his good looks.
Casting
In August 2010, it was announced that model and television presenter Scott McGregor had joined the cast of Neighbours as Detective Mark Brennan. McGregor was originally given a four week guest contract, but this was increased to six months. McGregor said that Mark is his "first decent part" after appearing in bit roles in other Australian dramas, such as UnderbellyUnderbelly (TV series)
Underbelly is a 13-part Australian television mini-series that retells the real events of the 1995–2004 gangland war in Melbourne, and is the first series in the larger Underbelly Franchise. It depicts the key players in Melbourne's criminal underworld, including the Carlton Crew and their rival,...
. McGregor's contract was then increased again to twelve months when Mark proved proved popular with viewers. In December 2010, it was announced that Mark would become a regular role. McGregor told 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...
that he is enjoying working on Neighbours, but that he did not "realise how full-on it is."
Characterisation
Shortly after he was cast, McGregor said that Mark is "a no-nonsense type. Work is his life, and when he's not at work, he's thinking about work". McGregor told the show's official website that he did some research on police officers to prepare for the role. The writers also went through their research with him. TV WeekTV Week
TV Week is a weekly television magazine in Australia, first published as a Melbourne-only publication in December 1957 , and bearing a strong affiliation to television station GTV.The publication is still publishing weekly...
describe Mark as being "handsome" and a "charming investigator." Mark is a perfectionist, who puts his work ahead of everything else and he struggles to hold down a relationship because of it. His dedication to his job means that he does not have much time to socialise. When McGregor was asked if there were any similarities between him and Mark, he said that there was and that he liked getting into character. Mark struggles with balancing his career and personal life and McGregor told SX News
SX News
SX News is a weekly gay and lesbian newspaper based in Sydney, Australia.One of several titles published by Evolution Publishing under the Gay News Network banner...
that he would like to see Mark either grow in his job or get "tempted by the wrong side of the law" in the future. Mark manages to develop friendships with some of the other male characters, like Lucas Fitzgerald
Lucas Fitzgerald
Lucas Fitzgerald is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, portrayed by Scott Major. He made his first on-screen appearance on 22 July 2008. The role of Lucas is Major's second character on the show, he previously played Darren Stark in 1993. Lucas is the brother of Daniel...
(Scott Major
Scott Major
Scott Major is an Australian actor. Major's acting début was playing Murray on Home and Away in the 1990s. He joined the Neighbours cast for a brief period in 1993 as the original Darren Stark. and then was a part of the Heartbreak High cast as "Rivers" from 1994–1995...
). Of this, McGregor said "Even though we're friends there are always references to me being a cop and they're always quite wary." When Mark becomes involved in an illegal street racing investigation, he expresses an interest in buying a motorbike. Inside Soap said they would like to see Mark on the road letting his "wild side" out. McGregor said he "loved" the storyline as he was given the chance to ride a motorbike.
Who Pushed P.R? investigation
After Paul RobinsonPaul 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...
(Stefan Dennis
Stefan Dennis
Stefan Dennis is an Australian actor, best known for playing the role of Paul Robinson in the soap opera, Neighbours, from its first episode in March 1985 to the present day...
) is pushed from the Lassiter's Hotel mezzanine, Mark is introduced as the lead detective on the case. Mark has his "work cut out for him" as he begins to question each suspect, as they point the finger at someone else. He also receives conflicting information as everyone has their own suspicions as to who committed the crime. McGregor revealed that Kate Ramsay
Kate Ramsay
Kate Ramsay is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Ashleigh Brewer. She made her first on-screen appearance on 15 May 2009. She is the eldest sibling of Harry and Sophie Ramsay...
(Ashleigh Brewer
Ashleigh Brewer
Ashleigh Brewer is an Australian actress. She is best known for playing Kate Ramsay in the long-running Australian soap opera Neighbours.-Biography and personal life:...
) gives Rebecca Robinson (Jane Hall
Jane Hall (actress)
Jane Hall is an Australian actress and comedian.-Biography:Born in Melbourne, Hall grew up in the Dandenong Ranges....
) a false alibi, Lyn Scully
Lyn Scully
Lynette "Lyn" Scully is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Janet Andrewartha. The character debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 21 October 1999, along with her family and remained a prominent feature within the show until late 2006...
