Melody Jones

Melody Jones
Home and Away character
Portrayed by	Celeste Dodwell
Introduced by	Cameron Welsh
Duration	2008-09
First appearance	19 March 2008
Last appearance	26 February 2009
Classification	Former, recurring
Profile
Date of birth	1993
Home	New Zealand
Occupation	Student
Family Father Edward Jones Mother Christine Jones Grandmothers Audrey Long

Melody Jones is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Celeste Dodwell. Dodwell originally auditioned for a separate part in the serial, but was offered the role of Melody instead. Dodwell said the part was a "dream come true". Melody is characterised as a shy student but has a "psycotic" side to her persona. Her main storyline arcs include a fued with her overprotective mother, Christine Jones (Liz Alexander) and a relationship with Geoff Campbell (Lincoln Lewis).

Melody is also admitted into a psychiatric clinic after Axel Hay (Trent Dalzell) assaults her and Christine tries to kidnap her. Dodwell said she carried out extensive research to help her portray the issue of mental health. She also found some of Melody's material challenging to play. In 2009, it was announced that Dodwell had decided to leave the serial and pursue further education overseas. Melody departed on-screen in February that year, which saw her move to New Zealand.

Casting

In December 2007, it was announced that Celeste Dodwell had been cast as a "Summer Bay High student". Just three days earlier, Dodwell had finished her drama HSC and scored the highest mark in New South Wales.^[1] Dodwell originally auditioned for the role of Nicole Franklin, however Tessa James became the sucsessful candidate. Dodwell's agent informed her about Melody's "character breakdown" and she said that it "intrigued" her.^[2] Dodwell said it was a "dream come true" and accepted straight away. In 2009, TV Week reported that Dodwell had decided to quit the serial in order to attend drama school in the United Kingdom.^[3]

Character development

Melody is characterised as "kind, shy and loyal" but has a "psycotic" side. Dodwell said that playing Melody, the "more intellectual and timid side of human nature, is really rewarding."^[2]

In one storyline Melody is sexually assaulted by Axel Hay (Trent Dalzell). Dodwell said from an actor's perspective, it was "a tough journey to go on" because Melody's scenes are "demanding". As a result Melody has a "big breakdown", Dodwell said she had to delve deep into her character's psychology and admitted it was a harsh experience. To research the plot Dodwell gained inspiration from watching the film Girl, Interrupted and visiting a psychiatric clinic. The "very dark and solemn" atmosphere in within the two helped Dodwell with the psychological build up in Melody.^[2] When is admitted into a psychiatric clinic, where Aden Jefferies (Todd Lasance) is also being treated. While Axel is killed by Larry Jefferies (Paul Gleeson). Lasance said that Aden had been "protective of Melody after Axel took advantage of her".^[4] The pair share an "unspoken bond" because of their past experiences and he "understands exactly what she's going through." While he tries to help her, "Melody thinks she is evil" because she prayed for Axel to die. Aden's help "brings her back down to earth". Melody has hallucinations of Axel trying to attack her again, Dodwell said it was a "toiling sitation" to get herself into Melody's frame of mind.^[4] Melody's interfering mother Christine Jones' (Liz Alexander) has Melody discharged from the clinic. This worsens Melody's condition because she believes Axel will get her - Dodwell added that "she doesn't know he's dead, she doesn't feel safe anywhere, especially with her mum, so she decides to sleep at the school!"^[5]

"She thinks Geoff doesn't know what he wants, and that she's right for him, so she's trying to make him see that. She doesn't realise how far she's taking it. She goes psycho!"^[6]

—Dodwell on Melody's obsession with Geoff. (2008)

When she begins to recover, Melody decides she wants to rekindle her relationship with Geoff Campbell (Lincoln Lewis), however, Geoff has moved on with Nicole Franklin (Tessa James).^[7] Dodwell said Melody is "almost psychotic" in her attempts to win him back. She had previously happy while with Geoff, so "she's obssessed with having that happiness again". When Melody finds out about Nicole, her "heart breaks, it shatter into a thousand little pieces" and she thinks she will become "unstuck" again because she still feels "unstable". Dodwell said Melody should have given up at that point, but Melody thinks through "determination" she can win him back. Dodwell also had members of the public approaching her and recommending that Melody seeks professional help.^[7]

