Marilyn Chambers (Home and Away)
Encyclopedia
Marilyn Chambers is a fictional character
from the Australian soap opera
Home and Away
, played by Emily Symons
. She made her first on-screen appearance on 12 May 1989. Symons departed in 1992, but she returned in 1995 and stayed for four years. She made a brief return in 2001. Marilyn's storylines have included being married twice, suffering from post-natal depression, losing her son and developing cancer. She has been described as bubbly, ditzy and sweet. In 2010, it was announced that Symons would be returning to Home and Away and Marilyn returned in March.
originally auditioned for the role of Marilyn, but she was cast in the role of Emma Jackson instead. Emily Symons was then cast as Marilyn and she joined Home and Away in 1989, where she remained for four years. She made a return in 1995 and stayed for another four years, before announcing her departure in 1999, so she could move to the England to be with her fiance. She filmed her last scenes towards the end of the year. In 2001, Home and Away came to the United Kingdom to film some special episodes to help celebrate the show's return to British screens. Symons re-joined the cast as Marilyn for the London filming. On her return Symons said "When I left Home and Away two years ago I actually asked for my character Marilyn to be killed off. Now I'm glad they didn't."
called Marilyn "bubbly" and a "Dizzy blonde beautician". Marilyn is known for her bouffant
hairstyle and her "daring" dress sense. Of this Symons said "Marilyn is who she is and doesn't care what anybody thinks. In her mind that's how a lady of her age would dress – she thinks it's absolutely normal and is proud of her style, although Colleen definitely disapproves!" When asked if she would like Marilyn to receive a makeover, Symons said that she does not want to see her character change. She explained that Marilyn would not be Marilyn and a makeover would not be "true to the character."
Symons described the 2010 Marilyn as "still the bubbly, positive, energetic and slightly bonkers '80s chick, but more spiritual". She added that Marilyn has done a lot of soul searching and feels that she now has a reason to come back. She has a new lease on life and she is embracing religions, magic and tribal beliefs. Her "ultra positive outlook" on life and her vegan food annoyed Miles Copeland
(Josh Quong Tart
), but they soon got used to living together. Holy Soap also said that Marilyn has known "severe heartache" after she lost her son to cancer, divorced Donald and is now seriously ill. Yahoo!7
say that she is still "tender" over Byron's death, but she has come to realise that life is for living. Marilyn's best friend, Mitzy Fraser (Helen Dallimore
), is a "kindred soul". She is a psychic, who helped Marilyn deal with her grief over Byron and her recovery from cancer. Dallimore described Marilyn as "sweet, open minded and trusting."
(Norman Coburn
). When Marilyn decides to go back to school as a mature student to get her HSC, she and headmaster Donald grow close and begin a romance to the shock of the local residents. Their marriage was one of Home and Away's most shocking storylines as Donald was twice Marilyn's age. Of this, Symons said "Although the storyline of a girl's affair with a much older man was a controversial one, in the end it went down well with the viewers." Marilyn yearns to have a child and after a miscarriage and years of trying, she undergoes risky surgery in a bid to conceive. Marilyn eventually becomes pregnant, much to her and Donald's delight. Symons had to wear a fatsuit
for the storyline and she told Inside Soap
that it made her sympathetic to real mums-to-be. Marilyn goes into labour two weeks early with Vinnie Patterson
(Ryan Kwanten
) at her side. Symons explained the situation, "All of a sudden Marilyn doubles up in pain and realises that the baby is coming. It's all terribly dramatic it's down to Vinnie to try to get her to the hospital in time." At the hospital, complications develop and put the baby's life in danger, so the doctors decide to put Marilyn under anaesthetic and perform a caesarean. The baby, a boy, is delivered safely, but when he is handed to Marilyn she does not understand why she was not awake for his birth. Marilyn is also upset that Donald missed the birth and Symons said "She's still in shock and a lot of pain - she can't quite believe it's all happened and that this baby is hers." Donald and Marilyn decide to call their new son, Byron-Vincent. The traumatic birth leaves Marilyn in a "shattered state of mind" and she finds it difficult to form an emotional bond with Byron. Symons said that Marilyn discovers that being a mother is hard work and the situation will put pressure on Marilyn and Donald. She added that she was happy that her character had finally achieved her dream of having a child and once the shock wore off, she believed that Marilyn would be a great mother. Months later Byron is diagnosed with a rare form of liver cancer and Marilyn and Donald's marriage begins to fall apart. They make the decision to leave Summer Bay and go to America to find treatment. During the trip, Byron dies, leaving Marilyn devastated. She lets Donald go back to Australia alone. A year later, the former couple reunite in London where they realise that their marriage is over.
In meetings with scriptwriters, Symons made sure that they paid respect to her character's past, particularly the storyline where she lost Byron. Of this Symons said "With Marilyn there is so much history, so giving their son Byron some acknowledgement is important, just as its important to remember she was Mrs Bellingham's cleaner, that she worked in the shop with Alf and her storyline with Lance." The character's return marked the show's effort to lighten up the tone of recent plots and go back to the family-based storylines of the show's original layout. Marilyn returned to screens on 19 March 2010. Marilyn returns to Summer Bay with "a new lease on life" and a wooden ventriloquist's doll called Mr Oddly, which she decides to use for her new fortune telling business. Holy Soap explained that Marilyn has been "forever changed" by Byron's death and her cancer, but she is determined to live life to the full. Not long after her return, Marilyn begins a relationship with the local doctor, Sid Walker
(Robert Mammone
).
