Andrew Robinson

Creation and casting

The character was created as part of Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis) and Christina Alessi's (Gayle Blakeney) relationship arc. Both Dennis and Blakeney were pleased with the pregnancy storyline. Blakeney carried out her own research into the subject, and she prepared for the birth scenes by visiting a Melbourne hospital to talk to the midwives. She admitted that she could not wait to work with the baby on set. Producers did not want to reveal the sex of the baby until the birth aired. Dennis revealed that both he and Blakeney asked the show's executive producer and he refused to tell them. Paul and Christina are seen discussing names, particularly boys names, and Dennis said that his character is a "typical Australian chauvinistic male so, of course, he'd like a son to carry on the name and all that." Blakeney explained that with Chrissie's Italian background, she wants the name Benito, as someone in the family has always been called Benito. Dennis added that Paul would be pretty happy with a girl, as he just wants to be a good father and husband. The baby, later named Andrew, was born on-screen on 13 November 1991. He was portrayed by Shannon Holmes until his departure in 1992.

In September 2009, it was announced the character would be returning to Neighbours after a seventeen-year absence. Darren Rowe of Digital Spy reported twenty-year-old Queenslander Jordan Smith had been cast as Andrew. Smith told David Knox of TV Tonight that shortly after returning from a Gold Coast music festival, he discovered he had seventeen missed calls from his agent telling him he had an audition for Neighbours back down on the Gold Coast. Smith explained "So I drove all the way back down and it was the only audition I've ever had where I really didn't care too much about it. I wasn't very prepared so I just went in, to see what happened. Two weeks later I had a phone call saying I had the job. Crazy." Smith received the call while he was in hospital, following a workplace accident which left his nose swollen and infected. This led to Smith almost turning down the role. Smith's first scenes as Andrew were broadcast in December 2009. His role was initially supposed to last for six weeks. In 2011, it was announced that Smith had signed a new contract to stay with Neighbours for another two years.

Development

Characterisation

The character's backstory was changed to accommodate Smith's Scottish accent. Smith had grown up in Scotland before moving to Australia as a teenager. Originally Andrew and Christina were said to have moved from Brazil back to Australia, but this was amended to include an intervening stay in Scotland. Smith speaks in a refined version of his natural accent to be understood. Of this he said "The producers have been fantastic in accommodating my accent. I have had to refine it so the other cast members and audience can understand me. Although I still get that 'what the hell did he just say?' about every second scene." The character also had a noticeable change in age. Andrew was born on screen in November 1991, but his age was decreased to sixteen and his birth date changed to 20 August 1993.

A writer for the BBC's Neighbours website commented that Andrew was "a delightful little baby" who had endured an unsettled beginning to life. Following his return, the character was portrayed as having a deceptive persona. Of this Smith said "He is very calculating and comes across as extremely selfish. However, there is a softer side to him but, for the moment, you only see glimpses of that." Smith also revealed some of the similarities in the comparison of his character and his on-screen father stating: "There are definitely characteristics of his father. He is very motivated by money and status like his father and would think nothing of burning someone if it meant he would get ahead." Network Ten describe the character. as having the charm and confidence others find intoxicating. They also add that he has a gift of an "inexplicable ability to make anyone he's talking to feel like they're the only person in the room." They also comment on how the character longs for his father to take notice of his actions and how much he wants him to notice him as a would-be businessman. Holy Soap said Andrew is a "bit of a chip off the old block and is always keen to make a quick buck."

Relationships

Andrew first storyline saw him have a one-night stand with Donna Freedman (Margot Robbie) during schoolies week. Donna was going through a rough patch in her relationship with Ringo Brown (Sam Clark) and when they argue at a dance party, Donna "catches the eye" of Andrew, the club promoter. Robbie explained "Andrew makes the first move to come over and have a chat. He's obviously very charming – and good-looking. Sparks fly straightaway." After they kiss at the party, Donna decides to go back to Andrew's place and she does not return to her room until the morning. A few weeks later, Andrew turns up in Erinsborough to visit his father, much to Donna's shock. Robbie stated that seeing Andrew again was the last thing Donna was expecting and she worries that he is going to tell everyone about what happened between them. TV Week's Jackie Brygel commented "Andrew's appearance has devastating consequences for several Ramsay Street residents in the months to come – particularly Donna, who's determined to keep her relationship with Ringo on track at any cost." Andrew puts pressure on Donna to give into their attraction for each other and they kiss. Robbie called Andrew "a game player" and said he likes the effect he has on Donna. When Ringo chooses to attend a university orientation evening instead of helping Donna out with her fashion business, Andrew becomes aware of her disappointment. He then seizes the opportunity to make "his presence felt in her life".

