Susan Kennedy

Susan Kennedy
Other names	Smith, Kinski
Occupation	Fictional character
Known for	Neighbours
Notable work	Neighbours

Susan Kennedy (also known as Smith and Kinski) is a fictional persona from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, brought to life by actress Jackie Woodburne. Introduced to recapture the series' original spirit, Susan made her first appearance on 3 October 1994 alongside her family. As an educator at Erinsborough High, she was deliberately placed to interact with a broad range of characters. Over the years, both her demeanor and look have been adapted to fit various narrative arcs.

Her storylines prominently feature complex relationships—including dating a clergyman, experiencing several marriages and divorces, and becoming a widow—as well as roles as a stepmother and grandmother. Susan has been at the center of significant health-related plots such as retrograde amnesia, multiple sclerosis, and surrogacy, in addition to a major cyberbullying storyline. By October 2007, she had become the longest-serving female character in the history of Neighbours, celebrating thirteen years on-screen. Woodburne’s interpretation has garnered award nominations and favorable reviews from fans and critics alike. Notably, Susan delivers the final monologue in the series finale, which was acclaimed for encapsulating the spirit of Neighbours.

Creation and casting

In 1994, Neighbours writers introduced the Kennedy family—a stable unit of five comprising parents and their three children—who moved into Number 28 Ramsay Street. This was designed to steer the show back to its foundational themes, moving away from prior focuses on outcasts and distant relatives. Alan Fletcher was cast as Karl Kennedy, while Benjamin McNair, Kym Valentine, and Jesse Spencer portrayed their teenage sons Malcolm and Billy, along with daughter Libby. Jackie Woodburne was selected to play Susan Kennedy, the family matriarch. Originally intending to remain for just one year, Woodburne extended her tenure due to her strong connection with the series.

Though actress Ailsa Piper was considered for Susan’s role, she later joined as Ruth Wilkinson. Woodburne recalled that her initial filming day involved moving into No 28 alongside fellow cast members who quickly bonded to establish authentic family dynamics. Susan was given a teaching position at the local high school, while Karl took on the role of community GP, embedding the Kennedys into core neighborhood storylines.

In 1995, Rainey Mayo briefly portrayed a teenage version of Susan during a daydream sequence. By 2009, Woodburne marked fifteen years on Neighbours, reflecting on the role as both familiar and professionally fulfilling.

Characterisation

Upon introduction, Susan was characterized as "staid" yet more open-minded than her husband Karl. Woodburne described Susan as a devoted mother who prioritizes her children and often balances out Karl’s stricter approach. A writer from Holy Soap dubbed her "the mother hen of the street." Network Ten refers to Susan as "the heart and soul of Erinsborough," emphasizing her blend of humor and strength. Her narratives have included dealing with Karl’s unfaithfulness, divorce, losing her second husband shortly after their wedding, betrayal by her nephew, and confessing to having killed her mother. Despite numerous hardships, Susan frequently offers shelter to those in need, making her one of the show's most beloved figures.

In 2004, Susan’s look transformed when she cut her long hair to symbolize a new beginning following her separation from Karl. Woodburne confirmed that Susan would not be growing her hair long again, appreciating the convenience of shorter hair and noting that earlier production preferences favored women with lengthy locks. In April 2012, Susan debuted a chic new hairstyle reflecting her single status.

Woodburne enjoys portraying Susan because of the character’s continual development—shifting seamlessly between comedic moments, drama, and subtle nuances depending on interactions. Her favorite plot involved a love triangle with Karl and Izzy, which allowed exploration of darker aspects of Susan’s character beyond her usual warmth.

Towards late 2009, during Susan’s surrogacy for Libby and Daniel Fitzgerald, her personality took on a more controlling and domineering edge amid conflicts with Daniel. This challenged Woodburne to depict less flattering traits motivated by maternal love. In 2011, she remarked that while playing Susan remains demanding, she values the character’s ability to adapt and endure hardship. She also noted that Karl and Susan have become less naive through their experiences and expressed anticipation for future storylines featuring a lively Kennedy household bustling with noisy children causing chaos.

