Gemma Ramsay

Gemma Ramsay (also Willis) is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Beth Buchanan. The actress was not sure about a long-term commitment to the serial and initially signed a six-month contract. She made her first appearance during the episode broadcast on 20 June 1990. Gemma was introduced as Madge Bishop's (Anne Charleston) niece. She moves to Erinsborough to live with her aunt, following her mother's death. She is portrayed as intelligent, care free, independent, and someone who will stand up for her friends.

Gemma Ramsay
Neighbours character
Portrayed byBeth Buchanan
Duration1990–1991, 2019
First appearance20 June 1990 (1990-06-20)
Last appearance15 August 2019 (2019-08-15)
Introduced byDon Battye (1990)
Jason Herbison (2019)
ClassificationPast; regular
Profile
Other namesGemma Willis
OccupationStudent
Vet
HomeDarwin

Writers soon established a relationship between Gemma and Matt Robinson (Ashley Paske). Their relationship was problematic following an accident in which Gemma nearly had her leg amputated and the rift with Gemma's father Tom Ramsay (Gary Files), who disapproved of their romance. Gemma's ex-boyfriend Aidan Devlin (Blake Collins) was soon introduced, which ruined her relationship with Matt. They later paired her with Adam Willis (Ian Williams), who later became her husband. Buchanan reprised the role for a brief guest stint in April and August 2019 to facilitate the introduction of her daughter, Roxy Willis (Zima Anderson).

Casting

In March 1990, a Neighbours publicist confirmed that producers were negotiating with Buchanan to join the show.[1] She was apprehensive about committing to the show long-term and was signed to a six-month contract with the possibility of it being extended.[2]

Development

Gemma arrives in Erinsborough to live with Madge Bishop (Anne Charleston) following the death of her mother.[2] Gemma had already spent time living with other relatives around Brisbane before making the move to Erinsborough to concentrate on her studies.[3] Madge has a spare room and does not mind taking her in but Gemma feels like she is getting in the way. After one month on-screen the actress believed her character lacked direction. Buchanan told Caron James from TV Week that "the role of Gemma is pretty much up in the air at the moment, I don't think the writers have decided where they want to go with her yet. In a way, that's good because it gives me a chance to develop the role."[2]

Gemma is characterised as "care free and independent" but is more interested in having a good time rather than studying. But she is intelligent and capable of achieving more than she does. She enjoys playing netball and listening to classical and acid house music.[3] Anthony Hayward wrote in his book "The who's who of soap operas" that Gemma soon settled into the Bishop household and became popular with other residents because of her willingness to stand up for her friends. She was also unafraid to challenge her teachers. Gemma remained unsure about her career aspirations during her time in the series. She thought about nursing, but had an invested interest in environmental science.[3] Gemma's style was bland when she first arrived on-screen. Buchanan told Caroline Westbrook from TV Hits that she was "totally different to Gemma" because she was going to high school and dependent on her aunt and uncle.[4] Buchanan also disliked Gemma's dress sense and style. She explained that she hated "probably just about everything in the beginning. For the first six months it was horrendous, and then for the second they tried to vamp up the show a bit. I think the grey school uniform was probably the ugliest thing."[4]

Following her introduction Gemma briefly dated Ryan McLachlan (Richard Norton).[5] Writers soon devised another relationship storyline between her and Matt Robinson (Ashley Paske).[2][5] The pair were involved in a motorbike crash story in which Gemma nearly had to have her leg amputated.[5] The incident created a rift between Matt and Gemma's father Tom Ramsay (Gary Files), who disapproved of their relationship. In her book The Neighbours Programme Guide, author Josephine Monroe wrote that Tom "took every opportunity to attack Matt for being irresponsible and unsauitable for his beloeved daughter. He couldn't help wishing that Gemma had never split up with her previous boyfriend."[6] Writers created a dilemma for Gemma and introduced her ex-boyfriend Aidan Devlin (Blake Collins) into the show. Their relationship is marred because Gemma is "confused" by his arrival and Matt is unhappy with the situation.[4] Aidan tries to convince Gemma to give their relationship another chance and Gemma realises she still has feelings for him. Matt becomes so jealous that he accuses her of betraying him. Gemma manages to convince Matt that nothing happened between her and Aidan.[6] Writers used the break down of their relationship as part of Matt's exit story. He decides that he cannot trust Gemma and decides to move to Adelaide.[6] Gemma tried to move by having a brief "fling" with Glen Donnelly (Richard Huggett).[5]

Writers created a new relationship storyline alongside medical student Adam Willis (Ian Williams). Di Stanley from TV Extra reported that the character would experience problems with Adam when she discovers he condoned her ex-boyfriend Ryan's drug taking. Stanley revealed that Gemma would pay Adam a "stormy visit" to confront him over the matter.[7] In the lead up to her exit from the series Gemma graduates from high school and becomes a vet. She later receives a job offer in Newcastle and leaves.[5] Adam decides to go to Newcastle to be with Gemma one month later and off-screen they marry and have children.[5] Monroe, who also wrote Neighbours: The First 10 Years stated "like many other Ramsay Street teenagers, Adam and Gemma confounded the odds by making a go of things."[8] Buchanan's departure occurred as part of a revamp of Neighbours following a decline in ratings. Network Ten's executive John Holmes decided to write out eight characters, including Gemma and then introduced new actors.[9] After Buchanan left the series and went to secure work in the United Kingdom. Of her departure from Neighbours, Buchanan told TV Hits' Westbrook that she did not miss being on the show.[4]

