Hannah Martin
Encyclopedia
Hannah Martin is a fictional character
from the Australian soap opera Neighbours
, played by Rebecca Ritters
. She made her first on-screen appearance on 20 July 1992. Hannah is the only child of Philip
and Julie Martin and the younger sister to Michael
and Debbie
. The Martin family were written out in 1999 and Hannah departed on 21 October 1999. In 2005, Ritters reprised her role for a brief cameo in the show's 20th anniversary episode.
Ritters took a five month break from the show in 1998 and she said she really enjoyed it. She added that she had the chance to go to school every day and have a social life, instead of being tutored on set with her co-stars. In February 1999, Inside Soap
reported that producers were going to give Hannah a makeover to make her appear more mature, before Ritters stepped in front of the cameras again.
In September 1999, Inside Soap
reported that the Martin family had been written out of Neighbours and that they had already filmed their final scenes. In April 2005, Ritters reprised her role as Hannah for Neighbours 20th anniversary episode in July of that year.
(Ben Geurens), this made her determined to move back to the countryside. Hannah didn't like her half-brother, Michael Martin
(Troy Beckwith). He spiked her drink with Jim Robinson
's (Alan Dale
) vodka knocking her unconscious. After Michael tried to kill Julie Martin (Julie Mullins), his plans were rumbled forcing him to flee, when Hannah next saw him she reported him to the police giving him six months in a detention centre. She and her brother never got on together until later years. Hannah nearly died in a burning cottage along with Beth Brennan
(Natalie Imbruglia
). She later fell off a cliff but was saved by Philip Martin
(Ian Rawlings
). After Julie died, Hannah often could not accept her father's later relationships with women. She was devastated when Jen Handley
(Alyce Platt
) left her father.
During her years at school she received unwanted attention from fellow student Robert Dong (Nelson Leongue), Hannah later had ongoing obsession with Billy Kennedy] (Jesse Spencer
), whom she longed for a lengthy period of time. He became wary of her following him around all the time. Heartbroken, Hannah eventually learned to get over him.
From 1998 to 1999 she dated Paul McClain
(Jansen Spencer
), became good friends with Tad Reeves
(Jonathon Dutton
) and John 'Teabag' Teasdale (Nathan Phillips). Teabag led Hannah into believing he liked her, he also began to harass the Bishop family, and vandalise Billy's workshop. Hannah decided to move in with Teabag after her family decided to leave Ramsay Street, she later changed her mind when she found out Teabag's crimes.
She was the last member of the Robinson family to appear on screen, before Paul Robinson's
(Stefan Dennis
) return in 2004. Hannah made a brief cameo in Annalise Hartman
's (Kimberley Davies
) documentary in 2005 where she was revealed to be living in London.
Although Hannah's parents met on-screen in 1985, the character was SORASed in the mid-nineties and celebrated her 15th birthday in 1998.
. The BBC said Hannah's most notable moment was "First noticing that Helen had died."
In 2010, to celebrate Neighbours 25th anniversary British satellite broadcasting company, Sky
, profiled twenty-five characters of which they believed were the most memorable in the series history and Hannah was included in the list. Sky were critical of her storylines making note that her plots were limited, stating "Neighbours isn't exactly great at pre-teen characters – just look at the current nails-down-the-blackboard lot – and Hannah Martin wasn't any different, just longer-lasting. Most plots revolved around one of three scenarios: either Hannah was crying because no-one liked her at school; Hannah was crying because she was fighting with Debbie; or Hannah was crying because dad Phil was out on a date. She was last seen in the 2005 anniversary video living in London, so if you see an Australian crying there, you know what's going on."
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 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 Rebecca Ritters
Rebecca Ritters
Rebecca Ritters is an Australian actress, mostly known for her role as Hannah Martin in the soap opera Neighbours. She first appeared in the show in 1992 when she was eight years old and remained in the show for a further seven years...
. She made her first on-screen appearance on 20 July 1992. Hannah is the only child of Philip
Philip Martin (Neighbours)
Philip Gordon Martin is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Ian Rawlings. Originally played by Christopher Milne during the character's first appearance in 1985, Rawlings took over the role when the character returned to the show in 1992 and...
and Julie Martin and the younger sister to Michael
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...
and 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...
