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Winners & Losers is an Australian television drama series. It was first broadcast on 22 March 2011 via the Seven Network. The following is a list of characters that have appeared in the show during the show's tenure.
Main characters edit
Bec Gilbert edit
Jenny Gross edit
Frances James edit
Sophie Wong edit
Doug Graham edit
Jonathan Kurtiss edit
Matt O'Connor edit
Patrick Gross edit
Trish Gross edit
Brian Gross edit
Bridget Gross edit
Zach Armstrong edit
Callum Gilbert edit
Flynn Johnson edit
Sam MacKenzie edit
Carla Hughes edit
Gabe Reynolds edit
Gabe Reynolds, played by Nick Russell, was introduced as a love interest for Jenny Gross (Melissa Bergland) in the third series.[1] Russell previously auditioned for a guest part, but the producers believed that he was more suited to the full-time role of Gabe.[1] He explained, "They came back and said, 'There's this other character that Jenny has chemistry with, that she meets in the call centre, and he's a bit more grounded.' On paper and as it evolves they are sort of the perfect match for one another."[1] Russell said that before Gabe and Jenny start dating, they would have to deal with the major obstacle of Gabe's girlfriend.[1] He also described his character as a geek and "a fun, smart guy that takes the edge off Jenny's serious and over-the-top reactions to things. He's the ying to her yang."[1]
Luke MacKenzie edit
Luke MacKenzie, played by former General Hospital actor, Nathin Butler joined the series as Sam's (Katherine Hicks) brother Luke MacKenzie.[2] He was also billed as a new love interest for established character Sophie Wong (Melanie Vallejo).[3]
Erin Van Der Meer from the Daily Mail branded Luke a "very buff sizzling new character".[3]
Recurring characters edit
Introduced in Season 1 edit
Tiffany Turner edit
Rhys Mitchell edit
Rhys Mitchell, played by Nick Simpson-Deeks appeared as a love interest of Jenny Gross (Melissa Bergland). But the character soon embarks on a journey to realise that he is gay.[4]
When Jonathan discusses his laid-back views on marriage, Rhys seizes the opportunity to propose to his lover.[5] Rhys was soon written out of the series. His character was seen departing for a new job in Abu Dhabi alongside Zac Armstrong (Stephen Phillips).[6]
Matt Akersten of LGBT website Samesame.com.au reported that viewers reacted positively to Rhys' proposal to Jonathan. The critic branded it a "charming marriage proposal.[5]
Claire Armstrong edit
Claire Armstrong, played by Natalie Saleeba appears as Zac Armstrong's (Stephen Phillips) ex-wife.
Debi Enker of the The Sydney Morning Herald branded Claire a "superficially penitent but possibly malevolent" character.[7]
Deidre Gross edit
Deidre Gross, played by Madeleine West, was introduced is the fourth Gross sibling introduced in the first series.[8] West was previously approached by the show's producers to appear as one of the four leads. She had to turn down the role as she was pregnant with her third child at the time.[8] West hoped Deirdre would eventually become a regular character.[8] Deirdre returns home when her mother is diagnosed with breast cancer. Unlike her siblings, Deidre is wealthy, married to a heart surgeon and always has to get her way.[8] The role was different to anything West had played before, and she explained "Deidre is an amalgamation of women I've sat next to at the hairdressers, a couple of mums at school and some businesswomen I've met. She is such a complex character. She has many skins that are shed throughout the episode."[8] West added that it would be easy to hate Deidre, but she hides a number of insecurities.[8]
Introduced in Season 2 edit
Brandi Bower edit
Brandi Bower, played by Maya Aleksandra debuted on-screen during the episode titled "Welcome to the Family" on 10 July 2012.
