Cheryl Stark
Encyclopedia
Cheryl Stark is a fictional character
from the Australian Network Ten
soap opera Neighbours
, played by Caroline Gillmer
. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 26 July 1993. Colette Mann
took over the role for eight weeks from late 1995 to early 1996 whilst Gillmer was ill. In September 1996, Gillmer departed the show.
(Scott Major
). Actress Caroline Gillmer successfully auditioned for the role. Debuting on-screen, Cheryl moved into Ramsay Street with daughter Danni
(Eliza Szonert
), and son Brett
(Brett Blewitt
), both new additions to the serial's cast.
In 1995, Caroline Gillmer
fell ill, during which time Cheryl was written to be central to key storylines at the time, producers felt they had no alternative, but to temporarily recast her with former Prisoner
actress Colette Mann
. This made producers nervous that viewing figures might decrease, so they implemented a series of plots to keep viewers interested.
(Moya O'Sullivan) in 1950. When Cheryl was eleven years old, Marlene left Hector to raise her and her brother, Patrick (Shane Porteous
). Cheryl then grew up hating and resenting Marlene, even believing her to be dead. Cheryl later met railway worker Maurie Stark and married him and they had four children; Janine (Wilhelmina Stracke), Darren, Danni and Brett. After Cheryl won $1.3m on the lottery, she bought The Manhattan bar in Erinsborough and sent Brett and Danni to boarding school.
(Tom Oliver
) leaves his wallet behind at The Manhattan. Cheryl is immediately attracted to him and begins pursuing him. Lou is resistant at first but then gives in. Around this time, Darren is released from Juvenile Detention and comes to stay with Cheryl, who is renting Number 22 Ramsay Street. Darren convinces her he has turned over a new leaf, but little does Cheryl know he is using his release to drag his cellmate Michael Martin
's (Troy Beckwith) sister, Debbie
(Marnie Reece-Wilmore) into a life of crime. Darren's scheme is eventually foiled and he is jailed, prompting Cheryl to wash her hands of him. Shortly after ending things with Lou, Cheryl heads off on a world cruise.
When Cheryl returns, she is joined by Brett and Danni who have run away from boarding school. Cheryl, used to her independence, isn't keen to have the kids living with her but eventually relents on the advice of Lou and agrees to enroll Brett and Danni at Erinsborough High. Cheryl and Lou rekindle their relationship in secret but when it is revealed, Brett accepts it while Danni is less than welcoming about it. However, Danni comes to respect Lou in time.
Lou and Cheryl agree to live together but cannot decide on the venue. Cheryl then agrees to for her and he kids to move in with Lou, his daughter Lauren
(Sarah Vandenberg) and lodger Rick Alessi
(Dan Falzon
). Cheryl later discovers she is pregnant and worries about the complications of being an older mother. Lou proposes and Cheryl accepts, however they both agree to continue cohabiting. While arguing with Michael's stepmother, Julie (Julie Mullins) about Michael and Danni's relationship, Cheryl is knocked down when Julie accidentally reverses her car into her, putting the baby in danger. Fortunately, Cheryl and the baby are soon out of danger.
Cheryl is allowed out of hospital for a day visit and comes face to face with Marlene (who had purchased Number 24 from Madge Bishop
(Anne Charleston
)) after more than a quarter century. The meeting between the two women is frosty to begin with but Annalise Hartman
(Kimberley Davies
) convinces Cheryl to make up with Marlene, as she never had the chance to make up with her mother, Fiona (Suzanne Dudley) before she died.
Cheryl gives birth to a daughter and decides to call her Shannon but Neighbour Gaby Willis
(Rachel Blakely
) has the same idea to use the name for her newborn son born on the same day.
Both women, however opt to call their children by their middle names, Louise and Zac, respectively.
Louise suffers breathing complications after her birth but is later fine.
