Charlotte King (Home and Away)

Charlotte King
Home and Away character
Portrayed by Erika Heynatz
Duration 2015–16
First appearance 23 June 2015
Last appearance 1 February 2016
Introduced by Lucy Addario
Classification Former; recurring
Profile
Occupation Biology teacher

Charlotte King is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away, played by Erika Heynatz. She made her first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 25 June 2015.

Casting

On 10 January 2015, Briana Domjen of The Daily Telegraph reported that actress and singer Erika Heynatz had joined the cast of Home and Away as a school teacher.[1] The role marked Hetnatz's first television acting job, and she began filming her first scenes during the week commencing 12 January.[1] Of joining the cast, Heynatz commented "Just like with any new job or new environment, there are always some nerves. But ultimately, I am really thrilled. It feels like the perfect timing, the perfect role and the character is going to be a lot of fun to play."[1] Heynatz said she would turn to her mother and mother-in-law for advice as they were both teachers, and she hoped that her character would be well received by the students.[1] Heynatz had been filming with the show for six months before her character debuted. The actress told Chloe Lal of Woman's Day that she was happy waiting because it prevented her being critical of her portrayal and gave her time to learn.[2] She made her first screen appearance on 25 June 2015.[3]

Development

Introduction and characterisation

Charlotte is a biology teacher, who joined the staff at the local high school.[4] Heynatz said that Charlotte came to Summer Bay for a fresh start, something that the actress could relate to. Charlotte was also hiding "a secret history" that was set to affect one of the show's established couples.[4] Debbie Schipp for news.com.au commented that Charlotte would not have a low key arrival, while Heynatz added "there's no slinking into the show in the background – she definitely makes an entrance."[4] Heynatz had originally had reservations about playing Charlotte who is characterised as a "massive bad guy".[5] When the actress read the character breakdown, she was "immediately drawn to her resilience, her instincts and her duplicitous nature." Charlotte is scandalous and has many secrets.[6]

Ahead of Charlotte's secret being revealed in August, a reporter for TV Week noted that "it could spell chaos for several people".[7] During a community fundraiser for Leah Patterson-Baker (Ada Nicodemou) and Zac MacGuire (Charlie Clausen), Charlotte was caught off-guard when Hunter King (Scott Lee) turned up and told the attendees that he was her son and Zac was his father.[7][8] Zac was unaware that he had fathered a child with Charlotte and was "gobsmacked" by the revelation. As Charlotte confirmed that Hunter was his son, Zac struggled to understand how she kept it from him and ended up rejecting Hunter.[8] As Zac later forged a relationship with his son, Charlotte realised she still had feelings for him.[9] When Zac and Leah ended their engagement, Charlotte invited Zac to stay with her and Hunter. She then tried to kiss him, but he rejected her.[9]

Matt Page

"Back at the bar, it would never have occurred to Charlotte that the liaison she had was with a student. It was an innocent mistake. But, what happens after that is what people will base their judgements on when it comes to this character."[10]

—Heynatz on Charlotte and Matt's relationship

Charlotte's first storyline was an affair with school student Matt Page (Alec Snow). She did not initially know that he was a student as they embarked on a one-night stand.[10] The storyline was first discussed by Home and Away producer Lucy Addario; who revealed to Stephen Downie of TV Week that Matt would become embroiled in a new relationship. Fearing other Summer Bay residents will not approve, they conduct their affair in secrecy.[11] Heynatz and Snow did not have time to get better acquainted before they filmed their character's first passionate encounter. Heynatz told Kerry Harvey from Stuff.co.nz that it worked well for the scene, which was a "sexy chance meeting, inherent with all its awkward moments."[6] She added that a "lasting connection" develops between the two characters, but branded their relationship a dangerous one.[6]

The couple were pushed together by Leah, who asked Charlotte to tutor Matt. Charlotte realised that she should not be with Matt, but could not help herself when he kissed her.[10] As Charlotte and Matt continued seeing each other, Maddy Osborne (Kassandra Clementi) soon found out about the relationship and urged Matt to end it.[10] Reflecting on the storyline in December 2015, Snow told Bianca La Cioppa from the Daily Mail that he and Heynatz really tried to make their on-screen romance appear truthful and to justify their relationship.[5]

