Matt Turner (Neighbours)

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Matt Turner
Neighbours character
Matilda Turner

Matt Turner is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera

Lauren Carpenter (Kate Kendall
), who was reintroduced after nineteen years as part of a major overhaul of the show's cast. Matt made his first screen appearance alongside his family during the episode broadcast on 7 February 2013. Brown departed Neighbours on 25 March 2015, following Matt's death. Brown reprised the role for one episode on 9 August 2016.

Matt was introduced as the patriarch of the Turner family. He was a police officer with the local force, and portrayed as being stubborn, hard working, traditional and loyal. He also had a lesser seen softer, more fun side. Matt's storylines often revolved around his marriage to

Robbo Slade (Aaron Jakubenko). Matt also developed a rivalry with Lauren's ex-boyfriend and neighbour, Brad Willis (Kip Gamblin), and learned that they had a daughter together. Matt was killed off as part of a storyline that highlighted the dangers of texting while driving
. Matt received mostly positive attention from critics.

Creation and casting

On 4 November 2012, it was announced that the five-strong Turner family would be introduced to Neighbours in February 2013.

Lauren, explained "The producers were looking to get quite a traditional family in there and hark back to some of those old traditions and family values. They're going to be a really charismatic family, but you'll also get some really juicy storylines and that's what the audiences relate to. Viewers will relate to the familiarity of them and hopefully the sense of magnetism that we bring."[3] The Turners were given an immediate link in Erinsborough through long-term resident Lou Carpenter (Tom Oliver), Lauren's father.[3]

Actor Josef Brown was cast as Lauren's husband Matt Turner in October 2012.[4] Brown was cast in the role shortly after he completed a guest stint on rival Australian soap opera Home and Away.[5] He relocated from Sydney to Melbourne, where the Neighbours studios are based.[6] On 13 November, Brown told Andrew Priestley from the Manly Daily that he had already been filming for four weeks and was enjoying getting to know his character.[5] Brown also hinted that the Turner family would being "a few surprises" with them, saying "It's a great family and a little bit different. We've got a few secrets and a few dramas up our sleeves."[5] Brown made his debut screen appearance as Matt on 7 February 2013.[7]

Development

Characterisation

Matt and his family came to

Channel 5's Neighbours website added, "Matt runs a tight ship, and sometimes rules the family home a little like it's a police station, believing that a firm-but-fair approach will be best for his kids in the long run."[8]

Family

Lauren Carpenter
, now played by Kate Kendall (pictured).

In his fictional backstory, Matt married Lauren Carpenter in 1994 and they had three children –

Robbo Slade (Aaron Jakubenko), turned up in Erinsborough, Glockner said Mason and Matt would "overcome their differences pretty quickly" and work together to protect the family from Robbo.[12]

Instead of purchasing a house, Matt and Lauren decided to buy the local coffee shop.[13] They were initially turned down for a loan, but Lauren convinced Matt that they would have enough money if they put everything they had into the coffee shop.[13] When Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis) made "a nasty comment" about their managerial skills, Matt quickly organised the sale.[13] The venture got off to a bad start when the electricity went off on the first day.[13] In 2015, the Turner children learned they owned Number 32, prompting Matt to try and buy back the house from them.[14] Matt "encounters more obstacles" when Amber, Bailey and Paige dream up fun ways to spend the money they are getting.[14]

Rivalry with Brad Willis

A few months after the Turner's moved onto Ramsay Street, Lauren was surprised when her ex-boyfriend, Brad Willis (Kip Gamblin), and his family also moved onto the street.[15] Lauren decided not to tell Matt about her previous relationship with Brad as she was unsure how he would take the news. Gamblin agreed and said that as Matt was "a bit uptight", he did not know how he would cope knowing that his wife's ex-boyfriend was back in town.[15] Brad ended up accidentally revealing the truth to Matt, as he was not aware that Matt did not know about him and Lauren.[15] Gamblin explained, "Brad talks to Matt about it, assuming that Lauren's filled him in – which isn't the case! That causes tension – but Brad's just trying to have everything out in the open."[15] Matt was left feeling "uneasy" about Brad and Lauren and Sophie Dainty from Digital Spy quipped that "Matt and Brad will not be quite as friendly in the coming months".[6] Matt and Brad developed a rivalry, which came to a head during a dinner party. Matt was displeased at having to make small talk with Brad and as the evening went on the rivalry "intensified", leaving Matt and Brad's wives feeling embarrassed.[16]