Aleksandra's casting was announced on 7 July 2012, by a writer from The Advertiser. The character is introduced as the fiance of Steve Gilbert (Greg Stone), who is the father of regular character Bec Gilbert (Zoe Tuckwell-Smith).[9] Aleksandra said that Steve is thirty years Brandi's senior "but we're very much in love". She described her character as a "bimbo with a heart of gold" with a "pretty out there personality".[9] Bec decides to throw Brandi a hen night and she gets drunk. Brandi then tries to kiss Bec's husband Matt O'Connor (Blair McDonough) and Bec witnesses this. McDonough told Erin Miller from TV Week that Brandi is drunk but it is a "huge shock" that he could not predict.[10] Tuckwell-Smith said that it gives Bec an "idea of Brandi's level of commitment, Bec realises she is very immature and quite irresponsible, and not really as in love with her father as he thinks." Steve has a history of gambling and McDonough thought that Brandi is not "the type of woman" who would keep Steve "on the straight and narrow". He added that Brandi and Steve's relationship has "disaster written all over it". Bec is left with the "hard decision" of whether she should tell her father about the kiss.[10]
Cat Johnson edit
Cat Johnson, played by Peta Sergeant is introduced during the second season as an old friend of Sophie Wong (Melanie Vallejo). She was also used to implement a series of changes to the fellow character Frances James (Virginia Gay).[11] Though the pair do not get off to a good start when Cat kisses Zach. Sergeant told TV Week's Erin Miller that Sophie informs Cat of romantic history between Frances and Zach. Frances is not impressed with Cat, But she does not bother to think about her feelings.[12] Frances and Cat become close friends and later share a kiss.[11] But Cat is hiding a secret that she suffering from a terminal illness. Sergeant explained to Miller that Cat finds Frances irresistible because she hiding her their true identity. She added that "Cat sees that in Frances and sees straight away she isn't living out the life of who she wants to be. "Cat believes she can help Frances free her underlying mischievous persona.[11]
The terminally ill character wants to live life to it's full potential with Frances. Cat convinces her friend to participate in trapeze classes. Gay stated that Cat's personality and lifestyle serves as an inspiration to her character. Their bond makes Frances to implement changes to her life and tackle new challenges.[11] But their friendship soon becomes endangered when Cat tells Frances about her illness. Sergeant said that her character wanted it to remain secret. But the situation becomes to upsetting and she chooses Frances as her confidant.[11] Sergeant commented that Cat did not want to ruin Sophie's happiness. But "she'd reconciled not having kids but when confronted with that overwhelming reality and she realises that she won't find a man who is her soul mate and have a family, it's so upsetting and it just spilled out to Frances."[11] The move proves too much for Frances and she tells Sophie the truth. The move proves too much for Frances and she tells Sophie the truth. Gay added that Cat could not control her illness but could decide who knew about it. Cat believes that Frances has taken that control from her. Gay found filming the emotional confrontation scenes difficult due to her own friendship with Sergeant.[11]
Cat decides that she wants to take her own life. Sergeant explained that her character had seen horrific scenes while working in Africa. She had experienced people with terminal illnesses and knew what to expect. She defended her actions stating, "for Cat, it's a matter of taking her life into her own hands before it gets taken out."[13] Cat proceeds to throw her own wake complete with drinking and dancing. Sophie and Doug Graham (Tom Wren) become concerned about her behaviour, but Cat just wants to enjoy what life she has left. The scenes progress into a "life or death" scenario for Cat as she collapses in Doug's arms. Meanwhile Frances is unable to cope with being estranged from Cat and pushes her friends away. Gay told Miller that "she's gutted, she's heartbroken for her friend, but also confused and, well, just gutted."[13] Cat later succeeds in taking her own life. The euthanasia storyline was handled with sensitivity by Winners & Losers. Sergeant stated that there was a truthful element to the story. The cast worked hard to keep it aligned and relevant to the characterisation that had been created for Cat. The actress concluded that "it's tender territory because it's full on - not just for those going through it, but for the people around her."[13]
