Matt Turner is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Josef Brown. The actor was cast shortly after he completed a guest stint on rival soap opera Home and Away. Brown relocated to Melbourne for filming and he shot his first scenes as Matt in October 2012. The character was created and introduced to Neighbours as the husband of Lauren Carpenter (Kate Kendall), who was reintroduced after nineteen years as part of a major overhaul of the show's cast. Matt made his first screen appearance alongside his family during the episode broadcast on 7 February 2013. Brown departed Neighbours on 25 March 2015, following Matt's death. Brown reprised the role for one episode on 9 August 2016.
Matt was introduced as the patriarch of the Turner family. He was a police officer with the local force, and portrayed as being stubborn, hard working, traditional and loyal. He also had a lesser seen softer, more fun side. Matt's storylines often revolved around his marriage to Lauren Carpenter (Kate Kendall) and their three children. Shortly after Matt's eldest son, Mason (Taylor Glockner), was introduced, it emerged that he had been in juvenile detention and Matt had been the arresting officer. Matt and Mason had to work through their issues quickly in order to protect the family from Robbo Slade (Aaron Jakubenko). Matt also developed a rivalry with Lauren's ex-boyfriend and neighbour, Brad Willis (Kip Gamblin), and learned that they had a daughter together. Matt was killed off as part of a storyline that highlighted the dangers of texting while driving. Matt received mostly positive attention from critics.
Creation and casting
On 4 November 2012, it was announced that the five-strong Turner family would be introduced to Neighbours in February 2013. The family were created as part of a major overhaul of the show's cast. Of the Turners, Kate Kendall, who plays matriarch Lauren, explained "The producers were looking to get quite a traditional family in there and hark back to some of those old traditions and family values. They're going to be a really charismatic family, but you'll also get some really juicy storylines and that's what the audiences relate to. Viewers will relate to the familiarity of them and hopefully the sense of magnetism that we bring." The Turners were given an immediate link in Erinsborough through long-term resident Lou Carpenter (Tom Oliver), Lauren's father.
Actor Josef Brown was cast as Lauren's husband Matt Turner in October 2012. Brown was cast in the role shortly after he completed a guest stint on rival Australian soap opera Home and Away. He relocated from Sydney to Melbourne, where the Neighbours studios are based. On 13 November, Brown told Andrew Priestley from the Manly Daily that he had already been filming for four weeks and was enjoying getting to know his character. Brown also hinted that the Turner family would being "a few surprises" with them, saying "It's a great family and a little bit different. We've got a few secrets and a few dramas up our sleeves." Brown made his debut screen appearance as Matt on 7 February 2013.
Development
Characterisation
Matt and his family came to Erinsborough from Mount Isa in Queensland. Matt was introduced as a sergeant with the local police force. Describing Matt, a writer for the show's official website said "He is a straight shooter who doesn't mince words or suffer fools." The writer called him stubborn, but said he often displays his soft and fun sides. Matt also works hard and holds traditional values. He is loyal to his family and will do anything for them. A writer for Channel 5's Neighbours website added, "Matt runs a tight ship, and sometimes rules the family home a little like it's a police station, believing that a firm-but-fair approach will be best for his kids in the long run."