Caroline Alessi
Caroline Alessi | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Fictional character |
| Known for | Neighbours |
Caroline Alessi is a character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, brought to life by actress Gillian Blakeney. She made her first appearance on 18 January 1990, appearing alongside her twin sister Christina Alessi, portrayed by Gillian’s real-life twin, Gayle Blakeney. Both actresses returned to their roles in June 2019, with their comeback episodes airing from 6 September.
Development
In 1989, twins Gillian and Gayle Blakeney were cast as siblings Caroline and Christina Alessi after reaching out to the producers at Grundy. They opted for Neighbours over Home and Away in order to remain based in Melbourne, where filming took place. Production commenced seven months following their contract signing. Fascinated by the dynamics of twins, they worked closely with the scriptwriters to ensure a genuine representation. Gillian recalled an occasion when they swapped roles during a scene without being noticed, and how even fellow cast members occasionally mixed them up.
As detailed in Anthony Hayward's The Who's Who of Soap Operas, Caroline and Christina were born to an Australian mother and a father who was a second-generation Australian of Italian heritage. The twins shared a close bond during their upbringing, both possessing a playful sense of humor. Caroline is portrayed as the academically superior sister—confident, socially skilled, outgoing, well-organized, and meticulous. MSN TV characterized her as more career-focused and self-assured than the quieter Christina. Prior to relocating to Erinsborough, Caroline built her career in the hospitality sector, progressing into management roles. She also had a brief romantic involvement with Jim Robinson (Alan Dale) following his separation.
In April 1992, Blakeney departed from Neighbours to prioritize her music ambitions. The producers crafted a storyline involving Caroline’s attraction to Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis), which put Christina’s marriage under strain. This narrative included an intense kiss shared between Caroline and Paul amid marital difficulties. Gillian described Caroline as being strongly drawn to Paul but remaining loyal to her sister. After the kiss, Caroline confessed her feelings but fled to Italy out of remorse. Christina was left bewildered and heartbroken by Caroline’s sudden exit. Although Paul harbored feelings for Caroline, he deceived Christina to preserve their marriage.
Following this arc, Blakeney’s exit was confirmed; she intended to record music with her sister and pursue studies in Paris. She expressed appreciation for her acting tenure on the show and completed filming her final scenes on 3 April 1992. Meanwhile, Gayle remained under contract until July 1992, continuing her portrayal of Christina.
On 1 June 2019, it was revealed that both Blakeney sisters would return for a three-episode arc broadcast in September. They completed filming within one week before departing back to Los Angeles on 7 June. Gillian remarked that returning felt natural despite some changes, praising the friendliness of the cast and crew.
Storylines
Caroline and her twin sister Christina arrive in Ramsay Street using the alias "Linda Giles" after witnessing a murder and rent Number 22 from Paul Robinson. Melanie Pearson soon uncovers that "Linda" actually refers to two individuals, prompting the twins to reveal their true identities to Paul. The murderer, Carter, is apprehended, and Caroline takes up employment at Lassiters'. Paul returns to live at Number 22; although both sisters find him attractive, they agree not to pursue him romantically. Caroline begins dating Jim Robinson, Paul's father, who is undergoing separation from his wife. Later she dates medical student Adam Willis but they mutually decide to remain friends.
Following Paul and Christina’s marriage, Caroline feels somewhat excluded but brightens when Rosemary Daniels offers her a position within the Daniels Corporation in New York. While there, Caroline discovers hotelier Donald Henson’s plan for a hostile takeover through merging with Lassiter's aimed at forcing Paul out of business. She informs Paul of this scheme; upon her return he rewards her with a pay increase. Back at work, Caroline clashes with Martin Tyrell after he mistakes her for a receptionist. When Christina goes into labor with Andrew (Paul’s son), Caroline experiences sympathetic contractions. During this period she shares a kiss with Martin and they begin dating; however setbacks arise when Caroline learns Martin remains married. Despite his claims of separation, Shelley Tyrell arrives with their children, leaving Caroline heartbroken as Martin returns to his family.
After becoming stranded together in the bush due to car trouble, Caroline and Paul grow closer but deny any mutual attraction. When Christina evicts Paul from their bedroom, he mistakenly kisses Caroline thinking she is Christina. Overwhelmed by guilt after this incident—and when cousin Marco overhears their conversation—Caroline abruptly leaves for Italy to manage a hotel there. Christina is devastated but ultimately reconciles with Caroline following a confrontation in Milan. Caroline opts to remain overseas managing her own hotel business.
Years later, Caroline attempts to prevent Christina from disrupting Paul and Terese Willis’ wedding. After Paul and Terese flee to Queensland, he encounters Christina at a hotel bar and interprets this as fate. Christina reveals that Paul's ex-wives’ interference was orchestrated by his daughter Elle Robinson. Caroline apologizes on behalf of Christina; both twins reconcile with each other as well as with Paul and Terese. Acting as witnesses at the wedding ceremony, they decide to spend some time together before departing and bid farewell to Paul and Terese.
Reception
Ian Morrison, the writer of Neighbours: The Official Annual 1992, observed that the introduction of the twins "added a touch of glamour to Erinsborough" while also causing "a great deal of confusion." An article in Inside Soap described Caroline as the more intelligent sibling when compared to Christina. According to the official BBC Neighbours website, Caroline’s most memorable incident was "kissing Paul after he had wed her sister."
James Cockington from The Sydney Morning Herald criticized the storyline involving Caroline and Christina exchanging identities to finalize a business agreement, calling it "artificial" and suggesting it was intensified with risqué elements to rival the soap Home and Away. In a Soaplife feature, Caroline and Paul's affair was listed among their "top 10 family entanglements." The Journal highlighted Paul interfering in Caroline’s business affairs as a notable "pick of the day." Tony Pratt of the Daily Mirror questioned why Caroline’s departure involved relocating overseas, whereas most characters were simply "sent away" to Queensland.
The Press and Journal commented that viewers would be keen to watch Caroline decide between two romantic interests, featuring her storyline in their "best of next week" TV highlights. Kate Randall from Heat magazine placed Caroline and Christina within the top ten Neighbours characters, noting that dedicated fans could distinguish between them—unlike Christina’s husband Paul, who was perpetually conflicted between the twins following their arrival.