Amy Williams (Neighbours)

Amy Williams

Zoe Cramond as Amy
Neighbours character
Portrayed by Nicolette Minster (1988)
Sheridan Compagnino (1992)
Zoe Cramond (2015–)
Duration 1988, 1992, 2015–
First appearance 25 May 1988
Introduced by Don Battye (1988, 1992)
Jason Herbison (2015)
Classification Current; regular
Profile
Other names Amy Robinson
Occupation Student
Carpenter
Owner of The Handywoman
Home 26 Ramsay Street

Amy Williams (also Robinson) is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Zoe Cramond. She made her first screen appearance on 25 May 1988. The character was originally played by child actress Nicolette Minster, while Sheridan Compagnino took over the role for Amy's reappearance in 1992. In May 2015, it was announced Amy would be returning to Neighbours and Cramond was cast in the role. She made her first screen appearance as Amy on 2 June.

Amy initial storylines focused on meeting and getting to know her father Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis) and his family. Following her return in 2015, Amy is portrayed as being straightforward, opinionated, complex and independent. She is a qualified carpenter and Cramond hoped Amy would be a good role model for female viewers who wanted a similar occupation. Amy is a single mother to her 9-year-old son and Paul's first grandchild Jimmy (Darcy Tadich). Amy struggles to reconcile with her father and Cramond said Amy had a lot of pain to deal with.

Creation and casting

Amy was introduced to Neighbours as the first child of established character Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis).[1] Nicolette Minster was cast as Amy when she was around three years old.[2] Paul was unaware that he had fathered a child, until his former colleague Nina Williams (Leigh Morgan) brought Amy with her to Erinsborough. Nina admitted to Paul that Amy was the result of "a short fling" they had during their time working for the airlines.[1] When the character returned to the show in 1992, Sheridan Compagnino took over the role.[3] Paul brought Amy back to Erinsborough as he had realised that he wanted Amy to get to know him better.[4]

In March 2015, it was announced that a storyline would see Paul trying to find Amy after receiving a cancer diagnosis.[5] On 17 May 2015, it was confirmed that Amy would be re-introduced to Neighbours with actress Zoe Cramond taking over the role.[6] That actress was cast in March.[7] Cramond commented, "I grew up watching Neighbours so it is a big thrill for me to be part of the show."[8] Cramond said that the many elements of Amy's personality had attracted her to the role.[9]

Development

Characterisation

Cramond described Amy "very straightforward yet quite complex".[9] While a writer for Amy's profile on the Neighbours website called her "fiercely independent".[10] Cramond admitted that she shared some similarities with Amy, including her opinionated side.[9] She continued, "When I'm getting involved with a character I like to go straight to my qualities as a person and kind of work from there, it's a nice way to discover a character."[9] Amy is a qualified carpenter and Cramond liked that Amy was a female "tradie", as it made her unique.[8][9] Cramond called her brother and uncle for advice as they are both builders.[8] She wanted to get it right and said, "I grew up with builders in the family so it's not as if I don't know which end to hold a saw."[8] Cramond hoped the character would be a good role model for girls who wanted a similar job.[8]

Relationships

"Amy and Paul have a lot to work through, and that's going to be very interesting. Amy doesn't know her father, so trying to determine if he is genuine or not is difficult for her. But there's lots of fun and exciting drama to come!"[11]

—Cramond on Amy and Paul's relationship

Amy's relationship with her step-mother Christina (Gayle Blakeney) was difficult and they argued upon her reintroduction in 1992. Lisa Anthony from BIG! magazine observed two as being "at each other's throats" while Paul was caught in the middle of their bickering. Amy also stressed that she did not want to live with Paul which caused arguments between them too. Following one such altercation Amy ran in front of Paul's reversing car and knocked her down. Amy is left unconscious and stops breathing.[12]

When Amy turned up unannounced at Paul's penthouse, he initially failed to recognise her. Cramond said Amy felt "really hurt and angry" by his reaction and let him know it.[11] Amy came to confront Paul, but deep down she wanted a relationship with her father.[11] Cramond explained, "This is the first time she's seen her dad since she was a child, so she gets to say all the things she's wanted to say to him for all these years."[11] Amy struggled to get past the hurt caused by Paul's absence and she became conflicted about staying.[11] Cramond admitted to being "transfixed" by the character of Paul Robinson and told Russell Blackstock of the The New Zealand Herald that it was "a bit surreal" playing his daughter and arguing with him.[8] When asked if she could reconcile with an absentee father, Cramond explained that it was a hard question to answer. She thought that Amy had "a lot of pain" to confront and added "because of her son she wants them to have a relationship and through that, without her even realising at first, she develops a connection with her dad again."[9]

