Susan Kennedy

Susan Kennedy
Neighbours character
Portrayed byJackie Woodburne
Rainey Mayo (1995 dream)
Duration1994–present
First appearance3 October 1994 (1994-10-03)
ClassificationPresent; regular[1]
Introduced byStanley Walsh
Spin-off
appearances
In-universe information
Other namesSusan Smith (maiden name)
Susan Kinski (second married name)
Occupation
  • Waitress
  • Teacher and principal at Erinsborough High
  • Journalist
  • Student at Eden University
  • Marriage celebrant
FamilyKennedy
MotherGrace Smith
SistersCarmel Tyler
Liz Conway
HusbandKarl Kennedy (1978–2004, 2007–)
Alex Kinski (2005)
SonsMalcolm Kennedy
Billy Kennedy
DaughtersLibby Kennedy
StepsonsZeke Kinski
StepdaughtersKatya Kinski
Rachel Kinski
Holly Hoyland
GrandsonsJackson Kennedy
Ben Kirk
GranddaughtersSusannah Kennedy
NephewsDarcy Tyler
NiecesElly Conway
Bea Nilsson
Other relativesAster Conway

Susan Kennedy (also Smith and Kinski) is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Jackie Woodburne. The character and her family were created by storyliners in an attempt to bring the show back to its roots. Susan made her first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 3 October 1994, along with her eldest son and daughter. The storyliners made Susan a teacher at Erinsborough High to give her immediate links with other characters. Since her introduction, Susan's personality and appearance have been through several changes.

Her storylines have seen her begin a relationship with a priest, being married, divorced and widowed. Susan has become a stepmother and a grandmother and she has been central to three plots revolving around health issues – retrograde amnesia, multiple sclerosis and surrogacy. She has also been central to a cyber-bullying plot. In October 2007, Susan became the longest-running female character in the show's history, having been in Neighbours for thirteen years. Woodburne has garnered various award nominations for her portrayal of Susan and the character has been well received by viewers and television critics. Susan delivers a closing monologue in the serial's finale, which was lauded by critics for encompassing the ethos of Neighbours.

  1. ^ Earp, Catherine (17 September 2022). "Neighbours announced for shock 2023 return following Channel 5 axe". Digital Spy. Retrieved 17 November 2022.