(Tessa James
) discovers she is pregnant, the first person she tells is Marilyn. Nicole later decides to give her baby to Marilyn and Sid Walker
(Robert Mammone
). However, becoming a mother is one of Marilyn's dreams and her obsession with this and her controlling behaviour becomes too much for Nicole. Of the situation, Symons said "Marilyn is in Nicole's face every minute. She's doing it out of love, but she doesn't realise she's becoming obsessed with the baby." Nicole is still unsure whether she is making the right choice about her child's future and she snaps at Marilyn. When Nicole begins seeing Angus McCathie (Tim Pocock
), Marilyn is left worried about their agreement and she feels "distanced." Symons explained, "Marilyn is scared of being replaced. She's scared of losing the baby, which could happen because there isn't a legal agreement." Marilyn talks to Roo Stewart
(Georgie Parker
) and she comes to the realisation that she needs to step back from the situation. Symons added that there is "still a long way to go" with the arrangement. Marilyn is then supportive and on hand to help Nicole. Nicole gives birth to a baby boy, George, and she hands him over to Marilyn a couple of days later. George struggles with being parted from his real mother and Nicole tries to stay away, but he needs her. Marilyn then becomes obsessed with Nicole having the power to take her new son back.
Symons later revealed that Nicole struggles to switch off her mothering instinct after giving George away. Nicole comes to visit the baby and Marilyn catches her breastfeeding George, while she is alone with him. Symons called the scenes "volatile." Marilyn has already had reservations about Nicole spending time with the baby and she fears that Nicole is getting too close. Of the breastfeeding moment, Symons said "Marilyn is shocked and offended, and this cuts to the very core of her worries - that she doesn't have the same natural mothering instincts as George's birth mother. Without a doubt, Marilyn thinks Nicole is overstepping the mark. She feels that a boundary has been overstepped and it could put a big strain on their relationship." After the incident, Marilyn asks Nicole to stay away from the baby. Marilyn becomes aware of Nicole's increasing interest in George and the ideas that Angelo Rosetta
(Luke Jacobz
) has been putting into her head. Of this, Holy Soap said "Marilyn's world begins to unravel when she realises that Nicole intends to reclaim George and, after seeking advice from Morag, she's faced with the reality that she doesn't have a legal leg to stand on." Marilyn becomes desperate and tries to discredit Nicole and Angelo as parents, but convincing Sid is hard for her as he has not been 100 percent into the idea of raising George. Marilyn takes George and Symons said "She's emotionally fragile [and] we've seen her break down and then become very resolved about keeping George. What she does next is out of character for her and very irresponsible. It will definitely shock viewers."
(Peter Vroom). When Lance hires a boat to impress her, he takes the wrong one and crashes it into Alf Stewart
's (Ray Meagher
) boat. Marilyn and Lance go missing, but Lance comes back okay and he tells his friends that Marilyn went back to the city. She comes back a few days later and tells Lance that she is going to stay and get a job. Lance thinks they are moving too fast and Marilyn tells him that she going on a date with his housemate, Martin Dibble
(Craig Thompson) instead. Marilyn dumps Lance and moves into a hotel, but Lance wins her back when he gets her a job at The Diner. However, Marilyn begins working for Morag Bellingham
(Cornelia Frances
) instead. Lance introduces Marilyn to his mother, Colleen
(Lyn Collingwood
). When they start to get on too well, Lance becomes scared and breaks up with Marilyn. He then asks her to pretend she broke up with him, so Colleen does not come down hard on him. Colleen then believes that Marilyn broke Lance's heart. Marilyn dates Adam Cameron
(Mat Stevenson
), before meeting and marrying Phil Bryant (Vince Martin). Phil's teenage daughter, Toni (Kathryn Dufty) does not like Marilyn as she is much younger than her father. Marilyn leaves the Bay for three years and on her return, it is revealed that she has separated from Phil. She then opens and works in her own Hair and Beauty Salon. Marilyn becomes friends with Steven Matheson
(Adam Willits
) and they eventually begin a relationship. However, it does not last and they decide to just be friends.
Marilyn decides to go back to school and she meets the Principal, Donald Fisher. They begin a relationship, which shocks the locals as Donald is twice Marilyn's age. They eventually get engaged and marry. Marilyn longs to have a child, but she has a miscarriage and is told that she is sterile. She decides to undergo surgery to conceive and she later becomes pregnant. After visiting Vinnie Patterson
(Ryan Kwanten
) to get an astrology reading, Marilyn goes into labour two weeks early. Vinnie finds her and drives Marilyn to the hospital. Complications develop with the birth and Marilyn is put under anaesthetic, so doctors can perform a cesarean. Marilyn delivers a baby boy, but she is upset that she was not awake for the birth and that Donald missed it. To show her gratitude to Vinnie, Marilyn names the baby, Byron Vincent. Marilyn struggles with post natal depression and she leaves Donald and Byron. When she returns a few months later, she discovers that Donald has hired a nanny and becomes jealous of her. She later recovers and grows to love her son. Months later, Byron is diagnosed with liver cancer and Marilyn's marriage starts to break up. She and Donald find out about a treatment for Byron in America and they leave the bay. During the trip, Byron dies, which leaves Marilyn heartbroken and she lets Donald go back to Australia alone.
