Melanie Costello
Encyclopedia
Melanie Costello was a fictional character
in the UK soap opera
Family Affairs
, played by Rebecca Hunter
from September 2003 until May 2005. Melanie returned in December 2005 for the final week of the series.
, Chrissy and her 8-year-old sister, Chloe. Gary had recently lost his job and the family were forced to move from a mansion in Chigwell
into Number 12 Stanley street which had recently been vacated by Jim Webb, his sister Karen
, Karen's husband Matt and their daughter, Grace.
Mel struggled to adjust to life in Charnham. Her Boyfriend, Bradley Foster
had gone travelling to Australia
and Melanie was finding it difficult to get work. Melanie tried the local pub, The Black Swan, but was rejected after her new friend Lucy Day mentioned to the landlord, Pete Callan that Melanie was underage. Melanie eventually managed to land a job working for Roy Farmer
at the cybercafe.
some pills. Lewis had an adverse reaction and collapsed. Lewis assured Mel that he took the pills of his own accord.
Further problems arose, when Chloe, Mel's younger sister discovered the pills in her and took one causing her to fall into a coma. Luckily, Chloe recovered. Gary was forgiving, but Chrissy was still angry. Eventually Chrissy forgave Mel, but the Costellos' problems were far from over...
's brother.
During a dinner at the Costellos, Chrissy talked non-stop about Mel's previous boyfriend Bradley. Chrissy had made it abundantly clear that she wasn't happy with Mel dating Brendan, who she hardly knew. Despite this, Mel continued seeing Brendan, unaware that he was living a double life.
, which were later confirmed by local nurse Tanya Woods
, Chrissy had been exposed for lying about Chloe having cancer
and was arrested. Melanie was later held in custody after taking £500 from Chloe's account for Lewis (to feed his drug addiction). Melanie was later forced to pay back the money.
with Brendan, who had originally bought the tickets as an engagement present.
Following Gary's acquittal of assaulting Bradley for molesting Chloe and her parents' remarriage; Melanie decided to leave Charnham leaving her family worried.
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...
in the UK soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
Family Affairs
Family Affairs
Family Affairs was a British soap opera broadcast on Five, from 1997 to 2005. It was the second programme to be broadcast on the channel on 30 March 1997, the channel's launch night...
, played by Rebecca Hunter
Rebecca Hunter
Rebecca Hunter, sometimes credited as Becky Hunter , is a British actress and singer.Hunter has a diploma in acting from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. She is best known for playing Melanie Costello on the five soap opera Family Affairs between 2003 and 2005...
from September 2003 until May 2005. Melanie returned in December 2005 for the final week of the series.
Arrival
Melanie first arrived in Charnham in September 2003, along with her parents GaryGary Costello
Gary Costello was a fictional character in UK soap opera Family Affairs, played by Gary Webster from 2003 until the final episode of the series 2005.-Character information:...
, Chrissy and her 8-year-old sister, Chloe. Gary had recently lost his job and the family were forced to move from a mansion in Chigwell
Chigwell
Chigwell is a civil parish and town in the Epping Forest district of Essex. It is located 11.6 miles north east of Charing Cross. It is served by two London Underground stations and has a London area code.-Etymology:According to P. H...
into Number 12 Stanley street which had recently been vacated by Jim Webb, his sister Karen
Karen Ellis (Family Affairs character)
Karen Ellis was a fictional character in UK soap opera Family Affairs, played by Tanya Franks from 2000 until 2003.-About Karen:...
, Karen's husband Matt and their daughter, Grace.
Mel struggled to adjust to life in Charnham. Her Boyfriend, Bradley Foster
Bradley Foster
Bradley Foster was a fictional character in UK soap opera Family Affairs, played by Harry Capehorn from 2004 to 2005.-About Bradley:Bradley first appeared in Charnham in April 2004, as the former boyfriend of Melanie Costello. Bradley had taken a gap year in Australia the year previous, and...
had gone travelling to Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and Melanie was finding it difficult to get work. Melanie tried the local pub, The Black Swan, but was rejected after her new friend Lucy Day mentioned to the landlord, Pete Callan that Melanie was underage. Melanie eventually managed to land a job working for Roy Farmer
Roy Farmer
Royston Farmer was a fictional character in the UK soap opera Family Affairs, played by Miles Petit from episode one of the series in March 1997....
at the cybercafe.
Trouble with Drugs
Mel had a brief expirementation with drugs and offered her new friend Lewis DavenportLewis Davenport
Lewis Davenport was a fictional character in UK soap opera Family Affairs, played by Sam Stockman from 2002 until 2004.-Lewis' arrival in Charnham:...
some pills. Lewis had an adverse reaction and collapsed. Lewis assured Mel that he took the pills of his own accord.
Further problems arose, when Chloe, Mel's younger sister discovered the pills in her and took one causing her to fall into a coma. Luckily, Chloe recovered. Gary was forgiving, but Chrissy was still angry. Eventually Chrissy forgave Mel, but the Costellos' problems were far from over...
Relationship with Brendan Boulter
At the end of 2003 and the beginning of 2004, Mel began dating Brendan Boulter, her friend KellyKelly Boulter
Kelly Boulter was a fictional character in the UK soap opera Family Affairs, played by Carryl Thomas from 2003 until 2005.-Background:Kelly first appeared in Charnham in October 2003, around the time she was dating Benji McHugh. Kelly had also been sleeping with Justin MacKenzie. When Kelly fell...
's brother.
During a dinner at the Costellos, Chrissy talked non-stop about Mel's previous boyfriend Bradley. Chrissy had made it abundantly clear that she wasn't happy with Mel dating Brendan, who she hardly knew. Despite this, Mel continued seeing Brendan, unaware that he was living a double life.
Accessory to Deception
After suspicions from Pete Callan's wife EileenEileen Callan
Eileen Callan was a fictional character in the UK soap opera Family Affairs, played by Rosie Rowell from 2002 until the end of the series in 2005.-Character's background:...
, which were later confirmed by local nurse Tanya Woods
Tanya Woods
Tanya Barbara Magarita Woods was a fictional character in UK soap opera Family Affairs, played by Carol Starks from 2003 until 2005 several months before the end of the series.-Character Information:...
, Chrissy had been exposed for lying about Chloe having cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
and was arrested. Melanie was later held in custody after taking £500 from Chloe's account for Lewis (to feed his drug addiction). Melanie was later forced to pay back the money.
Brendan's revelation
At Brendan and Melanie's engagement party which, was held at the Boulters' place, Brendan told the truth about him being bisexual and Mel promptly called the engagement off after outing him. After much coaxing, Mel decided to go to New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
with Brendan, who had originally bought the tickets as an engagement present.
Surprise Marriage
On their return, Mel and Brendan surprised their families by announcing they had gotten married while in New York. Chrissy was against the idea and wanted the marriage annulled but Gary talked her out of it. Mel and Brendan were happy living at Number 16 along with Brendan's family, for the time being.Marital Break up
In November 2004, On the day of the christening of Brendan's niece Suzie, Melanie found out that Brendan had lied to her once again via Jason, a man who identified himself as Brendan's boyfriend. Melanie decided to end it once and for all.Graham Harker and Exit
In March 2005, Melanie began dating Graham Harker, much to the chagrin of her in-laws, The Boulter Family. Denise identified Graham as her rapist. Melanie refused to believe this claim and stood by Graham until one day Graham lost his temper and hit her. It wasn't until Graham was arrested for kidnapping Denise, that Melanie began to realise the truth.Following Gary's acquittal of assaulting Bradley for molesting Chloe and her parents' remarriage; Melanie decided to leave Charnham leaving her family worried.