Michael Williams (Neighbours)
Michael Williams | |
---|---|
Neighbours character | |
Helena Jovanovic (until 1995) | |
Daughters | Natasha Williams |
Michael Williams is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Sandy Winton. The actor's casting was announced in March 2010 and he admitted the role would be challenging, but he would be up to the task. Michael was introduced as the new principal of Erinsborough High, replacing Daniel Fitzgerald (Brett Tucker). The character made his debut screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 4 May 2010. In November 2011, it was announced that Winton would be leaving Neighbours and Michael departed on 27 March 2012. However, the character made a brief reappearance on 23 May 2012.
Before his arrival on screen, a reporter for
Michael had a brief relationship with
Casting
In March 2010, the Neighbours official website announced Sandy Winton had joined the cast in the regular role of Michael Williams.
Development
Characterisation
Michael was a teacher and vice principal at a rural high school, before he was offered the role of principal at Erinsborough High.
In September 2010, executive producer Susan Bower told Jason Herbison of Inside Soap that the team struggled to find the "core of the character" at first, but they had now hit their stride and there would be some exciting stories coming up for him.[8] Michael clashes with Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis) shortly after he arrives in Ramsay Street.[9] However, Michael is able to prove that he is a "worthy contender" and puts Paul in his place.[6] Michael and Paul's rivalry reappears when Michael becomes involved with Paul wife. When she leaves, Paul becomes involved with the school to maintain the rivalry with Michael.[10] However, Winton believed Michael's focus was more on his daughter than what Paul Robinson was plotting for him next.[10]
Family
Michael is a widower with one daughter, Natasha.
"Tash is Michael's everything. Michael would like her to think that it wouldn't be easy to get back on his good side, but I think he is a bit of a softie in the way that he can always see the positive in Tash. He loves her more than anything."[14]
—Winton on Michael's love for his daughter
In June 2011, Susan Hill of the Daily Star revealed Michael would disown Natasha after he cannot keep her on the straight and narrow.[15] Michael is left in despair after Natasha causes more problems for him when she sprays some derogatory graffiti about herself around the street.[15] Natasha plays the victim and Michael initially feels sorry for his daughter, but he later discovers that she was behind the graffiti.[14][15] Michael decides to go to the police and report Natasha. Of Michael's decision, Winton told Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy, "Michael is at a stage where he's just reaching out for anything that will get through to Tash and he realises that may not be the way to go. It's the last option to be going to the police but he's thinking, 'Right, I'm going to make her take responsibility for her own actions'."[14] However, Jade Mitchell (Gemma Pranita) talks Michael out of it, by telling him about how her sister had to take responsibility for her actions by herself.[14] Michael feels he has run out of options and he tells Natasha that he no longer cares about what she gets up to.[14][15]
Kilkelly said Michael's decision to revoke all responsibility for Natasha and her actions is quite shocking.[14] Winton told him Michael believes Natasha needs to deal with her own mistakes herself as she is eighteen. He said Michael's choice was valid, but was unsure if it was the right one.[14] On whether the storyline would explore why Natasha has been acting out so much, Winton said "I think the storyline will and does explore that. If you look at the fact she has a single father who is raising her and she's a woman at the age where she is wanting to discover herself, it is a tough time. I think not having a good cop, bad cop or not having a mother around to help with the disciplining in order to look after her as a woman coming into the world, it's got to be a fairly tough thing."[14] Natasha and Michael eventually make amends, but it is not an easy journey and they have a lot to work through.[16] Bower later teased a storyline which shows the beginning of Natasha wanting to find out more about her late mother. Bower told Kilkelly that the secret would be revealed in three parts, which would change Natasha and Michael's lives forever."[17]
In July 2011, it was announced Natasha's estranged aunt,
Relationships
Ruby Rogers
Michael meets
Rebecca Robinson
