Morag Bellingham
Encyclopedia
Morag Bellingham is a fictional character
from the Australian Channel Seven
soap opera
Home and Away
, played by Cornelia Frances
. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 17 June 1988. She appeared until 1989 and briefly appeared in 1993. She returned yearly from 2001 until 2009 and returned once again in 2011. Frances has expressed her desire to once again become a permanent cast member. Morag has been described as an antagonistic, independent and cold character. Morag is portrayed as a tough lawyer. She has been involved in storylines such as adopting her illegitimate daughter Bobby Simpson, being widowed, helping her brother Alf Stewart
through his many legal battles and a friendship with troubled teen Aden Jefferies. She has been well-received by certain critics for her feisty persona, whilst others have criticised her professional skills.
revealed that Frances was back filming and she was "very much part of plans going foward" for the future. In 2010, she signed another six month contract and appeared again from January 2011. Frances admitted she wanted to become a permanent cast member. On 14 April 2011, it was announced that Frances had finished filming her final scenes. A show spokesman said "Morag is a much-loved Summer Bay character and we're sure we'll see her back."
During flashbacks to the character's past, Morag was portrayed by Eve Kelman, Vanessa Goddard and Pheobe Taylor-Bush respectively.
said Morag is known for her "barbed comments and cold, cruel demeanour". Morag has softened over time around certain characters but Frances said "she still holds her own, and she's still this very strong independent person." Frances believes that Morag should never find happiness with a lover because "she's put so much doom on everybody". A lot of things have happened to her, that are ultimately her own fault. Frances added: "So it's that nemesis that keeps coming back for the things she has done to other people". Morag's main connection in the serial has been with her brother Alf Stewart
(Ray Meagher
). There has been a lots of fights and antagonsim between the pair. Morag later softens towards him. Frances said: "She's been through so many mishaps with, underneath she will always care for him and look after him." She holds a great deal of "love and concern" for him which Morag is "reluctant to show a lot of the time". Frances felt it perhaps not the best development because she enjoyed their "wonderful fights".
In an early storyline Morag had a daughter with Donald Fisher
(Norman Coburn
) and had her adopted. It was later revealed she was existing character Bobby Simpson (Nicolle Dickson
). However, when the truth comes out Morag and Bobby do not want to know each other. Frances liked the fact she gave her baby away and no one knew about. She also enjoyed playing scenes in which Bobby calls her mother and Morag says, "Don't you dare call me that!" Frances also added: "I enjoyed a lot of the original storylines where Morag was fighting against her family." However, Dickson was felt the storyline was frustrating because felt Bobby was turning her back on her foster parents.
In 2001, Morag returns to preside over the trial of Kane Phillips
(Sam Atwell
) for his sexual assault of Dani Sutherland (Tammin Sursok
). Her ruling proved unpopular with many of the residents and caused a further rift between herself and Alf. In 2008 Morag becomes central to storylines with Aden Jefferies (Todd Lasance
). Morag wants to know why he has problems because she had "taken a bit of a shine to him". Aden initially doesn't want her help. Whilst interviewed by Digital Spy
Frances stated: "There's lots of lovely dialogue that goes on between him and I - I take him under my wing and I find out what's wrong with him." He eventually looks up to her and moves in with her. Frances said: "So I sort of adopt him in a way." She was also about to have a romance storyline. Frances revealed; "there's another storyline which sees an ex-lover of mine come in as a detective". This was Ross Buckton (David Downer), they later resume their relationship and eventually marry.
Morag's 2011 return was planned for six months worth of episodes. Morag returns for husband Ross' funeral and say a "sad farewell". Her other reason is to get the murder charges against Alf dropped. As Morag had no legal work for over one year, the sudden change leaves her confused "about what she actually wants out of life". Frances said of her return "a lot of things happen that she gets involved with". Morag get's involved in Nicole Franklin's
(Tessa James
) plans to give her child to Marilyn Chambers
(Emily Symons
). Frances said Morag's "very much in the middle of Nicole, Marilyn and Sid" saying illegal things, Morag becomes involved because "She's very concerned with what is legal and illegal." Morag was initially estranged from niece Roo Stewart (Justine Clarke
). Later Roo (now played by Georgie Parker
) returns, Morag remembers the young Roo and they "renew hostilities". Frances said "she doesn't think a leopard ever changes its spots. She knows more about Roo than Roo does herself." As the storyline progresses they eventually get along better. Frances said "There isn't the same antagonism between the characters that there was in the past". As Roo is now an adult Morag "gives in a bit".
) which reveals Ailsa had severed time in prison for murdering her abusive father. In June 1988, Morag returns to Summer Bay to attend Roo's wedding to Frank Morgan (Alex Papps
)and soon learns that Roo is pregnant and Frank is not the father. She advises her to come clean to Frank about the baby's paternity and Ruth does so on the day of the wedding. After Roo becomes a pariah, Morag lets her stay with her in the city but this does not last when Roo learns Morag is conspiring with Brett Macklin (Gerry Sont) to get Roo to sign over custody of their unborn child to him.