(Janet Andrewartha
Janet Andrewartha
Janet Andrewartha is an Australian actress. She is famous for playing on-going roles in two popular Australian soap operas: that of Reb Kean in Prisoner and Lyn Scully in Neighbours.-Biography:...
) gets Diana Marshall
Diana Marshall
Diana Marshall is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Jane Badler. She made her first on-screen appearance on 22 June 2010. Badler had a four month contract with the show and she began filming her first scenes in April following a successful audition...
(Jane Badler
Jane Badler
Jane Badler is an American actress and singer. She is best known for her role as Diana, the chief antagonist in NBC's science fiction TV series, V, between 1983-85. Badler also appeared in ABC's "reimagined" version of V in 2011, again playing an alien named Diana, who this time is the mother of...
) into trouble when her earring is found at the crime scene and Andrew Robinson
Andrew Robinson (Neighbours)
Andrew Benito Robinson is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Jordan Smith. He made his first on-screen appearance on 13 November 1991. Shannon Holmes previously played the role from the character's birth in 1991 until 1992...
(Jordan Smith
Jordan Smith (actor)
Jordan Patrick Smith is a Scottish-born Australian actor best known for playing Andrew Robinson in the Australian soap opera Neighbours.-Personal life:...
) does not help himself with his attitude to Mark and the investigation. Of the case, McGregor told the official Neighbours site, "Brennan is in the thick of the investigation so it's pretty exciting, I've never had so much responsibility." McGregor later explained that it had been "great" to be involved in the storyline, even though he did not share many scenes with Stefan Dennis, as he was in a hospital bed. Rebecca Robinson is revealed to have been the one who pushed Paul and McGregor said that he knew early on in the storyline that it was her. However, Mark does not know that Rebecca is the culprit and McGregor said that it is because he is thrown by the false alibis. McGregor later said his first week on Neighbours, filming the Who Pushed P.R? storyline, has stuck in his mind as there were many long interview scenes he had to get through.
Relationship with Kate Ramsay
In November 2010, it was announced that Mark would begin a relationship with Kate Ramsay (Ashleigh Brewer). Mark first meets Kate when he interviews her during the Paul Robinson case. Of their first meeting, McGregor said "[He] thinks she's pretty cute but not a lot comes of it later, but there's a bit of a spark there." McGregor opined that Kate and Mark are a good match. Mark asks Kate out, but she turns him down. However, when he rescues her from lawyers, Toadfish RebecchiToadfish 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....
(Ryan Moloney
Ryan Moloney
Ryan Moloney is an Australian actor best known for his portrayal of the fictional character Jarrod "Toadfish" Rebecchi in the Australian soap opera Neighbours.-Before Neighbours:...
) and 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....
), she agrees to go to dinner with him. Brewer welcomed the storyline and said that her character is ready to move on from her previous relationship with Declan Napier
Declan Napier
Declan Napier is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Erin Mullally. The character first appeared on-screen on 25 July 2007. In January 2010 it was announced that original actor James Sorensen had quit the role of Declan and the decision to recast...
(Erin Mullally
Erin Mullally
Erin Mullally is an Australian actor and model best known for playing the role of Declan Napier in Neighbours. Mullally was cast in the role after original actor, James Sorensen, left the show. The character of Declan is Mullally's first major television role...
). Declan appears during Kate and Mark's date, which makes Kate "furious" as it means he still has a hold on her life. Despite Kate telling Declan that she is over him, Declan believes that Mark is a threat. McGregor said that Mark puts Declan's nose out of joint. Declan becomes a nuisance and tries to control Kate by telling her that Mark threatened and attacked him. Kate believes Declan at first, but when she discovers the truth she has to work to get Mark back. However, this pushes their romance into "top gear" after Kate goes to the station to see him and they kiss in front of Mark's colleagues. McGregor said it was "awkward" filming his first on-screen kiss with Brewer. Mark likes Kate as she is "a pretty easy-going girl who doesn't let too much get to her", but McGregor told TV Week that Mark is wary of starting a relationship with her because of Declan and because he is focused on his work. He is also hesitant because of the age gap between them. McGregor told Holy Soap "Kate's 19 and my character is about 25. It's funny because a few friends of mine have mentioned it, but I think it's because of what they do and where they are in life. At one point Kate's having driving lessons, and I'm working as a detective who's moved up through the ranks quickly, so we do seem quite different in age, but it's better left unsaid I think!" He added that Mark and Kate's relationship "may not be the easiest of rides."
