Max Hoyland

Max Hoyland
Occupation	Fictional character
Years active	2002–2007
Known for	Character on the Australian soap opera Neighbours

Max Hoyland is a character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Stephen Lovatt. He first appeared on 22 August 2002 and made his final appearance on 16 February 2007.

Casting

After his departure in 2007, Lovatt was unsure about reprising his role on Neighbours but remained receptive to potential offers, mentioning that characters like Max generally leave the series for good.

Development

According to Network Ten, Max is portrayed as a dependable individual who takes responsibility for his younger sister. He shares characteristics with his mother, Rosie Hoyland (Maggie Millar), as both are determined and idealistic, frequently questioning conventions and authority. Tom Adair of The Age described Max as "the embodiment of decency."

Max’s family, including his mother Rosie and children Boyd Hoyland (Kyal Marsh) and Summer Hoyland (Marisa Siketa), were introduced early in 2002. Max had previously left following the death of his wife due to long QT syndrome. Lovatt explained that Max’s return catches his family off guard. Concerned after Summer is diagnosed with the same heart condition, Max strives to reclaim his role as a father despite initial opposition from Rosie and Boyd, moving into Number 32 Ramsay Street. Lovatt observed that Max attempts to make amends but often overdoes it, which complicates situations.

The producers crafted a romantic plotline involving Max and Stephanie Scully (Carla Bonner). Their relationship encounters difficulties, including misunderstandings related to Steph’s colleague Joanne Blair (Nell Feeney). Ultimately, their relationship dissolves when Max departs to start a new family. Bonner remarked that their marriage was beyond repair due to a breakdown in trust and communication.

Storylines

Max follows his children Boyd and Summer Hoyland to Erinsborough, reconnecting with them and his mother Rosie. He invests in Lou Carpenter's (Tom Oliver) pub, Lou's Place, and later leases Number 32. Max develops a romantic relationship with Steph Scully, whom he eventually marries. After Lou's Place is destroyed by fire at the Lassiter's complex, Max teams up with his sister Izzy Hoyland (Natalie Bassingthwaite) to open the Scarlet bar. Their father Bobby Hoyland (Andrew McFarlane) makes a brief return before leaving again. Max and Steph plan to adopt a baby from Kayla Thomas (Virginia Ryan), but Kayla chooses to raise the child alongside her boyfriend Anthony Johnson (Adam Hunter). On Max’s 40th birthday, Steph reveals she is expecting; she later develops breast cancer but declines treatment to protect their unborn child, creating tension between them. She gives birth to their son Charlie Hoyland (Aaron Aulsebrook-Walker).

During an attempt to rescue Katya Kinski (Dichen Lachman), Max unintentionally kills Cameron Robinson (Hunter), mistaking him for his twin brother Robert Robinson. Cameron’s father Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis) is devastated and nearly shoots Max but is restrained by Lyn Scully (Janet Andrewartha). Paul’s daughter Elle Robinson (Pippa Black) begins manipulating Max—stealing football tickets, forging his signature, and framing him for excessive alcohol at the bar. Max hires a private investigator who is bribed by Elle. Experiencing hallucinations, Max admits himself to hospital and briefly disappears before contacting his family through the Salvation Army, agreeing to move forward.

Max returns for trial concerning Cameron’s death. When Robert testifies, Paul interrupts claiming Robert is unreliable. Max’s lawyer Toadfish Rebecchi (Ryan Moloney) demonstrates Robert’s aggressive tendencies. Max receives an eight-year sentence suspended for five years. Realizing his marriage with Steph cannot continue, Max returns to work on oil rigs near Sale, Victoria. Following Steph’s imprisonment, Max gains full custody of Charlie and relocates to Fiji. Later, he marries Philippa Hoyland (Wendy Bos) off-screen.

Reception

Max gained a notable following among certain audiences. Robin Oliver from The Sydney Morning Herald described the wedding of Max and Steph as "entertaining," while Brian Courtis of The Sunday Age and The Sun-Herald chose their nuptials as the "Highlight of the day." Fergus Sheil, writing for The Age, identified Max as the key figure in an April 2005 installment, emphasizing his attempts to revive a comatose Boyd, although he expressed reservations about the episode's scientific realism.

Conversely, Michael Idato of The Sydney Morning Herald offered a more critical view, remarking on Max's youthful look despite being a father. Nevertheless, in 2015, a contributor to Tvnz.co.nz included Max among the top 30 characters from Neighbours, commending him as a memorable, determined, and devoted paternal figure with a protective demeanor.

External links

• Max Hoyland at the Official AU Neighbours website