Selina Roberts
Encyclopedia
Selina Roberts is a fictional character
from the Australian Channel Seven
soap opera
Home and Away
, played by Tempany Deckert
. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 30 March 1994. Deckert was given the role of Selina after her third audition for the show. In 1996, Deckert fell ill and Louise Crawford
played Selina in her absence. In 1997, Deckert decided to leave the serial, however briefly returned in 1998. Her return was filmed in Ironbridge, Shropshire, as part of the serial's first ever overseas location filming. Selina's last appearance to date was on 30 March 1998, where she agreed to marry Steven.
Selina was introduced to the show after she developed a crush on her teacher. Selina was portrayed as a tearaway, who had a reputation for being the "town tramp." She often went off the rails, due to arguments with her parents, but she was a good person deep inside. Inside Soap
described her as a "tart with a heart who's simply misunderstood." Selina was also a tomboy who regularly dressed in tartan shirts and Doc Martens. Deckert revealed that Selina was supposed to be a clichéd bimbo, so she decided to introduce biker boots to the wardrobe department. Selina later decides to clean up her act and she begins dating Jack Wilson
, who she believes is her soul mate. Selina has been central to many "bizarre" storylines such as having a miscarriage at school, being sexually harassed, stalked and entering a relationship with her school teacher Steven Matheson
. The character has received mixed reviews from critics. Deckert earned a nomination for "Most Popular Actress" at the Logie Awards, for her portrayal of Selina.
played Selina during Deckert's temporary absence. In mid 1997, speculation grew around Deckert and whether she had quit the serial, though the Home and Away publicity department did not confirm nor deny her departure. However, Deckert did leave the serial in 1997. She made a brief return to filming in 1998.
Deckert told Inside Soap
that the reason for Selina's introduction was her crush on teacher Luke Cunningham (John Adam). Selina chases after Luke at the debutante ball, but Luke is not interested in her. Her attempts to seduce him, makes her a household name and reputation falls even further. Selina decides to clean up her act following the fiasco with Luke and she turns out to be a "tart with a heart who's simply misunderstood." Selina begins dating fellow wild child Jack Wilson
(Daniel Amalm
) and Deckert said that the relationship allowed her to portray Selina's softer side. Of this, she said "It comes as a big surprise to Selina when she realises that she really does like Jack. She's used to chasing anything in trousers! In fact, she finds herself falling in love, especially when she discovers Jack doesn't have any parents - she warms to him and sees him as a real soul mate."
Selina regularly dressed in leather jackets, tartan shirts and Doc Martens. Victoria Ross of Inside Soap opined that Selina had a "passion for dodgy fashion" and was not likely to blend into the background. Deckert said her character was not supposed to be a "real grunge chick" and explained that Selina was going to be a cliched bimbo. The actress introduced the wardrobe department to biker boots and Selina became a real tomboy. Deckert told The Sun-Herald
that some viewers were shocked at her real appearance as they thought Selina looked "like such a dog" in the show.
Selina develops a relationship with Curtis Reed
(Shane Ammann
). Ammann fell ill in real life so producers forced Deckert to have a blood test following kissing scenes. Although it turned out to be minor, changes to filming were made so their characters would not share many kissing scenes. In one storyline Selina discovers she is pregnant after a fling with Damian Roberts (Matt Doran
). Deckert said it was a hard storyline and she was shocked because she had no idea what would happen to Selina. When producers informed her that Selina would miscarry, she was happy she would not have to act the birth scenes out. Selina miscarries in the school corridor and Deckert said it was a surprising element, but disliked having twenty extra's watching her perform.
Selina had a complicated relationship with her teacher Steven Matheson
(Adam Willits
). Their romance was rocky and it took many "twists" throughout its progression. Selina left Steven on their wedding day. Deckert said it was a typical soap wedding with plenty of mishaps along the way. A conclusion to their storyline and Deckert's final appearance to date, was filmed in Ironbridge, Shropshire. This was the first occasion the serial had filmed an episode overseas. The storyline saw Irene Roberts
(Lynne McGranger
) arrive to help Selina recover from malaria
. She also reunited Selina with Steven, who arrived pledging his love for her.
