Harlow Robinson is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Jemma Donovan. Harlow is introduced as an extension of the Robinson family, the secret daughter of Robert Robinson (Adam Hunter) and the granddaughter of Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis). Donovan is also the real life daughter of Jason Donovan, who played Harlow's great uncle, Scott. Donovan auditioned for the role after a four-year break from acting and successfully got the role of Harlow, which producers then slightly tweaked to suit her. Donovan's casting announcement was made in March when she began filming, and she debuted on screens on 15 July 2019. Harlow is described as head strong, sensible and clever, and Donovan revealed that she liked her character. Donovan's co-star, Dennis, also explained that the character had some reservations about her new secret family initially. Harlow's early storylines involve a feud with Roxy Willis (Zima Anderson) and a reunion with her mother, Prudence Wallace (Denise van Outen). Harlow's introduction was described as similar to Donovan's story of moving from London to Melbourne.
Producers soon established a romantic relationship between Harlow and her neighbour, Hendrix Greyson (Ben Turland), a storyline that originally began to explore consent, before the characters develop feelings for each other. Harlow and Hendrix date for a number of months and writers explored romantic scenes between the couple in March 2020. However, Harlow soon becomes annoyed with Hendrix's immaturity and breaks up with him. Both Donovan and Turland explained that they were upset with their characters' relationship coming to an end. Harlow and Brent Colefax (Texas Watterson) begin dating when Harlow's strong friendship with him reaches new levels and she leans in for the first kiss. Donovan explained that their relationship was a surprise to her and that Harlow was originally worried to pursue a relationship with Brent, but later realised her true feelings for him. Producers use this to explore a long-distance relationship, which Harlow and Brent keep secret. When Brent returns to find that Harlow's behaviour is changing for the worse, he breaks up with her. Watterson explained that Brent is now seeing Harlow as a mini Paul.
A mental health storyline was written that saw Harlow's behaviour change for the worse and one journalist said that Harlow would be showing her uncharacteristically ruthless side. Harlow sabotages Chloe Brennan's (April Rose Pengilly) job and has a lack of compassion towards her neighbours and friends. Donovan said that Harlow was smug with her actions and was excited to see others being vandalised. Some of her friends worry that Harlow may be becoming psychopathic, but Harlow is ultimately diagnosed with compassion fatigue and mends her attitude. Producers used the plot to lead into a new storyline, as Harlow confides in Ned Willis (Ben Hall) and develops romantic feelings for him in a lengthy build-up. The two kiss, before Ned's affair with Harlow against his girlfriend is exposed. On 17 May 2022, it was announced Donovan had finished filming and her final scenes aired on 6 July.
Creation and casting
Harlow is introduced as the secret daughter of Robert Robinson (Adam Hunter) and the granddaughter of Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis). Donovan's casting as the newly created character was announced on the serial's social media on 26 March 2019. The serial said online, "A third generation of Donovans is heading to Erinsborough! We're over the moon to reveal that Jemma Donovan, daughter of Neighbours legend Jason (Scott Robinson) and granddaughter of patriarch Terence (Doug Willis) will join the cast as Harlow Robinson – appearing on screen in July. Jemma has been acting since age 11 and after taking a break to complete her education, the 19-year-old returns with a role in the show." The role was slightly tweaked for Donovan and Harlow's story is described as similar to Donovan's own story of moving from the UK to Australia.
Neighbours executive producer, Jason Herbison, said of Donovan's audition, "Jemma did a fantastic audition for Neighbours and her pedigree was an unexpected surprise." He continued, "Jason and Terence are Ramsay Street royalty and it warms all our hearts to know there will be a third generation Donovan on the show. I'm excited to see Jemma carry the torch and make the character of Harlow her own." Donovan said of her casting, "I was so happy and very honoured to be a part of a series which has been enjoyed by generations. The timing was also perfect because since my previous role on Spotless in 2015, I stopped going to auditions and acting because I wanted to finish my schooling, get my A-levels, and see what I wanted to do after that. So it's great how everything has fallen into place." Donovan's father, Jason, called Jemma's new role an "incredible learning curve." He said, "This is Jemma's moment. My dad had a wonderful few years and I'm sure Jemma will also embrace the experience and honour the past. She needs to look forward, be an open book, learn from her experiences and have some fun. What an opportunity!"
