Katie Landers is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera ''

Neighbours ''Neighbours'' is an Australian television soap opera, which has aired since 18 March 1985. It was created by television executive Reg Watson. The Seven Network commissioned the show following the success of Watson's earlier soap '' Sons an ...

'', played by Sally Jensen. She made her first on screen appearance on 15 February 1988. Katie is the niece of

Beverly Marshall Beverly Marshall (also Robinson) is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours''. Upon her introduction on 6 July 1987, the character was played by Lisa Armytage. Following Armytage's decision to quit the role in 1988, produ ...

and sister to

Todd Landers Todd Landers is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours'', played by Kristian Schmid. He made his first appearance during the episode broadcast on 15 February 1988. Todd was introduced along with his younger sister Katie ...

. During her time in the show, she became close friends with

Toby Mangel Toby Mangel is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours'', played by Ben Geurens. He made his first on-screen appearance on 10 November 1988. Toby was originally played by Finn Greentree-Keane from 1988 until 1990. He depa ...

. Katie departed on 6 September 1989.

Casting

Jensen and

Kristian Schmid Kristian Schmid (born 28 November 1974) is an Australian actor best known for his roles as Todd Landers in ''Neighbours'' and Leading Seaman Robert Dixon in ''Sea Patrol''. Early life Schmid was born in Geelong, Australia to Hungarian parents ...

(who played

) had not met before or had any acting experience until they attended a drama class with the Actor's Training Studio in Melbourne. Scouts from the Grundy Organisation were also in attendance, on the look out for a pair of actors for ''Neighbours''. Jensen and Schmid attended an audition for the roles of regular characters, Katie and Todd, and following a screen test, they were cast. Both actors were at school when they were cast, so they were given an on set tutor and a schoolroom was built behind the studio.

Development

Katie and her brother Todd are the children of Adelaide couple, Annette (Tania Uren) and Bob Landers (Robin Harrison/Bruce Kilpatrick). They come to

Ramsay Street Ramsay Street is the fictional cul-de-sac in which the characters of the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours'' live. The street is set in the equally fictional Melbourne suburb of Erinsborough. ''Neighbours'' storylines primarily centre on the r ...

to live with their aunt, Beverly (Lisa Armytage/

Shaunna O'Grady Shaunna O'Grady (born 1958) is an Australian actress who played the second incarnation of Jim Robinson's wife, Dr. Beverly Marshall, on the long-running soap opera ''Neighbours''. She is the granddaughter of writer John O'Grady (author of ''The ...

), after their parents go through a difficult time in their marriage. Katie developed a close friendship with

(Finn Greentree-Keane) and the

BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC Here i going to introduce about the best teacher of my life b BALAJI sir. He is the precious gift that I got befor 2yrs . How has helped and thought all the concept and made my success in the 10th board ex ...

said that they "set about causing all sorts of mischief." Katie also grew close to

Helen Daniels Helen Daniels is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours'', portrayed by Anne Haddy. Following the death of Jim Robinson (Alan Dale) in 1993, she remained the only original character played continuously by the same act ...

(

Anne Haddy Anne Haddy (5 October 1930 – 6 June 1999), credited also as Anne Hardy, was an Australian actress, television presenter and voice artist, who worked in various facets of the industry including radio, stage and television. She was married ...

) and when she learnt that her father was attempting to blackmail her, Katie did not really forgive him. Katie began missing her mother and eventually returned to Adelaide, while Todd stayed behind.

Storylines

Katie and her older brother Todd arrive in Ramsay Street with family friend

Hilary Robinson Hilary Robinson is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera '' Neighbours'', played by Anne Scott-Pendlebury. The character first appeared on-screen during the episode broadcast on 25 June 1987. Hilary departed the show on 28 February ...

(

Anne Scott-Pendlebury Anne Scott-Pendlebury (also known as Anne Pendlebury) is an Australian television, film and theatre actress. She played the role of Hilary Robinson in the soap opera '' Neighbours''. Career Scott-Pendlebury is the daughter of L. Scott Pendle ...

), for their aunt Beverly's wedding to Hilary's cousin,

Jim Jim or JIM may refer to: * Jim (given name), a given name * Jim, a diminutive form of the given name James * Jim, a short form of the given name Jimmy * OPCW-UN Joint Investigative Mechanism * ''Jim'' (comics), a series by Jim Woodring * ''Jim ...

(

Alan Dale Alan Hugh Dale (born 6 May 1947) is a New Zealand actor. As a child, Dale enjoyed theatre and rugby. After retiring from the sport, he took on a number of occupations, before deciding to become a professional actor at age 27. Dale subsequentl ...

