Marilyn Chambers (also Bryant and Fisher) is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away, played by Emily Symons. She made her first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 18 May 1989. When Symons auditioned for the role she created a backstory for the character and dressed in a mini dress, stilettos and put on a breathy voice. She was successful and producer Andrew Howie cast her in the role. Writers introduced her as the girlfriend of established character Lance Smart (Peter Vroom). Marilyn is characterised as a bubbly and ditsy hairdresser. She has a distinct bouffant hairstyle and unique dress sense which includes high heel shoes. Marilyn has become one of the show's most iconic characters during her tenure.
Symons departed on 23 July 1992, but she returned on 5 June 1995 and stayed for four years, making her last appearance on 1 October 1999. She made a brief return from 31 August 2001 to 4 September 2001. In 2010, it was announced that Symons would be returning to Home and Away and Marilyn returned on 19 March 2010. Marilyn's storylines have included being married twice, suffering from post-natal depression, losing her son, receiving an electric shock, and developing cancer. Her significant relationships have been with Donald Fisher (Norman Coburn), Sid Walker (Robert Mammone) and later John Palmer (Shane Withington).
Casting Symons was nervous when she decided to audition for the role because she had previously been turned down for several parts in other shows. To prepare for her audition Symons and her acting coach created a backstory for Marilyn and they got to know her better. Symons decided to put on a "breathy voice" and purchased stiletto shoes for the character. This left Symons feeling like she knew exactly how the character should be portrayed.
Symons travelled to Kings Cross area of Sydney for her audition and was accompanied by her mother. She made her parent wait in a nearby coffee shop and had to climb over a drunk sleeper obstructing the audition building doorway. Symons was pessimistic about gaining the role because so many actresses turned up to audition. She entered the audition dressed in a mini dress, stilettos and a face full of "big eighties make-up". She was successful and invited back to the subsequent stages of the audition. Symons felt that she impressed the casting department and producer Andrew Howie offered her the role and she began filming her first scenes is March 1989. Dannii Minogue also auditioned for the role of Marilyn, before she was given the role of Emma Jackson. Symons made her first screen appearance as Marilyn in 1989. Within months of joining Home and Away, Symons had lost a stone in weight which concerned producers. They considered recasting the role but Symons soon sought help. She later told a reporter from TVTimes that "Marilyn's clothes began to hang on me like rags."
In December 1991, David Brown from TV Week reported that Symons had decided to leave Home and Away. He revealed that she would film her final scenes in March 1992 and that Marilyn's departure scenes would air in July. The actress decided to leave to marry Nick Lipscombe. Discussing her departure, Symons told a reporter from TVTimes that "I'd been in Home and Away for three years and even though I loved it, it was definitely time for a change. If I hadn't of met Nick I might have stayed longer." Three years after separating from Lipscombe, Symons returned to the soap. She stayed for another four years, before announcing her departure in 1999, so she could move to England to be with her then fiancé. She filmed her last scenes towards the end of the year. In 2001, Home and Away came to the United Kingdom to film some special episodes to help celebrate the show's return to British screens. Symons re-joined the cast as Marilyn for the London filming. On her return Symons said "When I left Home and Away two years ago I actually asked for my character Marilyn to be killed off. Now I'm glad they didn't."
Character development
Characterisation When Marilyn is introduced into the series she lives in the neighbouring town of Yabbie Creek and works as a hairdresser and beautician. Symons told Jason Smith from the official Home and Away podcast that she was "very ditsy, she was an orphan and she hadn't completed her education. She used to get quite muddled and all her words mixed up, full of life but not very smart." Symons chose three words to describe her as "kind, funny and warm". The show's producer Lucy Addario described her as "beautiful, kind and a girls best friend", adding that she is a "nurturing" character.
Marilyn has also been described as the "ditzy chick-next-door" who has a heart of gold, but lacked a "bit of common sense". A writer for Holy Soap called Marilyn "bubbly" and a "Dizzy blonde beautician". Marilyn is known for her bouffant hairstyle and her "daring" dress sense. Of this Symons said "Marilyn is who she is and doesn't care what anybody thinks. In her mind that's how a lady of her age would dress – she thinks it's absolutely normal and is proud of her style, although Colleen definitely disapproves!" When asked if she would like Marilyn to receive a makeover, Symons said that she does not want to see her character change. She explained that Marilyn would not be Marilyn and a makeover would not be "true to the character."
To add authenticity to Marilyn's role as the local hairdresser and beautician, writers created a story in which she opens her own salon. She calls her business "Marylin Chambers' Beauty Chamber" and off-screen production struggled to decide where the salon should be located. They created an additional set which was attached to the fictional diner included in the show. The Home and Away art designer Ken McCann decided to decorate it in a "camp" leopard print style setting. In this set Marilyn would portray comedy stories in which she ruins other character's hair styles in ditsy mistakes.