Robbie believed that because Andrew is more into the fashion scene and an aspiring businessman, he is perfect for the world Donna is trying to break into. One of Andrew and Donna's trysts is recorded onto a laptop and Andrew copies it to a disc, without Donna's knowledge. The disc falls into the hands of school bully, Scott Griffin (Eamonn George), who then shows the tape at the local bar, exposing Andrew and Donna's affair. The tape is later leaked onto the internet, which embarrasses Donna. A few months later, Donna and Ringo become engaged and they plan to marry quickly, so they can live in the United States. Andrew tells Donna that her marriage is doomed because she will probably cheat on Ringo again. When Donna catches Andrew shredding her paperwork for the trip, she slaps him across the face. A week later, Andrew makes sure Ringo witnesses him kissing Donna. She then becomes interested in why Andrew is trying to wreck her future with Ringo. Robbie explained to an Inside Soap writer "Donna is baffled. She thinks it's nuts that Andrew would give a hoot about her moving away, and knows he must have some kind of agenda. Despite the fact Andrew has done some pretty hideous things to Donna, she's probably the only person who really gets him." Donna later realises that Andrew is worried about losing her friendship and when she leaves, he will have no one. Ringo becomes angry with Andrew's actions and he punches him.

Dance party

Shortly after Natasha's pregnancy lie is revealed, Andrew throws himself into his dance party business. Andrew had previously held a party in 2009, but he got into debt and was chased to Erinsborough by a security team who wanted paying. Holy Soap said that "history looks set to repeat itself " when Andrew tries to organise a dance party with his partner Tomas. Smith revealed that Andrew would "face a crisis of conscience" when he discovers that Tomas is involved in some "dodgy dealings" at the club where the party is held. Andrew initially turns the other cheek, but he struggles when Natasha becomes suspicious about the party and Tomas. The situation becomes more stressful for Andrew, when Summer comes to the party. Smith told TV Week, "Andrew is terrified about what can go wrong – he knows he's in too deep, but he's happy to let it continue as long as he has nothing to do with it." Natasha comes to the club and tries to help Andrew out, but she is forced to turn to her father and he calls Detective Mark Brennan (Scott McGregor), who arrives at the club. Andrew is under pressure to come clean and he realises that the situation has become serious. Smith said "He's tried to brush it off, but he knows he needs to do the right thing." Mark and the police do not find any evidence of illegal activity, but Andrew feels the need to tell them the truth. He also decides to tell his father about Tomas's actions.

Crash and epilepsy

In August 2012, Andrew is involved in a car accident while heading to a concert with his friends. The crash occurs after Natasha learns Andrew has sold an app, that they worked on together, without her permission. Their argument leads Chris Pappas (James Mason) to lose control of the car and crash. Smith commented "So many lives are in danger." Andrew suffers a serious head injury as a result of the accident. He later struggles with "worrying neurological symptoms" including; dizziness, severe headaches and black outs. Andrew keeps his health worries to himself because he is determined not to show signs of weakness. Andrew is worried further when he blacks out at home and discovers he has suffered a fit. He sets up a camera to see what happens if he is affected again. However, when nothing happens, Andrew decides to go to the hospital for a check up. After undergoing tests by Karl Kennedy (Alan Fletcher), Andrew has "his life turned upside down" when he is diagnosed with epilepsy.

Karl urges Andrew to tell his family and friends about the diagnosis, but he does not listen and tries to deal with it by himself. When Paul offers to buy Charlie's with him, it reinforces Andrew's decision to not reveal his condition. Andrew's behaviour changes and he starts demanding that his friends give him lifts, despite knowing that hiding his condition will not help win them backSmith revealed that he researched epilepsy in preparation for the storyline and commented that Andrew "should definitely go and get help".

Departure and return

On 26 November 2012, Erin Miller from TV Week announced that Smith would be leaving Neighbours, along with two other cast members. Miller believed that Smith was keen to pursue other acting projects. The actor filmed his final scenes in December. Kilkelly revealed that the show's storyliners were lining up "heartbreak and triumphs" for the character's exits. Executive producer Richard Jasek stated "All the characters departing will leave a legacy on Ramsay Street which is testament to the extraordinary talents of the actors playing them. Communities are constantly changing and Neighbours is reflective of this." Andrew made his screen exit on 29 March 2013.