(Norman Coburn
) and his date Irene. Selina's mother, Dawn (Kim Deacon) tells her they are moving away. Selina offers to sleep with Jack before she leaves, but he tells her she does not have to. Several weeks later, Selina runs away and asks Irene to take her in. Irene cannot officially foster her but the Department of Child Care Services agree she can stay with Irene. Selina discovers that Jack was already dating another girl, Sonia Johnston (Eva Matuik). Selina and Jack later resume their relationship but Jack continues to see Sonia and also begins dating Frankie Brooks (Lenka Kripack). When the girls discover Jack's three-timing, they concoct a revenge plan which leaves Jack humiliated in the caravan park but nothing but his boxers.
Selina begins looking for a new boyfriend and sets her sights on Curtis. Shannon
(Isla Fisher
), Curtis' adopted sister and girlfriend is annoyed and this and they fight at a party. Rob Storey
(Matthew Lilley) turns a hose on them in order to break it up. Selina backs off and she and Shannon become good friends. Selina briefly dates Irene's nephew, Nelson MacFarlane (Laurence Bruels). Irene's son Damian arrives for Shane Parrish
(Dieter Brummer
) and Angel Brooks' (Melissa George
) wedding and Selina is attracted to him. They sleep together and Selina later discovers she is pregnant. Neither are ready for parenthood, so Selina decides to put the baby up for adoption and call her Maddie upon birth. However, Selina later suffers a miscarriage.
Curtis and Selina begin dating. On a school trip, Selina stops classmate Joe Lynch (Justin Rosniak) from running away after a bullying incident but this results in Donald finding her with Joe, Jack and Curtis in the boys' dorm. Donald cancels the trip and Selina exacerbates the situation by arguing with him. He tries to unsuccessfully have her expelled and is forced to reinstate her. Selina is later elected school captain and changes her name by deed poll to Roberts. Irene reconciles with her estranged husband, Murdoch (Tom Richards), he begins sexually harassing Selina. Irene discovers the truth and throws Murdoch out. After Murdoch's body is found after a bushfire, Irene and Selina find themselves suspects for his murder but are cleared. Selina has a near-death experience when she is stung in the throat by a bee and has strange visions, including her baby crying and a prophetic projection of Steven and Brian "Dodge" Forbes (Kelly Dingwall) fighting and falling over a cliff ledge. Selina later ends things with Curtis after this incident.
Saul Bennett (David Ritchie) becomes obsessed with her and tells her if she has a child with him Maddie would be reincarnated. Irene, Shannon and Alex Bennett (Nick Freedman) all try to prevent her from being brainwashed by Saul. She eventually comes to her senses which results in Saul kidnapping her until Alex saves her. When Selina finds an abandoned baby called Millie on the beach, she is convinced it is fate. The Baby's father, Brendan Coyne (Billy Mitchell) turns up and takes a liking to Selina and suggests they raise Millie together, Selina turns him down and he leaves. Selina is stalked and has her underwear and other items stolen, Selina believes Curtis is responsible. Curtis had caught the real stalker and kept his identity a secret. Selina has an affair with her teacher Steven. They acknowledge they have feelings for each other but realise their romance is forbidden whilst she is at school. Selina then befriends her classmate Jeremy Riggs (David Stanley), until she discovered he had been her stalker. When Jeremy finds out about her and Steven, he tries to blackmail her into going out with him and when Selina rejects him he makes a failed suicide attempt
by hanging himself in the school toilet. Not long after, Irene also finds out about Selina and Steven and made a complaint. After an investigation Steven is forced to resign and leaves the area. Selina begins dating former criminal Jesse McGregor
(Ben Unwin
) and he agrees to change his ways. Selina later bonds with Jesse's daughter Rachel (Kelly Glaister). When Jesse kisses Chloe Richards
(Kristy Wright
), she refuses to forgive them at first but later resumes her relationship with Jesse and friendship with Chloe.