Lauren's long-lost daughter

Lauren later revealed that when she left Erinsborough in 1994 she was pregnant with Brad's child. She had not told anyone else, except her mother

Kathy (Tina Bursill).[17] A reporter for news.com.au commented that the information would have the potential to destroy Matt and Lauren's marriage.[17] When Lauren eventually told Matt that she had a child with Brad, it caused shockwaves between the Turners and the Willises and "everyone feels betrayed by Lauren keeping the secret."[18] After Lauren and Brad decided to find their long-lost daughter, Matt refused Brad's request to use his police contacts to find her, but his "overriding concern" for Lauren caused him to suggest that they hire a private investigator instead. Matt also helped Brad's wife, Terese (Rebekah Elmaloglou), come to terms with recent events with "some wise advice".[19] Both Matt and Terese began to feel sidelined and Matt was disappointed when Lauren left for Adelaide with Brad to check out a lead. At the same time, Matt secretly organised a vow-renewal ceremony for himself and Lauren.[20] Although Lauren promised to be back in time, it was little comfort to Matt, who was starting to suspect that she was putting her child with Brad over their marriage.[20]

Newcomer Paige Smith (Olympia Valance) was later revealed to be Lauren and Brad's daughter. Terese also learned that Paige had trashed Harold's Store in a fit of rage.[21] Matt was then placed in "an impossible situation", as he was forced to arrest his own stepdaughter.[21] Lauren begged him to be lenient with Paige, but Matt explained that he could not give her any special treatment and he had to follow the law.[21] In September 2014, a hospitalised Lou inadvertently referred to a secret Lauren was keeping, which caused Matt became suspicious and Lauren admitted that she had kissed Brad.[22] After Terese learned about the kiss, she told Matt that they should keep a close eye on their respective spouses, but Matt was unsure about her plan.[22] Brown penned a blog about Lauren and Brad's kiss for the show's official website, in which he wrote "Terese and Matt want to believe it was 'just the moment' and 'just a kiss'. As reasonable adults with full life experiences, that, they could understand and forgive."[23] Brown went on to say that Matt and Terese were worried that the kiss meant something more to Brad and Lauren.[23]

Corruption and departure

When Matt and Lauren suffered financial difficulties, Matt took on a second job as a security guard for "crooked businessman"

Sharon Canning (Natasha Herbert). Matt went to Sharon's hotel room, but Terese stopped him from taking things further.[24] Matt admitted to Terese that he thought it was too late to save his marriage, but she encouraged him to "man up". Matt apologised to Lauren and promised to make it up to her.[25]

In March 2015, the character was killed off after he suffered fatal injuries following a hit-and-run.

Danni Ferguson (Laura McIntosh) was soon revealed to be the driver that hit Matt, after she was distracted by an incoming text message. Herbison explained that the issue was "so prevalent" and affected people's lives in a drastic way.[28]

Brown reprised the role for one episode, which aired on 9 August 2016.[29] Matt appears to Lauren in a dream, after she receives a marriage proposal from Brad.[30]

Storylines

Matt moves to Erinsborough with his family and takes a job at the local police station. When Matt and Lauren's eldest son, Mason, joins the family from juvie, Mason tells Matt that he will not forgive him for having him arrested. Matt investigates a spate of burglaries in Erinsborough with his new partner

Toadfish Rebecchi (Ryan Moloney
) become suspicious when Paul offers his lawyer's services to Mason for his court case. They convince Mason to switch lawyers, which results in Mason getting a good behaviour bond. Matt begins an uneasy friendship with Brad Willis, Lauren's former boyfriend.

Robbo returns to Erinsborough and Matt warns him away from his family. Robbo later dies after being involved in a

Victor Cleary
(Richard Sutherland). Matt and Lauren learn Bailey has a problem with alcohol, and Matt opens up to him about his alcoholic father.