On 7 May 2022, Dan Seddon of Digital Spy announced Smith would reprise his role for the show's final episodes. He was one of twenty-three cast members who agreed to return for the show's end. The "most memorable characters" from each decade were chosen to return and Executive producer Jason Herbison commented that it ensured there was "something for everyone as Neighbours draws to a close."

Storylines

Andrew is the only son of Paul Robinson and Christina Alessi. There was an initial quarrel between Paul and Christina over what he should be called, with Christina keen on naming him Benito after her uncle (George Spartels) and Paul intent on Paul Robinson Junior. They eventually settled on Andrew and he was christened soon after. Within the first eighteen months of his life, Andrew experienced considerable turmoil, with Paul suffering a nervous breakdown after experiencing financial difficulties and the breakdown of Christina and Paul's marriage after Paul had an affair with Christina's sister. Andrew was then in the midst of a custody battle, but Paul and Christina patched up their differences before leaving to run a branch of Lassiter's in Hawaii. The family did not settle there for long as Paul was forced to go on the run after framing his brother-in-law Philip Martin (Ian Rawlings) for fraud. They moved to Brazil for a while, but eventually Paul returned to Australia and gave himself up, he then served several years in prison. Christina and Andrew lived in Scotland for a while, before they returned to Australia and settled down in Sydney.

Andrew organises an event at a club during schoolies week and he meets Donna Freedman. Andrew flirts with Donna and they have a one-night stand. A week later, Andrew arrives in Erinsborough to see his father, Paul Robinson. Andrew explains to Paul that he owes $5,000 to the security firm from his club event and Paul gives him the money. Paul's partner, Rebecca (Jane Hall), catches Andrew trying to leave and she tells him Paul deserves more respect, so Andrew decides to stay. Andrew pursues Donna and they begin an affair, behind her boyfriend, Ringo Brown's, back. One of their trysts is accidentally recorded and the footage is shown to an audience at Charlie's bar. Andrew then begins competing with his cousin, Harry Ramsay (William Moore), for the affections of their neighbour, Summer Hoyland. Andrew begins fighting with Rebecca's son, Declan (James Sorensen), who decides to move out. Andrew accidentally sends an email to all of the Lassiter's Hotel clients telling them the hotel no longer wants their business. He asks Declan for help, but Declan refuses to help him. Paul finds out and threatens to send Andrew home to his mother.

When Summer decides to throw a party, Andrew posts the details of the venue on Facebook. The party gets out of control and the police are called. Andrew refuses to apologise to Summer's stepmother, Stephanie Scully (Carla Bonner), and Rebecca decides to call Christina. However, Christina explains she does not want Andrew to come home. Andrew tries to split Rebecca and Paul up by asking Kyle Canning (Chris Milligan) to flirt with Rebecca. Andrew then tells Declan that Paul is keeping secrets about his financial situation, knowing Declan will tell Rebecca. While working on an advertising campaign for PirateNet, Andrew meets Natasha Williams. He invites her to go to a concert with him and they begin dating. Andrew tries to talk Donna out of marrying Ringo and he kisses her. Ringo punches him and when Natasha learns what happened, she breaks off their relationship. Andrew's friend, Chris Pappas (James Mason), comes out and Andrew is initially supportive, until Chris confesses to having a crush on him. They later make up.

Reception

Whilst played by Holmes, a writer for the BBC stated that Andrew's most notable moment was "Being born." Following the character's return to Neighbours in 2009, a Holy Soap writer said that Andrew's most memorable moment was "Getting steamy with gorgeous Donna while she was going out with Ringo. The incident just happened to be recorded, sparking the end of Donna and Ringo's relationship." During that storyline, Cameron Adams of the Herald Sun commented on the character's accent, saying "Watch for: Andrew's hard-to-pin-down accent. It's part Scottish, part ocker."

The character became popular with female viewers and Smith revealed that he had received marriage proposals. A critic for The Sun-Herald noted that trouble follows Andrew wherever he goes, and stated: "The baby-faced teen has been in Erinsborough less than a year but has earned the reputation of Ramsay Street rebel. He's had an affair with Donna (Margot Robbie), ripped off a security firm and taken credit for work done by Declan (Erin Mullally). This week, Andrew continues to be a nuisance, inviting Chris (James Mason) to a party held by Summer (Jordy Lucas). When Chris gets involved in a fight, it's clear he's fallen under Andrew's influence."