Danni Stark
Danielle "Danni" Stark | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Fictional character |
| Years active | 1993–1996, 2005 |
| Known for | Character on the Australian television soap opera Neighbours |
Danielle "Danni" Stark is a character from the Australian television soap opera Neighbours, played by Eliza Szonert. She first appeared on 30 November 1993 and remained a regular until 13 November 1996, making a brief reappearance in 2005 to celebrate the show's twentieth anniversary. Danni is the daughter of Cheryl Stark and lives with diabetes. Her storyline includes a complicated, enduring romance with Malcolm Kennedy.
Creation and casting
Introduced in 1993 as a member of the newly formed Stark family, Danni joined her brother Darren Stark (Todd MacDonald) and mother Cheryl Stark (Caroline Gillmer) on the series. She arrived alongside her brother Brett (Brett Blewitt). Reflecting on her early days, Szonert mentioned that adapting to the role and the filming schedule was initially demanding.
Development
Danni comes to Ramsay Street with Brett after being expelled from boarding school. She is portrayed as a rebellious "tearaway" with a carefree demeanor. Szonert described her character as manipulative, often scheming to achieve her goals. Although Danni's personality differed significantly from Szonert's own, they shared some similar traits at times.
A major aspect of Danni’s storyline centers on her diabetes. When she is seen injecting insulin, rumors circulate accusing her of heroin use. At one point, feeling neglected at boarding school, she feigns drug addiction to gain attention. During a severe flood, Danni's condition becomes life-threatening when she is stranded without food or water, necessitating immediate medical intervention. She also exhibits moodiness and sometimes negatively influences her brother Brett.
Initially, Danni harbors resentment toward her mother Cheryl’s relationship with Lou Carpenter (Tom Oliver), largely due to unresolved grief over her father's death. However, their relationship improves gradually.
In January 1996, it was announced that Szonert would be leaving Neighbours after two and a half years to pursue other acting opportunities. She completed filming in September 1996, managing to shoot her final scene in one take despite its emotional difficulty. Alongside her, Brett Blewitt also exited the show, marking a joint departure for the siblings. On screen, Danni leaves Erinsborough to take up a fashion career in Malaysia, parting ways with boyfriend Luke Handley (Bernard Curry); this farewell was described as emotionally moving. Her last episode aired in November 1996.
Szonert returned briefly in early 2005 for a guest spot during Neighbours' twentieth anniversary special "Friends for Twenty Years", which aired on 27 July.
Storylines
Danni arrives with Brett while Cheryl moves in with them. Initially, Cheryl avoids having her children around, preferring to enjoy the lifestyle afforded by her Lotto win. After Michael Martin witnesses Danni injecting insulin, he spreads rumors accusing her of drug use; she plays along to attract attention. Michael becomes angry when she reveals the truth, but she seduces him nonetheless. The pair begin dating and share an unprotected sexual encounter. Despite Cheryl’s disapproval, Danni continues seeing Michael secretly. She opposes Cheryl’s relationship with Lou Carpenter and refuses to accept her mother’s newfound happiness.
Following her breakup with Michael, Danni dates Malcolm for a year; they move in together as a sign of their commitment. Their relationship ends after twelve months; subsequently, she dates Kingston White (Simon Wilton), Ben Dalziel (Stephen Pease), Steve George (Alex Dimitriades), and Luke Handley (Bernard Curry). Devastated by Cheryl’s death after being hit by a car, Danni emotionally pressures Luke into starting anew with her; combined with Darren’s reckless behavior, this prompts Brett’s departure from Ramsay Street. Later, Danni accepts an overseas job opportunity and leaves alongside Brett. Nearly a decade later, she appears in Annalise Hartman's (Kimberley Davies) documentary chronicling Ramsay Street.
Reception
A writer for BBC Online highlighted Danni's most memorable moment as "Being caught with Michael Martin in Lou and Cheryl's bed." Lorna Cooper from MSN TV described her storylines as typical teenage drama: "Danni went through the usual trials of a Ramsay Street teenage girl (school issues and romantic relationships)." Anthony Cowdy of The Independent referred to Danni as "the nubile enfant terrible of BBC1's Neighbours" and commended her grace following expulsion from school. Rochelle Tubb of The Sun-Herald labeled her as "havoc-creating." An Inside Soap journalist criticized Danni for disregarding advice due to pride.
Regarding Danni’s abrupt transition into fashion design, Letitia Rowlands from The Daily Telegraph cautioned viewers against excessive immersion in Neighbours, suggesting it might create unrealistic expectations about becoming award-winning designers like Danni Stark (Eliza Szonert). In 2014, writers from All About Soap advocated for Danni’s return for the soap’s 30th anniversary, emphasizing her ability to bring glamour back and rekindle sparks with former partner Mal Kennedy. They also dubbed her "our ultimate style crush."
External links
- Danni Stark profile at BBC Online
- Danni Stark listing on IMDb