Denny's death and blackmail

When Denny Miller (Jessica Grace Smith) made an unannounced visit to Charlotte's flat to offer Hunter her old job, she caught Charlotte with the stolen safe from the Diner.[12] As Denny realised that Hunter had been responsible for the break-in, she urged Charlotte to go to the police. A fight broke out between the two women as Denny tried to take the safe.[12] Charlotte pushed Denny away, causing her to hit her head and die.[12] Despite knowing Denny's death was an accident, Charlotte did not report it to the police. Instead, she buried Denny's body and her belongings out in the bush.[12] Heynatz commented that Charlotte would do anything to protect her son.[12] Not long after, Charlotte began suffering from hallucinations and started seeing Denny around the flat. The images continued to appear, as Charlotte worked to cover up her crime.[13] She hacked into Denny's social media accounts to make it seem like she was alive and enjoying her overseas trip.[13] However, one particular hallucination of Denny caused Charlotte to throw a glass at a mirror, shattering it. When Andy stopped by to ask her out to dinner, he became worried by the scene.[13] Hara commented, "it's a side of Charlotte that Andy's never seen. Obviously seeing the glass is a shock."[13] Andy was aware that Charlotte had previously covered up the fact Hunter burnt down Leah's house. Andy believed that she might be covering for Hunter again, but Charlotte refused to talk about it.[13]

Charlotte also became the victim of a stalker in the wake of Denny's death. She began receiving notes telling her that someone was watching her every move.[14] As she continued her affair with Matt, his friend Josh Barrett (Jackson Gallagher) asked her to end it, causing Charlotte to lash out and accuse him of sending the notes.[14] Josh then told Matt what had happened, and Matt felt obliged to offer his help. Snow said, "he wants to help her and be that man who steps up and solves all her problems."[14]

As Trystan continued to pressure her to find out the truth about Brax, Charlotte realised that his brother Kyle Braxton (Nic Westaway) might know something.[15] Charlotte went to his house to look for clues, but Kyle soon caught her and she made it clear that she was attracted to him.[15] Westaway told an Inside Soap writer, "Kyle has been working hard recently, so to have a gorgeous woman like Charlotte make a move on him isn't the worst thing ever!"[15] Charlotte and Kyle spent the afternoon together, and the writer noted that Kyle appeared to have fallen "hook, line and sinker" for Charlotte. When Kyle later saw Charlotte being hassled by Trystan, and then learnt that he was blacking her, Kyle attacked him.[16] The incident prompted Constable Katarina Chapman (Pia Miller) to become involved and she questioned Charlotte about the nature of her relationship with Trystan.[16]

When Trystan demanded to know what Charlotte had found out about Brax, she begged him for more time. He then had Hunter kidnapped and dumped in the bush by the road.[16] After learning what happened, Charlotte called Trystan and confronted him in her car, where he then threatened her. Upon Trystan leaving the car, Carena Crawford from All About Soap observed "he's forgetting one thing about Ms King – she's a killer! And pushed to the extreme, she makes a split-second decision and slams on the accelerator, charging towards Trystan!"[16] After hitting Trystan with her car, Charlotte got out and looked at his body, as Irene Roberts (Lynne McGranger) arrived on the scene. When Kat came to question her, Charlotte said Trystan had stepped out in front of her.[16] However, Kat soon learned that Trystan's injuries were not consistent with Charlotte's story and she remembered that Trystan had been harassing her. When Trystan later died, Kat realised that Charlotte had not been entirely honest with her.[16]

Who Shot Charlotte?

It was announced that in the 2015 finale, broadcast on 9 December 2015, a major character would be killed off.[17] Charlotte was confirmed to be that character when she was seen being shot by an unknown assailant.[18]

It was announced that the suspects in Charlotte's death ranged from her son, to other Summer Bay residents such as Irene Roberts, Leah Patterson-Baker and Kyle Braxton. It was also stated that different endings had been filmed and that the cast did not even know who was the culprit.[19]

