Steven Matheson
Encyclopedia
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 over three hundred actors to audition for the roles of the serial's foster children. He was a regular cast member from 1988 to 1991 and again between 1995 and 1996. He has continued to make guest appearances in from 1997 until 2008. Steven is characterised in his early years by his quiet and studious persona, he later becomes problematic as he grows older. His main storylines have focused on his early tragedies in which his family die, bullying, his first kiss with Narelle Smart and his on/off relationship with Selina Roberts
. Critics of the serial have favoured his appearance and have subsequently branded him a "heart-throb" because of his good looks. Others have commented that he grew up quickly on-screen and eventually become a problematic character.
Steven's first kiss is with fellow character Narelle Smart (Amanda Newman-Phillips), who is three years older than he is (being seventeen at the time). Of this Willits states: "I'd go for an older woman, if Steven can, I certainly can." Discussing the scenes and Steven's reasons, Willits states: "In the script he had this plan to get Narelle to kiss me, because he has done a survey and he's a pretty hot kisser. It wasn't as though they were in love though." He refers to it as one of Steven's greatest moments during the early years. Newman-Phillips describes the filming of the storyline stating: "Narelle seduces Steven and when it came to the kissing scene we were both very nervous. It was the first for both of us and we just couldn't get the scene right, so we did some extra rehearsing. The kiss only lasted a minute, but in the end it took us a couple of hours to get it perfect for the cameras." Whilst interviewed by TV Week
, Willits stated: "When you consider rehearsals and retakes, we kissed a hell of a lot. It was great. She gave me all the pointers" In another storyline school secretary Joanne Brennan (Kimberley Joseph
) starts up an obsessive campaign to seduce Steven. Steven does not show any interest in return. Joseph said "She goes out of her way to wreck any other romance he has - and ends up stalking him." Joanne continues her "bitchy" campaign until she departs. Steven had a drawn out relationship with his student Selina Roberts
(Tempany Deckert
), their relationship takes many "twists" along the way. Selina leaves Steven on their wedding day. The conclusion to their storyline before Steven's final departure of the nineties, was filmed in Ironbridge, Shropshire. It was the first ever episode to be filmed abroad for the serial.
as the only son of Brett and Martha Matheson. One night in 1987, while Steven was staying over at his friend, Danny's house, he heard sirens belonging to fire engines and discovered that the family home was on fire and Brett and Martha were trapped. The Mathesons had put bars on the windows previously so escape was impossible. Brett and Martha died in the blaze and Steven, with no available extended family, was placed into a temporary care home until Tom Fletcher
(Roger Oakley
) and Pippa Fletcher (Vanessa Downing
) fostered him.
. Early into the Fletchers' arrival Steven manages to win the approval of foster brother Frank Morgan
(Alex Papps
), who has been suspicious of him since his arrival. Steven also manages to befriend local tomboy Bobby Simpson (Nicolle Dickson
), who later joins the family. Steven asks Frank for advice, he believes no one sees him as a grown up and just as a boy, he starts shaving and trying new things to look older. Steven starts feeling an attraction for Narelle Smart (Amanda Newman-Phillips), who is three years older than he is, they later kiss, Steven sees it as a big moment as it's the first time he's kissed a girl. Steven gets his first taste of a real romance when classmate, Sandra Barlow (Catherine McColl-Jones) shows an interest him. Unfortunately, Sandra's abusive father, Sam (Jeff Truman) takes an immediate dislike to Steven and warns him off. Steven and Sandra continue seeing each other secretly until Sam's behavior culminates in him accidentally shooting his wife and Sandra's mother, Kerry dead. Sandra later leaves the area to stay with a foster family in the city. Steven later has several run-ins with P.E. teacher Jeff Samuels (Alex Petersons) whose training regimes do not sit well with Steven, the Fletchers or many other people in Summer Bay. Steven is overjoyed when his uncle Philip Matheson (John Morris), his only living relative arrives in Summer Bay. Philip is later killed in an arson attack on the general store at the hands of Brian "Dodge" Forbes (Kelly Dingwall), who has a grudge against the owner Celia Stewart
(Fiona Spence
). Steven is devastated and begins having nightmares and flashbacks to his parents' deaths in the fire.