. The Martin family were written out in 1999 and Hannah departed on 21 October 1999. In 2005, Ritters reprised her role for a brief cameo in the show's 20th anniversary episode.
Casting
Ritters joined the cast of Neighbours when she was eight years old. Her school teacher had suggested that she join an agency and she got the part of Hannah within a couple of months, after her first professional audition. Ritters said "It was all a bit unexpected. I never had acting classes, but I did a school play once."Ritters took a five month break from the show in 1998 and she said she really enjoyed it. She added that she had the chance to go to school every day and have a social life, instead of being tutored on set with her co-stars. In February 1999, Inside Soap
Inside Soap
Inside Soap is a weekly UK magazine, released every Tuesday. It covers current and future storylines in soap operas shown in the United Kingdom....
reported that producers were going to give Hannah a makeover to make her appear more mature, before Ritters stepped in front of the cameras again.
In September 1999, Inside Soap
Inside Soap
Inside Soap is a weekly UK magazine, released every Tuesday. It covers current and future storylines in soap operas shown in the United Kingdom....
reported that the Martin family had been written out of Neighbours and that they had already filmed their final scenes. In April 2005, Ritters reprised her role as Hannah for Neighbours 20th anniversary episode in July of that year.
Storylines
Hannah hated living in an urban area when she first arrived on Ramsay Street. One of Hannah's first story lines began when she was nearly kidnapped by a stranger selling lollipops, but was ultimately saved by Toby MangelToby Mangel
Toby Mangel is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Ben Geurens. He made his first on-screen appearance on 10 November 1988. Toby was originally played by Finn Greentree-Keane from 1988 until 1990...
(Ben Geurens), this made her determined to move back to the countryside. Hannah didn't like her half-brother, 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...
(Troy Beckwith). He spiked her drink with Jim Robinson
Jim Robinson (Neighbours)
James "Jim" Robinson is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Alan Dale. He made his first on-screen appearance on 18 March 1985, which was the shows first episode. Jim was the patriarch of the Robinson family. Dale departed the show in 1993 after...
's (Alan Dale
Alan Dale
Alan Hugh Dale is a New Zealand actor. As a child, Dale developed a love of theatre and also became a rugby player. After retiring from the sport he took on a number of professions to support his family, before deciding to become a professional actor at the age of 27. With work limited in New...
) vodka knocking her unconscious. After Michael tried to kill Julie Martin (Julie Mullins), his plans were rumbled forcing him to flee, when Hannah next saw him she reported him to the police giving him six months in a detention centre. She and her brother never got on together until later years. Hannah nearly died in a burning cottage along with Beth Brennan
Beth Brennan
Elizabeth "Beth" Willis is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Natalie Imbruglia. She made her debut on-screen during the episode airing on 6 January 1992. She married Brad Willis in 1993, and the couple left Erinsborough for Perth. Behind the...
(Natalie Imbruglia
Natalie Imbruglia
Natalie Jane Imbruglia is an Australian singer-songwriter, model and actress. In the early 1990s, Imbruglia was known to audiences as Beth Brennan in the popular Australian soap Neighbours. Three years after leaving the programme, Imbruglia launched a singing career with the international hit,...
). She later fell off a cliff but was saved by Philip Martin
Philip Martin (Neighbours)
Philip Gordon Martin is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Ian Rawlings. Originally played by Christopher Milne during the character's first appearance in 1985, Rawlings took over the role when the character returned to the show in 1992 and...
(Ian Rawlings
Ian Rawlings
Ian Rawlings is an Australian actor. He had two long-running roles in Australian soap operas.-Television Work:He started out playing the role of the spiteful and scheming Wayne Hamilton in Sons and Daughters...
). After Julie died, Hannah often could not accept her father's later relationships with women. She was devastated when Jen Handley
Jen Handley
Jen Handley is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Alyce Platt. She made her first on-screen appearance on 14 February 1995. Jen is Luke Handley's sister...
