| Bea Nilsson | |||||||||||||||||
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| Neighbours character | |||||||||||||||||
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| Portrayed by | Bonnie Anderson | ||||||||||||||||
| Duration | 2018–2023 | ||||||||||||||||
| First appearance | 18 May 2018 | ||||||||||||||||
| Last appearance | 14 November 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
| Classification | Former; regular | ||||||||||||||||
| Introduced by | Jason Herbison | ||||||||||||||||
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Bea Nilsson is a fictional character from the Australian television soap opera Neighbours, played by singer-songwriter Bonnie Anderson. Anderson had auditioned for the serial numerous times, and after impressing producers, they created the role of Beatrix "Bea" Nilsson just for her. She was given a two-year contract and she began filming in February 2018. Bea marks Anderson's first major acting role and she called it "the best thing" that had ever happened to her. She made her first appearance during the episode broadcast on 18 May 2018. The character was introduced as the estranged half-sister of Elly Conway (Jodi Anasta) and niece of Susan Kennedy (Jackie Woodburne).
Bea is characterised as fierce, strong, and independent. She keeps her guard up and hides behind a "tough exterior". However, she is loyal and willing to do anything to protect her loved ones. Anderson liked that her character had "rough edges", but thought there was also an innocence about her. She was also surprised by the positive response to Bea's early scenes as the character was "quite bitchy". It emerges through her early scenes that Bea fought with Elly and then spent five years living on the streets. Anderson hoped that the sisters would be able to rebuild their relationship. Her singing career was later incorporated into the show, as Bea is shown to be a singer-songwriter. Anderson released her track "Sorry" via Bea's storyline.
The character's introduction and early storylines were intertwined with the return of villain Finn Kelly (Rob Mills), who manipulates and uses her to gain revenge on those he feels have wronged him, including Elly and Susan. Anderson felt sorry for her character because she had loved Finn. Bea and Elly's relationship remains strained in the aftermath, which allows their mother Liz Conway (Debra Lawrance), whom Anderson branded selfish, to play them off against one another. Liz's introduction also helps explore Bea's fictional backstory further, as it emerges that Liz wanted Bea to leave home because she reminded Liz too much of her father.
Bea's romantic relationships have been central to her storylines. Writers paired Bea with her second love interest Ned Willis (Ben Hall) in August 2018. He and Bea form a close bond during a series of night time walks and Anderson thought that he made Bea feel safe. Ned and Bea's relationship is badly affected by Finn's return to Ramsay Street, as Ned becomes controlling and possessive of Bea. He deliberately fails to stop a chemical attack in which Bea is poisoned, so that Finn will get the blame. Anderson found the chemical attack scenes to be some of the hardest she had to film. She also agreed with Bea and Ned's subsequent break-up. A romantic relationship is soon re-established between Bea and Finn, who is suffering from amnesia as a result of a fall. Anderson believed that Bea initially feel sadness for Finn, before the "spark" between them returns. During the show's 35th anniversary week, Finn regains his memories and attempts to kill Bea by pushing her into a mineshaft, so he can be with Elly.
The character has a short-lived relationship with Levi Canning (Richie Morris). The pair develop a strong friendship, however, before they can act on their growing feelings, Bea becomes the centre of a love triangle as she begins dating guest character Nathan Packard (Jackson Gallagher). It soon emerges that Nathan was part of a gang who attacked Levi when he was younger and he and Bea eventually part ways. Anderson enjoyed working with Morris and Gallagher on the storyline, and reiterated that Levi was the man for Bea. The pair become a couple during the serial's Christmas episodes. As part of a storyline exploring the danger of picking wild mushrooms, Bea is poisoned after she consumes toxic mushrooms in a pie made by Roxy Willis (Zima Anderson) and Kyle Canning (Chris Milligan). Bea chooses to keep their involvement a secret, which leaves Levi feeling betrayed when he learns the truth. It also exposes a lack of communication between him and Bea. Further issues between them, including Levi getting Bea fired from her job, lead to their break-up.
Anderson decided to leave Neighbours in early 2021 in order to concentrate on her music career and pursue other acting roles. She wanted a dramatic exit, but instead Bea leaves Erinsborough for a road trip around Australia after breaking up with Levi. Anderson filmed her exit scenes on 4 March 2021 and they were broadcast on 24 May 2021. When Neighbours was cancelled in 2022, Anderson reprised the role for its then-finale and for a couple of episodes following its revival. Her final appearance aired on 14 November 2023. The character and Anderson's performance were well received by critics. In 2019, Anderson received a nomination for the Logie Award for Most Popular New Talent. Digital Spy's Conor McMullan observed that Bea's arrival had "really livened up the lives of the Kennedy-Conways", while Sarah Ellis of Inside Soap thought Anderson had done well making the change from singing to acting.