Dodge becomes Tom and Pippa's latest foster child, he strikes up a friendship with Steven and winds him up on multiple occasions about not being macho. Dodge enjoys using Steven to do his essays and he later fools Steven into turning on his former geeky friends over a money dispute. Dodge had in fact, being bullying one of them, when they all attack him, Steven decides to attempt to attack the lads. They are shocked and tell him he's a better person than that. Dodge has a grudge against Roo Stewart's (Justine Clark) boyfriend Simon Yates, who he tries to pin the blame on over the arson attack. He manipulates Steven into attacking him on the beach and vowing revenge. Dodge steals a car and crashes it, Steven takes the blame to protect him, but Dodge reveals it was him and vows to change. Just as everyone trusts him again, he drunkenly confesses to setting the fire that killed Phillip, enraged Steven tries to attack him before he is charged with murder. Steven later leaves to go to university.
(Norman Coburn
) surprise. Everyone is delighted to have him back and he settles back into life with family around. When Marilyn Chambers
(Emily Symons
) returns they become better friends and eventually start a relationship, it proves short lived however and they decide it's best to be friends again. Later his student, Selina falls in love with Steven, he tells her they cannot be together because of his job and age difference. However Steven later gives in to his feelings and starts an affair with her, but they later decide to end things. Selina's stalker Jeremy Riggs finds out about her and Steven so tries to black mail them, but he hangs himself in the school toilets and Irene Roberts
(Lynne McGranger
) finds out the truth, she files a complaint which sees Steven sacked from his job and everyone in town is shocked to learn about their affair.
Dodge is released from prison and returns to Summer Bay, wanting revenge on Steven. Dodge hides jelly beans in Steven's house and black mails him by stating he will go to the police and tell them he has illegal drugs in his property. Scared Steven becomes extremely affected by his presence, but is happy to find out they're not drugs. Steven and Kelly Watson (Katrina Hobbs) have an affair behind Travis Nash's
(Nic Testoni
) back, although Kelly later decides it isn't a good idea and ends things. Kelly helps him set Dodge up for theft. Whilst out on a cruise, Dodge jumps overboard and is presumed dead. The police start a murder investigation with Steven as their prime suspect. Dodge later turns up alive and kidnaps Kelly, when Steven tracks them down they start fighting on the edge of a cliff. In the end they both roll over the edge of the cliff, Steven survives but Dodge remained unfound. After alienating himself from most of the Bay's residents and annoying Pippa when he shows no interest in his foster sister Sally Fletcher's
(Kate Ritchie
) abduction, he decides to rethink his place in the town. Sally is found and goes to hospital and waits for Steven. Steven leaves Pippa a note and flees the town, without saying goodbye to his closest family member Sally.
One year later he returns feeling in a better place. He starts to fall for Selina again, delighted they resume their relationship. This time more people approve and they decide to get married. On their wedding day however, Selina seemingly jilts Steven. She is actually being held hostage by cult leader Saul Bennett
(David Ritchie), later she escapes and Steven is relieved to have her back. She shocks him by telling him she no longer wants to marry him after her ordeal. He leaves the bay once more. After another year passes Marilyn and Irene decide to head overseas to, Ironbridge when Selina is severely ill, they arrange for Steven to come and look after her. When he arrives he proposes to Selina, who gladly accepts. They leave the bay together this time. Steven returns in 2000 for Sally's wedding, he reveals that he and Selina still haven't got married. He returns again later and reveals he and Selina have married, he returns again the following year and announces he and Selina broke up and he was with someone new. In 2008 he returns when Sally decides to leave Summer Bay, after Ric Dalby (Mark Furze
) gets in touch with him, he reveals he and Selina got back together. Pippa and Carly also join him, He tells Sally how much she deserves her big send off and they reminisce about the old days when they first moved into the house on the caravan park. After Sally leaves, Steven is not seen on-screen again.
states: "He was orphaned when his parents were killed in a fire and is fast becoming the problem kid on the block." The Birmingham Post
observed Steven's relationship with Selina as a "tale of twists" becoming more "twisted" with time.
