Beth Brennan

Beth is the product of a broken home and was brought up in the countryside by her forceful mother, Bunny Lawson (Jan Huggett).[7] Beth is characterised as immature and had old-fashioned values.[8] Beth has long brown hair and Imbruglia has claimed that she was not allowed to cut her hair for two years.[6][9] The character also dresses like a tomboy, she is sweet and naïve and her old-fashioned ways make her unlike other girls living during the 1990s.[6] Beth does not fit the female stereotype because she chose a career in the construction business. In one story she faces prejudice from a male employer who would not offer her an apprenticeship.[10] Working in the construction industry meant Beth was originally supposed to be portrayed as a tough female, working in a male dominated business. This persona was quickly dropped as further scripts were developed. The result was Beth just being portrayed as a nice person, but Imbruglia thought she was too nice.[11] She told Louise Manson writing for Soap that "I'm not that nice. No-one is that nice. I'm a lot stronger than Beth. She thinks she's tough but she's not. She was originally supposed to be a lot tougher, being a builders' labourer. But the scripts didn't develop that part for her."[11]

Beth was rarely seen getting angry which confused Imbruglia. The actress stated that she would have been "throwing punches" if people treated her the way Neighbours' did Beth. Crying was the character's usual emotional outlet writers chose.[11] Imbruglia observed that "she's too nice for own good, people walk all over her. Beth doesn't let her anger out very much. She just goes all ga ga and cries."[11] Beth's characterisation frustrated Imbruglia and this made her dislike the character.[8] She told Caro Thompson from Woman magazine that "she was frustrating because she was so immature. She had this old-fashioned idea that she should marry the first man she slept with. I found it very hard to identify with her and by the time I left, I'd had enough of her."[8]

In the book Neighbours: The First 10 Years, author Josephine Monroe described Beth as a "country girl" at heart who went on a journey during her time in the show. Beth came to Ramsay Street in search of a new life, having been abused by her stepfather, Keith.[12] Monroe described Beth as a "principled and sweet-natured girl".[12] She was portrayed as a virgin desperate to shed her innocence after Annalise Hartman's (Kimberley Davies) harsh words.[13] Beth was often portrayed as being "terrified" of sex because she was sexually abused by her stepfather, Keith.[14] After she came across as over keen and desperate, on different occasions asked Brad Willis (Scott Michaelson) to sleep with her, later begging him to stay with her.[12]

Beth's main relationship was with Brad, their relationship was a long-running storyline, it started when Brad was dating Lucy Robinson (Melissa Bell). Beth was jealous and she showed her strong side of her personality when she began competing with Lucy for Brad's affections.[13] Through Brad, Beth was portrayed at times begging and pleading for him to stay with her. They later married and left the serial.[15] Brad ultimately chooses to remain with Lucy and Beth has to accept that she has lost Brad. Beth decides to move on quickly, with producers creating an unconventional romance for Beth with Rod Baker (Chris Lloyds).[16] The storyline was controversial because Rod is a Vietnam war veteran and is twenty years older than Beth. Given Rod's age, other characters disapprove of their relationship. They express their concerns and opinions that Beth would be better suited to someone her own age.[16] Writers quickly developed Beth's new romance and they soon become engaged. Rod wants to consummate their relationship and invites Beth to his hotel room for sex.[16] Beth has to decide whether she is ready for such a commitment. Imbruglia sympathised with her character's predicament but defended Beth and Rod's romance. She told a reporter from TVTimes of her belief that age differences should not matter and there was "nothing wrong" with romancing an older man. Imbruglia added "it all depends on attitude [...] it's what's in the mind that counts."[16] Beth decides she cannot commit to Rod and decides to end their engagement.[17]

Lucy decides to move to Singapore without Brad, leaving him devastated. Bell had decided to leave the series and this left production with the opportunity to develop Beth and Brad's romance.[17] Some of Beth's scenes referenced the sexual abuse she had endured in her backstory. The experiences left her with trust issues and she remains a virgin. Imbruglia told Daphne Lockyer from Woman that "as a result she's never been able to have sex because she's terrified, she's actually still a virgin."[17] Writers committed to portraying the issue sensitively. Beth's fears about sex are conveyed when she turns down a date with construction worker John Bridges (Matthew Smith).[14] Imbruglia told a reporter from TVTimes that Keith's abusive ways made her have a "mental block about sex". She is "curious" and "terrified" at the same time. She decides to confide about her issues with Brad, who encourages her to give John a chance.[14] He offers her advice and tips which she takes too literally and ends up propositioning John with sex. He refuses Beth's but she does not let it lower her confidence. She then realises that she should ask Brad instead. Imbruglia declared that Beth's offer to Brad is the "biggest surprise of his life".[14] She defended her character's actions stating "there's no reason she shouldn't" because "Beth is being very sensible". Beth chooses Brad because she thinks he will be "gentle and thoughtful on this very important occasion."[14]

Imbruglia believed that with Brad, her character had finally found someone she "can really love and trust."[17] Writers created scenes in which Beth decides she is ready to have sex and propositions Brad. He ultimately turns her down. Michaelson was surprised when he read the scripts and learned that Brad would be respectful. Michaelson told producers of his worries that viewers may think Brad is homosexual for refusing sex.[17] He told Lockyer that he thought it was a "daring" story for Neighbours to take on so "they couldn't have them leaping into bed together immediately."[17] They later consummate their relationship in a workman's caravan. Michaelson praised the show for modernising itself and not avoiding the issue like it once did. He added that "it's a lot more realistic" and Imbruglia opined that "what matters is the subject is handled responsibly."[17] Writers ensured the scenes were factual and educative, with Beth and Brad discussing sexual transmitted diseases and Brad using a condom.[17] Michaelson said that despite its preaching, the scenes are "tender, funny and moving."[17] He enjoyed working with Imbruglia on the storyline and was so proud that he branded it "the best work either of us have ever done".[17]

