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Naomi Clark (90210 character)

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Naomi Clark
90210 character
McCord as Naomi
Portrayed byAnnaLynne McCord
First appearanceSeptember 2, 2008
(90210, "We're Not in Kansas Anymore")
Created byRob Thomas
Gabe Sachs
Jeff Judah
In-universe information
ParentsCharles and Tracy Clark
SiblingsJen Clark

Naomi Clark, played by AnnaLynne McCord, is a fictional character from the CW primetime drama 90210, the fourth series of the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise. Introduced in the pilot episode, she is largely presented as an antiheroine with a number of flaws, virtues, and familial issues. The character was created by Rob Thomas, Gabe Sachs, and Jeff Judah, with later developments by Rebecca Sinclair, and occasional input from McCord. In 2009, the actress was nominated for a Teen Choice Award for her portrayal. Amidst critical acclaim and other recognition, various media outlets have referred to Naomi as the series' central character.[1][2][3]

Season 1

Conception and casting

Early press releases described Naomi Clark as a privileged, attractive, and popular teenager,[4] prompting the media to draw comparisons to Kelly Taylor of Beverly Hills, 90210, the first series of the franchise.[5][6] As production of the spin-off began, the role would become more defined, with actress AnnaLynne McCord, who received the role, labeling Naomi an intelligent girl who possessed both manipulative and sensitive sides. She further described the character as "kind of a chameleon," stating that "she'll be someone with the principal and then someone else with her mother and then someone else with her friend."[7] The actress also stated, "I tend to reach out to people like Clark because I can see they are putting on a facade and are not as bad as they seem. They will eventually let their guard down and become nice people."[8] McCord opted not to review the original series prior to beginning her role in the spin-off, expressing a desire for Naomi to have her own identity.[7]

Prior to being cast in 90210, McCord had begun building a reputation for playing vixens and antiheroines,[9] notably via the role of Eden Lord in the FX series Nip/Tuck. After declining two offers to play Naomi, she eventually accepted in April 2008, believing that her exposure on the show would help to benefit the charities she was involved in.[7] McCord was able to offer the creators her input on the character following her casting.[10] Additionally, she was the second performer and the first actress to be cast.[5]

Introduction

Naomi is introduced as a rich girl who attends West Beverly Hills High. Her first on-screen birthday coincides with the birth of the series, during which several aspects of the character's personality are revealed. Self-esteem is shown to be one of Naomi's biggest virtues and vices early on. When she is assigned to work with new student Annie Wilson (Shenae Grimes), she initially appears snobbish and withdrawn.[11] Afterward, she unveils a more pleasant demeanor as the two spend time together, but also reveals an opportunistic side by attempting to plagiarize one of Annie's papers. Upon being caught, however, she becomes offended when others express doubts about her ability, and seeks to prove that she can complete the work herself.[12]

Naomi is gradually shown to have a friendly nature during her introduction, inviting Annie to her birthday party when asked to,[13] while fidelity is revealed to be of importance to her as well. When her personal life is explored, she is shown to value her longtime boyfriend Ethan Ward (Dustin Milligan). However, her birthday party is disrupted by the news that Ethan has been unfaithful to her.[12]

Social power is also said to be a priority of Naomi's in early episodes, along with social prominence. According to Erin Silver (Jessica Stroup), who is commonly called by her surname, the two were best friends until an ambitious Naomi revealed a secret that came to hurt Silver and her family.[14]

Progression

Several of the foundations laid in the opening episodes are built upon as the series progresses. In the third installment, Naomi is traumatized by the discovery that her father is having an affair.[15] In episode 4, she is shown to maintain a close relationship with Ethan, despite their break-up, turning to him for comfort. She again reveals a friendly side when she pacifies Ethan's autistic brother.[16] Later, she is presented with an opportunity to confront her father's mistress, and boldly does so.[17] She and Erin Silver also take steps toward reconciliation. Afterward, Naomi schemes to save her parents' marriage, though her efforts are ultimately in vain.[18] When her friend Adrianna (Jessica Lowndes) encounters problems due to her drug habit, Naomi's good will is displayed again, as she eventually steps in and attempts to intervene.[19] In the eighth episode, her intelligence is further hinted at when it is revealed that Naomi speaks Spanish.[20]

Naomi Clark has been compared to Kelly Taylor of Beverly Hills, 90210.