When Lou begins acting suspiciously by arriving home late from work and making secret phone calls, Cheryl decides to follow him. One day, she spots him kissing a young Asian woman and later confronts him about it. Lou reveals that the woman is his daughter Ling Mai Chan (Khym Lam). Cheryl struggles to adjust to the new woman in his life and almost ends her relationship with Lou. However, she grows to accept Ling Mai in time.
Cheryl's next biggest challenge is her clash with Brett over his plans to go sailing around the world after finishing Year 12. This culminates in Brett having an affair with one of Cheryl's friends Judy Bergman (Merridy Eastman). Bret later leaves Erinsborough without saying goodbye to Cheryl and she is hurt. Cheryl later flies out to Cairns to say goodbye.
Upon hearing news that Brett has been arrested on suspicion of drug smuggling in Ecuador, Cheryl takes a flight there to bail him. En route to meeting Max Geppert, Brett's travel companion, Cheryl is kidnapped by rebels and held hostage. Lou goes to Ecuador after Cheryl is released and brings her home. When Cheryl returns, she is distant and has adopted a change of image; less jewelry and a shorter hairstyle. When Lou talks to her about her experiences, Cheryl reveals she had an affair with one of her fellow captives. The couple then separate and Lou moves up North to be near Lauren.
After putting Number 22 up for sale, Cheryl and Louise then move in with Marlene and they are joined by Darren (now played by Todd MacDonald
) upon his release from prison. Darren's struggle to remain on the straight and narrow is testing for Cheryl and she is soon feuding with Karl Kennedy
(Alan Fletcher) when Darren begins dating his daughter Libby
(Kym Valentine
).
While out walking with Louise, Cheryl spots Karl and stops to talk to him about Darren and Libby's relationship. Louise climbs out of her buggy and wanders into the road. Cheryl pushes Louise out of the way but is hit by an oncoming car. Karl tries desperately to save Cheryl and is urged by Danni, who arrives on the scene, to give Cheryl something to ease her pain. Karl injects Cheryl with morphine but she dies before the ambulance arrives. It is later revealed that the morphine reacted with anti-depressants that Cheryl has been taken but she would have died of her injuries either way.
Five years later, a man named John Allen (Adrian Mulraney) appears after sending Lou a letter claiming that Louise is his daughter from an affair he had with Cheryl. After a DNA test proves that John is Louise's father, The court award custody to him, leaving Lou heartbroken. John, however, grants Lou visitation rights.
Fictional character
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 Network Ten
Network Ten
Network Ten , is one of Australia's three major commercial television networks. Owned-and-operated stations can be found in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, while affiliates extend the network to cover most of the country...
soap opera Neighbours
Neighbours
Neighbours is an Australian television soap opera first broadcast on the Seven Network on 18 March 1985. It was created by TV executive Reg Watson, who proposed the idea of making a show that focused on realistic stories and portrayed adults and teenagers who talk openly and solve their problems...
, played by Caroline Gillmer
Caroline Gillmer
Caroline Gillmer is an Australian actress, best known for her roles in various television series, such as Prisoner as Helen Smart and Neighbours as Cheryl Stark....
. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 26 July 1993. Colette Mann
Colette Mann
Colette Mann is an Australian actress, most notable for playing the role of Doreen Anderson , in the Australian series Prisoner from 1979–1982, with return appearances in 1983 and in 1984....
took over the role for eight weeks from late 1995 to early 1996 whilst Gillmer was ill. In September 1996, Gillmer departed the show.
Character creation and casting
The character of Cheryl was created in 1993 as the head of a new family to be introduced, the Starks, and was given an immediate link to already existing character and son Darren StarkDarren Stark
Darren Stark is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Todd MacDonald. He made his first on-screen appearance on 20 July 1993 and was originally played by Scott Major. When the character was released from prison in 1996, MacDonald took over the role and remained...
(Scott Major
Scott Major
Scott Major is an Australian actor. Major's acting début was playing Murray on Home and Away in the 1990s. He joined the Neighbours cast for a brief period in 1993 as the original Darren Stark. and then was a part of the Heartbreak High cast as "Rivers" from 1994–1995...
