Duration 1990–91 Last appearance 25 July 1991 Occupation StudentVet | First appearance 20 June 1990 Classification Former; regular Father Tom Ramsay | |
First cousins Shane Ramsay, Henry Ramsay, Charlene Robinson Similar Adam Willis, Matt Robinson, Josh Anderson, Susan Cole, Caroline Alessi | ||
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.
Contents
Casting
In March 1990, a Neighbours publicist confirmed that producers were negotiating with Buchanan to join the show. 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.
Development
Gemma arrives in Erinsborough to live with Madge Bishop (Anne Charleston) following the death of her mother. Gemma had already spent time living with other relatives around Brisbane before making the move to Erinsborough to concentrate on her studies. 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).
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. 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.
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.
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 was cautious and reluctant to commit to a relationship as she had recently broken up with Aidan Devlin. She had several admirers and had a brief relationship with Ryan McLachlan (Richard Norton) before getting together with Matt. Gemma broke up with Matt after he took her for a ride on his new motorbike and crashed. She was rushed to hospital and nearly lost a leg due to the severity of the injury. Gemma forgave Matt but was not interested in continuing with the relationship. She had a brief romance with Glen Donnelly (Richard Huggett) before falling in love with student doctor Adam.
After successfully passing her Higher School Certificate, Gemma then became a vet and nearly lost her job after protesting against the use of animals in a circus. Gemma was offered a job at an animal sanctuary in Newcastle, New South Wales. Gemma was a very environmentally minded and 'Green' person like the vegetarian Harold Bishop (Ian Smith), Melanie Pearson (Lucinda Cowden), her animal-loving friend Melissa Jarrett (Jade Amenta), Cody Willis (Amelia Frid) and the environmentalist/Animal rights crusader Kerry Bishop (Linda Hartley-Clark). After a tearful and heartbreaking goodbye to Madge, Harold and Adam, Gemma left Ramsay Street behind for a new life in Newcastle, and she was joined by Adam a month later, after which they began a serious relationship with each other. Adam and Gemma were last heard of in 1996 as 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". 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". The BBC said Gemma's most notable moment was "Being involved in a motorbike accident with Matt Robinson."