In November 2010, Rebecca Robinson (Jane Hall) finds herself drawn to Michael.[22] Michael discovers that they share the same taste in music and they develop a good friendship.[22] Hall said "Mike is really the antithesis of Paul and he just starts to look like a great option to Rebecca. He's this squeaky-clean, genuine guy, while all Rebecca can see in Paul is deceit and a web of lies with a shadowy history."[22] Rebecca sees Michael "as a breath of fresh air" and there is a chemistry between them.[22] When Rebecca becomes involved with the School Social dance, Michael realises that he has feelings for her.[23] Michael finds he is able to talk to Rebecca about his problems with Natasha and after they become closer, Michael and Rebecca eventually begin an affair.[24] Hall told Channel 5 that she loved Michael and Rebecca's relationship, as she was getting fed up of her character going back for more from Paul.[25] Hall believed Rebecca and Michael were well suited and she enjoyed working with Winton.[25]
Paul notices Rebecca's bond with Michael and he forces her to renew their wedding vows, devastating Michael in the process.[24] Michael struggles watching Rebecca's declaration of love for Paul and when she tries to explain, Michael backs off and tells her that the situation is too complicated for him.[26] Rebecca confesses to Michael that she pushed Paul from the Lassiter's Hotel mezzanine and he is now blackmailing her to stay with him.[27] Michael agrees to wait for Rebecca and she manages to leave Paul. However, Paul tries to get revenge on the couple and Rebecca decides to leave the country.[13] Winton said Michael is "pretty devastated, lonely and trying to find his way again" after losing Rebecca. He also opined Michael had thought he had found the one.[13] When asked if Michael will find love again, Winton revealed "Well I hope so, with Rebecca gone, it's been a long time between drinks."[13] Winton later said Michael could do with someone to talk to, as Rebecca never calls him.[10]
Emilia Jovanovic
During the 2011 season cliffhanger, it was revealed Emilia and Michael were having an affair at the same time Helena died.[28] In January 2012, a writer for TV Week stated "When it comes to matters of the heart, Michael is renowned for being a closed book - but this year, Emilia is set to change all that."[28] Michael starts growing closer to Emilia when they partake in an impromptu surfing lesson. Winton explained there is a spark and an attraction between Emilia and Michael that has been there from a long time ago.[28] The TV Week writer said the "scandalous new pairing brings with it plenty of drama" as Emilia is dating Michael's best friend, Lucas Fitzgerald (Scott Major).[28] Michael tries to shut Emilia out and Winton said he does this because he cares for her a lot, but he does not want to make the situation messy.[28] The actor said the big problem is what happened between them in the past, but also Emilia's relationship with Lucas.[28]
When Lucas learns Emilia moonlights as a nude model, he admits he is uncomfortable with it. However, Michael is "accepting and understanding" of Emilia's activity and she believes she has more in common with him than Lucas.[29] Michael later realises he has fallen for Emilia, but he is scared to admit his feelings to her. He knows it is wrong, but he cannot help the way he feels.[30] Lucas and Emilia break up and Michael struggles to keep his distance from his sister-in-law. Michael later "seizes the moment" and tells Emilia he is falling for her.[31] They begin a relationship, but decide to keep the news from Lucas to "spare his feelings."[32] However, Lucas starts to believe Michael and Emilia are more than good friends and Michael confirms his suspicions.[32]
Departure
On 7 November 2011, it was announced that the character would be leaving Neighbours.[33] Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy reported Michael would leave in 2012, but Natasha would remain in the show.[33] Of Michael and Winton's departures, Bower said "The Michael Williams character will be leaving Ramsay Street as part of a significant story coming up in April. Sandy's contribution to the show has been superb, enabling the character to be part of some milestone storylines.[33] Michael made his final screen appearance on 27 March 2012.[34] It was later revealed that Winton would make a brief appearance as Michael on 23 May 2012.[35]
Storylines
Michael moves to Erinsborough with his daughter, after he is given the position of Principal at the local high school. Having previously worked at a rural high school, Michael implements some new ideas, such as letting students refer to the teachers by their first name and asking them to come to him with suggestions on how to improve the school. Libby Kennedy (Kym Valentine) is not impressed and she and Michael clash. When Michael sees Natasha's provocative posters for PirateNet, he asks Paul Robinson to remove them. Paul refuses and Michael threatens to sue him. He backs down when Natasha and Andrew Robinson (Jordan Patrick Smith) change the posters. Michael becomes friends with Lucas Fitzgerald and he gives him a job teaching technical classes at the school. While he is out to dinner with Natasha and her new boyfriend, Kyle Canning (Chris Milligan), Michael is forced to break up a fight between Kyle and Chris Pappas (James Mason). Michael notices Chris was defending Andrew and he tries to talk to him, but Chris pushes him away. Michael later asks Chris if he thinks he is gay and Chris comes out, with Michael's support.
