Marco Alessi

Arena played Marco during 1992.[1] He previously played the bit part of Bob Cooper in the serial, after winning a talent-spotting competition. Arena had to audition in front of a casting director and Neighbours cast members.[2][3] A year later, he was offered the role of Marco.[2] Alex Cramb from Inside Soap detailed how as Elspeth Ballantyne had been cast as Cathy Alessi, the head of the show's "hottest new family". She brings her two "hunky" sons Marco and younger brother Rick Alessi (Dan Falzon).[4][5] Marco was the first member of the new Alessi family to arrive in Ramsay Street. He joined his cousins and already established characters Caroline Alessi (Gillian Blakeney) and Christina Robinson (Gayle Blakeney) on-screen. Rick along with mother and father, Cathy and Benito (George Spartels) soon followed.[6] Born to Italian parents, Arena was delighted to portray a character with a similar background to his own. He stated that "it's a real breakthrough and about time, I'm not your usual Aussie surfer type."[6] He was not nervous about joining the cast. But on his first day of filming he became nervous during scenes in the Coffee Shop. But Marco secures a job as a waiter there and Arena told an Inside Soap writer that a majority of his scenes occurred on that particular set.[6]

Marco develops feelings for Beth Brennan (Natalie Imbruglia) following an "instant attraction" and a "stolen kiss".[7] Arena stated that Marco is "obsessed" with Beth even though she does not reciprocate.[6] The kiss leads to nothing but Marco remains confident he can change her mind. Arena explained "he's passionate about everything he does, but he's got an ego and a certain amount of pride that won't allow him to admit to himself that maybe this is a lost cause." Marco then believes that changing his hair and picking the correct attire could make himself more appealing to her. But Arena concluded that Marco is ultimately in for disappointment where Beth is concerned.[6]

Monroe said that Marco's "family ties were tested to the limit" when he learns that Christina's husband Paul (Stefan Dennis), has kissed Caroline.[7] She added Marco "was so upset" by the betrayal and seeing Christina hurt. He threatens to tell the truth but Paul guilts him into silence, reminding him that the truth will hurt more.[8]

Marco and Rick notice Cathy becoming broody around Phoebe Bright (Simone Robertson) and she decides that she wants another child. Her behaviour results in her admitting that she had a daughter and adopted her.[9] Arena told Josephine Monroe from Inside Soap that her confession hurts Marco the most because he always believed himself to be Cathy's oldest child. The Alessi's decide that it is best forget about it, but Marco cannot. Arena explained that "Marco becomes very secretive" and starts searching for his sister. Rick pleads with Marco not to fearing it will destroy the family, but he is stubborn and continues the search. Arena added "Marco's really pissed off that they never told him and he's especially hurt that his mum kept a secret from him because his mum is his best friend." The adoption agency locate her, now living as Lindsay Steiner (Jane Longhurst).[9] She refuses to return contact with Marco. Monroe noted that Marco is "deeply disappointed" because he has expected to have an "instant rapport" with his long lost sister.[10] But Lindsay later begins to follow Marco around. When he discovers her identity he decides to introduce her to Cathy and Benito. Arena billed the scenes as "lots of shouting and slamming of doors" which he enjoyed playing. He credited the scenes as his favourite and working so closely with Ballantyne and Spartels created his best acting work.[9]

Arena decided to leave Neighbours because he was unhappy with his characters first storylines. He filmed his final scenes in October. He told Mark McGowan from TV Week that "I sat down with the producers and the writers and it was decided the storylines weren't going to go on. They are leaving it open for the character to return".[11] "Neighbours: The First 10 Years" author Josephine Monroe detailed how Marco's "Italian hotheadedness" would get him into trouble where money was concerned.[12] Despite not being able to afford designer luxuries Marco would ensure that he purchased them. Monroe added that it was only a matter of time before he found himself in debt. But with a disciplinarian father like Benito he cannot not request money and turns to loan sharks to pay his way. This saw the transition of debt to trouble as Marco is pursued by the "loan shark's heavies" daily.[12] Marco's exit storyline saw him traveling to London with Rick and Debbie Martin (Marnie Reece-Wilmore) to watch Michael Jackson on tour. But Marco decides not to return to Australia to escape the loan sharks.[12][13] Arena later told Heather Gallagher from The Age that "he ran the coffee shop and he was on for an entire year and he was a good guy until they turned him into a gangster."[14] Rick was soon the only remaining Alessi in the show. Falzon admitted he missed working with Arena and the comedy he brought to the role.[15]