). Actress Caroline Gillmer successfully auditioned for the role. Debuting on-screen, Cheryl moved into Ramsay Street with daughter Danni
Danni Stark
Danielle "Danni" Stark is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Eliza Szonert. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 30 November 1993 and remained in the show until 13 November 1996, with a brief cameo in 2005 in Annalise Hartman's...
(Eliza Szonert
Eliza Szonert
Eliza Szonert is an Australian actress.Szonert is best known for playing Danni Stark in Australia's long-running soap opera, Neighbours, from 1993 to 1996. Szonert reprised the role in 2005 for the show's 20th anniversary....
), and son Brett
Brett Stark
Brett Stark is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Brett Blewitt. He debuted in the episode airing on 30 November 1993, along with his sister, Danni Stark and remained as a regular in the show until 8 March 1996. Blewitt returned as Brett for five...
(Brett Blewitt
Brett Blewitt
Brett Blewitt, is an Australian actor who played Brett Stark on the Australian soap opera Neighbours from 1993 to 1996...
), both new additions to the serial's cast.
In 1995, Caroline Gillmer
Caroline Gillmer
Caroline Gillmer is an Australian actress, best known for her roles in various television series, such as Prisoner as Helen Smart and Neighbours as Cheryl Stark....
fell ill, during which time Cheryl was written to be central to key storylines at the time, producers felt they had no alternative, but to temporarily recast her with former Prisoner
Prisoner (TV series)
Prisoner is an Australian television soap opera which was set in the Wentworth Detention Centre, a fictional women's prison. The series was produced by the Reg Grundy Organisation and ran on Network Ten for 692 episodes from 27 February 1979 to 11 December 1986.The series was inspired by the 1970s...
actress Colette Mann
Colette Mann
Colette Mann is an Australian actress, most notable for playing the role of Doreen Anderson , in the Australian series Prisoner from 1979–1982, with return appearances in 1983 and in 1984....
. This made producers nervous that viewing figures might decrease, so they implemented a series of plots to keep viewers interested.
Backstory
Cheryl was born to Hector and Marlene KratzMarlene Kratz
Marlene Kratz is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Moya O'Sullivan. She made her first on-screen appearance on 5 July 1994 and remained in the show until 14 October 1997, when the character went on a three month cruise and never returned....
(Moya O'Sullivan) in 1950. When Cheryl was eleven years old, Marlene left Hector to raise her and her brother, Patrick (Shane Porteous
Shane Porteous
John Shane Porteous is an Australian television character actor, TV screenplay scriptwriter, theatre actor, animation layout artist, and animation voice artist.-Biography:...
). Cheryl then grew up hating and resenting Marlene, even believing her to be dead. Cheryl later met railway worker Maurie Stark and married him and they had four children; Janine (Wilhelmina Stracke), Darren, Danni and Brett. After Cheryl won $1.3m on the lottery, she bought The Manhattan bar in Erinsborough and sent Brett and Danni to boarding school.
1993–96
Cheryl first appears when Lou CarpenterLou Carpenter
Louis "Lou" Carpenter is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Tom Oliver. He made his first on-screen appearance on 30 March 1988. Lou appeared for a brief time, before leaving and later returning in January 1992 as a regular cast member. He is the longest...
(Tom Oliver
Tom Oliver
Tom Oliver is an English television, film and theatre actor best known today for playing the role of Lou Carpenter in the Australian soap opera Neighbours.-Career:...
) leaves his wallet behind at The Manhattan. Cheryl is immediately attracted to him and begins pursuing him. Lou is resistant at first but then gives in. Around this time, Darren is released from Juvenile Detention and comes to stay with Cheryl, who is renting Number 22 Ramsay Street. Darren convinces her he has turned over a new leaf, but little does Cheryl know he is using his release to drag his cellmate Michael Martin
Michael Martin (Neighbours)
Michael Martin is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Troy Beckwith. He made his first on-screen appearance on 8 October 1985. The character was originally played by Samuel Hammington. Beckwith took over the role in 1992...