Michael meets Ruby Rogers and they go on a couple of dates. They decide to have an entire relationship in one day, before Ruby's departure. Michael asks Ruby to stay with him, but she declines. Michael throws himself into organising the School Social and he bonds with Rebecca Robinson. Rebecca and Michael almost kiss, when she tells him things between her and Paul are not good. Michael is devastated when he witnesses Paul and Rebecca renewing their wedding vows. Rebecca gives him a letter explaining her feelings for him before she goes away to Oakey. When Number 26 catches fire, Michael rushes inside to rescue Natasha. The firefighters get Natasha and
Rebecca leaves Paul and moves in with Michael. Paul discovers the relationship and tries to sabotage Michael's career, by getting him suspended. Michael proposes to Rebecca and she accepts. However, she decides to leave the country with her family, when she realises Paul will not stop trying to get revenge on her. Summer reveals Natasha lied about being pregnant and Michael tells his daughter that he no longer trusts her. Michael's job suspension is lifted and on his return to the school, he learns Paul has been voted onto the school board. Michael installs a no uniform policy, which is supported by Libby. However, after unrest from students and parents, Michael concedes defeat and scraps the policy. When Michael learns Natasha is dating
Michael's relationship with Natasha deteriorates further, when he finds out she paid for rhinoplasty with his credit card. He also learns she sold some of his records and he tells her she sold the last thing her mother, Helena, ever gave him. Michael is also upset at the loss of a photograph, featuring his late wife, which was inside one of the records. Michael decides to send Natasha to boarding school, but he changes his mind, after Natasha nearly drowns. Michael gets his photo back and his relationship with Natasha improves. He discovers Natasha has been searching for information about her mother and he invites her to ask him questions about Helena. Natasha asks him how her mother died, and Michael lies to her. Natasha finds the photo which shows her with her parents at the beach and she asks Michael about it. He tells her they only went to the beach once and then tries to avoid the subject. Michael becomes angry with Summer when a picture of Helena ends up on a school notice board. He starts seeing visions of Helena and when he learns Natasha is trying to contact members of her mother's family, the stress leads him to see a therapist.
Michael finds a birthday gift for Natasha on his doorstep and realises it is from Helena's sister, Emilia. He later spots Emilia in the street and tells her to stay away from Natasha. Emilia asks Michael why he has not told Natasha the truth about her mother's death and Michael explains Natasha would not be able to handle the truth. He becomes angry with Emilia when she turns up at his house on Natasha's birthday. However, he allows her to stay for Natasha's sake. Natasha learns her mother drowned and asks Michael for the truth. Emilia explains that Michael failed to save Helena from drowning at the beach. Natasha later realises she was in the water too and Michael confesses that he could not save the both of them. Michael's stress continues to affect his health and he starts taking some pills. Michael discovers Summer has cheated during her English exam, they argue and Michael collapses. He undergoes surgery for a perforated stomach ulcer and does not recall his argument with Summer. Natasha asks Emilia to help care for Michael. Natasha asks Michael and Emilia to go to the beach where Helena died, so they can say goodbye. Michael and Emilia then reveal they were having sex in his car, while Helena was drowning.
Michael starts growing closer to Emilia and they spend time surfing together. Emilia encourages Michael to return to teaching and he quits his job as principal. Michael struggles to adjust to Priya Kapoor's (Menik Gooneratne) changes and when he is told to write lesson plans, he throws them away. He later returns to the school with Emilia to retrieve them. They hide from Priya under a desk in a classroom. Michael later tells Emilia he likes himself when he is with her. Emilia meets Michael and reveals she cannot stop thinking about what happened between them in the classroom. Michael tells her he hoped he did not give her the wrong idea and that nothing can happen between them. Emilia visits Michael at work and she tells him what they had in the past is still there. Michael then kisses her. While supervising some repair work to a school bathroom, Michael starts to suffer flashbacks to the day he collapsed outside it. He remembers Summer cheated and confronts her, urging her to tell Priya. Emilia breaks up with Lucas and confesses her feelings for Michael. They have sex in his car and Chris finds out. Michael and Emilia then reveal to Natasha that they are together, but they agree not to tell her the truth about the day Helena died.