(Alyce Platt
Alyce Platt
Alyce Platt is an Australian actress known for her roles in television soap operas, and as a television presenter.Her acting roles include Amanda Morrell in Sons and Daughters from 1983–1985, a guest role in the short-lived serial Family and Friends in 1990, and the on-going part of Jen Handley in...
) left her father.
During her years at school she received unwanted attention from fellow student Robert Dong (Nelson Leongue), Hannah later had ongoing obsession with Billy Kennedy] (Jesse Spencer
Jesse Spencer
Jesse Gordon Spencer is an Australian actor and musician. He is best known for his current portrayal of Dr. Robert Chase on the medical drama House and for playing Billy Kennedy in the Australian soap-opera Neighbours....
), whom she longed for a lengthy period of time. He became wary of her following him around all the time. Heartbroken, Hannah eventually learned to get over him.
From 1998 to 1999 she dated Paul McClain
Paul McClain
Paul McClain is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Jansen Spencer. Paul made his first appearance on 4 November 1997. Paul departed on 11 December 2001...
(Jansen Spencer
Jansen Spencer
Jansen Spencer is an Australian actor best known for his part in the worldwide Australian Soap, Neighbours. Jansen Spencer played Paul McClain between the years of 1997 to 2001...
), became good friends with Tad Reeves
Tad Reeves
Wayne Terrance "Tadpole" Reeves is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Jonathon Dutton...
(Jonathon Dutton
Jonathon Dutton
Jonathon Dutton is an actor who started his career playing the role of Tad Reeves in the Australian soap opera Neighbours....
) and John 'Teabag' Teasdale (Nathan Phillips). Teabag led Hannah into believing he liked her, he also began to harass the Bishop family, and vandalise Billy's workshop. Hannah decided to move in with Teabag after her family decided to leave Ramsay Street, she later changed her mind when she found out Teabag's crimes.
She was the last member of the Robinson family to appear on screen, before Paul Robinson's
Paul Robinson (Neighbours)
Paul Stewart Robinson is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, a long-running serial drama about social life in the fictional Melbourne suburb of Erinsborough. He is played by Stefan Dennis. Paul debuted in the serial's first episode in 1985 and appeared on a...
(Stefan Dennis
Stefan Dennis
Stefan Dennis is an Australian actor, best known for playing the role of Paul Robinson in the soap opera, Neighbours, from its first episode in March 1985 to the present day...
) return in 2004. Hannah made a brief cameo in 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...
's (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...
) documentary in 2005 where she was revealed to be living in London.
Although Hannah's parents met on-screen in 1985, the character was SORASed in the mid-nineties and celebrated her 15th birthday in 1998.
Reception
For her portrayal of Hannah, Ritters was nominated for "Best Young Actor" at the 1999 Inside Soap AwardsInside Soap Awards
The Inside Soap Awards is a yearly award ceremony run by Inside Soap magazine since 1996. The awards celebrate the British and Australian soap operas and their actors. Until 2007, EastEnders had won the award for "Best Soap" on every occasion...
. The BBC said Hannah's most notable moment was "First noticing that Helen had died."
In 2010, to celebrate Neighbours 25th anniversary British satellite broadcasting company, Sky
British Sky Broadcasting
British Sky Broadcasting Group plc is a satellite broadcasting, broadband and telephony services company headquartered in London, United Kingdom, with operations in the United Kingdom and the Ireland....
, profiled twenty-five characters of which they believed were the most memorable in the series history and Hannah was included in the list. Sky were critical of her storylines making note that her plots were limited, stating "Neighbours isn't exactly great at pre-teen characters – just look at the current nails-down-the-blackboard lot – and Hannah Martin wasn't any different, just longer-lasting. Most plots revolved around one of three scenarios: either Hannah was crying because no-one liked her at school; Hannah was crying because she was fighting with Debbie; or Hannah was crying because dad Phil was out on a date. She was last seen in the 2005 anniversary video living in London, so if you see an Australian crying there, you know what's going on."
External links
- Character profile at the BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...