1. Casting

2. Development

3. Storylines

4. Reception

5. References

Gemma Ramsay is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Beth Buchanan. She made her first on-screen appearance on 20 June 1990 and departed on 25 July 1991.

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.^[4] 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." Writers soon devised a relationship storyline between her and Matt Robinson (Ashley Paske).^[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 cable of achieving more than she does. She enjoys playing netball and listening to classical and acid house music.^[4] 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]

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 McLachlan's (Richard Norton) drug taking. Stanley revealed that Gemma would pay Adam a "stormy visit" to confront him over the matter.^[4]

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 in Erinsborough. On her arrival, Gemma is reluctant to commit to a relationship as she has recently broken up with Aidan Devlin (Blake Coillins). She briefly dates Ryan McLachlan (Richard Norton) before getting together with Matt. 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 (Richard Huggett) before, she falls for student doctor Adam.

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. Gemma was offered a job at an animal sanctuary in Newcastle. After a tearful and heartbreaking goodbye to Madge, Harold and Adam, Gemma leaves Ramsay Street to move to Newcastle and is followed by Adam a month later. They settle there and later become engaged.

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".^[5] 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".^[5] The BBC said Gemma's most notable moment was "Being involved in a motorbike accident with Matt Robinson."^[6]

References

• {{cite book|last=Hayward|first=Anthony|title=The who's who of soap operas|year=1991|publisher=Guinness Publishing Ltd|isbn=0-85112-966-8|ref=refhayward}}

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