page_title: Ned Willis
section_title: Crush on Lauren Turner
hierarchical_section_title: Ned Willis / Development / Crush on Lauren Turner
caption_attribution_description: w:Kate Kendall at a rehearsal and performance of An Officer and a Gentleman.
context_page_description: Ned Willis is a fictional character from the Australian television soap opera Neighbours, played by Ben Hall. The character was created in the early 90s, but he was not seen on-screen. Over twenty years later, the show's UK broadcaster Channel 5 confirmed that Hall had been cast in the role and would make a short guest appearance. He made his debut in the episode broadcast on 6 April 2016. Series producer Jason Herbison had plans to promote Hall to the regular cast, but he was unsure about making a long-term commitment to the show. Following his initial guest stint, Hall returned twice in August and November 2016.
  Ned is often portrayed as a complex, manipulative character, but he is a good person at heart. He tries to do things for the right reasons, but often goes about it in the wrong way. Hall thought Ned was close to becoming a bad boy at times, a trait he enjoyed playing. The character was introduced during the Hotel Death Trap storyline, in which the boiler room at Lassiters Hotel explodes killing his half-brother and grandfather.
context_section_description: During an interview published on the show's official website, Hall commented that Ned would develop a "risqué" crush on someone who lives on Ramsay Street. In an interview for the Neighbuzz podcast, Hall said that producers originally planned for Ned to have a crush on Terese. Ned forms an immediate bond with Brad's partner Lauren Turner, as she is caring and gentle towards him, which is something he has not had since he left home. An Inside Soap columnist noted that Ned's loyalties clearly lay with Lauren instead of his father, and they wondered if Ned was potentially "blurring the lines of her motherly concern". Hall commented that Ned was raised by a single mother, so Lauren's kind nature helps to settle him in and make Erinsborough feel like home. He is aware that she is Brad's partner and "a big no-go zone" when it comes to any romantic feelings. Ned grows even closer to Lauren when she asks him pose for her art project.
  Ned soon becomes suspicious that Brad is cheating on Lauren with his former wife Terese, after he sees them talking and sharing a hug. Hall said Ned is "hypersensitive" to anything that Brad does that reminds him of what he did to his mother Beth, so when he sees Brad spending time with Terese and not Lauren, he concludes that something is going on between them. Ned shares his suspicions with his sister Piper, but she tells him that he is mistaken, and that Brad and Terese are mostly likely spending time together because of what happened to Josh. Of the situation, Hall commented, "Ned thinks Brad is just falling into his old ways of cheating – he wants to tell Lauren what he saw, but he's waiting for the right moment." Ned later raises his concerns with Brad, but he is left "frustrated" when his father refuses to discuss his actions.
  Lauren tries to help Ned and Brad bond, but Ned finds it easier to talk with her. Kendall said that her character is aware of Ned's flirting and innuendo, which leaves her feeling a little nervous around him. Kendall also explained that when Ned insists that something is going on between Brad and Terese, Lauren is quick to dismiss his concerns, but she soon becomes suspicious too. She confronts Brad, but when he refuses to give her a straight answer, she is left feeling confused. When Lauren is alone with Ned, she vents to him about Brad and Terese and tells him that she cares about him. Ned then kisses Lauren, but she pushes him away and he quickly runs off. Kendall said Lauren is "really shocked, and feels incredibly uncomfortable about the whole situation." Ellis (Inside Soap) pointed out that Lauren had been seen looking at Ned's muscles and wondered if she actually enjoyed the kiss, but Kendall insisted that there was a big difference between noticing Ned's attractiveness and acting on it. Lauren had no intention of doing anything.
  Brad eventually admits to Ned that he and Terese are involved in organising a false testimony for the upcoming trial surrounding the explosion. The confession brings Brad and Ned together, as he also wants to see justice for Josh's death. However, when Lauren says she is going to tell Brad about the kiss, Ned persuades her not to, saying it would ruin the relationship that he has built with his father. Kendall thought that Ned was being "quite manipulative" in that moment. Lauren agree to keep quiet, but warns Ned that she will speak to Brad if he crosses the line with her again. The truth about the kiss is later revealed when Piper overhears Ned and Lauren arguing. She insists that they tell Brad, and as Lauren is uncomfortable about keeping it from him any longer, they confess what happened, leaving Brad "stunned." The actress praised the direction of the storyline, calling it "a gutsy move, and very left-field". She also enjoyed working with Hall on the story.
  Returning to Erinsborough is "awkward" for Ned, especially when Brad thinks that he still has feelings for Lauren. Hall believed that Ned was remorseful about the kiss, and he wanted to show Brad and Lauren that he had moved on by entering into a new relationship. Hall also expl
caption: Ned develops a crush on his father's partner Lauren Turner, played by Kate Kendall (pictured).
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