Mark and Kate break up after Kate confesses to lying in her police statement during Paul's investigation. McGregor told Inside Soap that Mark has not stopped loving Kate and that since he has time to think about it, the issue is not "black and white." Mark realises that Kyle Canning
Kyle Canning
Kyle Canning is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Chris Milligan. The actor successfully auditioned for the six week recurring role of Kyle and he made his first on screen appearance on 26 November 2008. Milligan was later asked back every couple of months...
(Chris Milligan
Chris Milligan
Chris Milligan is an Australian actor. He has appeared in numerous television series and is best known for his role as Kyle Canning in the soap opera Neighbours.-Career:...
) has taken an interest in Kate and he does not like the idea of Kate moving on, especially with Kyle. McGregor admitted that Mark thinks Kyle is an idiot and when he sees him with Kate, Mark comes up with a plan to get close to his ex-girlfriend. McGregor explained, "He comes up with a reason to summon her to the station - which Kate sees right through!" Mark later asks Lucas, who lives with Kate, for his advice, but Lucas is not much help. Both Kate and Mark want to get back together and Brewer explained "They both have a lot of history, such as the lie that Kate told to protect Rebecca and then Mark does something which really hurts Kate, and this prevents them from moving forward." The actress also reveled that she believes Mark is "the one" for Kate as they are both academic and focused.
One-night stand and police corruption
TV Week reported that Mark would have a one-night standOne-night stand
Originally, a one-night stand was a single theatre performance, usually by a guest performer on tour, as opposed to an ongoing engagement. Today, however, the term is more commonly defined as a single sexual encounter, in which neither participant has any intention or expectation of a relationship...
with Kate's friend, 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...
) in April 2011. After he reports fellow colleague, Constable Wes Holland (Daniel Hamill), for corruption, Mark goes for a drink at Charlie's to escape his troubles at the station. McGregor told Inside Soap that "Mark's life has been turned upside down since he blew the whistle on Constable Holland" and that he is now being treated like he did the wrong thing. After playing pool together, Mark and Jade begin kissing as "Jade proves to be the perfect distraction." Inside Soap said that of all the women Mark might seek comfort in, Jade seems the most unlikely as there is tension between them. Jade believes Mark sided with Toadie against her sister and she has been telling Kate not to give him a second chance. Jade challenges Mark and Lucas to a game of pool and "sparks of a different kind" begin to fly between herself and Mark. McGregor explained the situation, saying "Mark has had a really bad day at work, so he's out for a fun night. To his surprise, he enjoys Jade's company. Lucas goes home early - and Mark and Jade end up sharing a kiss." The next morning it becomes clear that Mark and Jade spent the night together and Mark is full of regret. McGregor said Mark is "terrified" that Kate will find out and even though Jade agrees to keep quiet, he does not feel any less guilty. Mark's problems at work continue and he becomes a victim of harassment, when his car tyres are let down. Mark talks to his superior officer, but nothing happens and he feels like he has no support from people at his work place.
Departure
In February 2011, it was announced that McGregor was to leave Neighbours after contract negotiations led to his role being written out of the show. The Herald Sun reported that McGregor's contract was up and was not going to be renewed. They added that the actor was "keen to pursue his acting career elsewhere." While McGregor told TV Week that he is leaving to pursue some modelling opportunities in Europe. McGregor added "It's been tough [on Neighbours]. I didn't realise how many hours were involved, and I had to knock back so many modelling jobs." McGregor shot his final scenes at the end of April and Mark departed on 22 June. McGregor explained that Mark's exit storyline will not be a happy one and that his character will be forced out of Ramsay Street. He added that the door has been left open for Mark to make a return in the future.In May 2011, McGregor revealed a little more of Mark's exit storyline, saying "Things get very difficult for Mark, and he's forced to make some tough decisions - both about his career and his feelings for Kate." Mark is forced to go into witness protection after his exposure of Wes Holland leads him to be stalked. He is the star witness for the trial, so he needs to go into protective custody. Mark does not want to leave Kate behind and tries to convince her to go with him. Kate then has thirty minutes to decide if she wants to pack up her life and leave with Mark or stay behind in Erinsborough. Executive producer Susan Bower
Susan Bower
Susan Bower is an Australian television producer and television writer best known for her work on the soap opera Neighbours.-Career:Bower is a former nurse who worked at The Alfred Hospital for 20 years before getting her scriptwriting breakthrough on A Country Practice, where she provided the...
promised viewers that Mark's departure would be dramatic, saying "A beloved character was leaving us. We didn't want him to go out with a whimper. We wanted him to go out with a bang."