Morag reappears for the funeral of her nephew, Alan Fisher (Simon Bossell) and later enjoys sparring with Colleen Smart
(Lyn Collingwood
), a former schoolmate who constantly gets on her nerves. Shortly after she return to the city. It is later revealed that Morag had a secret child with Donald and then put the child up for adoption. Her daughter is then revealed to be Bobby. She is angry to find out Donald is her father, she is even more angry when she finds out Morag is her mother. Morag and Bobby never got on. Morag is later involved in a plane crash at sea. Morag survives but is in a coma. Bobby decides to wait until she wakes up to tell her how much she hates her. After Bobby's death in 1993, she returns. She then tries to gain custody of Bobby's adoptive son Sam Marshall
(Ryan Clark
). When Ailsa finds out about her plans she manages to stop her.
In 2001, Morag decides to come back to Summer Bay to see her family. She is now a judge and she presides over the trial of Kane for his sexual assault of Dani. She returns in 2002, this time staying longer. She comes and goes again. She later decides to move back into the town for a while and the following year she faces Dani in court once more when she is on trial for running over Kane and sentences her to imprisonment after Dani is found guilty. In 2005 she decides to help the locals over power Project 56. Josh West
(Daniel Collopy
) becomes the mayor and along with Amanda Vale's
(Holly Brisley
) help, they try to enforce the project. Josh is then is then shot dead. Morag finds out her friend Barry Hyde (Ivar Kants
) is Josh's murderer. She sees it as an accident and keeps it a secret. However Peter Baker (Nicholas Bishop
) overhears and arrests Barry. In May 2006, Morag leaves for three weeks to clear her head after she is charged with obstructing the police investigation. She returns when she finds out someone has broken into her office and stolen all her case files. She is distraught when her niece Martha MacKenzie
(Jodi Gordon
) goes missing after a helicopter crash. When Martha is found safe she decides to goes to stay in the city and defend Barry in court and offers him bail.
In late August 2006, Barry's son Kim Hyde
(Chris Hemsworth
) was wrongfully accused of sexual assault and Morag is first on the scene to defend him. She also defends Robbie Hunter
(Jason Smith
) over allegations he killed his grandfather. Then she helps Brad Armstrong (Chris Sadrinna
) on his drug and assault charges after he is framed by Johnny Cooper
(Callan Mulvey
). Morag also becomes suspicious of Martha's new boyfriend Ash Nader (Ben Geurens), as she thinks he is hiding a secret. She discovers that Ash is married and tells him to tell the truth to Martha. He tells her and she forgives him after he tells her she means more to him. Martha attacks Morag about her own past and because she was worse when she was young, she doesn't have a right to meddle. Morag manages to turn everyone against Ash. She then returns to the city to work as a magistrate, wanting to redefine herself in her work. She later returns to help relative Ric Dalby (Mark Furze
) when he is charged with the murder Rocco Cooper
(Ian Meadows
). She then exposes Jazz Curtis
(Rachel Gordon
) after she lies about her mother's death and inheritance.
Morag is horrified to learn that Colleen is actually her half-sister. She starts being mean to Colleen for interfering in Stewart family business. They argue on different occasions, until she goes to far. She later makes up with Colleen and lets her have a role in their life. She later befriends Aden, she becomes determined to help him with his issues. Over time the pair bond and she is only one who can make him see any sense. He confides to her about all the abuse of his childhood, she then looks out for him whenever he gets into any trouble. She then solves Sam Holden's
(Jessica Chapnik
) murder. She then sees old friend Ross who's planning on retiring. She starts a relationship with him and they eventually marry. He is then diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, she leaves with Ross so he can receive the correct treatment in the city. She comes back to support Martha after her husband Jack Holden (Paul O'Brien
) is murdered. She then exposes Bridget Simmons's (Joy Smithers
) lies, then leaves again.
She returns in 2011 for the funeral of Ross and to support Alf after he is accused of Penn Graham's (Christian Clark
) murder. She tries to expose Will Smith
(Zac Drayson
) as the killer. Alf's name is later cleared and Will is charged. She then meddles with Nicole's plans to give her baby away, she has ago at her and reminds her that she gave her own child up. Morag then finds out about Elijah (Jay Laga'aia
) and Grace Johnson's (Clare Chihambakwe) sham marriage, she agrees to keep quiet and helps Grace. Morag realises that Charlie Buckton
(Esther Anderson) is dating Darryl Braxton (Steve Peacocke) and manages to stop Charlie from revealing the relationship to her friends and family.
said that "in the ever changing world or Summer Bay, It's comforting to know that one thing remains constant. Every so often, usually when a resident is in legal trouble, we're treated to an extended visit from the formidable Morag Bellingham." During an interview, members of the Wellington Lions
were shocked that their interviewer did not know who Morag was. Emily Dunn writing for The Sydney Morning Herald
branded Morag a "fearsome judge". The Sunday Mercury
braded her as "the frightening Morag". Whilst the Sunday Mail
call her a "tough lawyer". Keily Oakes writing for the BBC
stated that Frances is "known to many Australians as the feisty Morag." Brian McFlarne in his book The Oxford Companion to Australian Film said Frances's "commanding presence and steely voice" were ideally suited to play a "soap opera super-bitch type" like Morag. In his book, Super Aussie Soaps, Andrew Mercado describes Morag as the "snooty sister" out of the Stewart siblings. He also opined that Bobby's situation was made worse by discovering she had Morag as a mother.
