Nicolette Stone

Nicolette Stone
Neighbours character
Hannah Monson as Nicolette
Portrayed byCharlotte Chimes (2020–2022)
Hannah Monson (2023–present)
Duration2020–present
First appearance15 July 2020 (2020-07-15)
ClassificationPresent; regular
Introduced byJason Herbison

Charlotte Chimes as Nicolette
In-universe information
Occupation
FatherVictor Stone[1]
MotherJane Harris
BrothersByron Stone
DaughtersIsla Tanaka-Brennan
Other relativesNell Mangel

Nicolette Stone is a fictional character from the Australian television soap opera Neighbours, played by Charlotte Chimes and Hannah Monson. She made her first appearance during the episode broadcast on 15 July 2020. Chimes auditioned for the role at a time she felt creatively fulfilled owing to her work on another series. Despite her nonchalant approach, Chimes was invited to a second audition, which the then Sydney based actress had to perform over video-tape due to the COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions imposed in Australia. Chimes was successful and assumed the role of Nicolette, who writers created as the daughter of the heritage character, Jane Harris (Annie Jones). From her introduction, Nicolette was portrayed as "straight talking" and "brash", unafraid to hurt other character's feelings. Nicolette is a lesbian and is confident with being open about her sexuality. Writers often used Nicolette's characterisation in her storylines. Writers created a fractured backstory between Nicolette and Jane, owed to Jane's request that Nicolette conceal her sexuality from her opinionated grandmother. Nicolette's early stories commonly featured her and Jane's journey to reconciliation. Writers further explored Nicolette's backstory with the introduction of her friend Audrey Hamilton (Zahra Newman), who had helped Nicolette commit fraud.

Nicolette quickly formed a friendship with Chloe Brennan (April Rose Pengilly), acting as a live-in-carer for her ill mother Fay Brennan (Zoe Bertram). Nicolette develops romantic feelings for Chloe which are forbidden. Writers established her first feud with Chloe's husband Pierce Greyson (Tim Robards) and via their rivalry they fully developed Nicolette's manipulative and brash persona. Nicolette eventually wrecks their marriage and moves in with Chloe's brother Aaron Brennan (Matt Wilson) and his husband David Tanaka (Takaya Honda). Neighbours used the trio to create their first surrogacy storyline involving three gay characters. Chimes believed the story created the ideal opportunity for Nicolette to create the family she had longed for. Writers marred the storyline with drama ranging from accidents, a romance with Chloe and family feuds, most notably between Nicolette and David's suspicious father Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis).

When David's scheming brother, Leo Tanaka (Tim Kano) attempts to snare Chloe from Nicolette, she betrays David and Aaron and absconds, later giving birth to a baby, Isla. Producers removed Nicolette from the opening credits to create further uncertainty about the story. When Nicolette returns one of her most notable stories played out on-screen, featuring the revelation Nicolette swapped her baby with Britney Barnes (Montana Cox) and Leo's daughter Abigail to gain revenge. Nicolette is then involved in a legal case to gain custody of Isla until she reaches an agreement with David and Aaron. Writers then created a relationship with Kiri Durant (Gemma Bird Matheson), which was not fully developed because of Channel 5's cancellation of Neighbours. Writers continued to feature Nicolette until the show's finale episode, reconciling her family and romantic relationships. When the show returned in September 2023, the character did not initially feature but was reintroduced two months later, now played by Monson after Chimes declined to return. Nicolette's manipulative behaviour has garnered her a reputation with television critics as being a "troublemaker" and "villain". Critics praised Nicolette's characterisation as portrayed by Chimes, and the development writers had managed to achieve in just two years on-screen. Monson's portrayal has also been well received.

  1. ^ "Unhappy families". TV Soap. No. 15. 20 July 2020. pp. 18–19.