Marriage to Karl Kennedy

Susan and Karl, who have known each other since childhood, tied the knot in 1978 prior to completing their university studies. Karl's infidelity included an affair with Sarah Beaumont and leaving Susan for Izzy Hoyland. Despite experiencing separations and divorce, the couple eventually reconciled and remarried. Woodburne highlights the love triangle involving Karl, Susan, and Izzy as one of her favorite plots, underscoring the enduring strength of Karl and Susan’s bond. They share a profound connection, appreciate each other's idiosyncrasies, and maintain a "very strong foundation" in their marriage. Holy Soap characterized them as "top contenders for Ramsay Street’s most passionate couple," pointing out their fiery disputes alongside undeniable chemistry. Fletcher finds their more intimate scenes entertaining and engaging for viewers. Their playful relationship has been showcased through three instances of being caught together in the nude. Woodburne believes their appeal stems from their relatable imperfections paired with genuine intentions despite occasional errors.

In May 2011, Susan and Karl's relationship was tested when Susan grew emotionally attached to local builder Jim Dolan during his battle with cancer, which put strain on her marriage. Woodburne praised this storyline for resonating with "empty nesters" adjusting to new life stages after raising children and focusing on careers. She observed Susan’s challenge in redefining her identity beyond family responsibilities. Both Woodburne and Fletcher expressed concern over a possible split but welcomed fresh developments for the characters.

Susan encountered Jim at the hospital after recalling his work renovating Lyn Scully’s home. His terminal cancer diagnosis and absence of family triggered Susan’s protective nature, causing her to neglect parts of her own life, including her marriage. She encouraged Karl to prioritize Jim’s needs instead of dwelling on their marital problems. Initially confused by Susan’s involvement, Karl became increasingly upset as she grew more distant. Their eldest son Malcolm returned to help mediate the tension; he initially sided with Susan but later empathized with Karl’s frustration. After Susan missed Jim’s final moments and blamed Karl, the couple’s conflicts escalated further. Ultimately, Karl and Susan chose to separate following a pivotal holiday that tested their relationship, leaving Malcolm heartbroken; Karl later revealed that he was the one who decided to end the marriage.

Other relationships

After Karl’s affair with Sarah, Susan shared a meal with Martin Chester (Gil Tucker), an ex-boyfriend and former bandmate of Karl from university. Woodburne remarked that Karl trusted Susan and doubted any wrongdoing with Martin, although Susan felt tempted due to feeling neglected in her marriage. In the end, she resolved to preserve her relationship despite Karl’s betrayal. Woodburne and Tucker had previously worked together on Cop Shop.

In 2004, Susan's involvement with Priest Tom Scully (Andrew Larkins) sparked controversy. Critic Andrew Mercado described it as a "pivotal year marked by scandal" after Susan had an affair with Tom, who subsequently left the priesthood for her. Woodburne characterized it as a "very intense romance," yet the relationship ended because both realized they lacked a future together. Tom returned in 2007 as Principal of Erinsborough High School, admitting he still harbored feelings for Susan; however, she had since reunited with Karl.

Early in 2005, Susan became involved with womanizer Bobby Hoyland (Andrew McFarlane), who also had relationships with Janelle Timmins and Lyn Scully. Fergus Shiel of The Age noted that Bobby served as an outlet for these women’s extramarital frustrations before they sought revenge against him. That same year, Susan met widower Alex Kinski (Andrew Clarke) and his children; they began dating, married after Alex received a terminal cancer diagnosis, and he passed away shortly thereafter. Following his death, Susan assumed custody of his children.

In 2008, Susan started working as a journalist at Erinsborough News under Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis). Although adversaries, Susan and Paul share a mutual respect tinged with rivalry. Given Paul’s dubious history and Karl’s mistrust toward him, Susan used her position to provoke Karl deliberately. Woodburne enjoyed exploring this darker facet of Susan through their interactions and expressed interest in further developing this storyline.

Following her separation from Karl in 2012, Susan met yoga instructor Bernard Cabello (Bruce Alexander) during a gym session.

Retrograde amnesia

In 2002, Susan experienced retrograde amnesia following a minor head injury caused by slipping on spilled milk. Upon regaining consciousness, she believed the year was 1972 and thought she was sixteen years old, unaware of the intervening thirty years. While hospitalized, Karl informed her that her parents had passed away, she was actually 45 years old, and he was her spouse. Initially, Susan sought solace from her daughter Libby, mistaking her for her sister Carmel. After learning the truth, Susan was discharged from the hospital.

Susan found it difficult to recognize familiar places, including a Seventies-themed party where students identified her as their principal, which caused her distress. Medical professionals recommended revisiting familiar locations to trigger memory recovery; however, a visit to Ramsay Street failed to yield immediate results. Unhappy with her appearance, Karl convinced her to go to Lyn Scully's salon for a new hairstyle. This visit sparked memories of her high school boyfriend, Craig Benson, prompting Susan to look for him under the belief they were still romantically involved.

