Melanie Pearson

Melanie Pearson
Neighbours character
Portrayed by	Lucinda Cowden
Introduced by	Reg Watson (1987) Don Battye (1988, 1989) Ric Pellizzeri (2005)
Duration	1987, 1988, 1989–1991, 2005
First appearance	30 July 1987
Last appearance	24 October 1991 27 July 2005 (cameo)
Classification	Former, regular
Profile
Date of birth	1965
Home	London
Occupation	The Robinson Corporation Secretary (1989–1991)
Family Husband Joe Mangel (1991–93) Father Bill Pearson Mother Mrs Pearson Sisters Justine Pearson

Melanie Pearson (previously Mangel) is a fictional character from the Network Ten soap opera Neighbours played by Lucinda Cowden. She made her first appearance on 30 July 1987, and appeared initially from 1987 to 1991 when the character left the soap. In 2005, Cowden reprised her role for Neighbours' 20th anniversary celebrations.

Casting

Cowden joined the cast of Neighbours as Melanie on a recurring basis for a few weeks, before she left to star in The Power, The Passion.^[1] The Power, The Passion was axed and Cowden decided to call the Neighbours producer. She called on the same day Annie Jones (Jane Harris) had decided not to renew her contract and she re-joined the cast.^[1]

In 2005, it was announced that Cowden would be reprising her role of Melanie to join the many ex-cast members returning for the show's 20th anniversary episode.^[2]

Storylines

Melanie is first seen on the arm of Henry Ramsay (Craig McLachlan) when he brings her home to his meet Madge (Anne Charleston), his sister Charlene (Kylie Minogue) and her husband Scott (Jason Donovan). Melanie's hiccuping animalistic laugh makes Henry's family feel uneasy and Madge and Charlene conspire to set her up with Mike Young (Guy Pearce) and Gino Rossinni (Joey Perrone). Henry sees Gino handing Melanie his number and the relationship fizzles out but Melanie and Henry remain friends. Melanie is next seen working as a temporary secretary at The Daniels Corporation for Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis).

When Henry has relationship difficulties with Bronwyn Davies (Rachel Friend), Melanie is on hand to lend a sympathetic ear during a party. Bronwyn mistakes this for something more and is annoyed. Henry tries to resume dating Melanie after seeing that he is getting nowhere with Bronwyn but Melanie turns him down.

The following year Melanie reappears and moves in with Mike, Des Clarke (Paul Keane) and his son Jamie at Number 28. Melanie's chirpy nature immediately wins Des over but when she interferes in his relationship with Jane Harris (Annie Jones) by taking a call and blasting Jane for her decision to end things with Des. Des is angered but comes to realize a long-distance relationship with Jane would not feasible and forgives Melanie.

After a one-night stand with Paul, who rejects and hurts her, Melanie finds happiness with nerdy waiter Kelvin Stubbs. When Kelvin makes a pass at Melanie's friend Christina Alessi (Gayle Blakeney), Melanie refuses to believe her until she uncovers evidence of Kelvin being a love cheat and promptly dumps him. Melanie later is involved with much older businessman, Roger Walsh but his daughter Tania opposes the relationship.

When her friend Kerry Bishop (Linda Hartley) is killed during a protest against duck hunting, Melanie moves in with Kerry's widower Joe Mangel (Mark Little) and helps with the children Toby (Ben Guerens and Sky (Miranda Fryer). When Sky's biological father Eric Jensen (John Ley) comes to claim custody, Melanie offers to marry Joe to help him secure custody of Sky but he politely declines.

Melanie later begins dating Simon Hunter (Fred Whitlock) and later becomes engaged to him. Joe is devastated as he has developed feelings and is now in love with Melanie. When Melanie fills in for a contestant on a dating show, she is shocked to find Joe is her "dream date" and the pair win a romantic weekend together. Joe confesses his feelings, as does Melanie. When they return Melanie ends her engagement with Simon.

Joe and Melanie later marry with all their friends, family and Neighbours present. Within weeks of their wedding, Joe receives a call from England that his mother Nell (Vivean Gray) has suffered a heart attack and to fund the medical expenses they will need to sell Number 32. Melanie and Joe decide to leave, taking Sky with them and leaving Toby in the care of school principal Dorothy Burke (Maggie Dence), in order for him to continue his schooling. After several months touring Europe, they return and set up home in the country. Toby later visits them at Christmas. The following year the family is reunited when Toby rejoins them after a new school is opened in the district.

When Sky returns to Erinsborough in 2003, she reveals to her grandfather Harold Bishop (Ian Smith) that Joe and Melanie had divorced a decade earlier. In 2005 Melanie appears in Annalise Hartman's (Kimberly Davies) documentary about Ramsay, where she is seen living in London and talking about past mistakes including working for Paul and marrying Joe.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Lucinda Cowden". The Soap Show. http://www.thesoapshow.com/soap_stars/lucindacowden.htm. Retrieved 23 January 2011. 
2. ^ Green, Kris (14 April 2005). "More Neighbours returns confirmed". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi (UK) Ltd. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/news/a20611/more-neighbours-returns-confirmed.html. Retrieved 23 January 2010.