Storylines

While enjoying a drink at Angelo's, Charlotte notices Matt Page and he joins her at her table. Charlotte goes back to Matt's caravan and they have sex. The following day, Charlotte goes to the high school and Zac introduces her to Leah Patterson-Baker as his former girlfriend and the new biology teacher. Charlotte soon realises that Matt is a student and they both agree to keep their one-night stand a secret. Charlotte helps Josh Barrett (Jackson Gallagher) locate his brother Andy (Tai Hara), who has taken off in his car while intoxicated. Leah later asks Charlotte to tutor Matt and she reluctantly agrees. During their first session, Charlotte and Matt reignite their affair. Maddy later witnesses Matt trying to give Charlotte a flower and works out that they are dating. Matt takes photos of himself and Charlotte in bed together. Matt informs Charlotte that Maddy knows about them, and she threatens Maddy. Charlotte then ends things with Matt. When Leah tries to work out who she is dating, Charlotte panics and Andy lies that it is him. Matt threatens to release the photos and Charlotte tries to take his phone. He later tells her that the photos are on his laptop. When Leah's house burns down, Matt accuses Charlotte. He later apologises and they agree to move on. Charlotte and Andy kiss and begin dating for real. Charlotte gives Zac a loan after he learns the house insurance lapsed. Charlotte's son Hunter King (Scott Lee) breaks into her motel room and then demands to be introduced to his father – Zac. Charlotte later realises that Hunter set fire to Zac and Leah's house. Charlotte admits to Andy that she is still in love with Zac. She later tries to kiss Zac, but he rejects her and returns to Leah.

Charlotte learns that Hunter stole the Diner's safe and left Marilyn Chambers (Emily Symons) injured, Charlotte refuses to let Hunter confess to the police and orders him to leave the Bay. A week later, Charlotte gets an unexpected visit from Zac's niece, Denny Miller, who stops by on her way to the airport to see if Hunter wants to take her job at the bait shop. Denny notices the Diner safe and she tries to take it. The two women fight and Charlotte pushes Denny away, causing her to hits her head and die. After initially deciding to call the police, Charlotte panics and later buries Denny and her belongings in the bush. Charlotte subsequently suffers nightmares about the incident. Charlotte overhears from Denny's family and friends that Denny has not updated her social media account, so she breaks into the Farmhouse and takes her diary to update her account. Trystan Powell (Ben Mingay) appears in the Bay and reveals to Charlotte that he knows she killed Denny. He begins blackmailing her into giving him money. Charlotte steals Hunter's trust fund money to pay Trystan. She and Matt continue their relationship, until Hunter tells Zac and Leah. Charlotte is fired from her job.

Hunter moves in with Zac and Leah, which devastates Charlotte. Trystan explains to Charlotte that he and Trevor Gunson (Diarmid Heidenreich) believe Darryl Braxton (Steve Peacocke) is still alive and they want her to get information from his family and friends. Charlotte gets close to Brax's brother, Kyle Braxton, after he gives her a job. Charlotte realises many of the residents have turned against her after her car is covered in rubbish and a brick is thrown through her window. When she argues with Irene Roberts, Olivia Fraser Richards (Raechelle Banno) takes against her. Charlotte threatens Olivia, and in revenge, Olivia vandalises Charlotte's apartment. Charlotte learns from Alf Stewart (Ray Meagher) that Trystan had Hunter kidnapped and left in the bush. Charlotte confronts Trystan about the kidnapping. After Trystan leaves her car, Charlotte drives it at him, causing him serious injuries. He dies the following day. Charlotte tells Irene and Constable Katarina Chapman that it was an accident, but Kat refuses to believe her.

Charlotte receives a call from Trevor Gunson who asks her to visit him in prison. Gunno is unhappy that Charlotte killed Trystan and refuses to believe her when she says it was an accident, reminding her that she also murdered Denny. Charlotte tells Gunno that she is done working for him. When Kat questions Charlotte about her visit to Gunno, Charlotte tells her that Gunno is her ex-boyfriend. Martin Ashford (George Mason) knows that Gunno is not her ex-boyfriend and she gets him to admit that Brax is alive. She agrees to keep the secret.

Charlotte spikes Kat's drink and when Kat passes out, Charlotte steals her gun and handcuffs. When Kat becomes convinced Charlotte is behind the incident, Charlotte contacts Gunno and arranges for his henchman to kill Kat. They are unsuccessful. A week later, Denny's body is found. Charlotte asks Hunter and Kyle for money, but they refuse her. After overhearing Ash's conversation about Billie being framed for the fire at Leah's house, Charlotte breaks into Ash's caravan and plants Kat's handcuffs in Billie's bag, framing her for drugging Kat too. Ash confronts Charlotte and has to be pulled off of her. Kat finds evidence that proves Charlotte killed Denny and comes to arrest Charlotte, but she has already left the flat. Charlotte turns up at Leah and Zac's wedding and threatens to reveal everyone's secrets. She leaves and goes to the pier, where she is approached by someone she knows. The unseen person shoots Charlotte and she falls into the seas. Her body is recovered the following day.