Writers decided that Beth and Brad would get engaged. The story begins when Brad buys Beth a friendship ring. She mistakenly assumes it is an engagement ring and he is forced to propose.[7] Brad begins an affair with Lauren Carpenter (Sarah Vandenbergh). Beth could not forgive him and left him on his wedding day.[10] Imbruglia did not think that Beth handled the situation in a "realistic way", but thought it "makes good drama" for a soap opera.[11] Brad's relationship with Lauren soon ended and they began to date other people to make each other jealous.[7]

After some time off-screen, Beth returns and begins dating school teacher Wayne Duncan (Jonathan Sammy-Lee). Their relationship begins after their friends expect Beth to reconcile with Brad. He is so determined to prove them wrong that he sets up a date between Wayne and Beth.[18] However, Brad never intended for Wayne to fall in love with Beth. Seeing Beth happy with another man makes Brad realises what he has lost. Writers then played Brad vying to win back Beth's affections.[18] Imbruglia told Soap's Manson that "it was all a bit of a love triangle."[11] They begin competing and both propose marriage to Beth, which leaves her emotionally confused. Imbruglia told Donna Hay from What's on TV that "most girls would be thrilled to be wooed by just one of these groovy fellas. And here's Beth with two of them!"[18] Beth eventually decides to give Brad another chance. Imbruglia claimed that she always knew Brad was not serious about a future with Lauren. She added "deep down we knew they'd always get back together. It was really just a fling for Brad."[11]

Imbruglia left the show because she was disappointed with scripts.

Imbruglia found being a celebrity uncomfortable and when she became disappointed by the scripts given to her, she asked the producers to write her out.[3][19] In another interview, Imbruglia stated "sometimes I think 'give me my life back!' I do have a problem with it. Before Neighbours I was the same as any other kid. But people often can't make the distinction between the person and the character."[11] In the episodes leading to her departure, Beth is offered an apprenticeship in Perth. Brad is upset at the prospect of her being so far away and asks her to marry him. Their family and friends are excited and begins to make arrangements. This overwhelms the couple and they make secret plans to elope.[10] When Brad's family discover their plan, they track them down to a bus terminal. They convince them to return to Ramsay Street and marry in front of their friends.[15] Imbruglia's departure storyline coincided with Michaelson's and it featured Beth and Brad deciding to move to Perth after their wedding. Typical to their characterisation, Beth already has a new job planned for her in Perth but Brad does not.[7] Imbruglia briefly reprised the role for three weeks in 1994.[20] The storyline saw Beth return to Erinsborough to meet Gaby Willis's (Rachel Blakely) newborn son.[20] Beth also announces that she is pregnant with her first child.[21] Imbruglia turned down an offer to return full-time, but she said she was open to making a few guest appearances.[20] In 1997, Imbruglia revealed that she had no creative control over what happened to Beth.[22] In 1998, Imbruglia stated that after leaving Neighbours, she spent twelve months feeling "bitter and twisted" about the creative differences she experienced with the show's production.[23] Imbruglia revealed that her opinion of her Neighbours experience had changed, recalling "fond memories" and being grateful that the show helped to begin her career.[23]

Imbruglia was asked to take part in the show's 20th anniversary celebrations, but she declined.[3] When asked about a return to Neighbours she said "I'll always be grateful to the show for launching my career, but I wouldn't want to revisit that time."[3] In 2021, when asked about Beth's son, Ned (Ben Hall), whilst in an interview with Behnaz Akhgar on BBC Radio Wales, Imbruglia said, "I have a son? What? Oh, my God. Oh, my God, I didn't even know that. That is brilliant. Do you know, because when I do watch it, I get freaked – it's like other people are in my house. I haven't watched it in a long time, but thank you for telling me I have a son on telly."[24] Imbruglia later called the way she discovered her character's son "hysterical".[25]

Upon the announcement that the serial would be concluding in 2022, Imbruglia and her friend, Holly Valance (who played Felicity Scully), brainstormed a way to incorporate themselves into the finale and approached producers with an idea, which they accepted.[25] Their scenes were filmed in London in one day and they both appeared on screen on 28 July 2022, despite their characters never having crossed paths during their original stints.[26][25]

In an interview with Angela Bishop of Studio 10, Imbruglia and Valance explained they wanted their returns to be a random surprise.[25] Imbruglia called her character's introduction "incredible" and said it was a good experience working on a show that was so popular in Australia and the United Kingdom.[25] She also said that she enjoyed the friendships she had made while on the serial.[25] When asked about her favourite storyline as Beth, Imbruglia said, "My favourite storyline was most likely the build-up to the wedding with Brad (Scott Michaelson). I think because I was so young and every girl dreams of, you know, wearing a white dress, it was amazing to have that fantasy and be able to play that out."[25] She also explained that the most fun storyline to play was the love triangle between Beth, Brad and Lauren.[25] Imbruglia also said of her time on the serial, "I learnt a lot, and it's the reason I'm here, because the success of that show got me to the UK and made me realise I wanted to live here and be here."[24]