Dylan Timmins is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Damien Bodie. He made his first appearance during the episode broadcast on 3 February 2005. Dylan is introduced as part of the extended Timmins family, created around the established character Stingray Timmins (Ben Nicholas). Dylan is characterised as a "bad boy" and often gets into trouble with his criminal behaviour. He is also very loyal and protects his family no matter the consequence. Dylan is portrayed as having a difficult relationship with his mother Janelle Timmins (Nell Feeney), who blames him for any problems in the family. His introduction into the series explored their mother/son dynamic as Dylan feels unloved by Janelle. Writers also created a "father figure" for Dylan, Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis) and he becomes Paul's protégé carrying out jobs for him.
Writers paired Dylan with Sky Mangel (Stephanie McIntosh) for his first romantic relationship. They later break-up and he begins a relationship with Elle Robinson (Pippa Black), but writers created a complex story in which Sky reveals she is pregnant with Dylan's child despite mistakenly believing Stingray to be the father. Dylan was also used to portray a fake death story in which he lets his family believe he died in a plane crash. Bodie chose to the leave the show in 2006 and departed on 30 March 2007. Bodie later agreed to reprise the role and Dylan returned as part of Neighbours 35th anniversary celebration episodes on 19 March 2020.
Casting Damien Bodie had previously made two appearances in Neighbours as Charlie Moyes in 1996 and Liam Rigby in 1999, before securing the role of Dylan Timmins in 2005. Bodie did not think he would be cast as a series regular due to his looks, saying "Being pale and skinny, I never thought I'd be a long term Neighbours regular. I wasn't tanned or beachy. I thought that would never happen." He also had reservations about the character's bogan background, as they are from the country and he was a city boy from Melbourne.
Development Characterisation
Dylan is characterised as a "bad boy" role from a dysfunctional family and those around him expect that he will live a life of crime. On Dylan's profile on the official Neighbours website, he is described as having "an affinity for the underdog". He also very loyal which often the cause of his bad behaviour and crimes. Dylan main loyalties are to his family and will take revenge on anyone who harms them. Over time Dylan tries to change his ways, enrolling in school and trying to better himself. Bodie has described Dylan as "an outcast who needs a lot of help."
Introduction Dylan was the third member of the Timmins family to be introduced, following his younger brother Stingray Timmins (Ben Nicholas) and their mother Janelle Timmins (Nell Feeney). Prior to his arrival, Dylan was serving time in juvenile detention for a robbery. He decides to visit his brother in Erinsborough rather than return to his home in Colac. Bodie called his character "the black sheep of the family – definitely more of an outsider than Stingray." He explained that Janelle did not love Dylan as much as his siblings, which caused Dylan to pick on Stingray, who just sees him as the older brother who "bashed him up." Dylan tells Stingray's guardian Susan Kennedy (Jackie Woodburne) that he is close with his brother, but when Stingray returns home he punches Dylan. Bodie said Dylan is jealous of Stingray's new home life and he is also attracted to his girlfriend Serena Bishop (Lara Sacher). He joked, "Dylan will basically go after anything with two legs. His eyes pop out of his head when he sees Serena. He can't believe Stingray has done so well for himself!" Susan invites Dylan to stay, much to Stingray's displeasure, and she has to play "peacemaker" between them. Dylan insists that he has changed, but Stingray suspects that he is out for what he can get.
Writers focused on Dylan's fractured relationship with his mother Janelle. She often shows favouritism towards Stingray and blames Dylan for any problems in the family. This leaves Dylan hurt and confused as to why Janelle resents him. Bodie told an Inside Soap reporter that Dylan loves his mother and would "do anything" to share the same relationship with her that Stingray has. He added "He can't understand why she doesn't feel the same way. He knows he's made some mistakes in his life but, even so, that doesn't explain why Janelle holds such resentment towards him." Susan becomes worried and tries to offer advice to them to resolve their differences. Bodie explained that Susan can see "how much Dylan is hurting" because of the rift. Stingray behaves bad to make Dylan appear more favourable, but "Janelle still finds a way to paint Dylan as the villain." Writers developed the rift further and this culminates in an angry argument between the two. When Dylan buys an expensive ring for Janelle's birthday, she accuses him of stealing it. Bodie added "it builds to a huge argument. Eventually, Dylan just can't take anymore. He demands to know why his mother doesn't love him - and her answer shocks everyone."
Dylan is taught business studies by Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis) and he begins to find his mentor "inspirational". The official Neighbours website detailed that "they formed a bizarre mentor/protégé bond, Dylan replacing his absent father and Paul making up for neglecting his own children." Paul becomes embroiled in a plot to develop the land that Ramsay Street is built on. He partners with the firm Affirmacon and helps carry out their schemes. Dylan refuses to believe that Paul is doing any wrong. Stephanie McIntosh who plays Dylan's love interest Sky Mangel believed that even her character could not come between Dylan and Paul. She described Dylan as Paul's protégé and he ignores Sky's worries about Paul's role in Affirmacon. She explained that "Dylan refuses to believe anything bad about Paul. He idolises him." Dylan also saves Paul's life after he is pushed from a cliff by members of Affirmacon.