Though their personalities differ at times, several of Naomi's issues parallel those of Kelly Taylor (Jennie Garth) from the original series.[5][6] Early on in the show, she values her 'in-crowd' status and experiences repeated friction with a friend over a boy (as Kelly did).[21] When Annie begins bonding with Ethan, Naomi reveals that the situation is likely to interfere with their friendship. Annie's eventual dismissal of this statement leads to a temporary rift between the girls.[22] Also like Kelly,[21] Naomi endures the experience of a family torn apart by adultery, and is later faced with the matter of an absent parent, as her mother departs town unexpectedly. After her parents have officially split, Naomi seeks temporary refuge in a hotel.[23]

Later, Naomi dates a West Beverly student named Liam Court (Matt Lanter). At Naomi's after-prom party, Jen (Sara Foster), her sister, seduces Liam to get back at Naomi for defying her and holding the event at their house. Naomi catches the aftermath (sans Jen) and finds Annie's wrap with Liam, causing her to publicly accuse Annie of sleeping with him. She is last shown being comforted by Jen while police sirens are heard due to Annie reporting the underage drinking.[24]

Season 2

Impact

File:TSMcCord.jpg
McCord appearing on The Tonight Show.

During the initial development of 90210, the character Annie Wilson was conceived as the central role of the series.[25] As the first season progressed, however, AnnaLynne McCord gained recognition as the show's breakout performer in the role of Naomi.[26] Media outlets began referring to McCord as the series' lead;[2][3] the actress was later nominated for a Teen Choice Award in the category of "Breakout Star Female".[27] Rebecca Sinclair, the series' showrunner, had also become impressed with Naomi's portrayal.[1] Though McCord's cast billing would remain the same in the second season, Naomi Clark was placed "front and center," largely becoming the show's central character.[1]

Several of the series' story lines are shown to have various ties to Naomi, including the deepening of Jen Clark's duplicity, the shaken state of Annie Wilson, and the development of a sensitive side in the character of Liam Court.[28][29] In addition, Silver and Adrianna, who did not associate often in the first season, are shown to have grown closer through their mutual bonds with Naomi in Season 2.[30] Shortly after the second season premiered, Entertainment Weekly applauded the increased focus on McCord's character.[1] The actress also promoted the series on Live with Regis and Kelly[31] and The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien.[32]

Direction

At the beginning of Season 2, McCord reported that producers would be taking her character into "more comedic" territory. "I don't really consider myself funny, but they wanted her to go along this route, so I'm learning alongside Naomi how to be funny."[33] The actress also claimed that Naomi would continue to display an "ever-emerging heart," and that "at the end of the day, she’s the most loyal friend you’ll have—as long as you don't screw her."[34] With regard to the character's appearance, McCord described Naomi as "beautiful," but requested that her makeup be limited in Season 2, stating that "the girls who are watching the show don’t need to see a girl portraying seventeen caked up in all this makeup."[35]

Story lines

The second season opens on Naomi completing her final day of summer school, which she'd been forced to attend due to the underage drinking at her party. It is revealed that she, Silver, and Adrianna have formed a friendly trio during the summer. Naomi briefly dates an older man who she later discovers is married, leading her to break up with him and become interested in returning student Teddy.[36] She is still upset at Annie and considers revenge after obtaining naked pictures of her.[29] She declines to act at first, but is later encouraged to by Jen, widening the rift between she and Annie. Later, after she escapes some of Jen's influence, Naomi visits California University, and grows close to the dean's son, Richard, along with a boy named Jamie.[37]

Following the death of Silver's mother, Jackie, Naomi provides Erin with comfort. Adrianna becomes temporarily ostracized from both girls due to her failure to appear at the funeral, along with suspicions that she is doing drugs again. Soon afterward, Naomi learns the truth about Jen's actions on the night of the prom, creating a rift between the two.[38] Later, Naomi offers Annie her apologies. Annie initially keeps her at a distance, while Liam, after much effort, is eventually given a second chance with Naomi.[39][40]

