Michael Martin (Neighbours)

Michael Martin
Neighbours character
Portrayed by	Samuel Hammington (1985) Troy Beckwith (1992–98)
Introduced by	Reg Watson (1985) Don Battye (1992)
Duration	1985, 1992–98
First appearance	8 October 1985
Last appearance	26 June 1998
Classification	Former, regular
Profile
Home	Marree
Occupation	Student Carpenter
Family Father Philip Martin Mother Loretta Martin Sisters Debbie Martin Half sisters Hannah Martin

Michael Martin is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Troy Beckwith. He made his first on-screen appearance on 8 October 1985. The character was originally played by Samuel Hammington. Beckwith took over the role in 1992. Michael departed on 26 June 1998.

Storylines

Michael is first seen, along with his sister, Debbie when Julie Robinson arrives at their father Philip's neighbour's house to break the news of a car accident that leaves Philip paralysed and their mother, Loretta dead. Julie helps look after the children and eventually marries Philip and they all move to the country and are heard from sparingly throughout the years.

Michael returns from boarding school several months after the family re-settle in Ramsay Street. He quickly creates mischief and begins targeting Julie and plays mind games with her out of resentment, blaming her for Loretta's death. Michael also resents his half-sister Hannah (Rebecca Ritters) and is unkind toward her. When Hannah and Beth Brennan (Natalie Imbruglia) are caught in a fire in an abandoned house behind Lassiter's, Michael is a suspected but is later cleared when it is revealed he had been in the arcade at the time of the fire.

Michael later descends into crime and is eventually arrested. While in the detention centre, He meets Darren Stark (Scott Major) and both boys immediately hate each other. When Rick Alessi (Dan Falzon), Debbie's ex-boyfriend tells Michael about Darren dating and using Debbie, Michael is keen to break out and escapes the Detention centre, dressed as a woman. When Michael and Rick arrive at the service station, they find Darren armed with a knife and Debbie in tow. Michael bursts in to save his sister, only to be shot by the cashier, who assumes Michael was in on the attempted robbery. Fortunately, Michael survives and Darren is arrested

At Christmas 1993, Michael returns home for good, having changed his ways but Julie and Hannah aren't keen on him being around. He decides to move into a youth hostel but is talked out of it at the last minute and Julie, Hannah and Michael agree to put the past behind them. As 1994 begins, Michael befriends the recently returned Cody Willis (Peta Brady), who he begins dating and Darren's siblings, Brett (Brett Blewitt) and Danni (Eliza Szonert).

After Michael's relationship with Cody ends when he finds out that she is attracted to Rick, he begins dating Danni. When Danni and Michael are caught with needles by Pam Willis (Sue Jones) and Julie, the worst is assumed but everything is resolved when it is revealed Danni is diabetic. Helen Daniels (Anne Haddy), Julie's grandmother begins seeing former resident Len Mangel (John Lee), Michael does a little investigating and figures out that Len is out to rip Helen off. When Michael and Danni's relationship becomes physical, it puts a strain on their parents and it is decided that one half of the couple will have to leave. Michael takes a place at the Brosnan Centre in Marree.

After learning of Julie's accident after falling from the tower during a Murder Mystery weekend, Michael returns to Erinsborough. When Julie dies in hospital and Philip is accused of pushing her, Michael stands by his father. Michael returns home the following year for Christmas and catches up with old friends. During this visit, Michael manages to put Malcolm Kennedy's (Benjamin McNair) nose out of joint, causing him to become paranoid that Michael has returned to win Danni back and also takes a dislike to Jen Handley (Alyce Platt), Philip's new girlfriend. When Helen dies in 1997, Michael drives through the night to make it home to support the family and attends the memorial service at Lassiter's lake. Before leaving, he suggests Debbie comes back to Maree with him, which upsets Hannah at first but something she later accepts.

Michael makes his final return to Ramsay Street in 1998, for Philip's wedding to Ruth Wilkinson (Ailsa Piper) and tries to cheer up Hannah, who is having trouble adjusting to the new blended family, which includes Ruth's children, Ben Atkins (Brett Cousins), Lance (Andrew Bibby) and Anne (Brooke Satchwell). Michael suggests keeping photos of Ruth up to make her feel welcome, while Hannah keeps photos of Julie in her room, just for the wedding day.

Reception

Ausculture placed Michael at number ten on their Top Ten Aussie Soap Villains list.^[1] They said "Michael Martin was a troubled teen. He bullied his half-sister Hannah (fair enough, I reckon), tried to kill his stepmother Julie Martin (hang on, that sounds fair enough too!), forced Toby Mangel to help him win money on the horses, and nearly knocked up Danni Stark! In the scheme of Neighbours teenagers, this makes him the Charles Manson of Ramsay Street."^[1]

Heckler Spray included Michael in their list of "The Best Ever Mid-90s Neighbours Characters".^[2] Of Michael they said "Michael Martin was nothing short of pure evil, playing the angelic son on his return from boarding school, while simultaneously turning hated stepmum (and weird guilty pleasure) Julie into an alcoholic, and convincing everyone she had gone mad. Michael was one of Neighbours' few convincing bad guys, who probably arbitrarily converted to being good at a later date."^[2]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "ausculture.com's Top Ten Aussie Soap Villains". Ausculture. 3 August 2004. http://www.ausculture.com/archives/000676.html. Retrieved 25 December 2010. 
2. ^ ^{a b} Clifton, Matthew (15 April 2009). "The Best Ever Mid-90s Neighbours Characters". Heckler Spray. http://www.hecklerspray.com/the-best-ever-mid-90s-neighbours-characters/200932420.php. Retrieved 4 January 2011.