Irene's grandson, Paul is kidnapped, so Selina and Joey Rainbow (Alex O'Han) both visit Saul's commune to find out the truth. Selina is imprisoned in a room that is set on fire. Jesse and Joey rescue her and Saul is presumed dead. Selina begins studying nursing at University and is placed at Northern Districts' hospital. Selina is shocked to discovers that the hospital's computer repairman is Steven. He makes it clear he still loves Selina but she is still with Jesse. However, Selina cannot deny her feelings for Steven and they end up back together before she agrees to marry him. Irene is against the union, but is eventually changes her mind. On her way to the wedding, the limousine disappears. Saul turns out to be the driver and kidnaps Selina for the third time. When Saul falls ill, Selina chooses to stay with him rather than using the chance to escape. The police later corner Saul and Constable Terri Garner (Alyson Standen) shoots Saul dead after believing he was armed. Selina is shaken by this and tells Steven she is not ready to marry him and leaves the Bay to travel. Selina contracts malaria whilst in Ironbridge. Irene and Marilyn Chambers
(Emily Symons
) fly over to help care for her and Irene calls Steven. He and Selina rekindle their relationship and she agrees to marry him and let him travel with her.
questioned whether Australia had child welfare
when "slinky Selina" found a baby on the beach and kept it. The Birmingham Post
said Selina being kidnapped on her wedding day was a "bizarre storyline." The Newcastle Herald
included the 1998 episode of Home and Away, in which Selina and Steven returned in their "TV Highlights" feature.
Simon Hughes writing for The Age
said the serial was like a "pedophile's paradise" and that Selina's storyline with Murdoch highlighted this. He opined that Selina's predicament should not be underestimated, and observed Selina as being a "typical adolescent" because she "rolls her eyes, sneers and pouts and purses her lips." He concluded that Home and Away's make-up department made her look like a "Puerto Rican whore in a school dress." In Dr. Glyn Davis and Kay Dickinson's book Teen TV: genre, consumption, identity, they said teenage oriented television in the 1990's portrayed many characters appearing to snub university, using Selina as one of their examples.
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 Tempany Deckert
Tempany Deckert
Tempany Deckert is an Australian actress and author. She is best known for her role on popular soap opera Home and Away.-Early life:...
. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 30 March 1994. Deckert was given the role of Selina after her third audition for the show. In 1996, Deckert fell ill and Louise Crawford
Louise Crawford
Louise Crawford is an Australian television actress who has appeared in several Australian soap opera dramas, her most recent role being as Sgt. Karen Hatzic in primetime drama series City Homicide.-Career:...
played Selina in her absence. In 1997, Deckert decided to leave the serial, however briefly returned in 1998. Her return was filmed in Ironbridge, Shropshire, as part of the serial's first ever overseas location filming. Selina's last appearance to date was on 30 March 1998, where she agreed to marry Steven.
Selina was introduced to the show after she developed a crush on her teacher. Selina was portrayed as a tearaway, who had a reputation for being the "town tramp." She often went off the rails, due to arguments with her parents, but she was a good person deep inside. Inside Soap
Inside 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....
described her as a "tart with a heart who's simply misunderstood." Selina was also a tomboy who regularly dressed in tartan shirts and Doc Martens. Deckert revealed that Selina was supposed to be a clichéd bimbo, so she decided to introduce biker boots to the wardrobe department. Selina later decides to clean up her act and she begins dating Jack Wilson
Jack Wilson (Home and Away)
Jack Wilson is a fictional character portrayed by Daniel Amalm in the Australian soap opera Home and Away. He made his first appearence on 4 April 1994 and departed on 8 May 1996...
