Tess Bell

Creation and casting

Vendy originally auditioned for the role of Sarah Beaumont, but Nicola Charles was cast instead. Three years later, she auditioned for another Neighbours role through her agency. She went through three auditions and was one of three girls up for the part. Six months later, her manager Scott called from the UK to tell her she had won the role of Teresa, which she called a dream come true after trying to get into acting for a long time.

Vendy told Inside Soap that the character was originally a barmaid named Tamsin Flynn, a surfer and party girl, but after she was cast, the producers looked at her audition again and changed the name and occupation to a strait-laced schoolteacher. Her cousin, Kristian Schmid (who played Todd Landers), advised her to always think about the motivation of other characters as well as her own. Vendy filmed her first scenes on location at the Erinsborough High set.

Two months after her debut, Gina Leros of The Sun-Herald said Vendy would be the one to watch in Neighbours in 2000. In July 2000, her contract was renewed for two years with an option for another 12 months, which Vendy called fantastic as she had finally begun to flesh out her character and no longer felt nervous on set.

Development

Teresa was introduced as a 24-year-old, married English teacher who moved to Erinsborough to regain her independence and found employment at the local high school. Vendy said Teresa prefers to be called Tess and described her as a perfectionist, especially when it came to teaching and cleaning. Vendy noted she shares the same work ethic as Tess but is not a cleaning freak. The actress revealed Tess has a vivacious side and had been married for a couple of years.

Vendy was glad her character had more depth than a bimbo and said Tess is nothing like the person she thought she would be playing. When asked if it felt strange playing a married schoolteacher, Vendy said it was weird because in real life she has no desire to get married. A writer from the official Neighbours website called Tess headstrong and intelligent. Shortly after her arrival, Tess decides to leave her violent husband Brendan.

Vendy said Brendan had been physically and mentally abusing Tess and she was desperate to get away. The Kennedy family suspect Brendan has been hitting his wife when they notice a scratch on Tess' face and ask her to move in.

Vendy explained Tess is a strong woman but lost confidence during the abusive marriage; she looks up to Brendan because he is 11 years her senior and a successful lawyer who sees her as a trophy. A writer for Inside Soap said Neighbours rarely strayed from light-hearted storylines, so when producers decided to tackle domestic violence they made sure it would be handled realistically and sensitively. Vendy researched domestic violence to understand what Tess was going through.

Storylines

Tess develops a crush on her housemate Daniel Fitzgerald and when she learns he has asked Steph Scully out on a date, she is crestfallen. Even though Dan and Steph fail to hit it off, Tess finds it difficult to live with Dan and decides to move out. Vendy told Inside Soap that Tess talks to Steph about her feelings and is told that living with Dan is unhealthy when there is unresolved tension. Tess takes Steph's advice because she does not think Dan will ever see her as more than a friend.

She suggests Daniel take over the lease on his own, and when he asks why, she admits she likes him more than a friend and it's hard living under the same roof knowing he doesn't feel the same way. Dan then admits he also likes her, explaining he has always been attracted to her but didn't act because it wasn't long since Brendan died. Vendy thought the moment had passed and Tess and Dan had crossed into friendship and become too familiar. Dan decides to move out, saying they need space for a chance.

Affair with Darcy Tyler

Vendy was unsure if the storyline would continue as Tucker was not a regular cast member, but added it was nice to see Tess so happy while it lasted. Tess later began an affair with Darcy Tyler in 2001, despite him dating her best friend Dee Bliss. Vendy explained Tess was a sucker when it came to men and her attraction to Darcy was so strong she couldn't see anything else. Tess believed everything he said, so when Darcy tried to reassure her he was going to break up with Dee, she didn't doubt him.

Tess eventually decided to tell Dee what was going on. Vendy stated Tess was completely under Darcy's spell, believing he didn't love Dee and wanted to break up with her but hadn't done so to avoid hurting Dee's feelings.

Tess became frustrated and sent Dee a letter telling her everything. Vendy thought Tess felt everything would be okay between herself and Darcy even if her best friend hated her for a while. However, Darcy tried to retrieve the letter before Dee read it, as he actually liked having two girlfriends.

Reception

A writer for the BBC's Neighbours website said Tess' most notable moment was Dee's discovery of her affair with Darcy. Jason Herbison of TV Week wrote that she may be one of the most beautiful residents in Ramsay Street but has little clue about men. Jackie Brygel of The Herald Sun branded Tess the least dowdy-looking teacher seen on television, and referring to Vendy's modelling career, added that it is sometimes smart to look like a magazine cover when playing a schoolteacher on a nightly soapie. Brygel and Sigourney Gray of TV Week praised the character's departure, stating they were sad to see her leave but cheered when Tess left Darcy Tyler standing at the altar in 2001.