Jenny Gross | |
---|---|
Winners & Losers character | |
First appearance | "Covert Aggression in Netball" 22 March 2011 |
Last appearance | "The Last Five Years" 12 September 2016 |
Created by | Bevan Lee |
Portrayed by | Melissa Bergland |
In-universe information | |
Occupation | Technical support worker Teacher |
Family | Brain Gross (father) Trish Gross (mother) Patrick Gross (brother) Deidre Gross (sister) Bridget Gross (sister) Sam McKenzie (half-sister) Nana Dot (grandmother) |
Spouse | Gabe Reynolds (2015–) |
Significant other | Rhys Mitchell Callum Gilbert (ex-fiancé) Glenn Young |
Children | 2 |
Jennifer Elizabeth "Jenny" Reynolds (also Gross)[1] is a fictional character from the Australian drama series Winners & Losers, played by Melissa Bergland. She made her debut screen appearance in the pilot episode "Covert Aggression in Netball", which was broadcast on the Seven Network on 22 March 2011. Bergland successfully auditioned for the role of Jenny after her agent submitted her details to the producers. Bergland's signature red hair and glasses were kept by the producers for her character. Bergland made her television acting debut as Jenny. The series revolves around four "losers" who are reunited at their school reunion and then win the Oz Lotto.
Jenny is portrayed as being bright, opinionated, funny, loyal and daggy. Bergland said that she had some things in common with Jenny, like sticking up for her opinions and her fashion sense. Jenny comes from a large family, who love her unconditionally. They often helped when she was bullied at school, where she received the nickname "Gross-out". Jenny also had a loyal best friend in Bec Gilbert (Zoe Tuckwell-Smith). The show's creator Bevan Lee explained that Jenny's story arc would be about her growing up and maturing.
During the first season, Jenny embarked on a relationship with Rhys Mitchell (Nick Simpson-Deeks), which ended when he revealed he was gay. Bergland named the storyline as one of her favourites. Jenny has also been engaged to Callum Gilbert (Mike Smith), been part of a love triangle and dated an older man. In the third and fourth seasons, she began dating Gabe Reynolds (Nick Russell) and learned that she carried the BRCA1 gene. The character has received a mixed reception from critics. For her portrayal of Jenny, Bergland received the Logie Award for Most Popular New Female Talent and a nomination for Most Outstanding New Talent in 2012.