Jonathan Gordon-Davies is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Steven Pinner. The character debuted on-screen during the episode broadcast on 6 April 1987. Pinner was cast in the series after a period of unemployment and he credited the role as being his saviour from depression. Jonathan is characterised as an upper class solicitor from a wealthy family in London. Writers created Jonathan alongside his fiancée Laura Wright (Jane Cunliffe). Together they represented the young urban professionals (yuppies) of 1980/1990s British society. The two characters move into number nine Brookside Close, the house previously occupied by similar upper class character Heather Haversham (Amanda Burton). Writers created a wedding story for them, which was broadcast on 11 August 1987 and commemorated the 500th episode of Brookside. Jonathan was portrayed at odds with his interfering father-in-law Geoff Wright (Arthur Kelly). He would invite himself into Jonathan's home and perform DIY home improvements to Jonathan's chagrin. His faulty repair of a light switch causes Laura to electrocute herself and fall down some stairs. The story formed Cunliffe's departure from the series after less than one year on-screen. Laura was killed off in January 1988, but writers decided to develop Jonathan's character further.
He gained housemates and friends when Terry Sullivan (Brian Regan) and later Sue Harper (Annie Miles) move in with him. Jennifer Calvert was introduced as Jonathan's new love interest, Canadian national Cheryl Boyanowsky. Producers spared no expense at creating an international love affair between the two. They filmed their first meeting in Austria, on-screen depicted as a skiing trip. Cheryl later visits Jonathan in Liverpool before returning to Canada. Producers then ordered production to commence in the Canadian city Vancouver to further develop their romance. Pinner enjoyed portraying Jonathan's travels and Cheryl returns to England to live with Jonathan. However, writers marred their romance with tension caused by their housemates Sue and Terry. Their relationship culminated following Calvert's departure and by 1990, Jonathan was portrayed as restless in his life. The character's final stories included Terry accusing him of having an affair with Sue and selling his solicitors partnership. Pinner made his departure from the series in 1990 and Jonathan moves to London with his new lover Helen Massey (Colette Stevenson). Pinner's final appearance as Jonathan was broadcast on 31 October 1990.
Casting Pinner joined the cast of Brookside in 1987. He was introduced alongside Jane Cunliffe, who plays his fiancée Laura Wright, and they debuted on-screen during episodes broadcast April 1987.Kibble-White 2002, p.155.Tibballs 1995, p.134. Pinner received the role after a prolonged period of unemployment. Not working caused him to become depressed and he moved back in with his parents in Bournemouth. After a few weeks of being home, Pinner secured the role of Jonathan. Pinner attended an interview about the role in London and within a week he had received the role, attended costume fittings and began filming for the role. he told a reporter from Daily Echo that he recalled feeling he had done well in his audition and after that "it all happened very quickly".
Jonathan was introduced alongside his partner, Laura, and the two characters planned to marry. Cunliffe had already been cast as Laura when Pinner auditioned for Jonathan. He was required to act out domestic style scenes and casting directors were satisfied the two were a good match to work together. Pinner believed that he and Cunliffe fitted into the established cast well, adding that "they are a great bunch of people; both Jane and myself were made welcome." It was his first significant television role and one Pinner credited as being therapeutic. He told Mike Hrano of TVTimes that when he needed it the most, "Brookside rescued me, not only in a professional sense but also on a personal level." Both Pinner and Cunliffe's casting and their character details were announced on 2 April 1987. A Brookside publicist told a reporter from Daily Record that the soap wanted "to show Brookside is not full of scouse characters." Pinner's debut appearance as Jonathan occurred during the Monday episode broadcast on 6 April 1987.
Development Characterisation and marriage Jonathan is characterised as an upper class male, working as a solicitor. Jonathan is an enterprising person, he is emphatic and aware. Pinner relished the role and learned from his character but also believed his own experiences could further develop Jonathan's persona. He told Hrano from TVTimes that "when you play any new character, some of what comes out of that person you keep yourself. Jonathan is a lot sharper than I was, and in that sense he has been a help to me. But I believe he can learn something from me too." In the book, Brookside: The Official Companion, the show's creator Phil Redmond described Jonathan "attracted to the profession by its social status and appealing salary".Redmond 1987, p.97. Upon his arrival, he works for an "established and highly respectable practice" in Liverpool. In his backstory, Jonathan is detailed as coming from a wealthy family. He was educated at a public school and qualified as a solicitor a two years prior to his arrival on Brookside Close. Jonathan is originally from London and he attended Liverpool University, where he met Laura.Tibballs 1994, p.69. Redmond stated that Jonathan is "devoted" to Laura. Despite his devotion to her, Jonathan was unsure about remaining in Liverpool and wanted to return to London. He also described them as "young achievers who like their Volvo 340 are safe, solid and reliable."Redmond 1987, p.67. Pinner's accent differs slightly to Jonathan's with his being less upper class sounding. Jonathan and Laura are featured in various domestic argument scenes and Pinner initially found these difficult because he did not like to raise his voice. Pinner told Andrew Knight from Evening Express that upon watching Jonathan's early scenes back, he realised that Jonathan was sounding too quiet and spoke too fast. Pinner rectified this and Jonathan's dialogue was altered as he became more relaxed in the role.