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 Channel Seven
Seven Network
The Seven Network is an Australian television network owned by Seven West Media Limited. It dates back to 4 November 1956, when the first stations on the VHF7 frequency were established in Melbourne and Sydney.It is currently the second largest network in the country in terms of population reach...
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 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...
. 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 over three hundred actors to audition for the roles of the serial's foster children. He was a regular cast member from 1988 to 1991 and again between 1995 and 1996. He has continued to make guest appearances in from 1997 until 2008. Steven is characterised in his early years by his quiet and studious persona, he later becomes problematic as he grows older. His main storylines have focused on his early tragedies in which his family die, bullying, his first kiss with Narelle Smart and his on/off relationship with Selina Roberts
Selina Roberts
Selina Roberts is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Tempany Deckert. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 30 March 1994. Deckert was given the role of Selina after her third audition for the show. In 1996, Deckert...
. Critics of the serial have favoured his appearance and have subsequently branded him a "heart-throb" because of his good looks. Others have commented that he grew up quickly on-screen and eventually become a problematic character.
Casting
In 1987 Over three hundred actors auditioned for the roles of the Fletcher's foster children. Eventually sixteen year old Adam Willits was offered the part of Steven, prior to the role Willits had gained a fair amount of experience as a child actor. In 1989 Willits confirmed in the "Home and Away Annual" that he was happy to stay with the serial and watch Steven develop.Character development
In the book "Home and Away Special", Steven is described in his early years as: "Quiet and studious, but with an inventive mind. When he came to the Flectchers, he was disturbed, and was having terrible nightmares about his parents' death." They also add "Steven is liable to become a wonderfully caring and informed person, or a pompous brat." In the "Home and Away Annual" he is described as having the life of any average teenager. Willits describes Steven stating: "A nice guy, not very trendy though". Willits has also stated it's a challenge to play Steven because he is so different to him, so much so he doesn't relate to him, he also brands Steven as "not very outgoing". Whilst interviewed in 1989 Willits commented on Steven stating: "He started off as a bit of a bookworm but as he has grown up he has found distractions more engaging than academia!" Willits described Steven after two years of his development stating: "He's not the trendiest guy in the world, but thankfully as time passes he gets a bit more wayward." In another interview he states: "I love to get out of his character when shooting is finished, and to ruffle up my hair which is all brushed like Steven's."Steven's first kiss is with fellow character Narelle Smart (Amanda Newman-Phillips), who is three years older than he is (being seventeen at the time). Of this Willits states: "I'd go for an older woman, if Steven can, I certainly can." Discussing the scenes and Steven's reasons, Willits states: "In the script he had this plan to get Narelle to kiss me, because he has done a survey and he's a pretty hot kisser. It wasn't as though they were in love though." He refers to it as one of Steven's greatest moments during the early years. Newman-Phillips describes the filming of the storyline stating: "Narelle seduces Steven and when it came to the kissing scene we were both very nervous. It was the first for both of us and we just couldn't get the scene right, so we did some extra rehearsing. The kiss only lasted a minute, but in the end it took us a couple of hours to get it perfect for the cameras." Whilst interviewed by 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...
, Willits stated: "When you consider rehearsals and retakes, we kissed a hell of a lot. It was great. She gave me all the pointers" In another storyline school secretary Joanne Brennan (Kimberley Joseph
Kimberley Joseph
Kimberley Joseph is a Canadian-Australian actress who is based in the United States. Joseph was born in Canada, raised on the Gold Coast in Australia, and educated in Switzerland. After returning to Australia, she began a degree at Bond University but dropped out at the age of 19 when she was cast...
