RAVEN ALEXANDER
FIRST APPEARANCE: June 1976
LAST APPEARANCE: December 28, 1984
PERFORMERS:
Juanin Clay (June 1976-Sept.1977)
Sharon Gabet (Sept. 1977-Sept. 1979; February 1980-December 1984).
REAL NAME: Charlotte Alexander. In September 1979, three years after her debut, Raven made a surprising revelation to April and Draper Scott: "Raven" was actually a nickname. Her real name was Charlotte. In a poignant exit scene, she wistfully recalled naming herself as a child : "One day I was sitting on the lawn, and I saw this beautiful black bird with shiny wings fly by. And, oh how I wanted to be that bird... so beautiful, so free..." It was a deeply touching moment that quickly and succinctly defined her character.
LOVERS: Ansel Scott, Draper Scott, Eliot Dorn, Derek Mallory, Ian Devereaux.
OCCUPATION: Except for brief stint as a private investigator (Fall 1983), Raven never worked. Ever resourceful, she generally managed to survive with the help of Geraldine Whitney and an endless parade of suitors.
OTHER WHEREABOUTS: London, England.
LEGAL HISTORY: Fought for custody of her son Jamey Swift (Fall 1980). Was suspected of killing her mother Nadine in 1980. Arrested for the attempted murder of Peter Nevins (charges were dropped). Stood trial for the murder of her ex-husband Logan Swift (Sept./Oct. 1984).
MEDICAL HISTORY: Injured in a pipe bomb explosion (August 1983).
PERILS: Nearly shot by hitman Romeo Slade (August 1981). Victim of four murder attempts in St. Moritz, Switzerland, January 1982 [husband Jeff Brown attempted to push her from an observation deck, throw her out of an alpine gondola, arranged a skiing accident, then tried to toss her off a snowy cliff]. Locked in a deserted police precinct scheduled for demolition (June 1982). Held at gunpoint by Harry Lavendar (May 1983). Kidnapped by David Cameron (May 1983). Kidnapped and held hostage in a deserted mine by Mark Hamilton (October - December 1984).
SPOUSES
Kevin Jamison --(December 1977 - December 1978)
Raven first met Kevin shortly after her arrival in Monticello. Geraldine Whitney arranged the meeting at dinner party given to introduce the Alexanders to Monticello. Not long afterward, Kevin's wife Phoebe was killed in a car accident. Geraldine immediately encouraged a relationship between Kevin and Raven, reasoning that she would be an excellent politician's wife and asset to Kevin's burgeoning Senate campaign. Although they married, Raven found Kevin tedious and quickly entered into an affair with Asst. DA Logan Swift. When Raven became pregnant, she intended to pass the child off as Kevin's then was mortified to learn that her husband was sterile. Kevin discovered Raven's infidelity and left her briefly; however, they reconciled for the sake of his career. Although he tolerated her presence, their relationship was henceforth characterized by anger and bitterness. In December 1978, Raven had enough and planned to skip the country with her unborn child. Kevin drove wildly to the airport, attempting to stop her, and died when the car careened off the side of a cliff.
Logan Swift -- (May 1979 - September 1979)
Raven's marriage to Logan was doomed from the start. She didn't really love him, having entered into marriage to give their son Jamey a name. Vis-a-vis Kevin, Raven became quickly bored with being the wife of a public officer. She fell into a passionate affair with rogue Eliot Dorn. When Logan caught them together, Raven fled to Europe in September 1979 and divorced him in absentia. When she finally returned to Monticello, they had an acrimonious relationship, with Logan attempting to prove himself the natural father of Jamey and gain custody. He eventually succeeded. Despite Raven's abuse, Logan never stopped loving her and tried to rekindle their affair in early 1984. The result was disastrous: it strained Raven's marriage to Sky Whitney, and she stood trial for Logan's murder.
Jefferson Brown -- (June 1981 - February 1982)
Jeff Brown actually came to Monticello under the guise of Schyuler Whitney, Geraldine's nephew-by-marriage. Raven was attracted to his great wealth and his refusal to tolerate her antics. Their courtship last six months, and they married in June 1981. Then the real trouble began. As it turned out, Sky Whitney was actually Jeff Brown, a former agent of the state department who had stolen CEA documents and fled the country. Jeff met the real Sky Whitney in Lucerne, Switzerland., and shortly thereafter, their private plane crashed in the Alps. Sky died (supposedly), so Jeff underwent plastic surgery and assumed his friend's identity. Naturally, Raven learned the truth. Jeff hired hit man Romeo Slade to eliminate her, but at the last minute changed his mind... he truly loved Raven. However, he was forced to kill her himself months later when he feared she had learned the truth about other murders he had committed. Vactioning in St. Moritz, Switzerland, Jeff attempted to throw Raven off a cliff, but was shot to death by an assassin before he could go through with it.