Amy was reintroduced along with her young son and Paul's first grandchild Jimmy (Darcy Tadich).[6] Amy profile states that as a single mother, Amy would do anything for her son.[10] Cramond called Tadich fun to act alongside and said he was "such a sweet boy!"[9] Amy is separated from Jimmy's father, as he was unreliable and eventually betrayed her.[10] Amy was not planning to stay around after reconciling with Paul, but after securing employment and realising how much Jimmy needed to get to know his grandfather, Amy decided to stay.[13] Shortly after returning to Erinsborough, Amy befriended Sonya Rebecchi (Eve Morey) and arranged to do some work around her house.[11] She also began working closely with Kyle Canning (Chris Milligan), whose wife was away overseas. When asked if there would be a romance between them, Cramond replied "Who knows? They clash at the beginning, but soon become good mates!"[9] Amy and Kyle eventually developed a strong friendship. Their bond grew when they spent a lot of time together trying to replace a lost teddy bear.[13]

Amy also developed a friendship with a newly returned Stephanie Scully (Carla Bonner).[14] When Jimmy went missing, Paul immediately accused Steph of taking him because of her history. But Amy refused to believe it as she liked Steph.[14] Amy's former husband Liam Barnett (James Beck) then admitted that he was in debt to a loan shark and believed Jimmy may have been kidnapped for ransom.[14] Amy was "furious" with Liam for putting their son in danger. Cramond told an Inside Soap columnist, "She irrationally lashes out at him in the heat of the moment – Jimmy means the world to Amy, so she wants Liam to pay for what he's done."[14] When Liam's loan shark denied taking Jimmy, Steph become the prime suspect again.[14]

Storylines

1988–92

When Nina Williams comes to Erinsborough for a conference, she brings her young daughter Amy with her. Nina runs into her ex-boyfriend Paul Robinson and he meets Amy. Upon learning that she is three-and-a-half, Paul works out that he could be Amy's father, as they broke up four years ago. Nina admits that he is and Paul is angry that Nina never told him. Nina explains that Amy is happy and gets on well with Nina's fiancé Bruce, who thinks of her as his own. Paul's wife, Gail (Fiona Corke), talks with Nina and tells her that Amy deserves to be told who her father is. Before they leave, Nina tells Paul that he can set up a trust fund for Amy and she will keep him up to date with her progress. Amy gives Paul a kiss goodbye.

Four years later, Paul visits Amy in New Zealand and brings her to Erinsborough. Amy's arrival upsets Paul's wife, Christina and their relationship gets off to a bad start. Amy bonds with Christina's sister, Caroline (Gillian Blakeney). When Paul and Amy argue about him enrolling her in Erinsborough Primary School, she tells Caroline that no one likes her. Caroline explains that things are new and she will love school. Amy runs away and Paul accidentally hits her with his car, knocking her unconscious. She is rushed to hospital, but is not badly hurt. Paul apologises to Amy and asks if they can start again. Amy befriends Toby Mangel (Ben Geurens) and they explore an old house together that Paul is thinking of buying. Amy brings home a hand grenade that she found and tries to pull the ring out. Toby takes the grenade from Amy, but the ring is pulled and Toby yells out to Doug Willis (Terence Donovan). Doug throws the grenade into the lake as it explodes. Amy develops a crush on Toby, but he does not reciprocate her feelings. They try to earn some money by cleaning cars, but their day is cut short when Christina tells Amy that Nina wants her to come home. Amy says her goodbyes, before Paul takes her to the airport.