's (Troy Beckwith) sister, Debbie
Debbie Martin
Deborah "Debbie" Martin is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Marnie Reece-Wilmore. She made her first on-screen appearance on 27 July 1985. Debbie was initially played by Mandy Storvik and later Katrina McEwan. Reece-Wilmore was cast in the role in 1992...
(Marnie Reece-Wilmore) into a life of crime. Darren's scheme is eventually foiled and he is jailed, prompting Cheryl to wash her hands of him. Shortly after ending things with Lou, Cheryl heads off on a world cruise.
When Cheryl returns, she is joined by Brett and Danni who have run away from boarding school. Cheryl, used to her independence, isn't keen to have the kids living with her but eventually relents on the advice of Lou and agrees to enroll Brett and Danni at Erinsborough High. Cheryl and Lou rekindle their relationship in secret but when it is revealed, Brett accepts it while Danni is less than welcoming about it. However, Danni comes to respect Lou in time.
Lou and Cheryl agree to live together but cannot decide on the venue. Cheryl then agrees to for her and he kids to move in with Lou, his daughter Lauren
Lauren Carpenter
Lauren Carpenter is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Sarah Vandenbergh. She made her first on-screen appearance on 18 February 1993. Lauren is the youngest child of Kathy and Lou Carpenter and sister to Guy...
(Sarah Vandenberg) and lodger Rick Alessi
Rick Alessi
Riccardo "Rick" Alessi is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Dan Falzon. He made his first on-screen appearance on 8 June 1992 and he remained until his departure on 9 March 1995.-Casting:...
(Dan Falzon
Dan Falzon
Dan Falzon is an Australian actor of Maltese descent, best known for his role as Rick Alessi on the television soap opera Neighbours. He also appeared in the Channel Nine drama The Alice, as a park ranger. He also formed the short lived pop group Milk with his brother, releasing the single...
). Cheryl later discovers she is pregnant and worries about the complications of being an older mother. Lou proposes and Cheryl accepts, however they both agree to continue cohabiting. While arguing with Michael's stepmother, Julie (Julie Mullins) about Michael and Danni's relationship, Cheryl is knocked down when Julie accidentally reverses her car into her, putting the baby in danger. Fortunately, Cheryl and the baby are soon out of danger.
Cheryl is allowed out of hospital for a day visit and comes face to face with Marlene (who had purchased Number 24 from Madge Bishop
Madge Bishop
Margaret Mary "Madge" Bishop is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Anne Charleston. She made her first on-screen appearance on 20 January 1986. Madge was one of the matriarchs of the Ramsay family. She departed in 1992, before making a return in 1996...
(Anne Charleston
Anne Charleston
Anne Charleston is an Australian actress currently based in Galway, Ireland and the UK. She is known for her roles as Madge Bishop in the Australian soap opera Neighbours and Lily Butterfield in Emmerdale.-Early career:...
)) after more than a quarter century. The meeting between the two women is frosty to begin with but Annalise Hartman
Annalise Hartman
Annalise Kratz is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Kimberley Davies. She debuted on-screen in the episode airing on 15 January 1993 and departed in 1996, and a brief return in 2005. Annalise has often been portrayed as having a conniving persona...
(Kimberley Davies
Kimberley Davies
Kimberley Davies is an Australian actress most famous for playing Annalise Hartman on the Australian soap opera Neighbours from 1993 to 1996...
) convinces Cheryl to make up with Marlene, as she never had the chance to make up with her mother, Fiona (Suzanne Dudley) before she died.
Cheryl gives birth to a daughter and decides to call her Shannon but Neighbour Gaby Willis
Gaby Willis
Gabrielle "Gaby" Willis is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Rachel Blakely. She made her first on-screen appearance 12 August 1991. The character departed in 1994. Blakely reprised her role in 2005 for the show's 20th anniversary.-Casting:Blakely was...