, who she believes is her soul mate. Selina has been central to many "bizarre" storylines such as having a miscarriage at school, being sexually harassed, stalked and entering a relationship with her school teacher Steven Matheson
Steven Matheson
Steven "Stevo" Matheson is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Adam Willits. Steven was created by Alan Bateman as one of the serial's original characters and he first appeared in the pilot episode. Willits received the role after being one of...
. The character has received mixed reviews from critics. Deckert earned a nomination for "Most Popular Actress" at the Logie Awards, for her portrayal of Selina.
Casting
Deckert auditioned for Home and Away three times in Melbourne. Following her third audition, she was asked to fly to Sydney for a screen test and was told she had the part of Selina. She was asked to return the following day to begin filming and Deckert had to leave her school in order to join the show. In 1996, Deckert fell ill and actress Louise CrawfordLouise Crawford
Louise Crawford is an Australian television actress who has appeared in several Australian soap opera dramas, her most recent role being as Sgt. Karen Hatzic in primetime drama series City Homicide.-Career:...
played Selina during Deckert's temporary absence. In mid 1997, speculation grew around Deckert and whether she had quit the serial, though the Home and Away publicity department did not confirm nor deny her departure. However, Deckert did leave the serial in 1997. She made a brief return to filming in 1998.
Character development
Upon her arrival, Selina was described as being a tearaway with an attitude. Selina also had a reputation for being the "town tramp" and Deckert explained that while it was a pretty true description, it was not exactly Selina's fault. She said "She's a good person deep down even if she is a bit of a slut." Selina had lived in the Bay with her family all her life. She and her parents spent their time arguing rather than discussing their problems, which led to Selina going off the rails.Deckert told Inside Soap
Inside 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....
that the reason for Selina's introduction was her crush on teacher Luke Cunningham (John Adam). Selina chases after Luke at the debutante ball, but Luke is not interested in her. Her attempts to seduce him, makes her a household name and reputation falls even further. Selina decides to clean up her act following the fiasco with Luke and she turns out to be a "tart with a heart who's simply misunderstood." Selina begins dating fellow wild child Jack Wilson
Jack Wilson (Home and Away)
Jack Wilson is a fictional character portrayed by Daniel Amalm in the Australian soap opera Home and Away. He made his first appearence on 4 April 1994 and departed on 8 May 1996...
(Daniel Amalm
Daniel Amalm
Daniel Amalm is an Australian actor and musician.-Early life:Daniel's mother is Maltese and his father is Swedish. Daniel's Father introduced Daniel to Guitar from an early age...
) and Deckert said that the relationship allowed her to portray Selina's softer side. Of this, she said "It comes as a big surprise to Selina when she realises that she really does like Jack. She's used to chasing anything in trousers! In fact, she finds herself falling in love, especially when she discovers Jack doesn't have any parents - she warms to him and sees him as a real soul mate."
Selina regularly dressed in leather jackets, tartan shirts and Doc Martens. Victoria Ross of Inside Soap opined that Selina had a "passion for dodgy fashion" and was not likely to blend into the background. Deckert said her character was not supposed to be a "real grunge chick" and explained that Selina was going to be a cliched bimbo. The actress introduced the wardrobe department to biker boots and Selina became a real tomboy. Deckert told 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...
that some viewers were shocked at her real appearance as they thought Selina looked "like such a dog" in the show.
Selina develops a relationship with Curtis Reed
Curtis Reed (Home and Away)
Curtis Reed is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Shane Ammann. He debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 16 September 1994 and departed on 15 April 1997.-Character development:...
(Shane Ammann
Shane Ammann
Shane Allen Ammann, born 8 October 1979 in Switzerland is an Australian Television actor most famous for his role as Curtis Reed in Home and Away from 1994 until he decided to leave the series in 1997. Amman also starred in short-lived soap opera Paradise Beach.-External links:...
). Ammann fell ill in real life so producers forced Deckert to have a blood test following kissing scenes. Although it turned out to be minor, changes to filming were made so their characters would not share many kissing scenes. In one storyline Selina discovers she is pregnant after a fling with Damian Roberts (Matt Doran
Matt Doran
Matthew N. Doran is an Australian actor, known for his role as "Mouse" in The Matrix.-Early life and education:Doran was born in Sydney...
