Matt Hancock (Neighbours)

Matt Hancock
Born	Matthew Hancock
Occupation	Fictional character
Years active	2001–2002, 2005
Known for	Neighbours

Matthew "Matt" Hancock is a fictional figure featured in the Australian soap series Neighbours, portrayed by Stephen Hunt. His debut occurred on 26 March 2001, with his final appearance in the initial run on 9 May 2002. Hunt later reprised this role in 2005 for the program's 20th anniversary special.

Creation and casting

At the start of 2001, Neighbours introduced the Hancock family, consisting of five members, to compensate for the temporary absence of six regular cast members. Matthew "Matt" Hancock was the eldest child and the first to be introduced, arriving soon after Lance Wilkinson exited the show. Stephen Hunt, an actor and former swimmer, was cast as Matt, marking his television acting debut. Encouraged by fellow cast member Daniel McPherson, Hunt moved from Sydney to Melbourne to participate in filming. He described joining Neighbours as an excellent opportunity and a significant learning experience.

The Hancock family was completely written out of the series in 2002. Hunt expressed his dissatisfaction with this decision, feeling that the family displayed strong chemistry on screen and that his character had been portrayed as the "loser of the street." In April 2005, it was announced that Hunt would return to reprise Matt for the show's 20th anniversary episode airing in July.

Development

Matt Hancock was introduced as the oldest sibling at nineteen years old, with a brother named Chris and half-siblings Leo and Emily. He shares a positive relationship with his father, Evan, but has a strained connection with his mother, Genevieve. Matt gets along well with his stepmother, Maggie, whom he regards as "a good mate." The BBC described him as assuming a mature role within his family; he is eager to embrace adulthood’s perks but hesitant to accept its duties. Although admitted to an Arts degree at university, Matt postponed his studies for one year. Critics observed that while Matt is intelligent, he struggles academically; his parents were concerned yet proud of his appearance and cleverness. The actor who plays Matt characterized him as smart and talented but also arrogant and occasionally mischievous.

Upon arriving in Ramsay Street, Matt becomes somewhat "obsessed" with Dee Bliss and secures employment at Lou's Place. He frequently attracts female attention but lacks the maturity needed to sustain romantic relationships. He forms a friendship with Felicity Scully and dates Laura Wallace, reacting with surprise when he discovers Laura works as an exotic dancer.

Noticing a resemblance between Hunt and a young Elvis Presley, the writers crafted a storyline where Matt takes up Elvis impersonation to get closer to Felicity. Despite experiencing stage fright, he manages to perform successfully with her encouragement.

Financially irresponsible, Matt borrows money to purchase a sports car but quickly falls into "crippling debt." To raise funds, he participates in illegal drag races against Glen Bushby. During one high-risk race where Leo joins him as a passenger, Matt loses control of the vehicle, resulting in accidents that leave Harold Bishop blind and Glen comatose. Facing possible manslaughter charges alongside mounting legal expenses that strain his family’s finances, Matt temporarily leaves town.

He returns after securing reduced charges through an expensive barrister. To cover legal fees, the Hancock family sells their home and decides to move away. In an emotional reconciliation scene, Matt makes peace with his father. Ultimately fined rather than incarcerated, this ordeal leads to significant personal growth for Matt. The family says their goodbyes before departing from their community.

Storylines

Matt pursues employment as a bartender at Lou's Place. Although Lou Carpenter initially hesitates, he offers Matt a trial period. Subsequently, Matt and his family relocate to Ramsay Street. He attempts to flirt with Dee Bliss but is rejected due to his youth. Matt forms a friendship with Dee’s housemate, Toadfish Rebecchi. He begins dating Laura Wallace, concealing the fact that he still lives with his parents. When Laura discloses her occupation as a stripper, tension arises; Matt reacts by striking an audience member during her performance, which results in Laura being dismissed from her job and their relationship ending.

Laura assists Matt in securing work as an Elvis impersonator, with Felicity Scully portraying Priscilla Presley alongside him. During this time, Matt develops romantic feelings for Felicity. He also gains employment at Moco with Stephanie Scully but is terminated due to unreliability. While helping supervise a Year 12 camping excursion, Matt discovers students drinking alcohol but is persuaded not to report them. After Tad Reeves suffers a scorpion sting, Matt confesses the incident to Susan Kennedy. Later, while stocking the pub cellar, Matt and Felicity become trapped; she clarifies that she regards him purely as a friend.

Matt purchases a car and dedicates considerable time to it. After stalling during a drag race against Glen Bushby and losing, he faces repossession threats over an outstanding $400 debt. He redeems himself by winning a rematch against Stuart Parker, who wagers $500, allowing Matt to settle the debt. Strain develops when Matt overhears Toadie admitting feelings for Maggie. Facing increasing financial pressure, Matt consents to participate in a high-risk drag race against Leo. The event culminates in a collision that injures Harold Bishop, resulting in temporary blindness.

While hospitalized, Matt confesses the accident details to Evan and Maggie and learns he may be charged with reckless driving and potentially manslaughter should Glen succumb to his injuries. Fearing incarceration, he absconds but is eventually located by Leo and later apprehended after Terri Hall tracks him down. Evan and Maggie post bail on his behalf. Glen’s father confronts Matt regarding Glen’s condition; Evan intervenes to defend him, which helps ease the situation.

Matt is fined instead of imprisoned; however, the legal expenses bankrupt his family, compelling them to sell their residence. He offers an apology to Harold, who forgives him. Subsequently, Matt appears in Annalise Hartman’s documentary about Ramsay Street as a businessman, commenting on the area's relaxed atmosphere and reminiscing about Lou's pub as the community's gathering point before it was destroyed by fire.

Reception

In June 2002, Matt secured sixth place in a Newsround poll for favourite Neighbours character with 2.34% of votes cast. A writer from Newsround referred to him as a "heart-throb," while James Joyce of The Newcastle Herald described him as a "pin-up." Reviewing the Hancock family’s introduction, Jackie Brygel from the Herald Sun highlighted that Matt was "hunky (of course)" and suggested he might serve as a replacement for the Robinson family. The BBC emphasized Matt’s significant storyline involving an illegal drag race that caused injuries to Harold, himself, and Leo. In contrast, Tom Adair of The Scotsman criticized the Hancock family as "boring, whinging, plot-clogging, wastes of space" and expressed relief at their departure.

External links

• Character profile at the BBC
• Character profile at Neighbours.com