It was later revealed that Donovan has originally auditioned for Roxy Willis, but the role "didn't feel right for her but it all worked out in the end." The role would later be assumed by Zima Anderson. Donovan continued, "I auditioned for Home and Away. I auditioned for Neighbours. I went and saw a few casting directors. It was so fortunate that it just happened at that time and – I actually auditioned for Zima's role, interestingly enough. I auditioned for Roxy, and I remember getting the scripts and I was like, 'Gosh, Neighbours is getting raunchy!' I was like, 'Oh my god, this 18-year-old, I don't know if I can play this!' Seeing my dad had done Neighbours, and my auntie, and my granddad, they all said once they'd given me this audition, they were like, 'This is the best thing you'll do in terms of acting in such a short period of time. You learn so much. You meet so many amazing people, talented people'. They just said this is definitely the best way to start out. Nobody else can give you that opportunity that Neighbours can."
Development Characterisation and introduction Harlow's arrival coincides with Robert's return storyline. The character made her first appearance on 15 July 2019. Paul and his son, David Tanaka (Takaya Honda), meet Harlow in the waiting room of the prison that Robert is being held in and Harlow reveals her identity, then explains that Robert met his mother, Prudence Wallace (Denise van Outen), whilst backpacking in Tasmania. Harlow explains that she has not met her father, but writes to him from London. Donovan said, "I really like my character Harlow. She is very head strong, and I enjoy playing that type of character who knows what she is doing and likes to get involved and Harlow seems to have those qualities." Dennis explained, "In comes this girl blaming them for being the reason she now can't see her father – Paul had no idea Robert even had a kid! It emerges Robert met a British backpacker called Prudence almost 20 years ago when she was travelling in Tasmania. They had a fling and Harlow was the result. She has had nothing to do with her father but stated writing to him and came to Australia so they could meet. Paul then brings Harlow under the wing of the family and she moves in with him and Terese [(Rebekah Elmaloglou)] back in Ramsay Street." Dennis also described Harlow as "a very sound, sensible and clever girl." Harlow's introductory storylines involved reconciliation with her mother and a feud with her housemate, Roxy Willis. Dennis said, "Harlow is the complete opposite to Roxy, they completely clash and the dynamic is fantastic! It takes a while for Terese to convince Paul to embrace Harlow because of the links to Robert, then they end up sharing the house with two squabbling teenagers!" The storyline ultimately results in a "sensational" food fight between Harlow and Roxy, a storyline leaked by Dennis. Dennis also added, "We have some very comical moments coming up. Considering her dad is a baddie there's no dark side pointed to yet with Harlow, but it's a soap so anything could happen! Paul will side with Harlow more than Roxy at first because she is blood."
Relationship with Hendrix Greyson At the Erinsborough High School ball in September 2019, writers established a consent storyline involving Harlow and Hendrix Greyson (Ben Turland), in which Hendrix forces a kiss upon Harlow, who then slaps Hendrix back. Over the next few months, the serial gave hints to a future romance between Harlow and Hendrix, as the two begin to develop crushes on each other. The serial "explores chemistry" between the two characters in the first term of the school year. Harlow watches Hendrix do one-arm push-ups shirtless in the school corridor and stares "at her neighbour's bare chest and is shaken by her own feelings for him." Harlow then admits that she likes him, but is "hardly a fan of his personality." After Hendrix pulls the same "stunt" again and Harlow is comforted by Hendrix when she is upset with her mother, their feelings "escalate" and they spend an entire evening at The Waterhole making "weird eye contact", but remain shy of their feelings. However, when Harlow turns to Hendrix for comfort following the discovery of unpleasant information about her mum, Harlow and Hendrix "give into temptation" and kiss. The pair begin dating shortly after. In March 2020, during Neighbours''' 35th anniversary celebrations, producers decided to write the couple some "romantic scenes." When Harlow discovers that her mother did not leave her cult voluntarily, Harlow and Hendrix escape from Erinsborough to Hendrix's father's island, where other Ramsay Street residents are camping. Harlow and Hendrix camp out separately as they attempt to find the rest of the group and Hendrix comforts Harlow, who is upset with her mother. Kilkelly said that the scenes would see the pair almost go "all the way", however will feature Harlow soon become nervous and run off. The storyline also leads to "big danger", when Harlow encounters Finn Kelly (Rob Mills) and is pushed down a mineshaft with Bea Nilsson (Bonnie Anderson). Harlow and Bea quickly become trapped with a snake, which bites Harlow on the leg. This sparked fears that Harlow would be killed off as one of the 35th anniversary's three deaths. Ahead of the scenes airing, Kilkelly described that the "situation turns potentially deadly." However, both are saved and Harlow is reunited with Hendrix.