). Deckert said it was a hard storyline and she was shocked because she had no idea what would happen to Selina. When producers informed her that Selina would miscarry, she was happy she would not have to act the birth scenes out. Selina miscarries in the school corridor and Deckert said it was a surprising element, but disliked having twenty extra's watching her perform.
Selina had a complicated relationship with her teacher Steven Matheson
Steven Matheson
Steven "Stevo" Matheson is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Adam Willits. Steven was created by Alan Bateman as one of the serial's original characters and he first appeared in the pilot episode. Willits received the role after being one of...
(Adam Willits
Adam Willits
Adam Willits is an Australian actor, best known for being an original cast member of the television soap opera Home and Away as Steven Matheson from 1988 to 1991...
). Their romance was rocky and it took many "twists" throughout its progression. Selina left Steven on their wedding day. Deckert said it was a typical soap wedding with plenty of mishaps along the way. A conclusion to their storyline and Deckert's final appearance to date, was filmed in Ironbridge, Shropshire. This was the first occasion the serial had filmed an episode overseas. The storyline saw Irene Roberts
Irene Roberts
Irene Roberts is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Lynne McGranger. She was previously played by actress Jacqui Phillips from 1991 until 1992 when McGranger took over the role. Irene was originally a recurring character, in 1993 McGranger...
(Lynne McGranger
Lynne McGranger
Lynne McGranger is an Australian actress best known for her role as Irene Roberts on soap opera Home and Away. She is the second-longest serving cast member as she joined in 1992 in the show at the moment, taking over from Jacqui Phillips.-Life and career:McGranger was originally a primary school...
) arrive to help Selina recover from malaria
Malaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by eukaryotic protists of the genus Plasmodium. The disease results from the multiplication of Plasmodium parasites within red blood cells, causing symptoms that typically include fever and headache, in severe cases...
. She also reunited Selina with Steven, who arrived pledging his love for her.
Storylines
Selina develops a crush on her teacher Luke Cunningham and is known for an allegedly promiscuous nature. Jack Wilson is attracted to her and they begin dating and attend the school formal together. While sharing a kiss at the dance, they accidentally end up tipping paint over principal Donald FisherDonald 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 his date Irene. Selina's mother, Dawn (Kim Deacon) tells her they are moving away. Selina offers to sleep with Jack before she leaves, but he tells her she does not have to. Several weeks later, Selina runs away and asks Irene to take her in. Irene cannot officially foster her but the Department of Child Care Services agree she can stay with Irene. Selina discovers that Jack was already dating another girl, Sonia Johnston (Eva Matuik). Selina and Jack later resume their relationship but Jack continues to see Sonia and also begins dating Frankie Brooks (Lenka Kripack). When the girls discover Jack's three-timing, they concoct a revenge plan which leaves Jack humiliated in the caravan park but nothing but his boxers.
Selina begins looking for a new boyfriend and sets her sights on Curtis. Shannon
Shannon Reed
Shannon Reed is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away, played by Isla Fisher. She made her first on screen appearance on 16 September 1994. She departed on 6 August 1997.- Character development :Shannon was bisexual...
(Isla Fisher
Isla Fisher
Isla Lang Fisher is an actress and author. She began acting on Australian television, on the short-lived soap opera Paradise Beach before playing Shannon Reed on the soap opera Home and Away...
), Curtis' adopted sister and girlfriend is annoyed and this and they fight at a party. Rob Storey
Rob Storey (Home and Away)
Rob Storey is a fictional character in the Australian soap opera Home and Away. Portrayed by actor Matthew Lilley, he was a regular character from 1994 to 1995. He is perhaps most notable for disappearing from the show without any departure storyline in similar fashion to Matt Wilson in...
