Cheryl Stark

Cheryl Stark
Occupation	Fictional character
Years active	1993–1996
Known for	Neighbours

Cheryl Stark is a fictional persona from the Australian soap Neighbours, brought to life by Caroline Gillmer. Her first appearance was on 26 July 1993. Due to Gillmer's illness, Colette Mann temporarily portrayed Cheryl for an eight-week period spanning late 1995 to early 1996. Following Gillmer's exit, the character was written off by being killed in September 1996.

Creation and casting

Introduced in 1993, Cheryl served as the matriarch of the newly introduced Stark family, connected to the established character and son Darren Stark (Scott Major). Actress Caroline Gillmer secured the role, with Cheryl moving into Ramsay Street alongside her children: daughter Danni (Eliza Szonert) and son Brett (Brett Blewitt), both newcomers to the cast. Gillmer intended to challenge the typical "mother earth" archetype, portraying Cheryl as a suburban housewife who gains control over her life after winning the lottery, acting as an empowering figure for women.

In 1995, when Gillmer fell ill during pivotal story arcs, producers temporarily recast the role with former Prisoner actress Colette Mann. To maintain audience engagement amid concerns about ratings, compelling storylines were developed. Mann commenced filming soon after her hiring and quickly adapted to embodying Cheryl.

Gillmer departed from the series after receiving a green card for work in the United States and capitalizing on her success from the film Hotel Sorrento. The producers chose to kill off Cheryl—a decision Gillmer welcomed as recognition of the character's significance. Cheryl’s final storyline involved her being fatally struck by a truck while saving her daughter, with local physician Karl Kennedy (Alan Fletcher) unable to save her life. Gillmer described playing Cheryl as "a great character" and stated she would always remember her.

Storylines

When Lou Carpenter (Tom Oliver) forgets his wallet at The Manhattan bar, owner Cheryl pursues him romantically. Although Lou initially resists, he eventually reciprocates her feelings. Cheryl’s eldest son Darren is released from juvenile detention and moves in with her at Number 22 Ramsay Street. Darren convinces Cheryl he has reformed but involves Michael Martin’s sister, Debbie (Marnie Reece-Wilmore), in criminal activities. After Darren’s plan collapses and he is imprisoned again, Cheryl cuts ties with him. Following a breakup with Lou, she embarks on a world cruise.

Cheryl returns accompanied by her children Brett and Danni, who have run away from boarding school. Initially hesitant about having them home, Cheryl eventually agrees to enroll them at Erinsborough High based on Lou’s advice. She and Lou rekindle their relationship discreetly; Brett accepts this while Danni initially resists but later grows fond of Lou.

Cheryl and Lou decide to cohabit; she moves in with Lou, his daughter Lauren (Sarah Vandenberg), and lodger Rick Alessi (Dan Falzon). Upon discovering she is pregnant, Cheryl worries about becoming an older mother. Lou proposes marriage; she accepts but they continue living together without immediate nuptials. During a confrontation with Julie Martin (Julie Mullins) over Michael and Danni’s relationship, Cheryl is accidentally struck by Julie’s car, putting her unborn child at risk.

Briefly discharged from hospital, Cheryl meets her mother Marlene Kratz (Moya O'Sullivan) for the first time in three decades. Their reunion is tense due to past grievances but, encouraged by Annalise Hartman (Kimberley Davies), they reconcile.

Cheryl gives birth to a daughter named Shannon; however, neighbor Gaby Willis (Rachel Blakely) also names her newborn son Shannon. Both families opt to use middle names instead—Louise and Zac respectively. Louise experiences initial breathing difficulties.

Suspicious behavior from Lou leads Cheryl to uncover that he has a daughter, Ling Mai Chan (Khym Lam), which causes strain before eventual acceptance in their relationship.

Cheryl clashes with Brett over his plans to sail around the world after finishing Year 12. Brett’s affair with Cheryl’s friend Judy Bergman (Merridy Eastman) worsens tensions; he abruptly leaves Erinsborough. Later arrested in Ecuador on suspicion of drug trafficking, Cheryl travels there to secure his release but is kidnapped by rebels. Lou rescues her; upon return, Cheryl appears changed and admits to having had an affair during captivity. The couple separates; Lou relocates north near Lauren.

After selling Number 22, Cheryl and Louise move in with Marlene, joined by Darren (now portrayed by Todd MacDonald) following his release from prison. Darren’s efforts to stay on the right path cause friction with Karl Kennedy (Alan Fletcher) when Darren begins dating Karl’s daughter Libby Kennedy (Kym Valentine).

While walking with Louise, Cheryl is hit by a car while retrieving her from traffic. Karl attempts emergency treatment using morphine, but it interacts fatally with her antidepressant medication; she dies before reaching hospital care.

Almost a week later, Lou returns seeking reconciliation after receiving a letter from Cheryl but discovers she has passed away and assumes sole responsibility for raising Louise. Five years later, John Allen (Adrian Mulraney) claims paternity of Louise stemming from an affair with Cheryl; DNA testing confirms this and custody is awarded to John while Lou retains visitation rights.

Reception

A contributor to the BBC's Neighbours site identified Cheryl's most memorable moment as her admission of having an affair with one of the hostages during her kidnapping ordeal. In 1996, Network Ten removed a five-second segment from the episode depicting Cheryl being struck by a truck while attempting to protect her daughter. The following year, the BBC also edited out scenes related to this event. Cheryl was placed twenty-first on the Huffpost list of the "35 greatest Neighbours characters of all time," with journalist Adam Beresford characterizing her as a "strong, passionate woman" and praising her as the "proud owner of the most magnificent barnet to ever grace Erinsborough." He described her demise as a "melancholy conclusion for a character larger than life." In 2005, Inside Soap referred to Cheryl as "the most flamboyantly dressed woman in the Southern Hemisphere."

External links

• Character profile at the BBC