Symons described the 2010 Marilyn as "still the bubbly, positive, energetic and slightly bonkers '80s chick, but more spiritual". She added that Marilyn has done a lot of soul searching and feels that she now has a reason to come back. She has a new lease on life and she is embracing religions, magic and tribal beliefs. Her "ultra positive outlook" on life and her vegan food annoyed Miles Copeland (Josh Quong Tart), but they soon got used to living together. Holy Soap also said that Marilyn has known "severe heartache" after she lost her son, Byron to cancer, divorced Donald and is now seriously ill. Yahoo!7 say that she is still "tender" over Byron's death, but she has come to realise that life is for living. Marilyn's best friend, Mitzy Fraser (Helen Dallimore), is a "kindred soul". She is a psychic, who helped Marilyn deal with her grief over Byron and her recovery from cancer. Dallimore described Marilyn as "sweet, open minded and trusting."
Early relationships Marilyn's first relationship is with Lance Smart (Peter Vroom) and ultimately the pairing does not work out. First Marilyn and Lance get engaged and she goes wedding dress shopping. Their engagement followed a series of arguments curbed by Lance planning a surprise meal and marriage proposal. Symons told to David Brown writing for TV Week "that's what she's always wanted, then she goes full swing. She buys a wedding dress and starts to refurbish Lance's home!" Symons later recalled "I've got a old photo of me [Marilyn] in a wedding dress, but he dumped Marilyn before they got to the altar, so the wedding never happened." The breakdown of their relationship came at a time when Vroom was due to leave the series. They also had to contend with Lance's mother Colleen Smart (Lyn Collingwood). She is over protective of Lance and writers never forget this link. By the time Marilyn returned in 2010, Colleen still does not "like or trust" Marilyn for breaking "her Lancey's' heart".
In late 1990, writers developed Marilyn's next romantic relationship with Adam Cameron (Mat Stevenson). Symons and Stevenson were also featured as the cover stars on TV Week's issue dated 29 December 1990. In the magazine, David Brown revealed that writers had planned "more romantic problems" for the two characters, which would play out following the 1991 series debut. Another reporter added that they "ended the year as lovers, but TV Week can reveal that there is trouble ahead for the two teenagers."
Marriage to Phil Bryant Marilyn goes through "a tough time" when it comes to relationships until she meets Phil Bryant (Vince Martin), a "no-nonsense country bloke". Phil turns up in Summer Bay to drop off his teenage daughter, Toni (Kathryn Dufty), on a school exchange trip. When he almost collides with Marilyn and crashes his car, he is forced to stay in the area longer than planned. Marilyn takes an immediate liking to Phil and he is won over by her "bubbly personality." However, he does have doubts about how the relationship will work as Marilyn is twenty-four and he is forty. Marilyn eventually convinces him that he is the man for her and Martin explained, "Phil will bring her the stability she needs in her life. His maturity and her enthusiasm for life will make a nice balance. Besides, Marilyn's had her heart broken too often." After a few ups and downs, Phil asks Marilyn to marry him and she accepts.
The age difference between the two characters caused problems with Phil's daughter Toni. Symons defended Marilyn choice in partner and told a TVTimes writer that "Marilyn had always been looking for a kind of father figure in her life and Phil's come along at just the right time." She described the age difference as a "bonus" for Marilyn because he can offer "security" and "settle her down". The marry and leave the Bay to start a new life together. Martin commented that the idea of Marilyn living on an isolated bush farm seemed unlikely and thought she would feel out of place. He added "On top of that, they've only known each other for a few weeks when they decide to marry. But if their love is strong enough, they'll make a go of it." Discussing their exit from the show, Symons believed the character's romance was true to her own personal life. Symons was leaving to marry her partner and she added "now Marilyn's planning a bright new future and so am I. I know I'm going to be very happy - hope that Marilyn will too."
Marriage to Donald Fisher One of Marilyn's most important story arcs saw her begin an unlikely relationship with Donald Fisher (Norman Coburn). When Marilyn decides to go back to school as a mature student to get her HSC, she and headmaster Donald grow close. Years later when she returns to Summer Bay the friendship continues and, to the shock of the local residents, they begin a romance. Their marriage was one of Home and Away's most shocking storylines as Donald was twice Marilyn's age. Of this, Symons said "Although the storyline of a girl's affair with a much older man was a controversial one, in the end it went down well with the viewers." Marilyn and Donald's wedding ceremony was filmed on location at Palm Beach on one of the coldest days in Sydney for one hundred years. Symons said "the wedding dress wasn't exactly a winter frock. It really was absolutely freezing. We were all purple and chilled at the end of the day." The character's wedding reception and dance scenes were filmed in the comfort of a warm studio.