Holy Soap describe Morag's most memorable moment as being "Finally finding true love when she married old flame Ross". The Liverpool Echo
chose Morag finding out the truth about Ash as their television pick of the day. Ausculture placed Morag seventh on their list of Australian soap villains. They called Morag "cold-hearted" and said she will be remembered for "being the least liked resident of Summer Bay. After it was revealed that Bobby was in fact her love child with Donald Fisher (shagging Flathead? How could you, Morag!), she lost her husband and her credibility." They added "Morag has sent many loved Summer Bay residents to jail, but rather than one specific moment, it is Morag's reliable day to day bitchery that earns her a place on this list. Plus her name is Morag - names don't get much more evil!" Upon her 2011 return Jaci Stephen writing for the Daily Mail
said Alf should have expected to go back to prison because "this woman is several pouches short of a kangaroo court". She later branded Morag "Australia’s most incompetent solicitor" and said she would not be surprised if she had not actually qualified. She then criticised Morag when Will dumps her on the side of a road. She said "best place for her, if you ask me".
Bree Hoskin writing for LGBT
website Gaydar
, included Morag on their list of "Top Ten Soap Bitches". Describing her they stated: "This statuesque woman in all her shoulder-padded, Amazonian-bodied, terracotta-haired glory had a lump of coal where her heart should have been." They also said she has mellowed since finding love. They concluded they too would have felt bitter in her position, quipping "her super-bitch demeanour was all down to the fact that her last love interest had been Donald Fisher." Natalie Reilly of The Sun-Herald
compiled a list of the five most "twisted sisters" on television and listed Morag as second. She added: "Until his snivelling, villainous elder sister, Morag, turned up to wreak havoc, the genial patriarch of Summer Bay, Alf Stewart, was doing very well." Reilly also included her in her list of "television divas" and said Frances was perfect to play "Summer Bay's schemer, the judgemental Judge Bellingham". Greg Hassall of The Sydney Morning Herald
said Morag's 2011 return was the latest in a trend of bringing back "legacy characters" such as Marilyn and Roo.
Character (arts)
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 Channel Seven
Seven Network
The Seven Network is an Australian television network owned by Seven West Media Limited. It dates back to 4 November 1956, when the first stations on the VHF7 frequency were established in Melbourne and Sydney.It is currently the second largest network in the country in terms of population reach...
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,...
Home and Away
Home and Away
Home and Away is an Australian soap opera that has been produced in Sydney since July 1987 and is airing on the Seven Network since 17 January 1988. It is the second-longest-running drama and most popular soap opera on Australian television...
, played by Cornelia Frances
Cornelia Frances
Cornelia Frances is a British-born actress based in Australia since the early 1970s. Frances is best known for her recurring role as judge Morag Bellingham on Home and Away.-Early life and personal life:...
. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 17 June 1988. She appeared until 1989 and briefly appeared in 1993. She returned yearly from 2001 until 2009 and returned once again in 2011. Frances has expressed her desire to once again become a permanent cast member. Morag has been described as an antagonistic, independent and cold character. Morag is portrayed as a tough lawyer. She has been involved in storylines such as adopting her illegitimate daughter Bobby Simpson, being widowed, helping her brother Alf Stewart
Alf Stewart
Alfred Douglas "Alf" Stewart is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Ray Meagher. The character debuted on-screen during the serial's pilot episode on 17 January 1988...
through his many legal battles and a friendship with troubled teen Aden Jefferies. She has been well-received by certain critics for her feisty persona, whilst others have criticised her professional skills.
Casting
Frances has played the role of Morag on and off for twenty-three years. After an eight year hiatus, in 2001 it was announced that Frances had returned to the serial and Morag would be "more evil" than ever. In 2002 Frances again returned to the serial. In 2008, Frances signed another six month contract with the serial. She also revealed that fans miss her when she is absent. Discussing this, Frances said "I really adore playing her and I get a lot of people saying 'when are you coming back?" Of her return Frances said "I've played Morag for so long that I have no trouble slipping back into character. I know her so well." In 2009 executive producer Cameron WelshCameron Welsh
Cameron Welsh is an Australian actor, writer, producer and director, best known for his role as Mitch McColl on Australian soap opera Home and Away from 1999 until 2001. He was nominated for a Logie Award in 2000 for Most Popular New Male Talent...
revealed that Frances was back filming and she was "very much part of plans going foward" for the future. In 2010, she signed another six month contract and appeared again from January 2011. Frances admitted she wanted to become a permanent cast member. On 14 April 2011, it was announced that Frances had finished filming her final scenes. A show spokesman said "Morag is a much-loved Summer Bay character and we're sure we'll see her back."
During flashbacks to the character's past, Morag was portrayed by Eve Kelman, Vanessa Goddard and Pheobe Taylor-Bush respectively.