) starts up an obsessive campaign to seduce Steven. Steven does not show any interest in return. Joseph said "She goes out of her way to wreck any other romance he has - and ends up stalking him." Joanne continues her "bitchy" campaign until she departs. Steven had a drawn out relationship with his student Selina Roberts
Selina Roberts
Selina Roberts is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Tempany Deckert. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 30 March 1994. Deckert was given the role of Selina after her third audition for the show. In 1996, Deckert...
(Tempany Deckert
Tempany Deckert
Tempany Deckert is an Australian actress and author. She is best known for her role on popular soap opera Home and Away.-Early life:...
), their relationship takes many "twists" along the way. Selina leaves Steven on their wedding day. The conclusion to their storyline before Steven's final departure of the nineties, was filmed in Ironbridge, Shropshire. It was the first ever episode to be filmed abroad for the serial.
Backstory
Steven was born in 1973 in Hornsby, New South WalesHornsby, New South Wales
* Highest Maximum Temperature: 42 °C* Lowest Maximum Temperature: 4.9 °C* Warmest Month: January* Coolest Month: July* Highest Precipitation: February* Lowest Precipitation: July-Notable residents:...
as the only son of Brett and Martha Matheson. One night in 1987, while Steven was staying over at his friend, Danny's house, he heard sirens belonging to fire engines and discovered that the family home was on fire and Brett and Martha were trapped. The Mathesons had put bars on the windows previously so escape was impossible. Brett and Martha died in the blaze and Steven, with no available extended family, was placed into a temporary care home until Tom Fletcher
Tom Fletcher (Home and Away)
Thomas Edward "Tom" Fletcher is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away, played by actor Roger Oakley from 1988 to 1990 and in 2008, when Tom returned as a ghost in Sally Fletcher's near-death experience following her second stabbing.-Storylines:Tom originally lived in...
(Roger Oakley
Roger Oakley
Roger Oakley is a New-Zealand-born character-actor noted for his performances on Australian television., but more recently active as a Theatre Performer....
) and Pippa Fletcher (Vanessa Downing
Vanessa Downing
Vanessa Downing is an Australian actress. She was educated in Sydney and holds a Masters Degree in English Literature from Sydney University...
) fostered him.
1988-91
Steven first appears on screen in the pilot when he and his foster family sit down to celebrate Tom's 40th birthday. Later, when Tom announces to the family that he is being retrenched, Steven offers to live elsewhere as he feels the Fletchers will be unable to afford looking after him. The family eventually relocate from The city to country town Summer BaySummer Bay
Summer Bay is the fictional town featured in the Australian soap opera, Home and Away. Palm Beach, north of Sydney, is used for the show's exterior scenes in order to depict the Bay. Lane Cove River Tourist Park at Macquarie Park is the current location for filming of scenes involving the Summer...
. Early into the Fletchers' arrival Steven manages to win the approval of foster brother Frank Morgan
Frank Morgan
Frank Morgan was an American actor. He was best known for his portrayal of the title character in the film The Wizard of Oz.-Early life:...
(Alex Papps
Alex Papps
Alex Papps is an Australian actor and television host, who is best known for his role on soap opera Home and Away and as a host of The Factory...
), who has been suspicious of him since his arrival. Steven also manages to befriend local tomboy Bobby Simpson (Nicolle Dickson
Nicolle Dickson
Nicolle Dickson is an Australian actress who played rebellious Bobby Simpson in soap opera Home and Away from 1988 to 1993.-Early years:...