(Rachel Blakely
Rachel Blakely
Rachel Blakely is an Australian actress. Her works include films such as Love Until, Young Hercules and Counterstrike, as well as guest appearances on television shows such as Xena: Warrior Princess, State Coroner and Flipper; from 2006 to 2007 she starred as Glenda Fry in the Australian...
) has the same idea to use the name for her newborn son born on the same day.
Both women, however opt to call their children by their middle names, Louise and Zac, respectively.
Louise suffers breathing complications after her birth but is later fine.
When Lou begins acting suspiciously by arriving home late from work and making secret phone calls, Cheryl decides to follow him. One day, she spots him kissing a young Asian woman and later confronts him about it. Lou reveals that the woman is his daughter Ling Mai Chan (Khym Lam). Cheryl struggles to adjust to the new woman in his life and almost ends her relationship with Lou. However, she grows to accept Ling Mai in time.
Cheryl's next biggest challenge is her clash with Brett over his plans to go sailing around the world after finishing Year 12. This culminates in Brett having an affair with one of Cheryl's friends Judy Bergman (Merridy Eastman). Bret later leaves Erinsborough without saying goodbye to Cheryl and she is hurt. Cheryl later flies out to Cairns to say goodbye.
Upon hearing news that Brett has been arrested on suspicion of drug smuggling in Ecuador, Cheryl takes a flight there to bail him. En route to meeting Max Geppert, Brett's travel companion, Cheryl is kidnapped by rebels and held hostage. Lou goes to Ecuador after Cheryl is released and brings her home. When Cheryl returns, she is distant and has adopted a change of image; less jewelry and a shorter hairstyle. When Lou talks to her about her experiences, Cheryl reveals she had an affair with one of her fellow captives. The couple then separate and Lou moves up North to be near Lauren.
After putting Number 22 up for sale, Cheryl and Louise then move in with Marlene and they are joined by Darren (now played by Todd MacDonald
Todd MacDonald
Todd MacDonald is an Australian actor who is best known for his roles on the soap opera Neighbours and the drama series The Secret Life of Us and Rush....
) upon his release from prison. Darren's struggle to remain on the straight and narrow is testing for Cheryl and she is soon feuding with Karl Kennedy
Karl Kennedy
Karl Raymond Kennedy is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Alan Fletcher. The character and his family were created by storyliners in an attempt to bring the show back to its roots. Karl made his first on-screen appearance on 20 September 1994 along with his...
(Alan Fletcher) when Darren begins dating his daughter Libby
Libby Kennedy
Elizabeth Grace "Libby" Kennedy is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Kym Valentine. She made her first on-screen appearance on 3 October 1994 and departed in 2004, before returning on 12 November 2007. Libby is the only daughter of Karl and Susan Kennedy...
(Kym Valentine
Kym Valentine
Kym Valentine is a Maltese Australian actress best known for her portrayal of Libby Kennedy in the soap opera Neighbours.-Early and personal life:...
).
While out walking with Louise, Cheryl spots Karl and stops to talk to him about Darren and Libby's relationship. Louise climbs out of her buggy and wanders into the road. Cheryl pushes Louise out of the way but is hit by an oncoming car. Karl tries desperately to save Cheryl and is urged by Danni, who arrives on the scene, to give Cheryl something to ease her pain. Karl injects Cheryl with morphine but she dies before the ambulance arrives. It is later revealed that the morphine reacted with anti-depressants that Cheryl has been taken but she would have died of her injuries either way.
Five years later, a man named John Allen (Adrian Mulraney) appears after sending Lou a letter claiming that Louise is his daughter from an affair he had with Cheryl. After a DNA test proves that John is Louise's father, The court award custody to him, leaving Lou heartbroken. John, however, grants Lou visitation rights.