| Jonathan Gordon-Davies | |||||||||||
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| Brookside character | |||||||||||
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| Portrayed by | Steven Pinner | ||||||||||
| Duration | 1987–1990 | ||||||||||
| First appearance | 6 April 1987 | ||||||||||
| Last appearance | 31 October 1990 | ||||||||||
| Classification | Former; regular | ||||||||||
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Jonathan Gordon-Davies is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Steven Pinner. The character debuted on-screen during the episode broadcast on 6 April 1987. Pinner was cast in the series after a period of unemployment and he credited the role as being his saviour from depression. Jonathan is characterised as an upper class solicitor from a wealthy family in London. Writers created Jonathan alongside his fiancée Laura Wright (Jane Cunliffe). Together they represented the young urban professionals (yuppies) of 1980/1990s British society. The two characters move into number nine Brookside Close, the house previously occupied by similar upper class character Heather Haversham (Amanda Burton). Writers created a wedding story for them, which was broadcast on 11 August 1987 and commemorated the 500th episode of Brookside. Jonathan was portrayed at odds with his interfering father-in-law Geoff Wright (Arthur Kelly). He would invite himself into Jonathan's home and perform DIY home improvements to Jonathan's chagrin. His faulty repair of a light switch causes Laura to electrocute herself and fall down some stairs. The story formed Cunliffe's departure from the series after less than one year on-screen. Laura was killed off in January 1988, but writers decided to develop Jonathan's character further.
He gained housemates and friends when Terry Sullivan (Brian Regan) and later Sue Harper (Annie Miles) move in with him. Jennifer Calvert was introduced as Jonathan's new love interest, Canadian national Cheryl Boyanowsky. Producers spared no expense at creating an international love affair between the two. They filmed their first meeting in Austria, on-screen depicted as a skiing trip. Cheryl later visits Jonathan in Liverpool before returning to Canada. Producers then ordered production to commence in the Canadian city Vancouver to further develop their romance. Pinner enjoyed portraying Jonathan's travels and Cheryl returns to England to live with Jonathan. However, writers marred their romance with tension caused by their housemates Sue and Terry. Their relationship culminated following Calvert's departure and by 1990, Jonathan was portrayed as restless in his life. The character's final stories included Terry accusing him of having an affair with Sue and selling his solicitors partnership. Pinner made his departure from the series in October 1990 and Jonathan moves to London with his new lover Helen Massey (Colette Stevenson).