Character development
Frances has branded Morag "a worthy and antagonistic character." She also describes her as an "independent, amazingly strong woman, but I think she now realises family is what matters most, and she'd probably like to stay in the Bay." Holy SoapHoly 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 Morag is known for her "barbed comments and cold, cruel demeanour". Morag has softened over time around certain characters but Frances said "she still holds her own, and she's still this very strong independent person." Frances believes that Morag should never find happiness with a lover because "she's put so much doom on everybody". A lot of things have happened to her, that are ultimately her own fault. Frances added: "So it's that nemesis that keeps coming back for the things she has done to other people". Morag's main connection in the serial has been with her brother Alf Stewart
Alf Stewart
Alfred Douglas "Alf" Stewart is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Ray Meagher. The character debuted on-screen during the serial's pilot episode on 17 January 1988...
(Ray Meagher
Ray Meagher
Ray Meagher surname pronouned "Marr" , is a veteran Australian character actor. He has appeared regularly in Australian film and television since the mid 1970s, and is notable as the longest continuing performer in an Australian television role, as Alf Stewart on Home and Away, having played the...
). There has been a lots of fights and antagonsim between the pair. Morag later softens towards him. Frances said: "She's been through so many mishaps with, underneath she will always care for him and look after him." She holds a great deal of "love and concern" for him which Morag is "reluctant to show a lot of the time". Frances felt it perhaps not the best development because she enjoyed their "wonderful fights".
In an early storyline Morag had a daughter with Donald Fisher
Donald Fisher (Home and Away)
Donald Fisher is a fictional character in the Australian television soap opera Home and Away played by actor Norman Coburn as a regular character, from the soap's inception in 1988 to 2003. Coburn has since returned for brief appearances in 2004, 2005 and 2007...
(Norman Coburn
Norman Coburn
Norman Coburn is an Australian television character-actor notable for his roles primarily in soap operas,also his has appeared in many theatre roles .-Home and Away:...
) and had her adopted. It was later revealed she was existing character Bobby Simpson (Nicolle Dickson
Nicolle Dickson
Nicolle Dickson is an Australian actress who played rebellious Bobby Simpson in soap opera Home and Away from 1988 to 1993.-Early years:...
). However, when the truth comes out Morag and Bobby do not want to know each other. Frances liked the fact she gave her baby away and no one knew about. She also enjoyed playing scenes in which Bobby calls her mother and Morag says, "Don't you dare call me that!" Frances also added: "I enjoyed a lot of the original storylines where Morag was fighting against her family." However, Dickson was felt the storyline was frustrating because felt Bobby was turning her back on her foster parents.
In 2001, Morag returns to preside over the trial of Kane Phillips
Kane Phillips
Kane Phillips is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Sam Atwell in 2001 and 2002, as a regular cast member from 2003 to 2005 and on a recurring basis again from 2008–2009-2001-05:...
(Sam Atwell
Sam Atwell
Samuel Atwell is an Australian television and movie actor perhaps best known for his role as Kane Phillips in the soap opera Home and Away. Born in Nambour, Queensland, he and his family lived in Indonesia for 6 years before returning to Queensland where he grew up in Brisbane...
) for his sexual assault of Dani Sutherland (Tammin Sursok
Tammin Sursok
Tammin Pamela Sursok is an Australian actress and musician of South African origin. She is best known for the role of Dani Sutherland on Home and Away, as Colleen Carlton on The Young and the Restless and as Siena in Disney Channel's Hannah Montana...
). Her ruling proved unpopular with many of the residents and caused a further rift between herself and Alf. In 2008 Morag becomes central to storylines with Aden Jefferies (Todd Lasance
Todd Lasance
Todd James Lasance is an Australian actor and is best known for his role as Aden Jefferies in the Australian soap opera Home And Away.-Personal life:...
). Morag wants to know why he has problems because she had "taken a bit of a shine to him". Aden initially doesn't want her help. Whilst interviewed by Digital Spy
Digital Spy
Digital Spy is a British entertainment and media news website. According to Alexa Internet traffic statistics, as of February 2011, Digital Spy is the 93rd most popular website in the United Kingdom, with an overall Alexa ranking of 2,088....
Frances stated: "There's lots of lovely dialogue that goes on between him and I - I take him under my wing and I find out what's wrong with him." He eventually looks up to her and moves in with her. Frances said: "So I sort of adopt him in a way." She was also about to have a romance storyline. Frances revealed; "there's another storyline which sees an ex-lover of mine come in as a detective". This was Ross Buckton (David Downer), they later resume their relationship and eventually marry.
Morag's 2011 return was planned for six months worth of episodes. Morag returns for husband Ross' funeral and say a "sad farewell". Her other reason is to get the murder charges against Alf dropped. As Morag had no legal work for over one year, the sudden change leaves her confused "about what she actually wants out of life". Frances said of her return "a lot of things happen that she gets involved with". Morag get's involved in Nicole Franklin's
Nicole Franklin
Nicole Franklin is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Tessa James. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 18 April 2008. Nicole was introduced by executive producer Cameron Welsh...