A few years later, Donald goes to London for a book launch and thinks he sees Marilyn. She later turns up at his book reading and when she runs from the room, Donald chases after her. Marilyn apologises to him and gets on a train. She calls him the next day and they meet up. Marilyn tells him that she has become a childminder to get over Byron. They talk and decide to end their marriage. Donald later learns that Marilyn has cancer and flies to London to support her.
(Luke Mitchell
) and Nicole Franklin are overwhelmed by Marilyn and her new age ideas at first, but they get used to living with her. Marilyn starts having strange dreams about Miles' imaginary friend, Rabbit, and she later dreams about Byron. She tells Alf about her dreams, but he thinks she is taking them too seriously. She encourages Miles to get help. Marilyn reveals that she is ill and Alf and Miles ask her to help out in the bait shop as a distraction. However, she chooses to use the office space to open a fortune telling business instead. Colleen is not happy about the business and she writes to the Coastal News about it. Marilyn is upset, until Miles brings her first customers, Nicole and Penn Graham (Christian Clark
), along. Marilyn meets Sid Walker at the hospital and she gives him her business card. They go on a date and then begin a relationship.
Marilyn supports Nicole after she breaks up with Penn and Sid's son, Dexter
(Charles Cottier
) develops a crush on her. Marilyn encourages Sid to talk to Dexter about his feelings for her. Marilyn's best friend, Mitzy arrives in town and tells Marilyn that she knows the time, day and month of her death. Sid does not believe Mitzy and Marilyn is not happy that he is not taking it seriously. Mitzy tells Marilyn that she has lung cancer and she later dies from a stroke. Sid asks Marilyn to move in with him and his children. As her end date draws closer, Marilyn decides to give away her possessions and make goodbye DVDs, which makes Sid uncomfortable. On the day of death, Marilyn sees a pram fall into the water and she jumps in to rescue the baby. She starts to drown and Sid finds her and manages to revive her. Nicole tells Marilyn that she is pregnant and Marilyn later offers to adopt the baby. Marilyn comes to the belief that Sid and Roo Stewart fancy each other. Nicole becomes fed up of Marilyn trying to take over and Marilyn realises that she needs to think of Nicole too. She then apologises. Nicole gives birth on the beach and Marilyn meets her and the baby at the hospital. Marilyn takes the baby boy and she and Sid name him George. Marilyn bonds with the baby and she holds a naming ceremony for him. Nicole later decides that she wants George back, devastating Marilyn. Marilyn takes George and decides to go to London, but Roo talks to her and she gives George back to Nicole. Marilyn and Sid's relationship suffers and they break up. Marilyn moves back into Summer Bay House and she decides to become a hairdresser again to raise some money. Marilyn becomes upset when Sid tells her that he is seeing Roo.
. That same year saw Symons named one of the twenty greatest soap stars of the 1990s by All About Soap
. They said "Dizzy, vibrant, gaudy and bizarre, Emily Symons won over our hearts as loveable Marilyn Chambers in Home and Away.
Following Marilyn's abrupt departure in 1999, the show was "bombarded" by fans demanding to know what had happened to her. Holy Soap have said that Marilyn's most memorable moment is "Realising she had fallen in love with school principal Don Fisher and eventually marrying him". On Marilyn's relationship with Donald, Chris Middendorp of The Age
said "While it lasted, it was one of the oddest couplings in television and fun to watch. They were like what would happen if Lawrence Olivier got hitched to a page-three girl." Yahoo!
placed Marilyn and Donald on their "Best-ever soap couples" list and TV Week
named them one of soap's "Odd Couples", saying "Who could forget grumpy old Donald Fisher with kooky young Marilyn Chambers in Home and Away?" The Sunday Mail
simply brand her as "the dizzy wife of stuffy headmaster Donald".
Series producer Cameron Welsh
said that there had been a "positive reaction" from fans to Marilyn's return in 2010. The Daily Telegraph said that the show needs Marilyn, "a sweet-natured good woman", after the scandals of last year. Inside Soap
called Marilyn a legend and said her return to Home and Away was the "best news ever". They added "[Symons] is so amazing in the show, we even prefer her to lovely Romeo's six-pack." The Birmingham Post
stated some viewers felt Home and Away was not the same without the "curly haired Sheila". In February 2011, Marilyn was nominated for "Best Comeback" from the All About Soap Bubble Awards
.
Jaci Stephen writing for the Daily Mail
said Marilyn's return was great news and branded her a "much loved face". She claimed to admire her so much that she branded the "dipsy beautician" as one of the best characters in the history of Home and Away. She agreed with her "dizzy blond" label. After Marilyn prepares to die, Stephen commented "Marilyn's demise is the longest in Summer Bay's history [...] Oh, hurry it along, woman." However she opined that Mity's lie gave Marilyn "a new lease of life". Stephen also said that she has had some "bizarre storylines in her life"; and concluded that asking Alf for clothing advice for her date with Sid was the most bizarre.
Character (arts)
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
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
Home and Away
Home and Away
Home and Away is an Australian soap opera that has been produced in Sydney since July 1987 and is airing on the Seven Network since 17 January 1988. It is the second-longest-running drama and most popular soap opera on Australian television...
, played by Emily Symons
Emily Symons
Emily Symons is an Australian actress.Symons's mother remarried when she was just four years old and Symons did not see her biological, English father again until ten years later. She left school before finishing her exams and launched herself into the acting world...