), who later joins the family. Steven asks Frank for advice, he believes no one sees him as a grown up and just as a boy, he starts shaving and trying new things to look older. Steven starts feeling an attraction for Narelle Smart (Amanda Newman-Phillips), who is three years older than he is, they later kiss, Steven sees it as a big moment as it's the first time he's kissed a girl. Steven gets his first taste of a real romance when classmate, Sandra Barlow (Catherine McColl-Jones) shows an interest him. Unfortunately, Sandra's abusive father, Sam (Jeff Truman) takes an immediate dislike to Steven and warns him off. Steven and Sandra continue seeing each other secretly until Sam's behavior culminates in him accidentally shooting his wife and Sandra's mother, Kerry dead. Sandra later leaves the area to stay with a foster family in the city. Steven later has several run-ins with P.E. teacher Jeff Samuels (Alex Petersons) whose training regimes do not sit well with Steven, the Fletchers or many other people in Summer Bay. Steven is overjoyed when his uncle Philip Matheson (John Morris), his only living relative arrives in Summer Bay. Philip is later killed in an arson attack on the general store at the hands of Brian "Dodge" Forbes (Kelly Dingwall), who has a grudge against the owner Celia Stewart
Celia Stewart
Celia Stewart is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away. She was played by Fiona Spence. The character was a regular on the show from 1988 to 1990...
(Fiona Spence
Fiona Spence
Fiona Spence is a British-born stage and television actress. One of the most recognisable Australian television stars during the early 1980s, she is best known for her roles in the Australian television series Prisoner and Home and Away...
). Steven is devastated and begins having nightmares and flashbacks to his parents' deaths in the fire.
Dodge becomes Tom and Pippa's latest foster child, he strikes up a friendship with Steven and winds him up on multiple occasions about not being macho. Dodge enjoys using Steven to do his essays and he later fools Steven into turning on his former geeky friends over a money dispute. Dodge had in fact, being bullying one of them, when they all attack him, Steven decides to attempt to attack the lads. They are shocked and tell him he's a better person than that. Dodge has a grudge against Roo Stewart's (Justine Clark) boyfriend Simon Yates, who he tries to pin the blame on over the arson attack. He manipulates Steven into attacking him on the beach and vowing revenge. Dodge steals a car and crashes it, Steven takes the blame to protect him, but Dodge reveals it was him and vows to change. Just as everyone trusts him again, he drunkenly confesses to setting the fire that killed Phillip, enraged Steven tries to attack him before he is charged with murder. Steven later leaves to go to university.
1995-2008
In 1995 Steven returns and gets a job at Summer Bay High as a teacher, much to Donald Fisher'sDonald 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:...
) surprise. Everyone is delighted to have him back and he settles back into life with family around. When Marilyn Chambers
Marilyn Chambers (Home and Away)
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...
(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...
) returns they become better friends and eventually start a relationship, it proves short lived however and they decide it's best to be friends again. Later his student, Selina falls in love with Steven, he tells her they cannot be together because of his job and age difference. However Steven later gives in to his feelings and starts an affair with her, but they later decide to end things. Selina's stalker Jeremy Riggs finds out about her and Steven so tries to black mail them, but he hangs himself in the school toilets and Irene Roberts
Irene Roberts
Irene Roberts is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Lynne McGranger. She was previously played by actress Jacqui Phillips from 1991 until 1992 when McGranger took over the role. Irene was originally a recurring character, in 1993 McGranger...
(Lynne McGranger
Lynne McGranger
Lynne McGranger is an Australian actress best known for her role as Irene Roberts on soap opera Home and Away. She is the second-longest serving cast member as she joined in 1992 in the show at the moment, taking over from Jacqui Phillips.-Life and career:McGranger was originally a primary school...
) finds out the truth, she files a complaint which sees Steven sacked from his job and everyone in town is shocked to learn about their affair.
Dodge is released from prison and returns to Summer Bay, wanting revenge on Steven. Dodge hides jelly beans in Steven's house and black mails him by stating he will go to the police and tell them he has illegal drugs in his property. Scared Steven becomes extremely affected by his presence, but is happy to find out they're not drugs. Steven and Kelly Watson (Katrina Hobbs) have an affair behind Travis Nash's
Travis Nash
Travis Nash is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away, played by actor Nic Testoni. He made his first on screen appearance on 10 April 1995 and departed on 11 August 1999.-Backstory:...
(Nic Testoni
Nic Testoni
Nicolas John Testoni is an Australian actor and producer most notable for his Logie Award winning role of Travis Nash in Home and Away from 1995 to 1999. Testoni wrote the film Mr. Patterns depicting the life of Geoffrey Bardon, which was released by his production company "Reel World Productions"...