Reception

Harvey (Stuff.co.nz) branded Charlotte a "femme fatale" and "the woman currently turning things upside down in Summer Bay". She added that there is "scandal there is aplenty" when Charlotte is around.[6] After Leah asked Charlotte to tutor Matt, a South Wales Echo reporter noted that "it's lessons in love he will be receiving".[20] An Inside Soap contributor branded Charlotte "wicked",[12] while another called her a "bad girl".[15]

A Soaplife contributor stated, "Crazy Charlotte King's certainly made more than a few waves since she arrived in Summer Bay last year. In fact, she's nothing short of a one-woman tsunami."[21] They also pointed out that Charlotte had a long list of "extra-curricular mayhem", adding "make no mistake, she's a piece of work!"[21] Carena Crawford from All About Soap said of "cunning" Charlotte, "what a nasty piece of work!"[22]

Following Charlotte's exit, a TV Week columnist quipped "Ding dong, the witch is dead!"[23] They wrote that Charlotte had done "some terrible things" during her stint in the Bay, but believed that she was just trying to protect Hunter.[23] The columnist added that it was not a surprise when she was shot.[23]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Domjen, Briana (10 January 2015). "Class act: Erika Heynatz joins Home and Away as Summer Bay's new school teacher". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  2. ↑ Lal, Chloe (29 June 2015). "Home and Away actress Erika Heynatz reveals she is pregnant with her first child at 39". Woman's Day. (Hearst Magazines). Retrieved 8 February 2016.
  3. ↑ "Soap diary". TV Week (25). 20–26 June 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 Schipp, Debbie (20 June 2015). "Erika Heynatz reveals how she will shake up Summer Bay". news.com.au. Retrieved 21 June 2015.
  5. 1 2 La Cioppa, Bianca (17 December 2015). "'It's not the worst thing to be doing:' Alec Snow, 23, says he was praised by men for his intimate scene with Erika Heynatz, 40, on Home And Away". Daily Mail. (DMG Media). Retrieved 8 February 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Harvey, Kerry (17 August 2015). "Home and Away star's scandalous role". Stuff.co.nz. (Fairfax New Zealand). Retrieved 8 February 2016.
  7. 1 2 "Charlotte's web". TV Week (31): 12–13. 1–7 August 2015.
  8. 1 2 "Zac's secret son!". Inside Soap (38): 34. 26 September – 2 October 2015.
  9. 1 2 Downie, Stephen; Field, Melissa (29 August – 4 September 2015). "Family territory". TV Week (35): 11.
  10. 1 2 3 4 Downie, Stephen (27 June – 3 July 2015). "Playing with fire". TV Week (26): 12–13.
  11. ↑ Downie, Stephen (13–19 June 2015). "Summer Bay secrets". TV Week (Bauer Media Group) (24): 106– 107.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Charlotte kills Denny!". Inside Soap (Hearst Magazines UK) (44): 28. 7–13 November 2015.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 Downie, Stephen (26 September – 2 October 2015). "Falling to pieces". TV Week (39): 13.
  14. 1 2 3 Downie, Stephen (3–9 October 2015). "Charlotte's stalker". TV Week (40): 11.
  15. 1 2 3 4 "Love for Kyle?". Inside Soap (Hearst Magazines UK) (4): 32. 30 January – 5 February 2016.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Crawford, Carena (30 January – 12 February 2016). "Killer King!". All About Soap (Hearst Magazines UK) (367): 25.
  17. ↑ "Home and Away spoilers: A Major character is set to die after being shot". Digital Spy. (Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 7 February 2016.
  18. ↑ Dainty, Sophie (9 December 2015). "Spoiler alert: Home and Away kills off major character in Australia's explosive series finale". (Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  19. ↑ "Who murdered Charlotte?". Yahoo News AU. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
  20. ↑ "Pay Back Time for Callum". South Wales Echo. 22 August 2015. Retrieved 8 February 2016.(subscription required)
  21. 1 2 "Charlotte's web of lies means murder!". Soaplife (IPC Media) (374): 26. 13–26 February 2016.
  22. ↑ Crawford, Carena (13–26 February 2016). "Charlotte strikes again!". All About Soap (Hearst Magazines UK) (368): 24, 25.
  23. 1 2 3 "Home And Away finale: Out with a bang!". TV Week. 10 December 2015. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
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