Series producer Cameron Welsh said Melody's journey is "interesting" because "it gets worse before it gets better" for her. He said she had been a "fascinating character" for the production team to develop, because she is the opposite to traditional Home and Away characters with problems. Melody started out as "well and has gone bad", whereas "most characters start out a lot of issues, then time in Summer Bay reforms them."^[8] Melody is later taken in by Miles Copeland (Josh Quong Tart).^[9] Melody's behaviour becomes a problem when she goes on a "downward spiral" and develops an attitude problem.^[10] She later runs away to Melbourne, believing that everyone else will be better off without her.^[11] In the storyline Miles and Charlie Buckton (Esther Anderson) travel to Melbourne to search for Melody.^[12] The episodes marked the first time the cast had filmed in Melbourne. Location shoots took place at Queen Victoria Market, Docklands Studios Melbourne and St Kilda.^[13] Anderson told Inside Soap that "It's a nice self-contained little storyline" and described it as a treat for British and Irish viewers.^[12] She added that Melody ends up on the streets and Charlie and Miles fail to locate her straightaway, which leads her into trouble."^[12]

In the build up to Melody's exit, she finally meets her grandmother Audrey Long (Wendy Playfair), who caused her Christine's bitter outlook on life. When Audrey reveals her "true colours" to Melody, she makes the decision to go and live in New Zealand.^[9]

Reception

A columnist for British newspaper Metro opined that the "wayward teenager" had "led guardian Miles a merry dance" and caused "chaos" with her antics.^[9]

References

1. ^ Dunn, Emily; Murray, Elicia (20 December 2007). "Baz ready to wrap at last". The Sydney Morning Herald. (Fairfax Media). http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/12/19/1197740378179.html. Retrieved 22 October 2011. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} Seager, Tania. "Interview - Celeste Dowell". Yahoo!7. (Seven Network and Yahoo!). Archived from the original on 13 September 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20080913234132/http://www.seven.com.au/homeandaway/feat-interview-080915-celeste-dodwell. Retrieved 22 October 2011. 
3. ^ Rowe, Darren (9 March 2009). "Another 'Home and Away' star to leave?". Digital Spy. (Hachette Filipacchi UK). http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s15/home-and-away/news/a149035/another-home-and-away-star-to-leave.html. Retrieved 22 October 2011. 
4. ^ ^{a b} Stewart, Carolyn (30 August - 5 September 2008). "Is it all over for Belle and Aden?". TV Week (ACP Magazines): 5. 
5. ^ Robertson, Colin (1 November 2008). "Coming up in Home And Away". The Sun. (News International). http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/soaps/article1879798.ece. Retrieved 22 October 2011. 
6. ^ Razer, Helen (25 - 31 October 2008). "Home and Away". TV Week (ACP Magazines): 4. 
7. ^ ^{a b} Razer, Helen (18 - 24 October 2008). "Melody: unstable and heartbroken". TV Week (ACP Magazines): 7. 
8. ^ "Leaked Summer Bay secrets". TV Week (ACP Magazines): 7. 10 - 16 January 2009. 
9. ^ ^{a b c} "The end for Home And Away's Melody?". Metro. (Associated Newspapers). 7 March 2009. http://www.metro.co.uk/showbiz/571472-the-end-for-home-and-aways-melody. Retrieved 22 October 2011. 
10. ^ "Molly finally announces: Ty do; Soap watch, Best of the box.". Sunday Mail. (Trinity Mirror). 11 January 2009. http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Molly+finally+announces%3a+Ty+do%3b+SOAP+WATCH+Best+of+the+box.-a0191865054. Retrieved 22 October 2011. 
11. ^ Laws, Roz (15 February 2009). "Soaps: this week". Sunday Mercury. (Trinity Mirror). http://www.thefreelibrary.com/soaps%3a+this+week.-a0193748059. Retrieved 22 October 2011. 
12. ^ ^{a b c} Herbison, Jason (21–27 February 2009). "Sex in the city?". Inside Soap (Hachette Filipacchi UK): 22. 
13. ^ "Home and Away visits Melbourne for the first time". Herald Sun. (The Herald and Weekly Times). 19 September 2008. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/confidential/home-away-from-home/story-e6frf96x-1111117522161. Retrieved 23 October 2011.