Matt and Terese support each other when Brad and Lauren learn Paige Smith is their daughter. When Terese learns that Paige trashed Harold's Store, Matt is forced to arrest her. He later tells Lauren that Terese has been trying to get something on Paige ever since she discovered who she was. Lou inadvertently reveals that Lauren and Brad kissed and Matt contemplates leaving Lauren, but ultimately decides to work through their issues. However, he struggles to be open with his feelings and avoids Lauren by pulling extra shifts at work. Matt is tempted to have a one-night stand with

Sharon Canning
(Natasha Herbert), but returns home to Lauren and they talk through their issues. The children learn they own the house and Matt plans to buy it from them, as he is uncomfortable being their tenants. Despite worries over what the children will do with the money, the sale goes ahead. Matt then learns that there is no overtime at the station, so he gets a second job as a security guard to help pay the mortgage. When Matt discovers he is working for Dennis Dimato, a businessman he previously investigated, he quits the job.

Matt and Lauren ask Amber and Bailey for a loan. However, the family soon discover the money has been stolen and Matt is forced to ask

Michelle Kim (Ra Chapman
) for his job back. Matt becomes stressed about his money troubles and snaps at Bailey, blaming him for losing the money. Lauren and Matt think about selling the house. Matt discovers that Dimato is having cars stripped for parts. He confronts Dimato, who blackmails and bribes him into staying quiet. Matt tells Lauren that he has had a windfall, so they do not have to sell the house just yet. Matt is compromised when Joey Dimato is caught stealing, knowing that Joey could expose him, he lets him go. Matt ends his association with Dimato, but fellow police officer Mark Brennan witnesses their meeting. Matt tells Lauren the truth and decides to turn himself in, knowing he will get a prison sentence. Brennan offers Matt a deal – he will keep quiet, if Matt tells him everything he knows about Dimato's operations. Matt and Lauren's marriage suffers, and Matt turns to alcohol. Sharon Canning returns to town and Matt goes back to her hotel room, but Terese sees them and stops Matt from taking things further. Terese tells Brad about what happened, leading him to confront Matt on the side of the road. During their confrontation, a car driven by Danni Ferguson speeds towards them and Matt pushes Brad out of the way, taking the full impact of the vehicle. Matt suffers liver damage and undergoes surgery to repair it. Matt's condition later deteriorates and he is taken back into theatre, where he suffers massive blood loss and dies.

Reception

The Daily Record's Tony Stewart observed that Matt was "barely able to keep a lid on his jealousy" when he saw Lauren and Brad in a compromising situation.[31] When Steph kidnapped Patrick, Dianne Butler, writing for The Courier-Mail, quipped "I guess we'll now get to see what sort of mettle Officer Matt has, or if that uniform is like the cheerleaders outfits on Glee."[32] Butler later observed that Matt was "never not on duty, he's like Freddy Krueger, he never takes his uniform off."[33]

After Lauren revealed that she and Brad had a daughter, Laura Morgan from All About Soap speculated as to whether Matt and Terese could have an affair, calling them "outsiders to the situation" and adding "Will Mrs Willis turn to understanding Matt for a shoulder to cry on? It could be a brilliant twist to the tale!"[34] When Matt and Lauren renewed their vows, a Daily Record reporter noted that they looked "a picture of happiness".[35] Morgan later admitted that she was disappointed in Matt for listening to Terese and arresting Paige.[36] She said "Whatever happened to family loyalty? Lauren's been on cloud nine since finding her daughter – why would he want to try to put a spanner in the works and ruin her happiness? We know he's got a duty as a copper, but he should just tell Terese to back off!"[36]

Helen Vnuk of TV Week included Matt in her feature on soap heroes. She stated that "Matt wasn't perfect" and that his "ultimate sacrifice cost him his life."[37] Of the character's time in the show, Joe Julians of Digital Spy wrote, "Poor old Matt. Introduced with the rest of his family in 2013, he was seemingly there just to be a stop gap before wife Lauren eventually reunited with old flame Brad Willis. A steady and dependable guy, his final few weeks saw him fall on the wrong side of the law, cheat on Lauren, and then get fatally mown down by a car while arguing with Brad."[38]

