| Michael Williams | |||||||||||||
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| Neighbours character | |||||||||||||
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| Portrayed by | Sandy Winton | ||||||||||||
| Duration | 2010–2012 | ||||||||||||
| First appearance | 4 May 2010 | ||||||||||||
| Last appearance | 23 May 2012 | ||||||||||||
| Classification | Former; regular | ||||||||||||
| Introduced by | Susan Bower | ||||||||||||
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Michael Williams is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Sandy Winton. The actor's casting was announced in March 2010 and he admitted the role would be challenging, but he would be up to the task. Michael was introduced as the new principal of Erinsborough High, replacing Daniel Fitzgerald (Brett Tucker). The character made his debut screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 4 May 2010. In November 2011, it was announced that Winton would be leaving Neighbours and Michael departed on 27 March 2012. However, the character made a brief reappearance on 23 May 2012.
Before his arrival on screen, a reporter for TV Week said it looked like Michael would break a few hearts among the mother's club, while a writer for the soap's official website described him as hunky. Michael is an outdoorsy, blue-collar guy with a passion for teaching. During an interview for Channel 5, Winton said he is similar to Michael in the way that they both enjoy surfing and living life to enjoy it. Shortly after his arrival, Michael began a rivalry with Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis), but he proves that he is a worthy contender by putting Paul in his place. Michael is a widower with one daughter, Natasha (Valentina Novakovic), and his storylines often revolved around their family dynamic. When he struggled with her behaviour, Michael disowned Natasha and forced her to take responsibility for her own actions.
Michael had a brief relationship with Ruby Rogers (Yesse Spence), before embarking on an affair with Paul's wife, Rebecca (Jane Hall). Michael was devastated when Rebecca left and Winton believed Michael had thought he had found the one. When Natasha is seen asking her father for more information about her late mother, executive producer Susan Bower said Michael was hiding a secret that would change their lives forever. Michael's sister-in-law, Emilia Jovanovic (Freya Stafford), was introduced to the show and it was revealed that she and Michael were having an affair when Natasha's mother drowned. Michael's feelings for Emilia resurface and he becomes involved in a love triangle with her and his best friend, Lucas Fitzgerald (Scott Major).