. She made her first on-screen appearance on 12 May 1989. Symons departed in 1992, but she returned in 1995 and stayed for four years. She made a brief return in 2001. Marilyn's storylines have included being married twice, suffering from post-natal depression, losing her son and developing cancer. She has been described as bubbly, ditzy and sweet. In 2010, it was announced that Symons would be returning to Home and Away and Marilyn returned in March.
Casting
Dannii MinogueDannii Minogue
Danielle Jane "Dannii" Minogue is an Australian singer-songwriter, actress, television personality, radio personality, fashion designer and model...
originally auditioned for the role of Marilyn, but she was cast in the role of Emma Jackson instead. Emily Symons was then cast as Marilyn and she joined Home and Away in 1989, where she remained for four years. She made a return in 1995 and stayed for another four years, before announcing her departure in 1999, so she could move to the England to be with her fiance. She filmed her last scenes towards the end of the year. In 2001, Home and Away came to the United Kingdom to film some special episodes to help celebrate the show's return to British screens. Symons re-joined the cast as Marilyn for the London filming. On her return Symons said "When I left Home and Away two years ago I actually asked for my character Marilyn to be killed off. Now I'm glad they didn't."
Characterisation
Marilyn is described as the "ditzy chick-next-door" who has a heart of gold, but lacked a "bit of common sense". Holy SoapHoly Soap
Holy Soap is a UK television and entertainment website founded in June 2009 by the British television company Channel 5. The website is the official UK home of the Australian soap operas Home and Away and Neighbours, which are broadcast on the channel...
called Marilyn "bubbly" and a "Dizzy blonde beautician". Marilyn is known for her bouffant
Bouffant
A bouffant is a type of hairstyle characterized by hair piled high on the head and hanging down on the sides.-History:The bouffant was a mainstream hairstyle in the mid-to-late 18th century in western Europe. It was thought to be created for Marie Antoinette, as she had relatively thin hair and...
hairstyle and her "daring" dress sense. Of this Symons said "Marilyn is who she is and doesn't care what anybody thinks. In her mind that's how a lady of her age would dress – she thinks it's absolutely normal and is proud of her style, although Colleen definitely disapproves!" When asked if she would like Marilyn to receive a makeover, Symons said that she does not want to see her character change. She explained that Marilyn would not be Marilyn and a makeover would not be "true to the character."
Symons described the 2010 Marilyn as "still the bubbly, positive, energetic and slightly bonkers '80s chick, but more spiritual". She added that Marilyn has done a lot of soul searching and feels that she now has a reason to come back. She has a new lease on life and she is embracing religions, magic and tribal beliefs. Her "ultra positive outlook" on life and her vegan food annoyed Miles Copeland
Miles Copeland (Home and Away)
Miles Copeland is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Josh Quong Tart. He debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 30 November 2007. Ryley Mickle and Jackson Edwards played Miles in flashback sequences, showing him at ages three and...
(Josh Quong Tart
Josh Quong Tart
Josh Quong Tart is an Australian actor who has performed in several television, commercial and film roles.-Biography:...
), but they soon got used to living together. Holy Soap also said that Marilyn has known "severe heartache" after she lost her son to cancer, divorced Donald and is now seriously ill. Yahoo!7
Yahoo!7
Yahoo!7 is a 50-50 partnership between the Seven Network and Yahoo! Inc. in Australia.As part of the Yahoo! Inc. and the Seven Media Group, Yahoo!7 brings together the online assets of Yahoo! Inc. and the television and magazine content of the Seven Network and Pacific Magazines...
say that she is still "tender" over Byron's death, but she has come to realise that life is for living. Marilyn's best friend, Mitzy Fraser (Helen Dallimore
Helen Dallimore
Helen Dallimore is an Australian actress, known for originating the role of Glinda in the West End production of Wicked.-Background:...
), is a "kindred soul". She is a psychic, who helped Marilyn deal with her grief over Byron and her recovery from cancer. Dallimore described Marilyn as "sweet, open minded and trusting."
Relationship with Donald Fisher, pregnancy and Byron
One of Marilyn's most important story arcs saw her begin an unlikey relationship with Donald FisherDonald Fisher (Home and Away)
Donald Fisher is a fictional character in the Australian television soap opera Home and Away played by actor Norman Coburn as a regular character, from the soap's inception in 1988 to 2003. Coburn has since returned for brief appearances in 2004, 2005 and 2007...
(Norman Coburn
Norman Coburn
Norman Coburn is an Australian television character-actor notable for his roles primarily in soap operas,also his has appeared in many theatre roles .-Home and Away:...
). When Marilyn decides to go back to school as a mature student to get her HSC, she and headmaster Donald grow close and begin a romance to the shock of the local residents. Their marriage was one of Home and Away's most shocking storylines as Donald was twice Marilyn's age. Of this, Symons said "Although the storyline of a girl's affair with a much older man was a controversial one, in the end it went down well with the viewers." Marilyn yearns to have a child and after a miscarriage and years of trying, she undergoes risky surgery in a bid to conceive. Marilyn eventually becomes pregnant, much to her and Donald's delight. Symons had to wear a fatsuit
Fatsuit
A fatsuit is a bodysuit-like undergarment used to thicken the appearance of an actress or actor of light to medium build into a heavy-set or obese character, in conjunction with prosthetic makeup. Other spellings include fat suit and fat-suit....
for the storyline and she told 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....
that it made her sympathetic to real mums-to-be. Marilyn goes into labour two weeks early with Vinnie Patterson
Vinnie Patterson
Vincent 'Vinnie' Patterson is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away. He made his first on-screen appearence on 14 July 1997 and departed on 1 March 2002...
