Ryan McLachlan
Ryan McLachlan | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Fictional character |
| Known for | Neighbours |
Ryan McLachlan is a character created for the Australian soap Neighbours, brought to life by actor Richard Norton. His first appearance was on 15 February 1990, and he remained on the show until 21 March 1991.
Casting
Following the exit of Craig McLachlan who played Henry Ramsay, the production team aimed to introduce fresh "heart-throb" characters. They cast Adelaide-based actors Richard Norton and Jeremy Angerson in the roles of Ryan and Josh Anderson, respectively. Their casting was publicized in the 6 January 1990 edition of TV Week. Norton characterized Ryan as an athletic, natural individual similar to Craig McLachlan’s previous role, reflecting the producers’ vision. Although aware of potential confusion due to sharing the McLachlan surname, Norton stressed his distinct identity.
Neighbours marked Norton's breakthrough role; his prior experience was limited to radio voice-over work and school plays. At the time of auditioning, he was engaged in a hotel traineeship but quickly gained confidence after several auditions. Norton attributed his casting partly to his physical appearance, emphasizing that both innate talent and looks are essential in acting. At nineteen, he moved to Melbourne for filming and found comfort living with Angerson, his co-star and flatmate.
Development
Ryan serves as the elder sibling to Tiffany McLachlan (Amber Kilpatrick) and displays a strong protective instinct toward her.[1] Anthony Hayward, author of The Who's Who of Soap Operas, portrayed Ryan as "intelligent and skilled in sports including athletics, surfing, and basketball".[1] He also had interests in singing, romantic pursuits, and exploring new adventures, which contributed to his popularity and loyalty.[1] Despite possessing a playful sense of humor, Ryan often found Tiffany’s practical jokes irritating.[1] After being expelled from a private school, he relocated to Erinsborough, telling peers that his expulsion was due to locking a teacher inside a cupboard.[1]
Ryan and Tiffany move to Ramsay Street to live with their aunt, Dorothy Burke (Maggie Dence), which highlighted Dorothy’s challenges in child-rearing while enriching Ryan’s narrative background.[2] Upon completing school, Ryan takes up work as a postman and encounters an older woman, Virginia Wenham (Kristie Grant), who tries to seduce him. Norton described this storyline as part of Ryan’s awkward yet curious transition into adulthood.[3]
Norton stayed with Neighbours for one year before departing to join the competing soap Home and Away.[4] He admitted feeling somewhat intimidated by the established cast and believed he did not fully realize his potential in the role, telling the Reading Post he felt "a bit scared" and hesitant.[5] Ryan’s departure storyline involved enlisting in the army; his final episode aired on 21 March 1991, featuring Dorothy attempting to convince him otherwise.[6][7]
Storylines
After being expelled from a private institution, Ryan arrives in Erinsborough. Although initially reserved, he quickly forms friendships with Nick Page (Mark Stevens), Sharon Davies (Jessica Muschamp), Matt Robinson (Ashley Paske), and Lee Maloney (Maree Ackehurst). Sharon develops feelings for Ryan, but he remains oblivious and instead inquires whether one of her friends is interested in him.
Ryan finds it difficult to accept Dorothy's appointment as principal of Erinsborough High and becomes the target of ridicule. Gemma Ramsay (Beth Buchanan) moves into the home of her aunt Madge (Anne Charleston) and uncle Harold Bishop (Ian Smith), drawing attention from both Matt and Ryan. When Gemma chooses Matt, Ryan feels let down and decides to live with Dorothy after his parents, Russell and Petra (Bernadette Wheatley), depart overseas. He uncovers that his uncle Colin (Robert Alexander) is incarcerated rather than deceased, as Dorothy had previously said. Upon Colin’s release on parole, he and Dorothy try to mend their relationship, but their marriage ultimately dissolves once Colin’s affair with Rosemary Daniels (Joy Chambers) comes to light. Throughout this turmoil, Ryan stands by Dorothy’s side.
Having successfully completed his HSC, Ryan opts to pursue a career as a postman. While on his delivery route, he is tempted by the married Virginia Wenham but escapes before anything transpires when her husband, Bernie (Robert Morgan), nearly discovers them. Bernie identifies Ryan as the individual who previously sold him encyclopedias under duress and warns him to keep away from Virginia. Motivated by Jim Robinson's (Alan Dale) accounts of the Vietnam War, Ryan enlists in the army. His decision surprises both his friends and Dorothy, who eventually endorse his choice as he departs from Erinsborough.
Reception
A contributor to the BBC's Neighbours website noted Ryan's standout moment as "telling his affluent girlfriend to take a hike."
External links
- Character profile at the BBC
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Hayward 1991, p.156.
- ↑ Monroe 1994, p.129-130.
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- ↑ Johnston 2005, p.211.
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