(Matthew Lilley) turns a hose on them in order to break it up. Selina backs off and she and Shannon become good friends. Selina briefly dates Irene's nephew, Nelson MacFarlane (Laurence Bruels). Irene's son Damian arrives for Shane Parrish
Shane Parrish
Shane Parrish is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away, played by Dieter Brummer. He made his first on-screen appearance on 28 May 1992 and he departed on 13 March 1996.-Casting:...
(Dieter Brummer
Dieter Brummer
Dieter Brummer is an Australian actor of German descent, probably best known for his role on the television soap opera Home and Away.-Career:...
) and Angel Brooks' (Melissa George
Melissa George
Melissa Suzanne George is an Australian film and television actress who has worked in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. Melissa is perhaps best known for her role as Angel Parrish on the Australian soap opera Home and Away...
) wedding and Selina is attracted to him. They sleep together and Selina later discovers she is pregnant. Neither are ready for parenthood, so Selina decides to put the baby up for adoption and call her Maddie upon birth. However, Selina later suffers a miscarriage.
Curtis and Selina begin dating. On a school trip, Selina stops classmate Joe Lynch (Justin Rosniak) from running away after a bullying incident but this results in Donald finding her with Joe, Jack and Curtis in the boys' dorm. Donald cancels the trip and Selina exacerbates the situation by arguing with him. He tries to unsuccessfully have her expelled and is forced to reinstate her. Selina is later elected school captain and changes her name by deed poll to Roberts. Irene reconciles with her estranged husband, Murdoch (Tom Richards), he begins sexually harassing Selina. Irene discovers the truth and throws Murdoch out. After Murdoch's body is found after a bushfire, Irene and Selina find themselves suspects for his murder but are cleared. Selina has a near-death experience when she is stung in the throat by a bee and has strange visions, including her baby crying and a prophetic projection of Steven and Brian "Dodge" Forbes (Kelly Dingwall) fighting and falling over a cliff ledge. Selina later ends things with Curtis after this incident.
Saul Bennett (David Ritchie) becomes obsessed with her and tells her if she has a child with him Maddie would be reincarnated. Irene, Shannon and Alex Bennett (Nick Freedman) all try to prevent her from being brainwashed by Saul. She eventually comes to her senses which results in Saul kidnapping her until Alex saves her. When Selina finds an abandoned baby called Millie on the beach, she is convinced it is fate. The Baby's father, Brendan Coyne (Billy Mitchell) turns up and takes a liking to Selina and suggests they raise Millie together, Selina turns him down and he leaves. Selina is stalked and has her underwear and other items stolen, Selina believes Curtis is responsible. Curtis had caught the real stalker and kept his identity a secret. Selina has an affair with her teacher Steven. They acknowledge they have feelings for each other but realise their romance is forbidden whilst she is at school. Selina then befriends her classmate Jeremy Riggs (David Stanley), until she discovered he had been her stalker. When Jeremy finds out about her and Steven, he tries to blackmail her into going out with him and when Selina rejects him he makes a failed suicide attempt
Failed suicide attempt
Failed suicide attempts comprise a large portion of suicide attempts. Some are regarded as not true attempts at all, but rather parasuicide. The usual attempt may be a wish to affect another person by the behaviour. Consequently, it occurs in a social context and may represent a request for help....
by hanging himself in the school toilet. Not long after, Irene also finds out about Selina and Steven and made a complaint. After an investigation Steven is forced to resign and leaves the area. Selina begins dating former criminal Jesse McGregor
Jesse McGregor
Jesse McGregor is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away. The character was played by actor Ben Unwin between 1996 and 2000 and again between 2002 and 2005.-1996-2000:...
(Ben Unwin
Ben Unwin
Ben Unwin is an Australian actor. He is best known for portraying the character Jesse McGregor on the Australian soap opera Home and Away from 1996 to 2000 and 2002 to 2005....
) and he agrees to change his ways. Selina later bonds with Jesse's daughter Rachel (Kelly Glaister). When Jesse kisses Chloe Richards
Chloe Richards
Chloe Richards is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Kristy Wright. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 28 June 1995. Chloe left in 1999, making a short return stint in 2005 when she died from the resulting injuries of a car...