This storyline delved into the anxiety associated with suddenly finding oneself unfamiliar in known settings. Susan’s memories eventually returned during a vow renewal ceremony with Karl. Actress Jackie Woodburne revealed that the plot drew inspiration from a real-life case in England involving a woman who lost three decades of memory after an accident and never fully regained it, underscoring the profound emotional effects such amnesia can have on family dynamics.

Multiple sclerosis

In 2007, Susan received a diagnosis of Multiple sclerosis following an initiative by MS Australia aimed at portraying the effects of MS through a character on Neighbours. Although initially disappointed that Susan—an older character—was chosen instead of a younger one, MS Australia endorsed the decision due to her status as a long-standing cast member. The organization collaborated closely with scriptwriters to ensure an authentic depiction of the diagnosis process, symptoms, and treatment. On screen, Susan showed symptoms such as blackouts and numbness before undergoing an MRI scan and receiving confirmation of her condition.

Initially hesitant about Susan developing MS, Woodburne changed her perspective after researching the illness and recognizing the storyline’s significance. She worked alongside writers and the MS Society to craft a credible narrative that earned praise from both audiences and advocacy groups. Jenna Litchfield from the MS Society highlighted that such storylines help increase public awareness and interest in MS. Woodburne described the challenge of portraying both the physical and emotional toll on Susan while emphasizing the character’s resilience despite experiencing relapses.

By April 2012, Susan’s MS symptoms intensified amid personal upheavals—including her separation from Karl—and professional demands after being promoted to editor of the Erinsborough News. Woodburne explained that Susan’s relentless workload contributed to signs of an MS relapse such as trembling hands, dizziness, and blurred vision. Despite Karl’s concerns as both ex-husband and physician, Susan declined his assistance and instead relied on Rhys Lawson (Ben Barber), determined to preserve her autonomy.

Surrogacy

In 2009, Susan volunteered to act as a surrogate mother for her daughter Libby. A disagreement with the hospital board ensued, and Susan became pregnant, which created friction with her son-in-law. After suffering a fall, she unfortunately lost the baby. Woodburne described filming these scenes as particularly challenging. Alan Fletcher acknowledged the storyline’s potentially contentious nature but commended its execution, noting how it sparked debate within both the family and the wider community.

Due to the Neighbours timeslot, the surrogacy storyline had to be moderated to comply with broadcasting restrictions. Woodburne pointed out that airing in the early evening limited how provocatively surrogacy could be depicted. Audience reactions were divided: some praised Susan’s selflessness, while others viewed the plot as implausible considering her age. Executive producer Susan Bower revealed that they received letters from UK viewers who found the storyline quite startling.

Cyber-bullying

Following the unsuccessful surrogacy attempt, Susan enrolled in a media course at Eden Hills University. In June 2010, she began receiving menacing texts and emails warning her to stay away from campus. She was later stalked by an unidentified individual driving a car parked outside her home, which caused considerable distress. The cyberbully’s messages referenced Susan’s personal struggles, leaving her feeling exposed and unsafe even in familiar surroundings. Given Susan’s multiple sclerosis diagnosis, the psychological strain severely affected her well-being. Normally resilient, Susan felt overwhelmed and victimized. When trying to confront the harassment by attending class, she retreated to a bathroom stall after receiving another threat.

Susan eventually uncovered that her tutor, John Bradley (played by Laurence Brewer), was responsible for the intimidation. Having trusted him, his betrayal was deeply upsetting. John was characterized as "seriously unbalanced" and kidnapped Susan when confronted, admitting to sending the threats. He disclosed that in 1995, Susan had given him a negative evaluation that caused him to fail his teaching qualification. Despite his confession, Susan showed compassion but ensured he was taken into custody. Confronting John helped Susan regain control over her anxiety.

Storylines

After suspicions arose regarding Karl’s involvement in a patient’s death, the family relocated to Erinsborough seeking a new beginning. Susan pursued a career in teaching and became active in the local drama group and café scene. She eventually accepted a principal position at Erinsborough High School. During Susan’s absence, Karl shared a kiss with his receptionist Sarah Beaumont, placing strain on their marriage; however, they later reconciled through counselling. Susan and Libby developed friendships with new neighbours Lyn and Stephanie Scully.

