Imogen Willis is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Ariel Kaplan. The actor was cast in the role after a quick process, in which she auditioned once and attended a screen test. She began filming her first scenes in early February 2013. Kaplan's character and her family were created and introduced to Neighbours, as part of an ongoing overhaul of the show's cast and renewed focus on family units within the show. She made her first screen appearance during "Episode 6646", which was broadcast on 20 May 2013. Kaplan returned in the first episode of the 2023 Neighbours revival.
Imogen is portrayed as being "intelligent", "creative" and "confident". Kaplan thought her character was a good role model for female viewers because she does not feel she has to impress anyone. Imogen initially tried to hide her insecurities and resentment at being sidelined by her family due to her brother's swimming career. Due to a lack of attention, Imogen developed bulimia nervosa. The storyline was the first to portray the issues of eating disorders in Neighbours for six years. Both Kaplan and the producers worked closely with the Butterfly Foundation during their research.
The character's other storylines have often revolved around her romantic relationships with Mason Turner (Taylor Glockner), Tyler Brennan (Travis Burns), and Daniel Robinson (Tim Phillipps), whom she married before leaving for a job opportunity in the United States on 26 April 2016. Kaplan reprised the role three years later, and returned on 22 March 2019. Imogen helps run Toadfish Rebecchi's (Ryan Moloney) law firm and becomes Finn Kelly's (Rob Mills) defence lawyer, which causes conflict with her family and neighbours.
Creation and casting On 7 February 2013, it was announced that the four-strong Willis family would be introduced to Neighbours, as part of an ongoing overhaul of the show's cast and renewed focus on family units. News of the Willis family's introduction came shortly after producers decided to also bring in the five-strong Turner family. Executive producer Richard Jasek commented "As viewers will find out shortly, the Turners are a family of secrets, and the unique backstory of the Willis family is just as compelling." The character of Brad Willis (Kip Gamblin) was reintroduced to the show, along with his wife Terese (Rebekah Elmaloglou) and two children Josh (Harley Bonner) and Imogen.
Actor Ariel Kaplan was cast as Josh's twin sister Imogen following an audition process. Kaplan called the process one of the quickest that she had attended. She auditioned once and was then asked to do a screen test with Bonner, Elmaloglou, and Gamblin to see if they had the right "family dynamic". Kaplan said that she and the other actors bonded well and a few days later, while she was studying at the 16th Street Actors Studio, her agent called to tell her she had won the role. She and the other actors began filming their first scenes two weeks after the family's casting announcement. Growing up in South Africa, Kaplan had never seen Neighbours prior to filming and learnt about the street with her character. Kaplan made her first screen appearance as Imogen on 20 May 2013.
Development
Characterisation Imogen has been described as being "beautiful, intelligent and creative" by a writer for the serial's website. They asserted that Imogen often hid her insecurities from her family and resented the fact that she was sidelined because of Josh's swimming career. Comparing the two siblings, Gamblin said Imogen was definitely not sporty like Josh. He called her academic, nerdy and quirky. He later stated that Imogen had always been the "easier" child to parent, as she is "an A-grade student, she's intelligent, she's smart". Kaplan believed Imogen was a good role model for younger female viewers, saying "I love the character, she is outwardly confident and very comfortable in her own skin, and doesn't feel she has to impress anyone by doing things she might regret." Bonner observed that Josh and Imogen had a "love-hate" relationship, explaining "It's never that intense that we hate each other, but Imogen really likes to niggle him and tell him how things should be done."
Imogen befriended Amber Turner (Jenna Rosenow) shortly after her arrival. Rosenow liked having another actress playing a 16-year-old girl on-set, and said that it helped her and Kaplan to get back into the "teenage stage". A few months after her introduction, Kaplan decided to change her image and had her long hair cut short. The Neighbours wardrobe department took the opportunity to freshen up Imogen's style, as Kaplan's long hair had often covered up Imogen's outfits. Imogen was given a more edgy look and Kaplan commented that the wardrobe team were also working on a monochrome look for the character. In November 2013, Bonner thought that the revelation of Imogen's eating disorder had changed the Willis family dynamic. He also believed that Imogen was not neglected because the family wanted to help Josh achieve his goal. He continued "If Imogen had the goal, they would be putting in just as much effort with her. It wasn't neglect."
In late 2014, Imogen began causing "a bit more drama", which led to viewers asking for her to go back to her old self. Kaplan liked that Imogen's storylines had caused such a reaction, saying it was better than having no comments at all. She did not think Imogen needed to stay likeable as it could become boring. She said "The important thing is that viewers like watching her and she isn't always going to be the nice girl next door." Kaplan also said viewers would see "a sisterly bond" form between Imogen and her long-lost sister Paige Smith (Olympia Valance). Despite their different personalities, they would "have each other's back."