Buchanan reprised her role in 2019 to facilitate the introduction of Gemma's daughter, Roxy Willis (Zima Anderson).[10] Gemma returns to ask her sister-in-law, Terese Willis (Rebekah Elmaloglou), to care for "wild child" Roxy and end her disorderly behaviour.[10] Gemma draws on Terese's troubled backstory to persuade her into letting Roxy stay.[10] Buchanan reprised the role a few months later, as Gemma returns to help and advise Roxy, who has been having a difficult time.[11]

Storylines

After the death of her mother, her father struggled to cope and Gemma was sent to stay with relatives in Brisbane, before moving in with her aunt Madge and her husband Harold Bishop (Ian Smith) in Erinsborough. On her arrival, Gemma is reluctant to commit to a relationship, as she has recently broken up with Aidan. She briefly dates Ryan McLachlan before getting together with Matt Robinson. Gemma and Matt are involved in an accident when he takes her for a ride on his new motorbike. They are rushed to hospital and Gemma nearly loses a leg due to the severity of the injury. Gemma forgives Matt, but they break up after Aidan visits, sparking Matt's jealousy. Gemma then has a brief romance with Glen Donnelly, before she falls for student doctor Adam Willis.

After successfully passing her Higher School Certificate, Gemma trains to become a vet and nearly loses her job after protesting against the use of animals in a circus. She then gets a job at a wildlife park, but her confidence is shaken when she is bitten by a monkey. Shortly after, Gemma is offered a job at an animal sanctuary in Newcastle. After saying goodbye to Madge, Harold and Adam, Gemma leaves Ramsay Street. Adam follows her to Newcastle a month later, and they become engaged. They later marry and move to Darwin, near Adam's family.

Gemma returns to Erinsborough to visit her former sister-in-law, Terese Willis. Gemma tells Terese that she and Adam want their daughter Roxy to move to Melbourne. They go to the Waterhole and find Roxy lying on the bar and flirting with Leo Tanaka (Tim Kano). Gemma tells Roxy that she is ruining her life, hanging around with a bad crowd in Darwin and partying all night. Terese offers to look out for Roxy if she decides to move the city, but Gemma asks if Terese can take Roxy in and help her turn her life around. Terese agrees to let Roxy stay for two months, and longer if it works out. Gemma later informs Terese that she and Adam have separated.

Reception

Ruth Deller of television website Lowculture gave Gemma a 2 out of 5 for her contribution to Neighbours, during a feature called "A guide to recognising your Ramsays and Robinsons".[12] Deller said "Tom's second daughter (there's also Moira, who was never in the show) Gemma filled a Charlene-sized gap when she moved in with Madge in the early 90s. She went out with two members of the Robinson clan (Glen and Matt), but eventually left to be with goody-goody Adam Willis".[12] The BBC said Gemma's most notable moment was "Being involved in a motorbike accident with Matt Robinson."[13] Dawn Bebe from BIG! magazine branded Gemma a "plucky" character and said that Buchanan's "soft Aussie accent" made her one of "Neighbours' most popular stars".[14]

References
  1. Brockwell, Jodie (3 March 1990). "Is this the new Kylie?". TV Week. Southdown Press: 2–3.
  2. James, Caron (21 July 1990). "Hey sister!". TV Week. Southdown Press: 3–4.
  3. Hayward 1991, p.158.
  4. Westbrook, Caroline (April 1992). "Matt and Gemma is it over?". TV Hits. (Attic Futura UK) (32): 28–30.
  5. "All About Gemma". Soap World. nextmedia (321): 37. June 2019.
  6. Monroe 1994, p.152.
  7. Stanley, Di (4 November 1990). "Soaps". Sunday Sun: TV Extra. Trinity Mirror: 11.
  8. Monroe 1996, p.55.
  9. Camp, Chrissie (11 May 1991). "The Great Ramsay St Shake-up!". TV Week. No. 45. Southdown Press. pp. 6–7.
  10. Kilkelly, Daniel (22 April 2019). "Neighbours reveals surprise link between Terese Willis and newcomer Vance". Digital Spy. Retrieved 22 April 2019.
  11. Lee, Jess (5 August 2019). "Neighbours lines up another return appearance from Gemma Ramsay for Roxy storyline". Digital Spy. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  12. Deller, Ruth (23 July 2009). "A guide to recognising your Ramsays and Robinsons". Lowculture. Archived from the original on 29 August 2010. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
  13. "Character: Gemma Ramsay". BBC. Archived from the original on 23 December 2003. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  14. Bebe, Dawn (25 September – 8 October 1991). "I'm a bimbo!". BIG!. EMAP (39): 6.
Bibliography
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