(Ryan Kwanten
Ryan Kwanten
Ryan Christian Kwanten is an Australian actor. He played Vinnie Patterson from 1997 to 2002 on the Australian soap-opera Home and Away...
) at her side. Symons explained the situation, "All of a sudden Marilyn doubles up in pain and realises that the baby is coming. It's all terribly dramatic it's down to Vinnie to try to get her to the hospital in time." At the hospital, complications develop and put the baby's life in danger, so the doctors decide to put Marilyn under anaesthetic and perform a caesarean. The baby, a boy, is delivered safely, but when he is handed to Marilyn she does not understand why she was not awake for his birth. Marilyn is also upset that Donald missed the birth and Symons said "She's still in shock and a lot of pain - she can't quite believe it's all happened and that this baby is hers." Donald and Marilyn decide to call their new son, Byron-Vincent. The traumatic birth leaves Marilyn in a "shattered state of mind" and she finds it difficult to form an emotional bond with Byron. Symons said that Marilyn discovers that being a mother is hard work and the situation will put pressure on Marilyn and Donald. She added that she was happy that her character had finally achieved her dream of having a child and once the shock wore off, she believed that Marilyn would be a great mother. Months later Byron is diagnosed with a rare form of liver cancer and Marilyn and Donald's marriage begins to fall apart. They make the decision to leave Summer Bay and go to America to find treatment. During the trip, Byron dies, leaving Marilyn devastated. She lets Donald go back to Australia alone. A year later, the former couple reunite in London where they realise that their marriage is over.
2010 return
In 2010, it was announced that Symons would be returning to Home and Away as a permanent cast member. The producers brought back the character of Marilyn after a meeting in mid 2009, which saw them decide to inject more comedy into the show. A suggestion to create a character just like Marilyn was put forward, but instead they chose to bring back the original character. Symons had returned to Australia in 2008 to care for her mother and the show's producers called her in September 2009, asking her to reprise the role of Marilyn. Of her decision to return, Symons said "I was very happy on the show and it's been a part of my life for so long; to come back to it is like coming back to a family." Symons added that she loves playing the character.In meetings with scriptwriters, Symons made sure that they paid respect to her character's past, particularly the storyline where she lost Byron. Of this Symons said "With Marilyn there is so much history, so giving their son Byron some acknowledgement is important, just as its important to remember she was Mrs Bellingham's cleaner, that she worked in the shop with Alf and her storyline with Lance." The character's return marked the show's effort to lighten up the tone of recent plots and go back to the family-based storylines of the show's original layout. Marilyn returned to screens on 19 March 2010. Marilyn returns to Summer Bay with "a new lease on life" and a wooden ventriloquist's doll called Mr Oddly, which she decides to use for her new fortune telling business. Holy Soap explained that Marilyn has been "forever changed" by Byron's death and her cancer, but she is determined to live life to the full. Not long after her return, Marilyn begins a relationship with the local doctor, Sid Walker
Sid Walker
Doctor Sid Walker is a fictional character from the Australian Seven Network soap opera Home and Away, played by Robert Mammone. He made his first on-screen appearance on 30 July 2009. Sid was originally introduced for a five-week guest stint in 2009...
(Robert Mammone
Robert Mammone
Robert Mammone is an Australian actor who has many television and film credits.-Filmography:* Sons and Daughters * All the Way * Embassy * The Crossing...
).
Adoption
When Nicole FranklinNicole Franklin
Nicole Franklin is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Tessa James. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 18 April 2008. Nicole was introduced by executive producer Cameron Welsh...
(Tessa James
Tessa James
Tessa James is an Australian actress who is best known for the role of Nicole Franklin in the Australian soap opera Home and Away.-Early and personal life:...
) discovers she is pregnant, the first person she tells is Marilyn. Nicole later decides to give her baby to Marilyn and Sid Walker
Sid Walker
Doctor Sid Walker is a fictional character from the Australian Seven Network soap opera Home and Away, played by Robert Mammone. He made his first on-screen appearance on 30 July 2009. Sid was originally introduced for a five-week guest stint in 2009...
(Robert Mammone
Robert Mammone
Robert Mammone is an Australian actor who has many television and film credits.-Filmography:* Sons and Daughters * All the Way * Embassy * The Crossing...
). However, becoming a mother is one of Marilyn's dreams and her obsession with this and her controlling behaviour becomes too much for Nicole. Of the situation, Symons said "Marilyn is in Nicole's face every minute. She's doing it out of love, but she doesn't realise she's becoming obsessed with the baby." Nicole is still unsure whether she is making the right choice about her child's future and she snaps at Marilyn. When Nicole begins seeing Angus McCathie (Tim Pocock
Tim Pocock
Tim Pocock is an Australian actor who may be known best for his role as Scott Summers in X-Men Origins: Wolverine as well as Ethan Karamakov in the ABC television series Dance Academy....
), Marilyn is left worried about their agreement and she feels "distanced." Symons explained, "Marilyn is scared of being replaced. She's scared of losing the baby, which could happen because there isn't a legal agreement." Marilyn talks to Roo Stewart
Roo Stewart
Ruth Martha "Roo" Stewart is a fictional character from the Australian Seven Network soap opera Home and Away, played by Justine Clarke from 1988 to 1989. The character made her first on-screen appearance on 20 January 1988. Clarke quit the role in 1989 and the character was written out...
