Michael Martin (Neighbours)

Michael Martin
Troy Beckwith as Michael Martin
Neighbours character
Portrayed by	Samuel Hammington (1985) Troy Beckwith (1992–98)
Duration	1985, 1992–98
First appearance	8 October 1985
Last appearance	26 June 1998
Introduced by	Reg Watson (1985) Don Battye (1992)
Classification	Former; regular
Profile
Occupation	Student Carpenter
Home	Marree
Father Philip Martin Mother Loretta Martin Stepmother Julie Martin Sisters Debbie Martin Half-sisters Hannah Martin

Michael Martin is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Troy Beckwith. He made his first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 8 October 1985. The character was originally played by Samuel Hammington. Beckwith took over the role in 1992. Michael departed on 26 June 1998.

Shortly after his return to Erinsborough, Michael began dating Cody Willis (Peta Brady). Beckwith told an Inside Soap columnist, "Michael falls for Cody in a big way. But unbeknown to him, she really likes Rick Alessi." Although Cody liked Michael, she did not want "a heavy" relationship and resisted his attempts to take things further. Beckwith explained that Michael was hurt when she refused to have sex with him, but he was unaware that she had been in a "disastrous" relationship before, so he thought he had done something to put her off. The Inside Soap columnist did not blame Cody for being worried about whether Michael would treat her right due to his "murky" past. Beckwith pointed out that the time Michael spent in the detention centre helped straighten him out and he had become "a bit of a goody-goody". Beckwith preferred it when his character was bad, as he felt Michael was more fun to play.

Michael is first seen, along with his sister, Debbie when Julie Robinson arrives at their father Philip's neighbour's house to break the news of a car accident that leaves Philip paralysed and their mother, Loretta dead. Julie helps look after the children and eventually marries Philip and they all move to the country and are heard from sparingly throughout the years.

Michael returns from boarding school several months after the family re-settle in Ramsay Street. He quickly creates mischief and begins targeting Julie and plays mind games with her out of resentment, blaming her for Loretta's death. Michael also resents his half-sister Hannah (Rebecca Ritters) and is unkind toward her. When Hannah and Beth Brennan (Natalie Imbruglia) are caught in a fire in an abandoned house behind Lassiter's, Michael is a suspected but is later cleared when it is revealed he had been in the arcade at the time of the fire.