(Tessa James
Tessa James
Tessa James is an Australian actress who is best known for the role of Nicole Franklin in the Australian soap opera Home and Away.-Early and personal life:...
) plans to give her child to Marilyn Chambers
Marilyn Chambers (Home and Away)
Marilyn Chambers is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away, played by Emily Symons. She made her first on-screen appearance on 12 May 1989. Symons departed in 1992, but she returned in 1995 and stayed for four years. She made a brief return in 2001...
(Emily Symons
Emily Symons
Emily Symons is an Australian actress.Symons's mother remarried when she was just four years old and Symons did not see her biological, English father again until ten years later. She left school before finishing her exams and launched herself into the acting world...
). Frances said Morag's "very much in the middle of Nicole, Marilyn and Sid" saying illegal things, Morag becomes involved because "She's very concerned with what is legal and illegal." Morag was initially estranged from niece Roo Stewart (Justine Clarke
Justine Clarke
Justine Clarke is an Australian actor and singer. She has been acting since the age of seven and has appeared in some of Australia's best-known TV shows...
). Later Roo (now played by Georgie Parker
Georgie Parker
Georgina "Georgie" Parker is an Australian television actress. She grew up in the suburb of St. Ives.-Personal life:...
) returns, Morag remembers the young Roo and they "renew hostilities". Frances said "she doesn't think a leopard ever changes its spots. She knows more about Roo than Roo does herself." As the storyline progresses they eventually get along better. Frances said "There isn't the same antagonism between the characters that there was in the past". As Roo is now an adult Morag "gives in a bit".
Storylines
Morag grew up in the bay and was close to brother, Alf. It is learned before her appearance that Morag is a magistrate. Her niece, Roo contacts her to do a background check on Alf's new fiancee Ailsa Hogan (Judy NunnJudy Nunn
Judy Nunn is an Australian actress and author.-Acting career:Her breakout role was as the scheming bisexual reporter Vicky Stafford in the risque soap opera The Box. Her character became a popular cult figure in the series. Nunn continued in the role for the show's entire 1974–1977 run...
) which reveals Ailsa had severed time in prison for murdering her abusive father. In June 1988, Morag returns to Summer Bay to attend Roo's wedding to Frank Morgan (Alex Papps
Alex Papps
Alex Papps is an Australian actor and television host, who is best known for his role on soap opera Home and Away and as a host of The Factory...
)and soon learns that Roo is pregnant and Frank is not the father. She advises her to come clean to Frank about the baby's paternity and Ruth does so on the day of the wedding. After Roo becomes a pariah, Morag lets her stay with her in the city but this does not last when Roo learns Morag is conspiring with Brett Macklin (Gerry Sont) to get Roo to sign over custody of their unborn child to him.
Morag reappears for the funeral of her nephew, Alan Fisher (Simon Bossell) and later enjoys sparring with Colleen Smart
Colleen Smart
Colleen Smart is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Lyn Collingwood. The character debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 7 March 1988. She was introduced as a recurring character by producer Alan Bateman. She served as comic relief...
(Lyn Collingwood
Lyn Collingwood
Lyn Collingwood is an Australian actress. Collingwood was cast as Colleen Smart on Home and Away and was recurring character in 1988–1989, and returned in 1997 for one episode and then returned in 1999 as regular character....
), a former schoolmate who constantly gets on her nerves. Shortly after she return to the city. It is later revealed that Morag had a secret child with Donald and then put the child up for adoption. Her daughter is then revealed to be Bobby. She is angry to find out Donald is her father, she is even more angry when she finds out Morag is her mother. Morag and Bobby never got on. Morag is later involved in a plane crash at sea. Morag survives but is in a coma. Bobby decides to wait until she wakes up to tell her how much she hates her. After Bobby's death in 1993, she returns. She then tries to gain custody of Bobby's adoptive son Sam Marshall
Sam Marshall
Sam Marshall is a fictional character in the Australian soap opera Home and Away, played by actor Ryan Clark between 1991 and 2000. He returned for short stints in 2001, 2002 and 2005.-Character:...
(Ryan Clark
Ryan Clark (actor)
Ryan James Clark is an Australian television actor.He is best known for his role as Sam Marshall in the Seven Network soap opera Home and Away and his appearances on Bondi Rescue. In 1991, Clark joined the cast of Home and Away as Sam Marshall when he was eight years old...
). When Ailsa finds out about her plans she manages to stop her.
In 2001, Morag decides to come back to Summer Bay to see her family. She is now a judge and she presides over the trial of Kane for his sexual assault of Dani. She returns in 2002, this time staying longer. She comes and goes again. She later decides to move back into the town for a while and the following year she faces Dani in court once more when she is on trial for running over Kane and sentences her to imprisonment after Dani is found guilty. In 2005 she decides to help the locals over power Project 56. Josh West
Josh West (Home and Away)
Joshua "Josh" West is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Daniel Collopy. He debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 21 November 2001. The character departed in 2003, but made several reappearances later that year...