Libby experienced a motorbike accident that endangered her pregnancy but ultimately delivered Susan and Karl’s first grandchild, Ben. Susan faced potential job loss after being accused of assaulting a student; however, the charges were dropped. Her nephew Darcy Tyler joined Karl’s medical practice but schemed to sell it; Susan confronted him angrily over his plans. After slipping on spilled milk, Susan suffered retrograde amnesia that erased three decades of memories but she gradually recovered. Following Libby’s husband Drew Kirk’s death, Susan supported her daughter and renewed her vows with Karl as her memory returned.

Karl confessed he no longer loved Susan due to his drinking problem; they separated and divorced amicably but remained friends. Susan dated Tom Scully but ended their relationship amid family objections. She later married Alex Kinski, who passed away shortly after their wedding. Eventually, Susan rekindled her romance with Karl; they remarried on the Thames River. During this period, Karl discovered he had fathered Izzy Hoyland’s child, Holly.

Susan accidentally struck Bridget Parker with her car during a period of ill health, sparking tension between their families; Bridget ultimately recalled that the accident was unavoidable. After being misdiagnosed several times, Susan received an official diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) and took leave from teaching to work as a journalist for the Erinsborough News. Despite Karl’s objections, she offered to act as a surrogate for Libby and Dan; when Paul Robinson publicized this surrogacy arrangement, the family faced community backlash and hospital program cancellation. After blackmailing a board member to resume the pregnancy, Susan miscarried following an argument with Dan.

Throughout MS relapses, Susan pursued media studies while dealing with threats from a tutor she had previously marked poorly. She investigated local crimes including an attack on Paul Robinson and exposed Rebecca as responsible with assistance from Kate Ramsay. Following Ringo Brown’s death, Susan supported grieving residents and befriended Summer Hoyland during Lyn Scully’s departure.

Susan cared for cancer patient Jim Dolan until his passing; this strained her marriage with Karl leading to separation before eventual reconciliation after forgiveness was exchanged. She initiated a book club and navigated complex relationships involving Karl’s daughter Holly and niece Bea Nilsson. As principal at Erinsborough High School, she faced challenges including threats against staff and political conflicts involving Paul Robinson.

She appointed Bradley Fox as deputy editor but grew concerned about his behavior and involvement with Summer Rebecchi. Family tensions increased when sister Carmel visited and flirted with Karl; however, Susan eventually forgave her. Paul sold the Erinsborough News without consulting Susan; Sarah Beaumont managed the sale process complicating matters further.

Initially turning down Karl’s renewed romantic advances, they reunited before Susan resumed her role as principal following Priya Kapoor’s death. She managed Holly's behavioral issues linked to Izzy's abandonment and supported students such as Imogen Willis who was suspected of having an eating disorder. Susan reopened PirateNet radio station and navigated school politics including mayoral elections where Karl ran unsuccessfully.

After Kate Ramsay died, Susan organized a memorial service despite opposition from Paul Robinson. She officiated several weddings and managed family dynamics as Libby returned from overseas work assignments. A tornado trapped her inside Harold's Store where she administered emergency aid to Lou Carpenter; this experience led to post-traumatic stress which she addressed with Nate Kinski's support.

Malcolm encouraged Susan and Karl to move to England for family support; after reflection they decided against relocating. Supporting Nate through PTSD took its toll on Susan who subsequently faced depression requiring professional assistance. She competed in local baking contests against Sheila Canning and invested in community ventures such as the Off Air bar.

Susan declined to officiate Coco Lee's wedding due to allegations against fiancé Alistair Hall but resolved the issue after accusations were dropped. She supported Terese Willis through marital difficulties and opposed council plans threatening Erinsborough High alongside Brad Willis. Following a fire caused by Ben Fitzgerald at school, measures were taken to safeguard the institution.

Susan appointed Finn Kelly as acting principal during health-related absences but later revealed his criminal activities including tampering with her vitamins causing opiate poisoning. Recovering from relapses at a retreat in Thailand proved beneficial though tensions arose over Karl's actions upon their return.

She investigated suspicions surrounding husbands’ appointments only to learn they were legitimate therapy sessions for Karl. When Ben took blame for Yashvi Rebecchi's prank, Susan reluctantly expelled him.

Upon Izzy Hoyland's return, Susan accidentally hit her with her car; Izzy offered funds for hospital expansion and sought another child from Karl who refused. Izzy stole his sperm but left after failed reconciliation attempts leaving Holly with the Kennedys before Holly departed on an exchange program.

During a leadership camp mishap in bushland involving Kirsha Rebecchi, Susan was lost overnight before rescue; Karl suffered a pulmonary embolism searching for them but recovered fully.