Reception

In its biographical page on McCord, Yahoo! states that via the role of Naomi, the actress "became one of Hollywood’s top young stars-to-watch after the series premiered to more than 5 million viewers worldwide."[41] In a review of the series premiere, Tom Gliatto of People magazine stated that, "The standout is AnnaLynne McCord as bad-girl Naomi Clark: She’s very striking physically—almost startling, somewhere between Charlize Theron and Courtney Love—and she conveys a mix of high drama, meanness and little-girl self-pity that’s a lot of fun."[42] Staff members of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram found McCord's performance "surprisingly more nuanced" than her previous work as Eden Lord. The article also declared that Naomi appeared to be the most complex of the younger characters early on, labeling her a "popular but vulnerable but snotty but misunderstood but vindictive high-school queen."[43]

In a 2009 article, Entertainment Weekly proclaimed the series' second season an improvement on the first, and remarked that, "Moving AnnaLynne McCord's immensely entertaining anti-heroine, Naomi, front and center certainly didn't hurt."[1] Following the completion of Season 1, McCord appeared on the premiere cover of Beauty Entertainment magazine, which made reference to Naomi's "Good Girl, Bad Girl" status.[44]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Ausiello, Michael (October 25, 2009). "Fall's best and worst". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 29, 2009. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  2. ^ a b "AnnaLynne McCord". InStyle. Retrieved May 28, 2009. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  3. ^ a b "Exorcist remake auditions, table for one". wenn.com. Retrieved May 28, 2009. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  4. ^ Rice, Lynette (April 14, 2008). "Babe Alert! 90210 spinoff lands AnnaLynne McCord". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 17, 2009. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  5. ^ a b c "AnnaLynne McCord Joins CW's 90210 Spinoff". Chicago Tribune. April 15, 2008. Retrieved November 17, 2009. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  6. ^ a b "90210: Then and Now". TV Guide. Retrieved June 22, 2009. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  7. ^ a b c Cheng, Charlene (September 10, 2008). "Exclusive Interview: AnnaLynne McCord talks 90210, Nip/Tuck, and Day of the Dead". ifmagazine.com. Retrieved November 17, 2009. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  8. ^ "Bad girl with a good heart". straitstimes.com. November 24, 2008. Retrieved November 17, 2009. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  9. ^ "AnnaLynne McCord:Overview". msn.com. Retrieved November 17, 2009.
  10. ^ Radish, Christina (January 22, 2009). "AnnaLynne McCord is Naomi". teenmagazine.com. Retrieved January 11, 2010. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  11. ^ "90210, 'We're Not in Kansas Anymore,' 'The Jet Set'". TV Guide. Retrieved March 24, 2009. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  12. ^ a b Barnett, Mandy (September 5, 2008). "90210, 'We're Not in Kansas Anymore,'". showbizmonkeys.com. Retrieved February 19, 2010. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  13. ^ "The 90210 Premiere: New Drama, Familiar Faces". People. September 3, 2008. Retrieved February 19, 2010. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
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  19. ^ "90210, 'Hollywood Forever'". E4. Retrieved February 19, 2010. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  20. ^ Kennedy, Chad. "90210: There's No Place Like Homecoming (Episode 8)". recapist.com. Retrieved February 19, 2010. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  21. ^ a b "Beverly Hills, 90210, 'Back in the High Life Again'". Yahoo!. Retrieved February 19, 2009. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
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  23. ^ "90210, 'By Accident'". E4. Retrieved February 19, 2010. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
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  29. ^ a b "90210, 'To Sext or Not to Sext'". Yahoo!. Retrieved November 17, 2009. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
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  32. ^ "Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien AnnaLynne McCord". TV Guide. December 1, 2008. Retrieved December 3, 2009. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  33. ^ "AnnaLynne McCord Revisits Her Past at Seventeen!". Seventeen. August 18, 2009. Retrieved February 12, 2010. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  34. ^ Stransky, Tanner (November 17, 2009). "AnnaLynne McCord on 90210's Naomi Clark: 'She's the bitch with soul!'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 12, 2010. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  35. ^ Zhang, Amy (August 19, 2009). "AnnaLynne McCord's Skincare Secrets!". glam.com. Retrieved February 12, 2010. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
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  43. ^ "10 to watch: These TV actors caught our eye". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. September 15, 2008. Retrieved December 3, 2009. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
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