2015–

Amy comes to Ramsay Street looking for Naomi Canning (Morgana O'Reilly), Paul's assistant. Kyle Canning directs Amy to the Lassiter's Complex, where Amy helps Sonya Rebecchi change a car tyre. Kyle stops by to tell Amy that Naomi is likely to be at Paul's penthouse. Amy takes Naomi's swipe card from reception and goes up to see Paul. She is angered when he does not initially recognise her and tells him not to contact her again. Amy backs into Sonya's daughter's stroller and offers to complete carpentry jobs around Sonya's house to make up for it. Her cousin Daniel Robinson (Tim Phillipps) seeks her out and tries to make Amy stay, but she refuses to give Paul another chance and leaves. Daniel flies to Mount Merrion to see Amy and finds that debt collectors are taking her possessions. Daniel buys her tools for her and asks her to return to Erinsborough. She agrees, telling Daniel that she is doing it for her son Jimmy. Amy introduces Jimmy to Paul and they move in with Sonya and her family. Jimmy briefly goes missing, but he is found at The Waterhole looking for Paul. Amy gets a job with Kyle's handyman business. After she allows Paul to look after Jimmy, Amy is angered when he spoils his grandson and she returns the gifts. Amy softens towards Paul when she learns that he kept a drawing she did for him when she was younger.

When she is sexually harassed by another handyman, Amy initially dismisses it. However, she eventually asks Kyle to file an official complaint and convinces Paul to give Kyle his job back after he is fired. Sheila Canning (Colette Mann) convinces Amy to enter a competition to find Victoria's Most Unique Tradie and she wins, beating Kyle. After the last job for the council's beautification project is done, Amy states her intention to move on, but Kyle offers her a permanent job. Amy unintentionally throws out Nell Rebecchi's (Scarlett Anderson) favourite teddy bear and Kyle offers to help her retrieve it. Amy thanks Kyle with a hug, which goes on too long. She decides that she needs to leave Erinsborough, against Jimmy and Paul's wishes. She reconsiders after Paul offers her a job as his executive assistant. Amy struggles with the job and quits when she makes a mistake with some work emails, costing Lassiter's money. After talking with Kyle, Amy starts working for him again. She also helps Sonya out with Nell, after Toadie is injured. After Kyle's wife ends their marriage, he kisses Amy. She later admits that there is a spark between them.

Amy's former husband Liam Barnett comes to visit Jimmy. Kyle questions Liam's motives, but agrees to back off when Amy asks him to. Amy and Liam spend time together and have sex. Jimmy goes missing and when Liam is questioned by the police, he reveals to Amy that he stole Toadie and Sonya's benefit fund and then trashed Harold's Cafe as he is in debt. Stephanie Scully finds Jimmy hiding in the school. Amy asks Liam not to contact her or Jimmy and he leaves. Amy moves in with Kyle and Sheila. She becomes jealous when Kyle dates Shay Daeng (Yasmin Kassim), but he breaks up with her to begin a relationship with Amy. Amy agrees to work with Paul, making gazebos, but changes her mind when she learns Paul tried to gaslight Steph. Amy's mother Nene (Ally Fowler) comes to see her and Jimmy. Amy reads a letter from Georgia to Kyle and becomes insecure about their relationship, so she spontaneously proposes to Kyle. She then admits to reading the letter and their relationship is strained. Amy sees Kyle kissing Georgia at Lassiter's, shortly before the hotel's boiler room explodes. Amy and Kyle are trapped in the lift together and Kyle receives an electric shock. After they are rescued, Amy tells Kyle to be with Georgia and he leaves Erinsborough.

Amy buys Kyle's business from him and renames it The Handywoman. She briefly employs Jack Callahan (Andrew Morley), before he recovers his memory. Amy distances herself from Paul when he is accused of causing the hotel explosion, but later reconciles with him, though remains unsure of whether he is guilty. Amy is approached by her former employer Ryan Prescott (James Sweeny), who calls her Anika. Amy tells Aaron Brennan (Matt Wilson) that Ryan runs a cleaning company that employs women to clean in lingerie, and she used to work for him when she had financial struggles. Amy refuses to help Ryan save his business and he threatens to reveal her secret. Jimmy is struck by a car and Amy turns to Father Jack for religious guidance. Paul later learns the truth about Ryan and accidentally exposes Amy's past in the papers. Amy decides to take control of her past and promotes her business in her old cleaning outfit. Amy goes on a date with Gregory Jenkins (Kevin Kiernan-Molloy), but leaves his hotel room before anything happens between them. Amy later discovers that Greg has given her a wrong number and that he also invited Elly Conway (Jodi Anasta) to his room. Amy later learns Greg worked for Ryan placing hidden cameras around the hotel. She meets with Ryan in an attempt to get the footage, but he catches her trying to steal his hard drive.