). After the service, Katie and Todd run away but are eventually found by

Scott Scott may refer to: Places Canada * Scott, Quebec, municipality in the Nouvelle-Beauce regional municipality in Quebec * Scott, Saskatchewan, a town in the Rural Municipality of Tramping Lake No. 380 * Rural Municipality of Scott No. 98, Saska ...

(

Jason Donovan Jason Sean Donovan (born 1 June 1968) is an Australian actor and singer. He initially achieved fame in the Australian soap ''Neighbours'', playing Scott Robinson, before beginning a career in music in 1988. In the UK he has sold over 3 mi ...

) and

Charlene Robinson Charlene Robinson (also Mitchell) is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours'' played by Kylie Minogue. Charlene was introduced to the show along with several new characters, as part of a revamp by Network Ten to incre ...

(

Kylie Minogue Kylie Ann Minogue (; born 28 May 1968) is an Australian singer, songwriter and actress. She is the highest-selling female Australian artist of all time, having sold over 80 million records worldwide. She has been recognised for reinve ...

). After settling into the family, Katie begins to view Helen Daniels, Jim's mother-in-law as a surrogate grandmother and begins calling her Gran. Katie later makes friends with Toby Mangel, who has recently moved in with his father

Joe Joe or JOE may refer to: Arts Film and television * ''Joe'' (1970 film), starring Peter Boyle * ''Joe'' (2013 film), starring Nicolas Cage * ''Joe'' (TV series), a British TV series airing from 1966 to 1971 * ''Joe'', a 2002 Canadian animated ...

( Mark Little) and cousin

Jane Harris Jane Harris may refer to: * Jane Harris (producer), British television director and producer * Jane Harris (writer) (born 1961), British writer of fiction and screenplays * Jane Harris (''Neighbours''), a fictional character in the Australian so ...

(

Annie Jones Ann Jones (or similar) may refer to: Writers *Ann Jones (author) (born 1937), American writer on women's issues * Anne Jones (writer) (born 1955), Australian editor and administrator * Anna Jones (food writer), columnist and cookbook author * Ca ...

) and the two become close friends. One day, Toby eats garlic before he has to kiss Katie in a school play and receives a black eye for his trouble. They reconcile at Christmas when Katie gives Toby a kiss at the Robinsons' Christmas party, much to his embarrassment. When Helen is blackmailed for large sums of money (up to and including $20,000) and has threats made against her family, Katie and Toby play detective and discover the blackmailer is Katie and Todd's father, Bob. Bob is arrested but Jim agrees to put up bail for the sake of Todd and Katie. Todd is willing to give his dad another chance but Katie is not, causing a rift between them. Bob plots with Todd to leave Erinsborough but Katie alerts Jim and Beverly in the nick of time and Bob is arrested and imprisoned. After getting a new pet rabbit, Rupert, Katie is thrilled. Rupert disappears one day and Katie cannot find him. After having dinner at the Mangels, Katie is alarmed to discover Joe has made rabbit stew and immediately assumes he cooked Rupert. After a funeral which involves the stew believed to be Rupert being buried in a casserole dish, Henry Ramsay (

Craig McLachlan Craig Dougall McLachlan (born 1 September 1965) is an Australian actor, musician, singer and composer. He has been involved in film, television, the music industry and music theatre for over 30 years. He is best known for appearing in the soap ...

) finds Rupert in his garden. At the end of the year, Katie's mother Annette feels ready to have Todd and Katie back in

Adelaide Adelaide ( ) is the capital city of South Australia, the state's largest city and the fifth-most populous city in Australia. "Adelaide" may refer to either Greater Adelaide (including the Adelaide Hills) or the Adelaide city centre. The dem ...

with her. The kids are torn between wanting to stay in Erinsborough and going back home with their mother. Katie decides to go back, but Todd having settled in Erinsborough, made friends and recently began dating

Melissa Jarrett Melissa Jarrett is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours'', played by Jade Amenta. She made her first appearance on 8 August 1989. Melissa departed on 9 April 1991. Amenta reprised her role in a guest appearance which w ...

(Jade Amenta) decides to stay put. Katie is angry with Todd but he assures her he will always visit her and Annette. On the day of Katie's departure, she gives Rupert to Toby to look after. Toby and Katie share an emotional goodbye and Toby kisses Katie, much to her delight before leaving.

Reception

The BBC said Katie's most notable moment was "Forcing Joe Mangel to bury a casserole." ''

The Sun-Herald ''The Sun-Herald'' is an Australian newspaper published in tabloid or compact format on Sundays in Sydney by Nine Publishing. It is the Sunday counterpart of ''The Sydney Morning Herald''. In the 6 months to September 2005, ''The Sun-Herald' ...

'' said Katie and Todd's escapades often portrayed storylines which were "vital themes in the show."

References

External links

Character profile
at the

{{DEFAULTSORT:Landers, Katie Neighbours characters Television characters introduced in 1988 Female characters in television