(Daniel Collopy
Daniel Collopy
Daniel Collopy is an Australian actor. His first television role was the character of Sean Edwards in the long-running Australian soap Neighbours. Following this Collopy was offered a regular role in another long-running Australian soap Home and Away where he played Josh West from 2001 until 2003...
) becomes the mayor and along with Amanda Vale's
Amanda Vale
Amanda Baker , is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away, played by Holly Brisley. She made her first on-screen appearance on 30 June 2005 and departed in 2007. The character returned for a brief guest appearances in 2008 and 2009.-Casting:Brisley reprised her role of...
(Holly Brisley
Holly Brisley
Holly Brisley is an Australian actress and television presenter. She began her career at the age of 15 on Agro's Cartoon Connection and more recently portrayed Amanda Vale-Baker on Home And Away...
) help, they try to enforce the project. Josh is then is then shot dead. Morag finds out her friend Barry Hyde (Ivar Kants
Ivar Kants
Ivar Kants is an Australian actor who played the role of Ken Garrett in soap opera The Restless Years. Later roles include School Principal Barry Hyde in Home And Away...
) is Josh's murderer. She sees it as an accident and keeps it a secret. However Peter Baker (Nicholas Bishop
Nicholas Bishop
Nicholas Bishop is an English-born Australian actor. He is best known for his television roles as Detective Peter Baker on the soap opera Home and Away and as Peter Dunlop on the ABC medical drama Body of Proof .-Early life:Bishop was born in Swindon, England...
) overhears and arrests Barry. In May 2006, Morag leaves for three weeks to clear her head after she is charged with obstructing the police investigation. She returns when she finds out someone has broken into her office and stolen all her case files. She is distraught when her niece Martha MacKenzie
Martha MacKenzie
Martha Jane MacKenzie is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Jodi Gordon. Martha made her first on-screen appearance on 8 September 1988. She was originally played by Burcin Kapkin until her departure in 1989...
(Jodi Gordon
Jodi Gordon
Jodi Lee Gordon is an Australian actress and model.-Early life:Gordon was born in Mackay to Bronwyn and Ray. She has an older brother, Ben. Her father was born in New Zealand and is of Māori descent. From the age of 8, Gordon's family moved to various locations along the coast from Mackay,...
) goes missing after a helicopter crash. When Martha is found safe she decides to goes to stay in the city and defend Barry in court and offers him bail.
In late August 2006, Barry's son Kim Hyde
Kim Hyde
Kimberly Jonathan "Kim" Hyde is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away, played by Chris Hemsworth. He made his first on screen appearance on 17 February 2004 and departed on 3 July 2007.-Casting:...
(Chris Hemsworth
Chris Hemsworth
Chris Hemsworth is an Australian actor most notable for portraying Thor in the Marvel Studios film Thor. Hemsworth is set to reprise his role as Thor in the upcoming films The Avengers in 2012 and Thor 2 in 2013. He also starred as Kim Hyde in the Australian soap opera Home and Away...
) was wrongfully accused of sexual assault and Morag is first on the scene to defend him. She also defends Robbie Hunter
Robbie Hunter (Home and Away)
Robert George "Robbie" Hunter is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away, played by Jason Smith. He made his first on screen appearance on 25 November 2003 and departed on 10 October 2006...
(Jason Smith
Jason Smith (actor)
Jason Smith is an Australian actor and singer, best known for his roles in Home and Away and Power Rangers: Jungle Fury.-Career:...
) over allegations he killed his grandfather. Then she helps Brad Armstrong (Chris Sadrinna
Chris Sadrinna
Chris Sadrinna is an Australian actor.He appeared in Home and Away as Brad Armstrong, during 2006 and 2007. Sadrinna played Lucy in the movie Garage Days, and also starred in Ivan Sen's debut feature film Beneath Clouds. Both movies also featured Holly Brisley, his fellow cast member in Home and...
) on his drug and assault charges after he is framed by Johnny Cooper
Johnny Cooper (Home and Away)
Johnathan "Johnny" Cooper is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away, played by Callan Mulvey. He made his first on-screen appearance on 19 October 2006.-Storylines:...
(Callan Mulvey
Callan Mulvey
Callan Francis Mulvey is an Australian actor.-Biography:Mulvey was born in New Zealand and is of Maori heritage. His family moved to Sydney, Australia when he was eight years old...
). Morag also becomes suspicious of Martha's new boyfriend Ash Nader (Ben Geurens), as she thinks he is hiding a secret. She discovers that Ash is married and tells him to tell the truth to Martha. He tells her and she forgives him after he tells her she means more to him. Martha attacks Morag about her own past and because she was worse when she was young, she doesn't have a right to meddle. Morag manages to turn everyone against Ash. She then returns to the city to work as a magistrate, wanting to redefine herself in her work. She later returns to help relative Ric Dalby (Mark Furze
Mark Furze
Mark Furze is an Australian actor and singer who is best known for his role as Eric "Ric" Dalby on the popular Australian soap opera Home and Away. Mark played the role of Ric from September 2004 to July 2008.-Career:...
