Kerry Bishop
Kerry Bishop | |
---|---|
Neighbours character | |
Kerry Mangel | |
Nieces | Serena Bishop |
Kerry Bishop is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera
Casting
Producers introduced the character of Kerry in 1989 to rescue Des Clarke (Paul Keane) from depression and eventually become his second wife. However, when Kerry began to interact with Joe Mangel (Mark Little), they became popular with viewers who wanted them to get together and the producers agreed with their opinion.[1]
Development
Characterisation
Kerry is the only daughter of Mavis and Harold Bishop (Ian Smith).[2] After arriving in Erinsborough, Kerry moved into Number 24 with Harold. However, their very different personalities and views soon became a problem. Kerry had a daughter, Sky (Miranda Fryer; Stephanie McIntosh), out of wedlock and did not care for religion, which shocked Harold, who was a Christian.[2]
Departure
When her contract came up for renewal in mid-1990, Hartley-Clark realised that she was fed up of working long hours, so she decided to quit the role after twenty months.[3] Of her reason to leave, she stated "Once you start to get out of bed and sit in the toilet at five in the morning wailing, 'I don't want to go!' I think it's time to get out."[3] Hartley-Clark filmed her final scenes as Kerry in July 1990.[4] She stated that Kerry had been a "wonderful" character to portray and she felt she had had a rewarding experience during her time on Neighbours.[4]
The decision was taken to kill Kerry off and Hartley-Clark thought that the end was "certainly final."
Hartley-Clark reprised her role as Kerry to voice letters to her on-screen daughter, Sky in 2004 and 2006.[2] Hartley-Clark rejoined the cast in 2005 in the guest role of Kerry's look-alike Gabrielle Walker.[2]
Storylines
Kerry is the youngest child of Harold and Mavis Bishop. She was a free spirit, in great contrast to her brother
Kerry is first seen in the coffee shop when
After a while, Kerry and Joe become engaged and later marry in an unorthodox ceremony in a butterfly house and adopt each other's children, Sky and Toby, respectively. The following year, Tragedy strikes when a heavily pregnant Kerry goes to protest against duck hunting in the marshes with her friend Amber Martin. Kerry is hit by a stray bullet and is rushed to hospital. Joe and Harold are devastated when the doctor tells them Kerry and the baby have died due to the severe blood loss from the shooting. Sixteen years after Kerry's death, Sky gives birth to a baby girl and names her
Reception
For her portrayal of Kerry, Hartley-Clark won the 1989 Penguin Award for Best Actress in a Drama Serial.[4] A writer for the BBC's Neighbours website stated that Kerry's most notable moment was "Marrying Joe Mangel in the butterfly enclosure at the zoo."[7] Robin Oliver from The Sydney Morning Herald branded Kerry "the greenie martyr".[8] A columnist for the Sunderland Echo named Kerry's death as one of Neighbours' memorable moments. The columnist said it was "One of the most unexpected deaths the show has ever had".[9] Tim Teeman and James Jackson from The Times also named Kerry's death as one of Neighbours' most memorable moments. They said "As the ducks quack all around and Joe gathers her in his befleeced arms, Neighbours eco-hippy Kerry Bishop dies saving ze animals".[10] A Herald Sun reporter called Kerry's death "one of the show's saddest moments".[11]
References
- ^ Peake, Jon (14–27 November 1998). "The greatest story never told". Inside Soap (114): 30.
- ^ a b c d e Richards, Holly (16 August 2010). "Neighbours: Where are they now?". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 10 December 2010.
- ^ a b c Freedman, Victoria (15 April 1991). "I quit Neighbours for the man I love". Woman's Own: 44–45.
- ^ a b c d Camp, Chrissie (8 September 1990). "Is there life after death?". TV Week: 21.
- ^ a b c Monroe 1996, p. 100.
- ^ Monroe 1996, p. 103.
- ^ "Character: Kerry Bishop". BBC. Archived from the original on 9 March 2005. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
- ^ Oliver, Robin (13 August 2003). "Neighbours". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
- ^ "Strewth! 20 years of Neighbours". Sunderland Echo. 17 October 2005. Archived from the original on 3 May 2012. Retrieved 25 May 2010.
- ^ Teeman, Tim; Jackson, James (5 February 2008). "The top 15 most memorable Neighbours moments". The Times. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
- ^ "Neighbours, our favourite soap". Herald Sun. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
- Monroe, Josephine (1996). Neighbours: The First 10 Years. ISBN 978-0-7181-4212-4.