Like Jonathan, Laura is portrayed as a "yuppie" and a solicitor, but she is from a working-class background.Redmond 1987, p.90. Redmond stated that unlike Jonathan, Laura has a greater social conscience. He added "it is at this point that her ideals begin to differ from those Jonathan abides by." When they are introduced into the series, writers moved them into number 9 Brookside Close. The house was previously occupied by a similar character, Heather Haversham (Amanda Burton). Writers used the pair's wedding preparations to create tension between the couple. Jonathan was eager to finish decorating their new home and a hand injury delayed his plans. Jonathan dreaded Laura's interfering father Geoff Wright (Arthur Kelly) noticing their unfinished home and taking over. He also disliked Laura's sister Joanne Wright (Carleen Lundon) being around their house too often and he begins to bemoan the Wright family. The two were often portrayed arguing, but unlike other Brookside characters who would resort to obscene behaviour and language, their bickering was more sarcastic and civilised. When Jonathan drives their car into a large pothole on Brookside Close, Laura questions whether they have made a mistake moving into the area. She postpones their wedding to concentrate on a legal case. Jonathan becomes annoyed with Laura prioritising her work over their relationship. Jonathan and Geoff finish decorating the house and a new wedding date is set.Tibballs 1994, p.72. Writers quickly developed their relationship and the two characters were married just months after their introduction.Tibballs 1992, p.104. Producers also used their wedding to celebrate the show's 500th episode, which was broadcast on 11 August 1987. Jonathan gave Laura an unusual wedding gift when he presented her with a forty-foot inflatable gorilla. Pinner told Evening Express Knight that "we had a lot of fun together and I enjoyed the build up to the wedding immensely."
Cunliffe decided to not have her contract with the show renewed because she could not commit to another year. Pinner revealed that Cunliffe's decision shocked the production team, adding that "everyone was gobsmacked when she left." Pinner was nervous about his job security after Cunliffe left because it was unclear if Jonathan would be kept on in the series without Laura. Producers decided to kill Laura off after she had only been in the series for months. The story began when Laura's parents Geoff and Dorothy (Jacqueline Morgan) continue to interfere offering home improvements to Jonathan's home. Geoff decides to attempt to repair a faulty double light switch in the upstairs hallway. Laura later switches the light on and is electrocuted. The force of the electric shock sends Laura tumbling down the stairs. Jonathan later returns home and finds Laura unconscious and slumped behind the front door.Tibballs 1994, p.71. She is hospitalised and remains in a coma for three months. Jonathan resides himself to the fact Laura will not regain consciousness. His attitude causes a rift with Geoff and Dorothy, who fume at him when he allows Terry Sullivan (Brian Regan) to move in. They accuse Jonathan of giving up on their daughter and Geoff begins blaming other people for causing Laura's accident. Jonathan realises that Geoff caused the accident after he receives an electric shock from the faulty light switch. He refrains from revealing to truth to spare him the guilt. In episodes airing in January 1988, doctors declare Laura as braindead and they remove her life support. At the inquest into her death, Jonathan lies about Geoff's involvement to spare him any more suffering. Pinner enjoyed filming the scenes with Cunliffe, which were set in an actual hospital intensive care ward. Discussing Jonathan and Laura's time on the show, Pinner told Nick Fisher from TV Guide that "as an actor, the build up to the wedding was best. And also the coma stuff, although I think it went on too long. It was all shot in intensive care, which was a bit heavy." He told Knight that he recalled filming Laura's hospital scenes for six week began to wear him down as an actor.
Relationship with Cheryl Boyanowsky In 1988, producers expanded the character's development. They created a new love interest for him and ordered location filming to accommodate it. Unlike other soap operas, Brookside would film in different countries if a character went on holiday. The first was when Jonathan and Terry go on a skiing holiday actually filmed in Austria.Tibballs 1992, p.18. There they meet Donna Gibson (Dianne Michaels) and her friend Cheryl Boyanowsky (Jennifer Calvert), who are both from Canada. Jonathan spends the beginning of their trip upset about Laura. He begins spending time with Cheryl, who cheers him up because she is a good listener. After their holiday ends, Cheryl and Donna come to stay with Jonathan and Terry which causes conflict with other characters. Sue Harper (Annie Miles) becomes jealous of Donna and Terry spending time together. Then Geoff is angry that two women are staying with Jonathan and Geoff accuses him of causing Laura's death. Terry intervenes and stops Jonathan telling Geoff the truth about the faulty switch.