Mark's departure unfolds in real time and the episode focuses entirely on a thirty minute timeframe between 6.30pm and 7pm, which is when Neighbours airs. McGregor revealed that the show's bosses took inspiration from American drama 24
24 (TV series)
24 is an American television series produced for the Fox Network and syndicated worldwide, starring Kiefer Sutherland as Counter Terrorist Unit agent Jack Bauer. Each 24-episode season covers 24 hours in the life of Bauer, using the real time method of narration...
while writing his character's exit. Neighbours script producer, Emma Gordon, told the The West Australian
The West Australian
The West Australian is the only locally-edited daily newspaper published in Perth, Western Australia, and is owned by ASX-listed Seven West Media . The West is published in tabloid format, as is the state's other major newspaper, The Sunday Times, a News Limited publication...
that the episode was a challenge, but the best way to do justice to McGregor's departure. She explained: "It is a bit different and a bit out of our normal storytelling process but it gives such a sense of tension which is exactly the feeling we wanted to create." The episode was filmed over two nights and Gordon explained that "extraordinary effort" went in to ensuring the continuity was perfect. During the final climatic scenes, it began raining and Gordon said it was awful for the cast and crew, but the scenes looked "spectacular." A week after McGregor's on-screen departure, it was revealed that Mark would be killed off while in witness protection. McGregor said that he was fine with Mark's death and that he could still return in the future, saying "There have been plenty of other characters who've come back from the dead - but that's not to say I'd want to. But if Brennan ever does pop up again, I'd like to be asked first for the role."
Storylines
Following the attempt on Paul Robinson's life, Mark arrives to investigate the crime scene, before going to the hospital to speak to Rebecca Robinson. Mark goes to Harold's Store to question Lyn Scully and she tells him that an earring found at the scene belongs to Diana Marshall. Mark manages to stop Diana from leaving the country and she tells him about her affair with Paul. Mark questions Rebecca again. He also interviews Kate Ramsay and Declan Napier. When Summer HoylandSummer 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:...
) gives her statement, she tells Mark that Andrew Robinson was really angry with his father. Mark then brings Andrew in for questioning. The West Waratah Star prints a story about a key witness in the case and Natasha Williams
Natasha Williams (Neighbours)
Natasha Williams is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Valentina Novakovic. The role of Natasha is Novakovic's first acting job and she relocated from Sydney to Melbourne for filming...
(Valentina Novakovic) admits that she spoke to the reporter, but her words were twisted. Mark gives her a warning. Mark also warns Andrew to stop trying to do his job for him, when he is handed a mobile phone from Diana's associate. Mark later arrests Diana for conspiracy to commit murder.
Paul wakes up from his coma and Mark tries to question him. Paul mentions Diana's name and Mark goes to get her, but discovers that she has gone. Mark goes to Harold's Store and he flirts with Kate. He helps her out and asks her to dinner, which Kate initially turns down. After she changes her mind, Mark and Kate go to Charlie's, but Kate cuts the date short. Kate apologises to Mark for leaving early and he and Declan trade barbs. Kate and Mark have coffee together and he asks her out again. Mark tells Declan to let Kate move on. Kate later confronts Mark about him making threats to Declan, which he denies doing. Kate realises that Declan made the story up and apologises to Mark. He tells her that she needs time to sort things out, but Kate returns to the station and kisses Mark. Mark later rechecks Kate's interview and believes she may have lied. He asks her about it, but Kate tells him that she was nervous. Mark decides to choose his relationship with Kate over the case.