Bea Nilsson arrived in Erinsborough; meanwhile, Susan participated in an MS drug trial overseen by Karl that was terminated due to data irregularities involving Finn Kelly who later attacked Elly Conway among others before being subdued after victims pushed him off a cliff including Susan herself.

Susan faced attempted murder charges related to Finn's fall resulting in removal from principal duties though she was eventually cleared legally but replaced temporarily by Jane Harris.

Malcolm returned dating Izzy Hoyland causing familial tension until Izzy's infidelity ended their relationship; she sought forgiveness from the Kennedys which Susan cautiously accepted.

As neighbours sold homes on Ramsay Street many chose to remain while Susan officiated Toadie Rebecchi’s wedding reflecting on her lasting bond with the community alongside Karl through participation in local events chronicled in the Ramsay Street History Book.

Awards and Nominations

Woodburne has garnered numerous award nominations for her portrayal of Susan. In 2005, she was shortlisted for Best Female Performance in a Soap at the Rose d'Or Awards. During the 2007 Inside Soap Awards, Woodburne received nods for Best Actress, Best Couple (alongside Alan Fletcher), and Best Storyline for the wedding of Susan and Karl. The subsequent year brought similar acknowledgments, including nominations for Best Actress, Best Couple, and Best Storyline centered on Susan's multiple sclerosis diagnosis. In 2009, she once again earned a nomination for Best Actress and, together with Fletcher, Valentine, Stasey, and Werkmeister, was nominated in the Best Family category.

Between 2010 and 2012, Woodburne was repeatedly nominated for Best Daytime Star at the Inside Soap Awards, ultimately securing the award in 2015. She also received a nomination in this category in 2018.

At the first Digital Spy Soap Awards, Woodburne was nominated for Most Popular Actress. Along with Fletcher, she was nominated for Best On-Screen Partnership, and their 2007 London storyline contended for Storyline of the Year. The surrogacy plot was shortlisted for Best Baby Drama at the 2010 All About Soap Awards. Additionally, Woodburne has been recognized seven times by the TV Tonight Award for Most Underrated Performer, winning in 2007, 2011, and 2012.

Critical Reception

Susan Kennedy has been commended for her genuine representation of a television educator. TES Connect praised her alongside characters such as Will Schuester from Glee for authentically portraying the challenges faced by teachers. The Times identified Susan’s amnesia storyline as one of Neighbours' most unforgettable arcs, emphasizing its lasting impact over an entire year. This storyline also featured among Susan’s key moments according to Five's Holy Soap and The Scotsman.

In various rankings of Neighbours characters, Susan and Karl consistently appear near the top. Heat magazine included them within their top ten list, while HuffPost ranked them joint second among the 35 best characters, describing Susan as a "respected principal" who exudes "calm authority" and forms part of the show's foundational "dream team." Soap enthusiasts placed Susan third in popularity polls, and the Irish Independent recognized her as an iconic figure symbolizing resilience and wisdom. Yours magazine acknowledged her enduring presence and importance on the series.

Woodburne earned praise for her depiction during Susan’s multiple sclerosis storyline, particularly for realistically conveying fear and anxiety. TV Week named Susan the third-best "Top Aussie TV Mum," highlighting her strength and dedication despite personal hardships like Karl’s betrayals. In 2010, she ranked third in Yahoo!'s "Most Popular TV Mum" survey and seventh in Vouchercodes.co.uk's poll of Britain’s favorite television mothers due to her family commitment. Sky listed Susan among the 25 most memorable Neighbours characters, emphasizing her perseverance through numerous health struggles and family tensions.

Alan Fletcher, portraying Karl, wrote a song titled "I've Got a Crush on Susie K" as a tribute to his on-screen spouse. Critics have observed Susan's character development over time, noting symbolic changes such as a haircut representing personal transformation. Inside Soap compared Susan and Karl to legendary soap couples like Deirdre and Ken Barlow from Coronation Street, forecasting their lasting partnership.

After the conclusion of Neighbours, Digital Spy lauded Woodburne’s performance as Susan as arguably the show’s most cherished character portrayal. Helen Daly from Radio Times described Susan’s final monologue as her "crowning moment," emphasizing her role as the emotional core of Neighbours and praising it as a fitting tribute to both the series' legacy and its UK viewers.

External links

• Susan Kennedy featured on the Official Australian Neighbours website
• Susan Kennedy featured on the Official UK Neighbours website