Relationships with Sky Mangel and Elle Robinson Dylan's first romantic relationship was created with Sky. Writers began to bring to an end Sky's established relationship with Boyd Hoyland (Kyal Marsh). Initially Dylan and Sky's relationship was disliked by McIntosh, who believed that Sky was better suited to Boyd. She could not understand why Sky would choose Dylan over Boyd, despite it being an "interesting journey". McIntosh also told Jason Herbison from Inside Soap that she wanted writers to reconsider their decision to split Sky and Boyd. On-screen Dylan and Sky first share a kiss while Boyd is in hospital in a coma. When Boyd recovers, he tells Boyd that he kissed Sky and that she knows Boyd had previously kissed Serena Bishop (Lara Sacher). Bodie told a reporter from Inside Soap that Dylan interferes in their relationship because he thinks there are too many secrets between them. Writers played Dylan as having an obvious attraction towards Sky. Bodie explained that they are not a conventional pairing but, "Sky is very motherly and always looks on the bright side of life, which appeals to Dylan."
When Sky and Boyd break up, Dylan tries to get together with a reluctant Sky. McIntosh told Herbison that Sky felt it was too soon to move on from Boyd. Though she added "I don't really know what attracts her to Dylan, but they have kissed, so there must be something there." When Sky continues to feud with Paul over his involvement with Affirmacon, Dylan refuses to listen to her accusations about Paul. He does agree to help her rescue birds from a swamp polluted with toxic waste, which Affirmacon caused. Dylan risks his life to save the birds and the toxic waste makes him ill. McIntosh explained that this was the point in the story in which Sky begins to like Dylan. She added that "Sky gets to see a different side to Dylan, and it brings them closer together, the fact that he is willing to put his own health at risk says a lot to her." Dylan's subsequent sickness also "unites them" and she concluded that their relationship is "rather bizarre". The duo later decide to embark on an actual relationship.
Following Dylan and Sky's break-up following Sky having sex with her art lecturer, Jean-Pierre Valasco (Steven Cabral), writers paired Dylan with Paul's daughter Elle Robinson (Pippa Black). Their relationship is problematic because Sky reveals that she is pregnant with Dylan's child. Bodie described it as a "difficult position" for Dylan and Sky because they are no longer together. Dylan is "determined to remain loyal to Elle" and "feels bad" about the pressure Sky's pregnancy causes on their relationship. Bodie believed that Dylan actually wants "a happy ending" with Sky. In addition Sky had sex with Stingray and chose to keep it a secret. When Sky becomes ill and collapses, a scan reveals that the is Stingray's instead of Dylan's and she decides to keep its paternity concealed. Bodie said that writers wanted to keep it a secret for to create some big reveal scenes, which would "be awful for everyone".
In November 2006, Bodie told Herbison that the plot was "complex" and the actors had "difficulty following what's going on." Dylan and Elle's relationship was portrayed as loveless, with Dylan pining after Sky. Bodie noted that "everyone knows that Dylan and Sky still love each other, and should be together." Sky remains determined to keep the truth hidden and Elle becomes worried she will lose Dylan. Elle is a "treacherous" character who will scheme to get what she wants. Dylan decides he wants to get back together with Sky so Elle pretends that she has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. Elle gets Paul to help support her story which completely fools Dylan. Bodie explained that Dylan feels "there's no way he can leave Elle now, regardless of what he really wants." Dylan is "heartbroken" and is forced to tell Sky he is choosing to remain with Elle. When Dylan discovers Elle's lies he reunites with Sky and they become engaged.
Dylan is excited about the prospect of becoming a father. Bodie told a reporter from Soaplife that Dylan believes the baby will be "the one pure thing" in his life. Sky's guilt begins to affect her pregnancy and she is taken into hospital. Sky tells Dylan that he is not the father of the baby. He is upset and Bodie explained that he wants to hurt Sky emotionally and tells her they can remain together if she adopts the baby. She decides to tell Dylan the truth about Stingray being the father. Dylan is furious and invites Stingray on a night out, pretending all is well. Nicholas stated that Dylan tricks his character and reveals "the awful truth" and informs him that "they're no longer brothers". It is difficult for Stingray because he has to tell Dylan the truth and accept he is the father. Bodie recalled that the scene with Nicholas were fun but emotional to film.
Dylan reunites with Elle but Paul becomes determined to ruin their relationship. When he discovers that Oliver Barnes (David Hoflin) will inherit a fortune, he tries to get Elle and Oliver in a relationship. Oliver was already partnered with Carmella Cammeniti (Natalie Blair) and Paul enlists Ned Parker (Daniel O'Connor) to help break the two couple up. When Dylan, Elle, Oliver, Carmella and Ned go on holiday together, the latter begins his scheme. Ned gets Dylan and Carmella drunk and places them in the same bed. The following morning they wake up together and are caught by Elle and Oliver. Hoflin said that "Elle is completely furious and splits up with Dylan immediately." Later Paul "stirs everything up with Elle" and makes her decide to pursue Oliver.
Robbery and fake death