When Mark sees Lucas Fitzgerald with Billy Forman (Jez Constable), he tells him to stay away as Billy has a record. Kate's home is trashed and Mark realises that Lucas has something to do with it. Lucas explains that he owes money to someone. When Lucas sees Mark with Megan Phillips (Cate Commisso), Mark has to explain that he and Megan are working undercover. It is revealed that Mark is trying to bring down an illegal car rebirthing and street racing ring run by Garland Cole (Jack Finsterer
Jack Finsterer
-Early life:Finsterer grew up in Ainslie, Canberra, where he attended Daramalan College, before going on to study drama at the Victorian College of Arts in Melbourne.-Career:...
). Mark attends a race under the name of Rob and he runs into Lucas. He tells Lucas to race, so it does not raise suspicion. He later asks Lucas to wear a wire when he next meets Garland. Garland delivers a car to Lucas to rebirth and he and Mark work on it together. Mark is not happy to learn that Lucas told Billy to stay away. Garland returns and finds Kate hiding in the garage and Mark tells him that she came to meet him. Once the parts are loaded up, Garland reveals his suspicions about Kate turning up and Billy pulling out. However, the police then arrive and Mark arrests Garland.
Kate confesses to giving Rebecca a false alibi and Mark ends their relationship. Mark charges Kyle Canning with indecent exposure and gives a talk at Erinsborough High about responsible partying. He raids a dance party being thrown by Andrew and Tomas Bersky (Tim Munley), but he does not find anything. Andrew later tells Mark that Tomas was selling drugs and Mark arrests him. Mark briefly moves in with Toadie, when his home has to be fumigated. Kyle tells Mark that he is being threatened by Constable Wes Holland and Mark agrees to help. After seeing Wes accept money from Kyle, he arrests him. Mark's colleagues turn against him and he gets angry with Detective Sergeant Wilks (Simon Maiden). Mark goes to Charlie's and meets up with Jade and Lucas. Mark and Jade start kissing and they have a one-night stand. Mark feels guilty and he tries to tell Kate, but Jade stops him. Kate eventually discovers the truth and she is angry with Mark.
Mark helps organise a search for Charlie Hoyland (Jacob Brito) when he goes missing. After his flat is let out, Mark moves in with Kyle and Jade. A brick is thrown through Mark's car window and he starts receiving threatening texts. Mark and Kyle discover their house has been trashed and a threatening message has been painted on a door. Mark tells Superintendent Duncan Hayes (Paul Ireland) that he is being stalked and Duncan suggests Mark goes into witness protection. Mark tells Kate that he loves her, but she just wants to be friends. Mark then tells Duncan that he will enter witness protection. Mark and Kate have dinner together and make up. Mark tells Kate that he is going into protection and wants her to go with him. Kate agrees and Mark starts packing. Kyle realises that Mark is leaving and they say their goodbyes. Mark and Duncan wait for Kate, but she does not arrive in time and they leave without her. Mark sends Kate a text from Duncan's phone, telling her he loves her.
Reception
The Daily Star said that McGregor's contract was extended because female viewers "went mad for him." Nate Micó of SX News praised the casting of McGregor, saying "As the brooding Detective Mark Brennan, handsome actor Scott McGregor has bought a welcome dose of eye candy to Ramsay Street." Television critic Andrew Mercado called Mark a "hunky new investigative cop." Alan Fletcher (who plays Karl KennedyKarl 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...
) said that McGregor is "fantastic" as Mark and he added "He's not only spectacularly handsome, he's also a very fine actor." 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...
said Mark's most memorable moment was "His first kiss with Kate – at the police station in front of all his colleagues!" In March 2011, Mark came second in a poll run by Inside Soap magazine to find reader's favourite "hunky" soap detective. He received 31% of the vote. In April, the magazine's letters editor, Sarah Ellis, said she would like to buy a calender featuring Mark, as she would love to have the "hunky policeman [...] adorning the walls of Inside Soap towers." When Mark becomes jealous of Kate and Kyle and attempts to ask her out once again, British magazine Buzz became bored of the repetitive nature of the storyline. They said "honestly, how many times have we been through this with these two?" They later branded him "one angry man" during the police corruption storyline. They said he slept with Jade because "too much stewing over work and not enough play makes Brennan a dull boy". TV Week described Mark's departure episode as "edge-of-your-seat."
External links
- Character profile at the Official UK Neighbours website