Actor James Mason stars as character Chris Pappas on Neighbours. Picture: Bruce Magilton. Source: Supplied
Colin Vickery, The Telegraph, reports
WHEN Neighbours announced it was introducing its first regular male gay character late last year, executive producer Susan Bower feared the worst.
Chris Pappas, played by newcomer James Mason, was a fairly new addition to the show when the decision was made to reveal he was gay.
It was a brave move because it came the year after Home and Away's controversial lesbian storyline.
Conservative groups were outraged when Home and Away police officer Charlie Buckton (Esther Anderson) romanced and kissed deckhand Joey Collins (Katie Bell).
The decision to create Neighbours' first regular gay character was bound to cause a storm.
"I do believe homophobia is alive and well, and I have no doubt that we will get complaints about it," Bower told the Herald Sun last October.
It is a credit to Australian TV viewers that a year later there has been precious little protest about Chris. Instead, Neighbours' fans have embraced the young mechanic who has had to cope with coming out.
Chris knows the revelation about his sexuality has disappointed his father George (Lliam Amor) but it has liberated him as an individual.
Not everyone in Erinsborough approves.
Last week, Chris was verbally threatened by homophobic customer Warren Burrell (Tony Rickards).
Since then, Chris has been brutally bashed and events in this week's Neighbours finale will put his life on the line.
"Chris is embarrassed that he thinks he was gay bashed and he doesn't want to tell anyone," Mason says.
"He is trying to build a relationship (with his father) but this incident happening, if it revolves around him being gay, just causes more chaos around the fact that he is gay.
"He wants to forget about it. He tells everyone he's fine and that it's not a big deal."
But it is the bashing that finally cements the bond between father and son.
"Once Chris is in hospital, George shows his support and his love," Mason says.
"It makes Chris realise that no matter who he is, the people that love him will be there no matter what."
Mason originally auditioned for Neighbours' character Andrew Robinson but missed out to Jordan Smith. The offer to play Chris came three days later.
Mason, who has a girlfriend, Amy, says he had no qualms about playing a gay character.
"I really liked the character from the beginning and could see there was huge potential for him," Mason says.
"I have a friend who went through what Chris did when he came out so it's really important to me that there is realism to the stories."
Neighbours doesn't use Chris's sexuality to shock. This is no cynical ratings grab. Instead, the soapie digs deeper to show that Chris's sexuality is only one aspect of his personality.
"The good thing about Chris is that he is an ordinary person who is a mechanic and happens to be gay," Mason says.
Neighbours, Eleven, weeknights, 6.30pm
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