Rebecca Nash
Rebecca Jane Nash (née Fisher) is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away. The character was played by actress Jane Hall in 1989, Danielle Carter in 1994, and Belinda Emmett from 1996 to 1999. Megan Connolly temporarily played the character in 1998 while Belinda Emmett received treatment for cancer.
Rebecca Nash | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Belinda Emmett as Rebecca (1997) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Home and Away character | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Portrayed by | Jane Hall (1989) Danielle Carter (1994) Belinda Emmett (1996–1999) Megan Connolly (1998) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Duration | 1989, 1994, 1996–1999 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
First appearance | 3 April 1989 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last appearance | 11 August 1999 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Introduced by | Des Monaghan (1989) Andrew Howie (1994) John Holmes (1996) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Classification | Former; regular | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Profile | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Occupation | Teacher, Foster mother | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Home | Canada | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jane Hall as Rebecca (1989) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Character development
In 1998, Jason Herbison from Inside Soap reported that the show's producers planned on giving the character a "sleek new look". This required Emmett to spend longer in the make-up department as they straightened her naturally curly hair.[1]
Storylines
Rebecca arrives in Summer Bay in to visit her father, Donald Fisher (Norman Coburn) after being invited by Bobby Simpson (Nicolle Dickson). When Rebecca senses Donald and Bobby acting strangely, she feels as if they are talking about her behind her back. Lance Smart (Peter Vroom) and Martin Dibble (Craig Thomson), inadvertently let it slip to Rebecca that Bobby is, Donald's daughter and Bobby's half-sister and cousin as a result of an affair he had with Rebecca's aunt Morag Bellingham (Cornelia Frances). Rebecca reacts badly to this news, running away, causing locals to think she has committed suicide when her bracelet is found on the beach. Lance and Martin look for her in the water but Rebecca is revealed to be alive and well hiding out in a caravan at the Caravan Park where Steven Matheson (Adam Willits) and his family, The Fletchers live. Rebecca then gives Lance and Martin a surprise when she appears in the water where they are searching for her. After Donald explains everything about Bobby and Morag, Rebecca stays in Summer Bay for the school holidays.
Rebecca and Steven begin dating much to the chagrin of Donald who feels that the relationship is a detriment to Rebecca's musical studies. Donald eventually relents and allowed Rebecca to attend a Summer Bay High school dance with Steven before leaving to return to school in the city.
Five years later, Rebecca returns and soon has her eye on local schoolteacher Luke Cunningham (John Adam), who is employed by Donald. Donald tries everything to keep them apart, including giving Luke extra work at School. However, Luke soon breaks up with Rebecca of his own accord and receives a rock through the windscreen for his car for his trouble. Rebecca leaves soon after.
In 1996, Rebecca returns to Summer Bay permanently and is involved in a number of storylines including being stalked by Chloe Richards' (Kristy Wright) rapist Brad Cooper (Bruce Samazan) and losing her hearing after a prank played by Casey Mitchell (Rebecca Croft) goes awry. During this visit, Rebecca learns that Donald is engaged to Marilyn Chambers (Emily Symons), a woman nearly 30 years his junior. Rebecca is against the marriage but after a confrontation with Marilyn she accepts her and attends the wedding.
Rebecca briefly dates Steven again, before falling hard for her good friend Travis Nash (Nic Testoni), whose girlfriend Kelly Watson (Katrina Hobbs) left him and Summer Bay for the city. At the end of 1997, Rebecca and Travis marry in an intimate ceremony on the beach with Donald present as the celebrant.
In early 1998, Rebecca and Travis take over the tenancy on Summer Bay House and the Caravan Park when Pippa Ross (Debra Lawrance) moves to the Carrington Ranges with her fiance Ian Routledge (Patrick Dickson). They also take on the care of Pippa's remaining foster children Sam Marshall (Ryan Clark), Teigan Brook (Sally Marrett) and Justine Welles (Bree Desborough). Sam finds it hard to cope with Travis and Rebecca as his new foster parents and ends up living with Donald. Pippa's adoptive daughter, Sally Fletcher (Kate Ritchie) feels herself being squeezed out of her former home by the Nashes, luckily a solution is reached when she rents Travis' old place. The following year, Rebecca and Travis sail away from Summer Bay on a tall ship and set up home in Canada. It has since been mentioned in passing by Donald they have had a son, who has not been named.
Actress deaths
Belinda Emmett was forced to leave her role of Rebecca on Home and Away in 1999 after the actress was diagnosed with breast cancer. She would not return to the show, but later took a small role in another Seven Network drama, All Saints. Belinda Emmett died 11 November 2006.[2][3]
Megan Connolly briefly took the role of Rebecca while Emmett received cancer treatment in 1998. Connolly died of a heroin overdose on 6 September 2001.[4]
Reception
Emmett's portrayal of Rebecca earned her a nomination for the "Best New Talent" Logie Award in 1997.[5] She was also nominated for "Most Popular Actress" in 1998 and 1999.[6][7] Emmett was also nominated for a Gold Logie in 1999.[7] Emmett and her co-star Nic Testoni won "Best Couple" at the 1998 Inside Soap Awards[8] and were nominated again in the same category the following year.[9]
[10]
References
- Herbison, Jason (21 March – 3 April 1998). "Inside Oz". Inside Soap. Attic Futura (UK) Ltd (97): 43, 35.
- "Belinda Emmett loses battle with cancer". Ninemsn; AAP. 11 November 2006. Archived from the original on 15 June 2007. Retrieved 11 November 2006.
- Metlikovec, Jane (11 November 2006). "Belinda Emmett brings out stars". Herald Sun. Retrieved 15 November 2006.
- Super Aussie soaps: behind the scenes of Australia's best loved TV shows
- Browne, Rachel (17 May 1997). "A bolt from the Blue". The Sun-Herald. Fairfax Media. p. 32. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
- Browne, Rachel (19 April 1998). "Logies: A watching brief". The Sun-Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
- "The 41st TV Week Logie Awards". TV Week. Ninemsn. Archived from the original on 20 May 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
- "The 1998 Inside Soap Awards". Inside Soap. Hachette Filipacchi (UK) Ltd (109): 3–4. 15–18 September 1998.
- "Home Rule". Inside Soap. Hachette Filipacchi UK: 36. 10 December 1999.
- "Vote in the 1999 Inside Soap Awards". Inside Soap. Hachette Filipacchi UK (134): 34–5. 21 August – 3 September 1999.