(Georgie Parker
Georgie Parker
Georgina "Georgie" Parker is an Australian television actress. She grew up in the suburb of St. Ives.-Personal life:...
) and she comes to the realisation that she needs to step back from the situation. Symons added that there is "still a long way to go" with the arrangement. Marilyn is then supportive and on hand to help Nicole. Nicole gives birth to a baby boy, George, and she hands him over to Marilyn a couple of days later. George struggles with being parted from his real mother and Nicole tries to stay away, but he needs her. Marilyn then becomes obsessed with Nicole having the power to take her new son back.
Symons later revealed that Nicole struggles to switch off her mothering instinct after giving George away. Nicole comes to visit the baby and Marilyn catches her breastfeeding George, while she is alone with him. Symons called the scenes "volatile." Marilyn has already had reservations about Nicole spending time with the baby and she fears that Nicole is getting too close. Of the breastfeeding moment, Symons said "Marilyn is shocked and offended, and this cuts to the very core of her worries - that she doesn't have the same natural mothering instincts as George's birth mother. Without a doubt, Marilyn thinks Nicole is overstepping the mark. She feels that a boundary has been overstepped and it could put a big strain on their relationship." After the incident, Marilyn asks Nicole to stay away from the baby. Marilyn becomes aware of Nicole's increasing interest in George and the ideas that Angelo Rosetta
Angelo Rosetta
Angelo Rosetta is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Luke Jacobz. He debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 6 July 2008. He has been central to many notable storylines including shooting dead Jack Holden, his time working as a...
(Luke Jacobz
Luke Jacobz
Luke Jacobz on 14 February 1981, Sydney is an Australian actor and television presenter.-Career:'Jacobz' is a screen name, derived from adding a 'z' to the actor's middle name of Jacob...
) has been putting into her head. Of this, Holy Soap said "Marilyn's world begins to unravel when she realises that Nicole intends to reclaim George and, after seeking advice from Morag, she's faced with the reality that she doesn't have a legal leg to stand on." Marilyn becomes desperate and tries to discredit Nicole and Angelo as parents, but convincing Sid is hard for her as he has not been 100 percent into the idea of raising George. Marilyn takes George and Symons said "She's emotionally fragile [and] we've seen her break down and then become very resolved about keeping George. What she does next is out of character for her and very irresponsible. It will definitely shock viewers."
1989–2001
Marilyn arrives in Summer Bay from Sydney to see her boyfriend, Lance SmartLance Smart
Lance Smart is a fictional character in the Australian soap opera Home and Away. The character, played by actor Peter Vroom from 1988 to 1990, returned to the show at least once every year since from 2000 until 2006....
(Peter Vroom). When Lance hires a boat to impress her, he takes the wrong one and crashes it into Alf Stewart
Alf Stewart
Alfred Douglas "Alf" Stewart is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Ray Meagher. The character debuted on-screen during the serial's pilot episode on 17 January 1988...
's (Ray Meagher
Ray Meagher
Ray Meagher surname pronouned "Marr" , is a veteran Australian character actor. He has appeared regularly in Australian film and television since the mid 1970s, and is notable as the longest continuing performer in an Australian television role, as Alf Stewart on Home and Away, having played the...
) boat. Marilyn and Lance go missing, but Lance comes back okay and he tells his friends that Marilyn went back to the city. She comes back a few days later and tells Lance that she is going to stay and get a job. Lance thinks they are moving too fast and Marilyn tells him that she going on a date with his housemate, Martin Dibble
Martin Dibble
Martin Dibble is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away, portrayed by Craig Thompson. He made his first on-screen appearance on 17 January 1988, the show's pilot episode...
(Craig Thompson) instead. Marilyn dumps Lance and moves into a hotel, but Lance wins her back when he gets her a job at The Diner. However, Marilyn begins working for Morag Bellingham
Morag Bellingham
Morag Bellingham is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Cornelia Frances. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 17 June 1988. She appeared until 1989 and briefly appeared in 1993. She returned yearly from 2001 until 2009 and...
(Cornelia Frances
Cornelia Frances
Cornelia Frances is a British-born actress based in Australia since the early 1970s. Frances is best known for her recurring role as judge Morag Bellingham on Home and Away.-Early life and personal life:...
) instead. Lance introduces Marilyn to his mother, Colleen
Colleen Smart
Colleen Smart is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Lyn Collingwood. The character debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 7 March 1988. She was introduced as a recurring character by producer Alan Bateman. She served as comic relief...
(Lyn Collingwood
Lyn Collingwood
Lyn Collingwood is an Australian actress. Collingwood was cast as Colleen Smart on Home and Away and was recurring character in 1988–1989, and returned in 1997 for one episode and then returned in 1999 as regular character....
). When they start to get on too well, Lance becomes scared and breaks up with Marilyn. He then asks her to pretend she broke up with him, so Colleen does not come down hard on him. Colleen then believes that Marilyn broke Lance's heart. Marilyn dates Adam Cameron
Adam Cameron
Adam Cameron is a fictional character from Australian soap opera Home and Away, played by actor Mat Stevenson. Adam first appeared during the episode airing on 23 June 1989 and departed on 2 March 1994. He returned in July 1999 for a two month guest stint....
(Mat Stevenson
Mat Stevenson
Mat Stevenson is an Australian actor.He is best known for playing Adam Cameron in the television soap opera Home and Away from 1989 to 1994, making a return appearance in 1999. Prior to Home and Away, Stevenson played the part of "Skinner", a treacherous petty criminal whom Todd Landershad...