Eating disorder A few months after her arrival on-screen, it emerged that Imogen was suffering from bulimia nervosa, an eating disorder that is characterised by binge eating and purging. Imogen's storyline was the first to portray the issues of eating disorders in the show for six years, with the last one featuring male character Ringo Brown (Sam Clark). Kaplan was told about the storyline a couple of months ahead of filming and in order to do it justice, she began researching the condition. She commented "It's such an important issue that people are dealing with more and more these days. I contacted an organisation over here called the Butterfly Foundation, which is a support network for people with eating disorders. They helped with the scripts and gave me plenty of information." Kaplan thought it was an honour to be given the storyline. The producers also worked closely with the Butterfly Foundation to develop the scripts and made sure they portrayed an accurate representation of the condition. The foundation's CEO, Christine Morgan, stated that they were "grateful" for the way the producers developed the storyline and hoped it would increase awareness of eating disorders.
Kaplan explained that Imogen had been keeping her eating disorder a secret from her family and that it stemmed from a lack of attention, as she was often overshadowed by her brother's swimming career. Imogen school principal Susan Kennedy (Jackie Woodburne) was the one who first noticed Imogen's condition, after seeing the family dynamic and how "disregarded" Imogen was. When Susan realised that Imogen had eaten a whole box of cupcakes, she recognised the signs and tried to find out if Imogen had an eating disorder. Although Imogen denied she had a problem with food, Susan became more suspicious. Once Imogen was alone, she began binge eating. Kaplan told Jackie Brygel from TV Week, "Imogen is a smart girl, so she's scared to be seen as vulnerable and weak. Having an eating disorder scares her. So, the immediate reaction is to deny it. It's a defence mechanism." The actress pointed out that for Imogen, it was not "a superficial thing", but actually about control.
The truth about Imogen's eating disorder was revealed when her father found her collapsed in the garden and coughing up blood. After she was rushed to the hospital, Imogen's parents were informed that she had a ruptured oesophagus, caused by excessive vomiting. Doctor Karl Kennedy (Alan Fletcher) then informed them that Imogen had bulimia. Kaplan said it was hard for Imogen to accept that her secret was out and her parents' reaction was just added pressure. Trying to help Imogen, Terese opened up to her about the eating disorder she suffered as a teenager. Kaplan called the moment "really powerful" and thought it would bring Imogen and Terese closer together, as well as help Imogen to come to terms with her own condition.
Relationships
Mason Turner
Imogen briefly dated her neighbour Mason Turner (Taylor Glockner), following the end of his relationship with her teacher Kate Ramsay (Ashleigh Brewer). Imogen used her fledgling romance with Mason to get her family to notice her. She tried to "stir up some controversy" by kissing Mason in front of her mother, who did not notice them. However, they were spotted by Josh instead, who tried to warn Mason off. While Imogen ignored her brother's disapproval of her relationship, she quickly realised Mason still had feelings for Kate and not wanting to be second best, Imogen ended their brief romance. Glockner said Imogen was just a distraction for Mason and even though he thought she was "a pretty cool girl" and very self-assured, he was not over Kate. A few months later, Imogen continued to harbour a crush on Mason and her friend, Amber (Jenna Rosenow), encouraged her to tell him. Kaplan explained that Imogen was not one to show her vulnerability, but she got the courage to open up to Mason about her feelings for him.
Before she could speak with Mason, Imogen caught him kissing Rhiannon Bates (Teressa Liane). Kaplan said "Imogen is heartbroken. She feels as if she is always an afterthought to Mason. It makes her feel like she's never good enough." After having her confidence knocked, Imogen skipped her counselling session and considered binge eating. Kaplan commented that binging seemed like the only option to Imogen when she felt inadequate. In January 2014, Isaac Woods (Josh Burton), a new love interest for Imogen, was introduced to the show. Isaac was "handsome, charming and a university law student". Kaplan stated that Imogen liked Isaac because he was older and made her feel more mature. They were both "a bit nerdy" and had an interest in the law. While Isaac and Imogen bonded over shared interests, they were spotted by a jealous Mason at the lake.
Mason told Isaac that Imogen was still in high school, something that she had been keeping quiet. However, Isaac was not bothered by Imogen's age, causing Mason to confess to Imogen that he wanted to be with her. Imogen was "deeply flattered" by Mason's declaration, but was wary about reuniting with him. Kaplan commented "Imogen's incredibly happy that he feels this way, but she's also scared because she feels Kate will always be in the background." Mason tried to win Imogen over by appearing more intellectual, which Kaplan said was fun to film. However, Imogen was not impressed and believed Mason was only doing it, so she would break up with Isaac. Kaplan told an Inside Soap reporter that there would be a rough road ahead for Imogen and Mason when a "major crisis" impacts on their families. Mason and Imogen began a secret romance and Kaplan said that there was "something really fun" about their relationship, adding that the fact it was forbidden was enticing.
Daniel Robinson