) back, although Kelly later decides it isn't a good idea and ends things. Kelly helps him set Dodge up for theft. Whilst out on a cruise, Dodge jumps overboard and is presumed dead. The police start a murder investigation with Steven as their prime suspect. Dodge later turns up alive and kidnaps Kelly, when Steven tracks them down they start fighting on the edge of a cliff. In the end they both roll over the edge of the cliff, Steven survives but Dodge remained unfound. After alienating himself from most of the Bay's residents and annoying Pippa when he shows no interest in his foster sister Sally Fletcher's
Sally Fletcher
Sally Louise Fletcher is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away, played by Kate Ritchie...
(Kate Ritchie
Kate Ritchie
Katherine "Kate" Ritchie is an Australian actress, best known for her long-running role as Sally Fletcher on the television soap opera Home and Away. She played the character for 20 years from 1988–2008...
) abduction, he decides to rethink his place in the town. Sally is found and goes to hospital and waits for Steven. Steven leaves Pippa a note and flees the town, without saying goodbye to his closest family member Sally.
One year later he returns feeling in a better place. He starts to fall for Selina again, delighted they resume their relationship. This time more people approve and they decide to get married. On their wedding day however, Selina seemingly jilts Steven. She is actually being held hostage by cult leader Saul Bennett
Saul Bennett
Saul Bennett is a fictional character in Australian soap Home and Away. He was portrayed by Australian actor David Ritchie.-Storylines:Saul first appears after Selina Roberts suffers a miscarriage and influences her with his spirituality and convinces her to join his commune...
(David Ritchie), later she escapes and Steven is relieved to have her back. She shocks him by telling him she no longer wants to marry him after her ordeal. He leaves the bay once more. After another year passes Marilyn and Irene decide to head overseas to, Ironbridge when Selina is severely ill, they arrange for Steven to come and look after her. When he arrives he proposes to Selina, who gladly accepts. They leave the bay together this time. Steven returns in 2000 for Sally's wedding, he reveals that he and Selina still haven't got married. He returns again later and reveals he and Selina have married, he returns again the following year and announces he and Selina broke up and he was with someone new. In 2008 he returns when Sally decides to leave Summer Bay, after Ric Dalby (Mark Furze
Mark Furze
Mark Furze is an Australian actor and singer who is best known for his role as Eric "Ric" Dalby on the popular Australian soap opera Home and Away. Mark played the role of Ric from September 2004 to July 2008.-Career:...
) gets in touch with him, he reveals he and Selina got back together. Pippa and Carly also join him, He tells Sally how much she deserves her big send off and they reminisce about the old days when they first moved into the house on the caravan park. After Sally leaves, Steven is not seen on-screen again.
Reception
In his book, Super Aussie Soaps, Andrew Mercado describes the moment Steven decides to marry Selena as a scandal because she was his student. In her book "Soapbox", Hilary Kingsley brands Steven the quietest foster child of Pippa and Tom. James Oram in the book "Home and Away: behind the scenes" comments on Steven's young heart-throb status, stating: "Those who concern themselves with such matters as heart-throbs suggest he is well on his way to joining that select circle. He could be the youngest heart-throb in history, or at least since Romeo caused Juliet's heart to flutter." He also states "Sixteen year old Steven Matheson grows up quickly during the series, both as best man and screen lover." He also added that whilst the serial followed the tradition of many other soaps, through Steven and Frank they portrayed many real issues. Jan Moir writing for the Evening TimesEvening Times
The Evening Times is an evening tabloid newspaper published Monday to Saturday in Glasgow, Scotland.-History:The paper, an evening sister paper of The Herald, was established in 1876. The paper's slogan is "Nobody Knows Glasgow Better"....
states: "He was orphaned when his parents were killed in a fire and is fast becoming the problem kid on the block." 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...
observed Steven's relationship with Selina as a "tale of twists" becoming more "twisted" with time.