) when he is charged with the murder Rocco Cooper
Rocco Cooper
Rocco Cooper was a fictional character in the Australian soap opera Home and Away. He was played by Ian Meadows.-Storylines:Rocco caused trouble even before he arrived in the Bay when Deputy Principal Sally Fletcher authorised him to move to Summer Bay High over the head of Principal Brad Armstrong...
(Ian Meadows
Ian Meadows
Ian Meadows is an Australian actor and writer.-Early life and education:Born and raised in Collie, Western Australia, Meadows trained at Curtin University and the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts , graduating in 2005.-Acting career:Meadow's highest profile television role to date was...
). She then exposes Jazz Curtis
Jazz Curtis
Jacinta 'Jazz' Curtis is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away, played by Rachel Gordon. She made her first on-screen appearance on 18 June 2007, and left on 3 October the same year...
(Rachel Gordon
Rachel Gordon
Rachel Gordon Rachel Gordon Rachel Gordon (born 10 May 1976 in Brisbane, Australia is an actress.Gordon is a 1996 graduate of the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in Sydney. Since her graduation, she has combined stage acting with various roles in Australian television and films.In late...
) after she lies about her mother's death and inheritance.
Morag is horrified to learn that Colleen is actually her half-sister. She starts being mean to Colleen for interfering in Stewart family business. They argue on different occasions, until she goes to far. She later makes up with Colleen and lets her have a role in their life. She later befriends Aden, she becomes determined to help him with his issues. Over time the pair bond and she is only one who can make him see any sense. He confides to her about all the abuse of his childhood, she then looks out for him whenever he gets into any trouble. She then solves Sam Holden's
Sam Holden (Home and Away)
Samantha "Sam" Holden is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Jessica Chapnik. She made her first on-screen appearance on 17 October 2006.-Character development:...
(Jessica Chapnik
Jessica Chapnik
Jessica Chapnik is an Argentinian-Australian actress and musician. She is probably best known for her role as Sam Tolhurst/Holden in the Australian television drama Home and Away...
) murder. She then sees old friend Ross who's planning on retiring. She starts a relationship with him and they eventually marry. He is then diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, she leaves with Ross so he can receive the correct treatment in the city. She comes back to support Martha after her husband Jack Holden (Paul O'Brien
Paul O'Brien
Paul O'Brien is a South-African-born Australian actor.-Biography:Paul O'Brien was born on 14 April in South Africa, and grew up in Australia. He spent several years on the Gold Coast, with his family...
) is murdered. She then exposes Bridget Simmons's (Joy Smithers
Joy Smithers
Joy Smithers is an Australian actress, best known for her acting performances on television, and her role as a television news presenter....
) lies, then leaves again.
She returns in 2011 for the funeral of Ross and to support Alf after he is accused of Penn Graham's (Christian Clark
Christian Clark
Christian Clark is an Australian actor. He appeared in the role of Will Griggs in the Network Ten soap opera Neighbours from 2006 to 2007...
) murder. She tries to expose Will Smith
Will Smith (Home and Away)
Will Smith is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away, played by Zac Drayson. He made his first on-screen appearance on 13 February 1998. Will was a regular on the show from 1998 to 2002. He continued to make frequent guest appearances until 2005. In 2010, it was...
(Zac Drayson
Zac Drayson
Zac Drayson is an Australian actor.He is best known for the role of Will Smith, one of Irene Roberts' many foster children in the soap opera Home and Away...
) as the killer. Alf's name is later cleared and Will is charged. She then meddles with Nicole's plans to give her baby away, she has ago at her and reminds her that she gave her own child up. Morag then finds out about Elijah (Jay Laga'aia
Jay Laga'aia
Jay Laga'aia is an actor and singer. He is best known internationally for his role as Captain Typho in the films Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.-Career:...
) and Grace Johnson's (Clare Chihambakwe) sham marriage, she agrees to keep quiet and helps Grace. Morag realises that Charlie Buckton
Charlie Buckton
Charlotte "Charlie" Buckton is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Esther Anderson. Anderson was added to the cast in a bid to add more "sex appeal" to the show. She said it was her dream job and relocated to Sydney immediately to accommodate...
(Esther Anderson) is dating Darryl Braxton (Steve Peacocke) and manages to stop Charlie from revealing the relationship to her friends and family.
Reception
Inside SoapInside Soap
Inside Soap is a weekly UK magazine, released every Tuesday. It covers current and future storylines in soap operas shown in the United Kingdom....
said that "in the ever changing world or Summer Bay, It's comforting to know that one thing remains constant. Every so often, usually when a resident is in legal trouble, we're treated to an extended visit from the formidable Morag Bellingham." During an interview, members of the Wellington Lions
Wellington Rugby Football Union
The Wellington Rugby Football Union is the official governing body of rugby union in the city of Wellington, the capital of New Zealand...
were shocked that their interviewer did not know who Morag was. Emily Dunn writing for The Sydney Morning Herald
The Sydney Morning Herald
The Sydney Morning Herald is a daily broadsheet newspaper published by Fairfax Media in Sydney, Australia. Founded in 1831 as the Sydney Herald, the SMH is the oldest continuously published newspaper in Australia. The newspaper is published six days a week. The newspaper's Sunday counterpart, The...