Introduced in Season 3 edit
Ryan Sharrock edit
Shannon Taylor edit
Adam Grabowski edit
Jason Ross edit
Introduced in Season 4 edit
Cory Baxter edit
Cassie Gormley edit
Melissa Howard appeared in two episodes as Cassie Gormley, the ex-girlfriend of Gabe Reynolds.[14]
Jack Macauley edit
Laurence Brewer portrays Jack Macauley, a new doctor at the hospital.[15][16]
Pete Reeves edit
Former Stingers actor, James Saunders appeared as Pete "P-Dog" Reeves in August.[17] A writer from Soapworld reported that Frances James (Virginia Gay) would "impulsively" agree to date P-Dog after her friend Sophie Wong (Melanie Vallejo) accuses her of being in love with her ex-partner Zach Armstrong (Stephen Phillips). The writer added suggested that P-Dog only serves as a distraction from her former lover.[18]
Izzy Hughes edit
Laura Gordon joined the series as Carla's sister Isobel "Izzy" Hughes.[19]
Others edit
- Mitchell Hughes played by Matt Deane
- Paula Seers played by Emily Thomas
- Auctioneer played by Damian Rocher
- Cyclist played by Justin Fusella
- German barmaid played by Belinda Dewar
- Pete Ridley played by Zac Tyler
- Flemenco Guitarists played by Matthew Fagan and Bon Nardella
- Andy Barr White played by David Cormick
- Imogen Barr White played by Simmone Duckmanton
- Connor Grey played by Blake Testro
References edit
- ^ a b c d e Dale, David (10 June 2014). "Tribal Mind: The Winners & Losers star who left a law career for acting". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
- ^ McWhirter, Erin (12–18 April 2014). "Logies lowdown". TV Week (15): 31.
- ^ a b Van Der Meer, Erin (17 June 2014). "Hello, handsome! Bare chests and a shock wedding as TV favourite Winners and Losers makes a return to the small screen in action-packed season four premiere". Daily Mail. (DMG Media). Retrieved 13 September 2014.
- ^ "Jenny Gross". TVNZ. (Government of New Zealand). Retrieved 29 June 2014.
- ^ a b Akersten, Matt (31 October 2012). ""I want to spend the rest of my life with you"". Samesame.com.au. (Sound Alliance). Retrieved 29 June 2014.
- ^ Murray, Scott (22 November 2012). "Tuesday, November 27". The Sydney Morning Herald. (Fairfax Media). Retrieved 29 June 2014.
- ^ Enker, Debi (5 July 2012). "New golden girl shakes up winners". The Sydney Morning Herald. (Fairfax Media). Retrieved 29 June 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f Vickery, Colin (26 July 2011). "West's pregnant pause". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
- ^ a b "Maya loves playing the bimbo". The Advertiser. (News Limited). 7 July 2012. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
- ^ a b Miller, Erin (14–20 July 2012). "Shock kiss". TV Week (28): 13.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help)CS1 maint: date format (link) - ^ a b c d e f g Miller, Erin (8–14 September 2012). "Tears for a friend". TV Week (36). ACP Magazines: 20–21.
- ^ Miller, Erin (11–17 August 2012). "Cat out of the bag". TV Week (32). ACP Magazines: 30.
- ^ a b c Miller, Erin (15–21 September 2012). "Life in her hands". TV Week (37). ACP Magazines: 6–7.
- ^ Williams, Glen (12–18 July 2014). "Too Close for Comfort". TV Week (28): 17.
- ^ Miller, Erin (26 July – 1 August 2014). "Inside Scoop". TV Week (30): 6–7.
- ^ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/aussie-star-laurence-brewer-will-play-a-new-doctor-role-on-winners-losers-as-dr-jack/story-fni0cvc9-1227006610008
- ^ "James Saunders" (PDF). Sue Barnett & Associates Management. Retrieved 5 August 2014.
- ^ "Dating with a difference". SoapWorld (259). nextmedia: 10–11. August 2014.
- ^ Dennehy, Luke (24 August 2014). "Actress Laura Gordon is the newest cast member to join the set of TV series Winners & Losers". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
External links edit
- Characters and cast at the Official Winners & Losers website