Amy befriends David Tanaka (Takaya Honda) and when she catches him logging onto a hospital computer, he admits that he is looking for his father. Aaron and Amy go on a double date with David and his brother Leo Tanaka (Tim Kano). When Leo flirts with her, she leaves early. Aaron later arranges for Amy to go on a date with David, but he later warns her that David might be gay. Amy and the Canning family appear on Family Feud. Amy tells David that she has feelings for him, but he rejects her. Leo persuades Amy to go to the opera with him, however, he stands her up. Leo later tells Amy that he and David were helping a man they thought could be their father. Amy asks Leo out on a date. They spend the day with his great-grandmother, before going paintballing and then taking a spa together. Just before they kiss, Elly turns up to informs Leo his great-grandmother has fallen unconscious and he leaves. Elly then tells Amy that she and Leo made a $5 bet that he would have sex with her before Christmas.

Reception

A contributor to the BBC's official Neighbours website said Amy's most notable moment was her arrival.[3] Lisa Anthony from BIG! magazine branded Paul running Amy over as the biggest soap storyline of the week in the United Kingdom.[12] After the character's 2015 return, a Soap World contributor branded her "mysteriously sexy and tomboyish".[15] Carena Crawford from All About Soap branded the character "sassy".[16] While The New Zealand Herald's Russell Blackstock called her a "feisty solo mum".[8] Anthony D. Langford from TheBacklot.com liked Amy, calling her "a great character". He thought she and Kyle had chemistry, but did not want to see Kyle cheat on his wife with her.[17] Inside Soap's Sarah Ellis also praised the character, saying "Amy's one feisty lady! And luckily, she's sticking around."[18] Ellis later stated "luckily, lovely Amy is nothing like her wicked father."[19]

References

  1. 1 2 Monroe 1996, p.16.
  2. ↑ Richardson, Mark (28 August 2013). "On target for more laughs". The Melbourne Observer via Issuu. p. 4. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  3. 1 2 "Character: Amy Robinson". BBC Online. Archived from the original on 9 April 2005. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
  4. ↑ Monroe 1994, p.33.
  5. ↑ Kilkelly, Daniel (30 March 2015). "Neighbours: Paul Robinson to search for his daughter Amy Williams". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  6. 1 2 Kilkelly, Daniel (17 May 2015). "All change for Neighbours: Four new regulars join the soap's cast". Digital Spy. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
  7. ↑ Ferrick, Anna (14 August 2015). "Morgana O'Reilly & Zoe Cramond: Kiwi Neighbours stars!". Woman's Day. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Blackstock, Russell (7 June 2015). "Zoe Cramond becomes a Kiwi Neighbour". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Zoe Cramond joins Neighbours". Network Ten. 4 June 2015. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
  10. 1 2 3 "Zoe Cramond As Amy Williams". Network Ten. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Meet Amy Robinson!". Inside Soap (23): 25. 13–19 June 2015.
  12. 1 2 Anthony, Lisa (24 February – 9 March 1993). "This week's big story!". BIG!. EMAP (8): 55, 56.
  13. 1 2 "Kiss her goodbye". TV Soap: 19. 30 July – 13 August 2015.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 "Has Steph kidnapped Jimmy?". Inside Soap (42): 26. 24–30 October 2015.
  15. ↑ "Come to grandpa!". Soap World (270): 19. July 2015.
  16. ↑ Crawford, Carena (6–19 June 2015). "Unhappy families!". All About Soap (350): 26.
  17. ↑ Langford, Anthony D. (17 June 2015). "Langford On Soaps: Alex's Reunion Gets Violent On "Shortland Street"". TheBacklot.com. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
  18. ↑ Ellis, Sarah (27 June – 3 July 2015). "...A good Amy!". Inside Soap (25): 94.
  19. ↑ Ellis, Sarah (28 November – 4 December 2015). "Soap box". Inside Soap (47): 96.
Bibliography
  • Monroe, Josephine (1994). The Neighbours Programme Guide. Virgin Books. ISBN 978-0-86369-831-6. 
  • Monroe, Josephine (1996). Neighbours: The First 10 Years. Penguin Group. ISBN 978-0-7181-4212-4. 

External links

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