Lucas finds out about Michael and Emilia and ends his friendship with them both. Natasha finds a note written by Emilia saying it was her fault Helena died and she confronts her and Michael. Michael explains that he and Emilia were together in The Sandman when Helena drowned. Angered by the news, Natasha takes the panel van and sets it on fire. When Michael learns Lucas is being blamed for the fire, he goes to the police station and tells them it was his fault the van caught fire. Natasha finds him there covering for her and she tells him that she wants nothing to do with him. Michael is upset when Emilia decides to leave for Serbia. Natasha tells him that if he wants to fix the problems between them, he has to leave her alone. Michael then decides to leave for Serbia with Emilia. Michael later calls Natasha to tell her the house has sold.
Reception
TV Week said that it was about time Neighbours introduced "a hunky man with a few more years on his side".[4] Holy Soap said Michael's most memorable moment was "Seeing his daughter kitted out in a skimpy outfit on the PirateNet poster."[6] Michael came second in an Inside Soap poll to find out which soap character readers would most like to have as their headteacher. He received 34% of the vote.[36] Gemma Graham and Jon Horsley of TV Buzz said that "nothing stays quiet for long in Ramsay Street, so we're not sure who Michael and Emilia thought they were kidding trying to keep their relationship under wraps."[37]
References
- ^ Network Ten. Archivedfrom the original on 26 November 2010. Retrieved 3 March 2010.
- ^ Hearst Magazines UK: 49. 31 March – 6 April 2012.
- Channel Five. 3 March 2010. Archived from the originalon 17 October 2010. Retrieved 2 June 2010.
- ^ ACP Magazines: 5. 13–19 March 2010.
- ^ Channel 5. Northern & Shell. 4 November 2010. Archivedfrom the original on 10 November 2010. Retrieved 10 November 2010.
- ^ Channel Five. Archived from the originalon 4 October 2010. Retrieved 18 November 2010.
- Network Ten. Archivedfrom the original on 25 November 2010. Retrieved 18 November 2010.
- Hachette Filipacchi UK: 39.
- Hachette Filipacchi UK. Archivedfrom the original on 21 June 2010. Retrieved 18 November 2010.
- ^ Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- Network Ten. Retrieved 18 November 2010.
- ^ Channel Five. 23 June 2010. Archived from the originalon 26 June 2010. Retrieved 18 November 2010.
- ^ Channel 5. Northern & Shell. 26 April 2011. Retrieved 26 April 2011.
- ^ Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ Northern and Shell Media. Retrieved 26 June 2011.
- Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- News Limited. 14 July 2011. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ a b c "Blast from the past". TV Soap (42). nextmedia: 41. 12–26 October 2011.
- ^ Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 5 February 2012.
- Channel 5. 29 December 2010. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ ACP Magazines: 12–13.
- IPC Media. 16 December 2010. Archived from the originalon 2 September 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2011.
- ^ a b Tillman, Dominique (8 December 2010). "Remarry me, or else!". TV Soap. nextmedia: 18–19.
- ^ Channel 5. Northern & Shell. 28 January 2011. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ "Friday". The Sun-Herald. Fairfax Media. 28 November 2010. p. 16. Retrieved 15 July 2011.
- Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 26 April 2011.
- ^ ACP Magazines: 14–15. 7–13 January 2012.
- Hearst Magazines UK: 22.
- ^ Hill, Susan (5 February 2012). "Emilia Jovanovic in love triangle". Daily Star. Northern & Shell. Retrieved 5 February 2012.
- Ninemsn. 17 February 2012. Archived from the originalon 24 March 2012. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
- ^ a b Hill, Susan (11 March 2012). "Lucas Fitzgerald gets some devastating news". Daily Star. Northern & Shell. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
- ^ Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
- Southern Cross Media. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
- Eleven. 14 May 2012. Retrieved 15 May 2012.
- Hachette Filipacchi UK: 97.
- News International: 12.
External links
- Character profile on the Official Neighbours AU website
- Character profile on the Official Neighbours UK website