branded Morag a "fearsome judge". The Sunday Mercury
Sunday Mercury
Sunday Mercury is a Sunday tabloid published in Birmingham, UK, and owned by Trinity Mirror.The first editor was John Turner Fearon , who left the Dublin-based Freeman's Journal to take up the position...
braded her as "the frightening Morag". Whilst the Sunday Mail
Sunday Mail (Scotland)
The Sunday Mail is a Scottish tabloid newspaper published every Sunday. It is the sister paper of the Daily Record and is owned by Trinity Mirror and as such has a left-wing outlook which in turn tends to guide Scottish political debate in that direction.The Sunday Mail is read by over one million...
call her a "tough lawyer". Keily Oakes writing for the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
stated that Frances is "known to many Australians as the feisty Morag." Brian McFlarne in his book The Oxford Companion to Australian Film said Frances's "commanding presence and steely voice" were ideally suited to play a "soap opera super-bitch type" like Morag. In his book, Super Aussie Soaps, Andrew Mercado describes Morag as the "snooty sister" out of the Stewart siblings. He also opined that Bobby's situation was made worse by discovering she had Morag as a mother.
Holy Soap describe Morag's most memorable moment as being "Finally finding true love when she married old flame Ross". The Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
The Liverpool Echo is a newspaper published by Trinity Mirror in Liverpool, Merseyside, England. It is published Monday to Saturday, and is Liverpool's evening newspaper while its sister paper, the Liverpool Daily Post, is the morning paper...
chose Morag finding out the truth about Ash as their television pick of the day. Ausculture placed Morag seventh on their list of Australian soap villains. They called Morag "cold-hearted" and said she will be remembered for "being the least liked resident of Summer Bay. After it was revealed that Bobby was in fact her love child with Donald Fisher (shagging Flathead? How could you, Morag!), she lost her husband and her credibility." They added "Morag has sent many loved Summer Bay residents to jail, but rather than one specific moment, it is Morag's reliable day to day bitchery that earns her a place on this list. Plus her name is Morag - names don't get much more evil!" Upon her 2011 return Jaci Stephen writing for the Daily Mail
Daily Mail
The Daily Mail is a British daily middle-market tabloid newspaper owned by the Daily Mail and General Trust. First published in 1896 by Lord Northcliffe, it is the United Kingdom's second biggest-selling daily newspaper after The Sun. Its sister paper The Mail on Sunday was launched in 1982...
said Alf should have expected to go back to prison because "this woman is several pouches short of a kangaroo court". She later branded Morag "Australia’s most incompetent solicitor" and said she would not be surprised if she had not actually qualified. She then criticised Morag when Will dumps her on the side of a road. She said "best place for her, if you ask me".
Bree Hoskin writing for LGBT
LGBT
LGBT is an initialism that collectively refers to "lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender" people. In use since the 1990s, the term "LGBT" is an adaptation of the initialism "LGB", which itself started replacing the phrase "gay community" beginning in the mid-to-late 1980s, which many within the...
website Gaydar
Gaydar (website)
Gaydar is a worldwide, profile-based dating website for gay and bisexual men, women and couples over the age of 18. Although many of the individual profiles are publicly accessible on the Internet, to gain more functionality and interact with other users, a registration is required and a guest...
, included Morag on their list of "Top Ten Soap Bitches". Describing her they stated: "This statuesque woman in all her shoulder-padded, Amazonian-bodied, terracotta-haired glory had a lump of coal where her heart should have been." They also said she has mellowed since finding love. They concluded they too would have felt bitter in her position, quipping "her super-bitch demeanour was all down to the fact that her last love interest had been Donald Fisher." Natalie Reilly of The Sun-Herald
The Sun-Herald
The Sun-Herald is an Australian tabloid newspaper published on Sundays in Sydney by Fairfax Media. It is the Sunday counterpart of The Sydney Morning Herald. In the 6 months to September 2005, The Sun-Herald had a circulation of 515,000...
compiled a list of the five most "twisted sisters" on television and listed Morag as second. She added: "Until his snivelling, villainous elder sister, Morag, turned up to wreak havoc, the genial patriarch of Summer Bay, Alf Stewart, was doing very well." Reilly also included her in her list of "television divas" and said Frances was perfect to play "Summer Bay's schemer, the judgemental Judge Bellingham". Greg Hassall of The Sydney Morning Herald
The Sydney Morning Herald
The Sydney Morning Herald is a daily broadsheet newspaper published by Fairfax Media in Sydney, Australia. Founded in 1831 as the Sydney Herald, the SMH is the oldest continuously published newspaper in Australia. The newspaper is published six days a week. The newspaper's Sunday counterpart, The...
said Morag's 2011 return was the latest in a trend of bringing back "legacy characters" such as Marilyn and Roo.
External links
- Character profile at the official AU Home and Away website
- Character profile at the official UK Home and Away website
- Character profile at Holy SoapHoly SoapHoly 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...
- Character profile at the Internet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...