), before meeting and marrying Phil Bryant (Vince Martin). Phil's teenage daughter, Toni (Kathryn Dufty) does not like Marilyn as she is much younger than her father. Marilyn leaves the Bay for three years and on her return, it is revealed that she has separated from Phil. She then opens and works in her own Hair and Beauty Salon. Marilyn becomes friends with Steven Matheson
Steven Matheson
Steven "Stevo" Matheson is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Adam Willits. Steven was created by Alan Bateman as one of the serial's original characters and he first appeared in the pilot episode. Willits received the role after being one of...
(Adam Willits
Adam Willits
Adam Willits is an Australian actor, best known for being an original cast member of the television soap opera Home and Away as Steven Matheson from 1988 to 1991...
) and they eventually begin a relationship. However, it does not last and they decide to just be friends.
Marilyn decides to go back to school and she meets the Principal, Donald Fisher. They begin a relationship, which shocks the locals as Donald is twice Marilyn's age. They eventually get engaged and marry. Marilyn longs to have a child, but she has a miscarriage and is told that she is sterile. She decides to undergo surgery to conceive and she later becomes pregnant. After visiting Vinnie Patterson
Vinnie Patterson
Vincent 'Vinnie' Patterson is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away. He made his first on-screen appearence on 14 July 1997 and departed on 1 March 2002...
(Ryan Kwanten
Ryan Kwanten
Ryan Christian Kwanten is an Australian actor. He played Vinnie Patterson from 1997 to 2002 on the Australian soap-opera Home and Away...
) to get an astrology reading, Marilyn goes into labour two weeks early. Vinnie finds her and drives Marilyn to the hospital. Complications develop with the birth and Marilyn is put under anaesthetic, so doctors can perform a cesarean. Marilyn delivers a baby boy, but she is upset that she was not awake for the birth and that Donald missed it. To show her gratitude to Vinnie, Marilyn names the baby, Byron Vincent. Marilyn struggles with post natal depression and she leaves Donald and Byron. When she returns a few months later, she discovers that Donald has hired a nanny and becomes jealous of her. She later recovers and grows to love her son. Months later, Byron is diagnosed with liver cancer and Marilyn's marriage starts to break up. She and Donald find out about a treatment for Byron in America and they leave the bay. During the trip, Byron dies, which leaves Marilyn heartbroken and she lets Donald go back to Australia alone.
A few years later, Donald goes to London for a book launch and thinks he sees Marilyn. She later turns up at his book reading and when she runs from the room, Donald chases after her. Marilyn apologises to him and gets on a train. She calls him the next day and they meet up. Marilyn tells him that she has become a childminder to get over Byron. They talk and decide to end their marriage. Donald later learns that Marilyn has cancer and flies to London to support her.
2010—
Marilyn is driving back to the Bay, when she is forced to swerve her car after seeing Justin Jefferies (Matthew Walker) walking along the road covered in blood. Marilyn drives Justin to the hospital and then goes to find Alf at the Surf Club. He is happy to see her and he suggests that she stays at his house as she is almost family. Marilyn tells him that she has returned to the Bay for the foreseeable future. Miles, Romeo SmithRomeo Smith
Todd "Romeo" Smith is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Luke Mitchell. He made his first appearance on 10 September 2009. The character of Romeo is Mitchell's third acting job and he began filming his scenes in May 2009. Romeo is described...
(Luke Mitchell
Luke Mitchell (actor)
-External links:...
) and Nicole Franklin are overwhelmed by Marilyn and her new age ideas at first, but they get used to living with her. Marilyn starts having strange dreams about Miles' imaginary friend, Rabbit, and she later dreams about Byron. She tells Alf about her dreams, but he thinks she is taking them too seriously. She encourages Miles to get help. Marilyn reveals that she is ill and Alf and Miles ask her to help out in the bait shop as a distraction. However, she chooses to use the office space to open a fortune telling business instead. Colleen is not happy about the business and she writes to the Coastal News about it. Marilyn is upset, until Miles brings her first customers, Nicole and Penn Graham (Christian Clark
Christian Clark
Christian Clark is an Australian actor. He appeared in the role of Will Griggs in the Network Ten soap opera Neighbours from 2006 to 2007...
), along. Marilyn meets Sid Walker at the hospital and she gives him her business card. They go on a date and then begin a relationship.
Marilyn supports Nicole after she breaks up with Penn and Sid's son, Dexter
Dexter Walker
Dexter "Dex" Walker is a fictional character from the Australian Seven Network soap opera Home and Away, played by Charles Cottier. He made his first on-screen appearance on 30 July 2009. Dexter was originally played by Tom Green for a five week guest stint in 2009. In 2010, the character returned...
(Charles Cottier
Charles Cottier
Charles Cottier is an Australian actor, known for currently playing the role of Dexter Walker on the Australian soap opera Home and Away.-Early life:...