(Kristy Wright
Kristy Wright
Kristy Wright is an Australian actress.Wright was born in Sydney, Australia, the oldest child in her family, with three stepbrothers and two half-sisters. Hoping to win a contest for acting lessons, she sent in her photograph and ended up with a full year's paid tuition...
), she refuses to forgive them at first but later resumes her relationship with Jesse and friendship with Chloe.
Irene's grandson, Paul is kidnapped, so Selina and Joey Rainbow (Alex O'Han) both visit Saul's commune to find out the truth. Selina is imprisoned in a room that is set on fire. Jesse and Joey rescue her and Saul is presumed dead. Selina begins studying nursing at University and is placed at Northern Districts' hospital. Selina is shocked to discovers that the hospital's computer repairman is Steven. He makes it clear he still loves Selina but she is still with Jesse. However, Selina cannot deny her feelings for Steven and they end up back together before she agrees to marry him. Irene is against the union, but is eventually changes her mind. On her way to the wedding, the limousine disappears. Saul turns out to be the driver and kidnaps Selina for the third time. When Saul falls ill, Selina chooses to stay with him rather than using the chance to escape. The police later corner Saul and Constable Terri Garner (Alyson Standen) shoots Saul dead after believing he was armed. Selina is shaken by this and tells Steven she is not ready to marry him and leaves the Bay to travel. Selina contracts malaria whilst in Ironbridge. Irene and 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...
) fly over to help care for her and Irene calls Steven. He and Selina rekindle their relationship and she agrees to marry him and let him travel with her.
Reception
For her portrayal of Selina, Deckert was nominated for "Most Popular Actress" at the 1997 Logie Awards. Deckert said many viewers felt sorry for Selina because of all the trauma she had faced in her life. She added that she had done some of the "weirdest" acting thanks to Selina's "bizarre life." Dave Lanning writing for The PeopleThe People
The People, previously known as the Sunday People, is a British tabloid Sunday-only newspaper. The paper was founded on 16 October 1881.It is published by the Trinity Mirror Group.In July 2011 it had an average daily circulation of 806,544....
questioned whether Australia had child welfare
Child welfare
Child protection is used to describe a set of usually government-run services designed to protect children and young people who are underage and to encourage family stability...
when "slinky Selina" found a baby on the beach and kept it. The Birmingham Post
Birmingham Post
The Birmingham Post newspaper was originally published under the name Daily Post in Birmingham, England, in 1857 by John Frederick Feeney. It was the largest selling broadsheet in the West Midlands, though it faced little if any competition in this category. It changed to tabloid size in 2008...
said Selina being kidnapped on her wedding day was a "bizarre storyline." The Newcastle Herald
The Newcastle Herald
The Newcastle Herald is a local tabloid newspaper published daily, Monday to Saturday, in Newcastle, New South Wales, the largest non-capital city in Australia. It is the only local newspaper that serves the entire Hunter and Central Coast regions six days a week...
included the 1998 episode of Home and Away, in which Selina and Steven returned in their "TV Highlights" feature.
Simon Hughes writing for The Age
The Age
The Age is a daily broadsheet newspaper, which has been published in Melbourne, Australia since 1854. Owned and published by Fairfax Media, The Age primarily serves Victoria, but is also available for purchase in Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and border regions of South Australia and...
said the serial was like a "pedophile's paradise" and that Selina's storyline with Murdoch highlighted this. He opined that Selina's predicament should not be underestimated, and observed Selina as being a "typical adolescent" because she "rolls her eyes, sneers and pouts and purses her lips." He concluded that Home and Away's make-up department made her look like a "Puerto Rican whore in a school dress." In Dr. Glyn Davis and Kay Dickinson's book Teen TV: genre, consumption, identity, they said teenage oriented television in the 1990's portrayed many characters appearing to snub university, using Selina as one of their examples.