| Max Ramsay | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neighbours character | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Portrayed by | Francis Bell | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Duration | 1985–1986 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| First appearance | 18 March 1985 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last appearance | 2 May 1986 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Classification | Former; regular | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Created by | Reg Watson | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Introduced by | Reg Watson | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Max Ramsay is a fictional character in the Australian television soap opera Neighbours, played by Francis Bell. Reg Watson created Max as one of the serial's twelve original characters. New Zealand actor Bell had wanted to appear in a major role in a long-running series for a while when he was cast as the head of the Ramsay family. He liked the serial's focus on ordinary people, and the comedy and drama of everyday life. Bell made his debut as Max in the show's first episode, which was broadcast on 18 March 1985. Max is portrayed as a rough, domineering, hard-headed man who makes sure his feelings are known. He has good intentions but is unsure of himself beneath his tough façade. Max is proud Ramsay Street was named after his grandfather, whose traditions he strives to uphold. Max is a self-employed plumber; Bell said he had wanted to play a working-class Australian because he came from a similar background.
Family life is central to Max's storylines. Writers Neil Wallis and Dave Hogan stated Max was "almost the father figure of Neighbours in the early days". Max lives with his wife Maria Ramsay (Dasha Bláhová), and their sons Shane (Peter O'Brien) and Danny (David Clencie). The family appear to be happy and Max wants nothing but the best for his sons, which is occasionally interpreted as bullying behaviour. Later scenes show Maria feels Max takes her for granted, and there is conflict between him and Shane, whom he trains to be an Olympic diver. Two months after Neighbours began, Maria says Max is not Danny's biological father; the storyline has lasting consequences for the whole family; Max resents Danny even more and his marriage comes to an end. Following Maria's departure from the show, Max's elder sister Madge Mitchell (Anne Charleston) was introduced.
Bell left Neighbours in March 1986, after he and the production company could not agree about a new contract. A back injury and difficulty getting into character also influenced Bell's decision to leave the show. He found the role was no longer a pleasurable experience but later stated he had no regrets about appearing in Neighbours. His sudden departure meant Max did not receive a farewell episode. Max's final appearance is in the episode broadcast on 2 May 1986, after which he reunites with Maria off-screen. Max's brother Tom Ramsay (Gary Files) was brought in to take over Max's storylines. Critics gave Max and his behaviour a mixed reaction but Bell's performance was praised; one critic from the British Burton Mail said Max was "excellent" while Thomas Myler of the Irish Evening Herald called him "a loud-mouthed ranting 'okker' with limited intelligence". According to Robin Oliver from The Sydney Morning Herald, Bell brought "a splendidly manic style of comedy" to the role of Max.