) develops a crush on her. Marilyn encourages Sid to talk to Dexter about his feelings for her. Marilyn's best friend, Mitzy arrives in town and tells Marilyn that she knows the time, day and month of her death. Sid does not believe Mitzy and Marilyn is not happy that he is not taking it seriously. Mitzy tells Marilyn that she has lung cancer and she later dies from a stroke. Sid asks Marilyn to move in with him and his children. As her end date draws closer, Marilyn decides to give away her possessions and make goodbye DVDs, which makes Sid uncomfortable. On the day of death, Marilyn sees a pram fall into the water and she jumps in to rescue the baby. She starts to drown and Sid finds her and manages to revive her. Nicole tells Marilyn that she is pregnant and Marilyn later offers to adopt the baby. Marilyn comes to the belief that Sid and Roo Stewart fancy each other. Nicole becomes fed up of Marilyn trying to take over and Marilyn realises that she needs to think of Nicole too. She then apologises. Nicole gives birth on the beach and Marilyn meets her and the baby at the hospital. Marilyn takes the baby boy and she and Sid name him George. Marilyn bonds with the baby and she holds a naming ceremony for him. Nicole later decides that she wants George back, devastating Marilyn. Marilyn takes George and decides to go to London, but Roo talks to her and she gives George back to Nicole. Marilyn and Sid's relationship suffers and they break up. Marilyn moves back into Summer Bay House and she decides to become a hairdresser again to raise some money. Marilyn becomes upset when Sid tells her that he is seeing Roo.
Reception
For her portrayal of Marilyn, Symons was nominated for "Best Actress" 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...
. That same year saw Symons named one of the twenty greatest soap stars of the 1990s by All About Soap
All About Soap
All About Soap is a fortnightly UK magazine, released on Tuesday. Storylines of the shows it covers are from soap operas shown in the United Kingdom and from Australia....
. They said "Dizzy, vibrant, gaudy and bizarre, Emily Symons won over our hearts as loveable Marilyn Chambers in Home and Away.
Following Marilyn's abrupt departure in 1999, the show was "bombarded" by fans demanding to know what had happened to her. Holy Soap have said that Marilyn's most memorable moment is "Realising she had fallen in love with school principal Don Fisher and eventually marrying him". On Marilyn's relationship with Donald, Chris Middendorp of The Age
The Age
The Age is a daily broadsheet newspaper, which has been published in Melbourne, Australia since 1854. Owned and published by Fairfax Media, The Age primarily serves Victoria, but is also available for purchase in Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and border regions of South Australia and...
said "While it lasted, it was one of the oddest couplings in television and fun to watch. They were like what would happen if Lawrence Olivier got hitched to a page-three girl." Yahoo!
Yahoo!
Yahoo! Inc. is an American multinational internet corporation headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, United States. The company is perhaps best known for its web portal, search engine , Yahoo! Directory, Yahoo! Mail, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Groups, Yahoo! Answers, advertising, online mapping ,...
placed Marilyn and Donald on their "Best-ever soap couples" list and TV Week
TV Week
TV Week is a weekly television magazine in Australia, first published as a Melbourne-only publication in December 1957 , and bearing a strong affiliation to television station GTV.The publication is still publishing weekly...
named them one of soap's "Odd Couples", saying "Who could forget grumpy old Donald Fisher with kooky young Marilyn Chambers in Home and Away?" The Sunday Mail
Sunday Mail (Scotland)
The Sunday Mail is a Scottish tabloid newspaper published every Sunday. It is the sister paper of the Daily Record and is owned by Trinity Mirror and as such has a left-wing outlook which in turn tends to guide Scottish political debate in that direction.The Sunday Mail is read by over one million...
simply brand her as "the dizzy wife of stuffy headmaster Donald".
Series producer Cameron Welsh
Cameron Welsh
Cameron Welsh is an Australian actor, writer, producer and director, best known for his role as Mitch McColl on Australian soap opera Home and Away from 1999 until 2001. He was nominated for a Logie Award in 2000 for Most Popular New Male Talent...
said that there had been a "positive reaction" from fans to Marilyn's return in 2010. The Daily Telegraph said that the show needs Marilyn, "a sweet-natured good woman", after the scandals of last year. 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....
called Marilyn a legend and said her return to Home and Away was the "best news ever". They added "[Symons] is so amazing in the show, we even prefer her to lovely Romeo's six-pack." The Birmingham Post
Birmingham Post
The Birmingham Post newspaper was originally published under the name Daily Post in Birmingham, England, in 1857 by John Frederick Feeney. It was the largest selling broadsheet in the West Midlands, though it faced little if any competition in this category. It changed to tabloid size in 2008...
stated some viewers felt Home and Away was not the same without the "curly haired Sheila". In February 2011, Marilyn was nominated for "Best Comeback" from the All About Soap Bubble Awards
All About Soap
All About Soap is a fortnightly UK magazine, released on Tuesday. Storylines of the shows it covers are from soap operas shown in the United Kingdom and from Australia....
.
Jaci Stephen writing for the Daily Mail
Daily Mail
The Daily Mail is a British daily middle-market tabloid newspaper owned by the Daily Mail and General Trust. First published in 1896 by Lord Northcliffe, it is the United Kingdom's second biggest-selling daily newspaper after The Sun. Its sister paper The Mail on Sunday was launched in 1982...
said Marilyn's return was great news and branded her a "much loved face". She claimed to admire her so much that she branded the "dipsy beautician" as one of the best characters in the history of Home and Away. She agreed with her "dizzy blond" label. After Marilyn prepares to die, Stephen commented "Marilyn's demise is the longest in Summer Bay's history [...] Oh, hurry it along, woman." However she opined that Mity's lie gave Marilyn "a new lease of life". Stephen also said that she has had some "bizarre storylines in her life"; and concluded that asking Alf for clothing advice for her date with Sid was the most bizarre.
External links
- Character profile at the Official AU Home and Away website
- Character profile at the Official UK Home and Away website