References

  1. Eleven
    .
  2. Channel 5. 4 November 2012. Archived from the original
    on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
  3. ^ a b c Miller, Erin (10–16 November 2012). "There goes the neighbourhood!". TV Week (45): 20–21.
  4. ^
    Network Ten. Archived from the original
    on 9 July 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
  5. ^ a b c d Priestley, Andrew (13 November 2012). "Meet new Neighbours star Josef Brown". Manly Daily. Archived from the original on 13 November 2012. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
  6. ^ a b Dainty, Sophie (30 May 2013). "'Neighbours' rivals Matt Turner and Brad Willis good friends off screen". Digital Spy. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
  7. Southern Cross Media. Archived from the original
    on 5 October 2013. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
  8. Channel 5
    . Retrieved 20 June 2014.
  9. Eleven
    .
  10. ^ a b c "Meet the new neighbours!". Inside Soap (9): 24. 2–8 March 2013.
  11. ^ "Here comes trouble!". Inside Soap (12): 24. 23–29 March 2013.
  12. ^ a b Kilkelly, Daniel (4 April 2013). "'Neighbours': Taylor Glockner talks joining show, Mason Turner future". Digital Spy. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
  13. ^ a b c d "Neighbours: Business on Ramsay Street turns on its head". Daily Star. 23 June 2013. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
  14. ^
    TV Week Soap Extra
    (12): 76. 29 December 2014 – 14 January 2015.
  15. ^ a b c d Murphy, Steven (15–21 June 2013). "Blast from the past!". Inside Soap (24): 15.
  16. ^ "Brad vs Matt". Inside Soap (25): 24. 22–28 June 2013.
  17. ^ a b "Neighbours star Kate Kendall tells of her baby bombshell". news.com.au. 5 January 2014. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
  18. ^ Lake, Rebecca (8–14 March 2014). "Haunted by the past". TV Week (10): 70.
  19. ^ "Long-lost love child". TV Soap: 19–20. 27 March – 9 April 2014.
  20. ^ a b "The wedding's off". Soap World (255): 20. May 2014.
  21. ^
    Press Association
    . 4 August 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  22. ^ a b Kilkelly, Daniel (3 September 2014). "Neighbours: Terese and Brad's marriage to come under threat". Digital Spy. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  23. ^
    Network Ten
    . Retrieved 4 January 2015.
  24. ^ a b c d e f "Good cop gone bad". Soap World (267): 16. April 2015.
  25. ^
    TV Week Soap Extra
    (17): 22–23.
  26. doi:10.1038/519005b
    .
  27. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (18 March 2015). "Neighbours producer shares 30th anniversary gossip and teasers". Digital Spy. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  28. ^ a b Fletcher, Harry (25 March 2015). "Neighbours car crash caused by texting at the wheel". Digital Spy. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  29. ^ Crick, Claire (30 July – 12 August 2016). "The next 2 weeks – Neighbours". All About Soap (380): 54.
  30. ^ Barrett, Kerry (30 July – 12 August 2016). "Perfect proposal?". All About Soap (380): 24–25.
  31. ^ Stewart, Tony (7 September 2013). "Soaps and films". Daily Record. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
  32. ^ Butler, Dianne (21 May 2013). "TV with Dianne Butler". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
  33. ^ Butler, Dianne (27 November 2013). "TV with Dianne Butler". news.com.au. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
  34. ^ Morgan, Laura. "Neighbours: What now for Lauren and Brad?". All About Soap. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
  35. ^ "Soaps & Films; at the Opening of Bernice's Salon, She and Andy Are Red-Faced Instead of Bronzed". Daily Record. 7 June 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2014.(subscription required)
  36. ^ a b Mogan, Laura (27 August 2014). "We're all talking about...Terese turning nasty!". All About Soap. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  37. ^ Vnuk, Helen (5–11 December 2015). "Soap heroes". TV Week (49): 32.
  38. ^ Julians, Joe (23 December 2018). "9 Neighbours characters who returned from the dead, from Madge Bishop to Drew Kirk". Digital Spy. Retrieved 28 December 2018.

External links

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