Natasha Andersen

Natasha Anderson
Hollyoaks character
Portrayed by	Shebah Ronay
Created by	Phil Redmond
Duration	1995–96
First appearance	23 October 1995
Last appearance	11 March 1996
Classification	Former; regular
Profile
Date of death	11 March 1996
Occupation	Barmaid
Family Father Greg Andersen Mother Jane Andersen Sisters Sarah Andersen Grandfathers Bert Andersen Grandmothers Beryl Andersen Aunts Celia Osborne Cousins Ruth Osborne Darren Osborne Other relatives Jack Osborne Francine Osborne

Natasha Andersen is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Shebah Ronay. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 23 October 1995. She was created by Phil Redmond as one of the serial's original characters.

Development

Characterisation

Natasha is described by British newspaper The Independent as being a snooty blonde and "gorgeous".^[1][2] The also go on to state that she is "unattainably posh".^[1] The Liverpool Echo described her as "One of the first Hollyoaks babes, she was sophisticated, glamorous and feisty and the love object of Kurt.^[3]

Death

Her death was announced in January 1996 and was described as being "sensational scene in an attempt to boost ratings" and added that it would be different than "softer stories about teen romances and spots".^[4] In the serial's first year on air it received criticism for not having any issue led storylines and was branded soft.^[5] This prompted producers to develop a hard hitting storyline which involved Natasha, which would result in her death from the use of drugs. The storyline made front-page news and marked a change for the serial as they embarked on serious storylines.^[5] Of Natasha's exit Redmond stated: "Natasha's death depicts the stark reality of unnecessary death coming very close to one group of friendly and fun-loving people for the first time in their lives and how this is bound to change their outlook in many ways".^[5] Liverpool Echo described the storyline as "the drama's earliest controversial storyline featuring the much-publicised story when Natasha died on the dance floor after her drink was spiked."^[3]

Storylines

Natasha was stunning, glamorous, sophisticated, pouty, feisty and a total princess as well as being the ultimate object of Kurt Benson’s desires, who had instantly fallen for her. She was best friends with Maddie Parker, Dawn Cunningham and Louise Taylor. Despite having feelings for Kurt, who pursued her relentlessly, and attracted to his bad boy charm, Natasha refused to give in and decided to always play hard to get. This just made Kurt even more determined to win her heart. Natasha really never got a chance to confess to Kurt how she had really felt about him. Natasha had always given Kurt challenges to win her over, including the time when Natasha asked Kurt to choose between Christmas with her family or his own. Natasha won, but she lost interest when she saw Kurt bonding with her father.

However, tragedy occurred when Natasha collapsed and died during Kurt's sister Lucy's eighteenth birthday party. In a bid to make Kurt jealous, Natasha made the fatal mistake of agreeing to go to the party with Dermot, who wanted to give her a night she would never forget. Just as Kurt and Natasha were getting closer at the party, Dermot and his friend Rob Hawthorne dropped a tablet into Natasha's drink. She then stormed onto the dance floor and suddenly collapsed. Natasha later died in hospital. A heartbroken Kurt vowed revenge on Rob and Dermot after she died. After Natasha died Her father, Greg, sold the pub to her aunt Celia and uncle Jack.

Reception

Lucy Ellmann of The Independent criticised Natasha because of her facial expressions and demure^{[clarification needed]}, stating: "Usually to be found at the bus-stop looking petulant (this is in fact her only look). She's unattainably posh, though she has pointed out to her one remaining parent (Alvin Stardust): "Fatha, Ay'm ova the age of consent." In the second episode she threw a glass of water over Kurt. Water. The age of consent is wasted on these people."^[1] Natasha's final episode was watched by 2.1 million viewers; at the time that was Hollyoaks biggest audience share to date.^[5]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Ellmann, Lucy (29 October 1995). "It's prim up North". The Independent. (Independent Print Ltd). http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/its-prim-up-north-1579999.html. Retrieved 2011-01-25. 
2. ^ Morton, Cole (22 October 1995). "Hard man of Brookside moves into soft soap". The Independent. (Independent Print Ltd). http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/hard-man-of-brookside-moves-into-soft-soap-1578787.html. Retrieved 8 September 20011. 
3. ^ ^{a b} "We love to turn it on 5 times a week (but whatever happened to the original stars of Hollyoaks); TODAY the Mersey teen soap Hollyoaks celebrates its 10th birthday. TV editor Peter Grant reports.". Liverpool Echo. 21 October 2005. http://www.thefreelibrary.com/We+love+to+turn+it+on+5+times+a+week+(but+whatever+happened+to+the...-a0137787665. Retrieved 4 September 2011. 
4. ^ Sutton, Caroline (14 January 1996). "TV's 'Leah' tragedy; Drug death shocker for Hollyoaks.". The Mirror. http://www.thefreelibrary.com/TV's+'Leah'+tragedy%3b+Drug+death+shocker+for+Hollyoaks.-a061179194. Retrieved 21 September 2011. 
5. ^ ^{a b c d} Evans, Matthew (2002). Phil Redmond's Hollyoaks: the official companion. Channel 4. pp. 97, 98. ISBN 0752220004. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=WPJxHQAACAAJ&dq=hollyoaks+the+official+companion&hl=en&ei=2rBpTMLCO4SPOLWntLkF&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCwQ6AEwAA. Retrieved 2010-08-16. 

External links

• Character profile on the E4 website