Ian Devereaux -- (March - May 1983)
Ian was an international spy searching for "The Phonebook", a CEA document which revealed the real names of undercover counter-espionage agents. The Phonebook had been stolen by Jeff Brown, who planned to sell it to the highest bidder. Unfortunately, the real Sky Whitney was framed for the crime and faced a charge of treason. Raven married Ian, but it was a guise to prove Sky's innocence. She did, and after the Phonebook affair was resolved, Ian and Raven learned that their marriage wasn't valid: Geraldine had hired an actor to portray the minister. Although she didn't love him, Raven did have a genuine affection for Ian, and they parted friends.
Sky Whitney -- (June 1983 - series finale)
In March 1982, everyone was astonished when the real Sky Whitney turned up in Monticello very much alive. Suffering from a coma and serious injuries he had not been killed in the plane crash after all. He and Raven immediately loathed one another (Sky out of anger and Raven out of fear she'd lose the Whitney fortune). After Sky legally regained control of his assets, a destitute Raven set out to seduce him. Their relationship had many twists and turns, but Sky was eventually captivated by Raven's tempestuous nature and undeniable charm. They finally married in June 1983 and developed a strong, happy marriage. By the end of the series, Sky "tamed" Raven, who became a devoted wife and mother.
FAMILY
Jamey Swift
For Raven, son Jamey was pretty much a pawn in whatever game she happened to be playing, particularly if it involved his natural father Logan Swift. Prior to leaving Monticello for Europe in September 1979, Raven actually gave Jamey away to April and Draper Scott. Later, she fought Logan for custody, but had an ulterior motive: Jamey was set to inherit a fortune from Raven's mother Nadine. After Logan moved to New York, Raven didn't see her son again until he returned to Monticello in January 1984. They approached one another with caution and skepticism; however, by the end of the series, they cultivated a very loving mother-son relationship.
Charlotte Alexandra
Charlotte Alexandra Whitney was born to Sky and Raven on December 18, 1984, a week before the series aired its final telecast. By this point, Raven had truly developed maternal feelings and probably would have been a good mother to her daughter.
Nadine Alexander Scott
Nadine and Raven's relationship was marked by jealousy and ambivalence. . Very much concerned with appearances, Nadine was generally mortified by Raven's wild behavior and appeared content to live thousands of miles away overseas. Raven often remarked that Nadine didn't want her around as Jamey would only remind people that Nadine was a grandmother. In July 1980, Nadine returned to Monticello from London and attempted to reconcile with her estranged daughter, who was fighting Logan Swift for custody of their son Jamey. Knowing that Jamey would be sole inheritor of Nadine's wealth, Raven tolerated her mother's presence. In September 1980, Nadine died in a mysterious car crash. Raven immediately had the remains cremated, and for a time, it appeared she had poisoned her mother to gain control of the Alexander fortune.
Ansel Scott
Raven and Ansel were not only step-father and step-daughter, they had once been lovers as well. Even after Ansel's marriage to Nadine, he and Raven continued to have a flirtatious relationship.
Draper Scott
Though they were step-brother and step-sister, Draper and Raven were initially an item. They even became engaged, but when when he discovered she was having an affair with his father Ansel, Draper henceforth regarded Raven with contempt. Raven did her best to rekindle their affair and for years interfered with Draper's marriage to April Cavanaugh.
Geraldine Whitney Saxon
Although not a blood relative, Raven and Geraldine considered one another family . Geraldine had been Nadine's best friend, and after her death, became a surrogate mother to Raven. Generally, Raven's destructive antics appalled Geraldine, and at one point, she vowed never to forgive her for Kevin Jamison's death. However, regardless of the sin, Geraldine always forgave Raven and supported her when she needed help. They shared a warm relationship until the end of the series.
FIRST APPEARANCE: June 1976
LAST APPEARANCE: December 28, 1984
PERFORMERS:
Juanin Clay (June 1976-Sept.1977)
Sharon Gabet (Sept. 1977-Sept. 1979; February 1980-December 1984).
REAL NAME: Charlotte Alexander. In September 1979, three years after her debut, Raven made a surprising revelation to April and Draper Scott: "Raven" was actually a nickname. Her real name was Charlotte. In a poignant exit scene, she wistfully recalled naming herself as a child : "One day I was sitting on the lawn, and I saw this beautiful black bird with shiny wings fly by. And, oh how I wanted to be that bird... so beautiful, so free..." It was a deeply touching moment that quickly and succinctly defined her character.
LOVERS: Ansel Scott, Draper Scott, Eliot Dorn, Derek Mallory, Ian Devereaux.
OCCUPATION: Except for brief stint as a private investigator (Fall 1983), Raven never worked. Ever resourceful, she generally managed to survive with the help of Geraldine Whitney and an endless parade of suitors.
OTHER WHEREABOUTS: London, England.
LEGAL HISTORY: Fought for custody of her son Jamey Swift (Fall 1980). Was suspected of killing her mother Nadine in 1980. Arrested for the attempted murder of Peter Nevins (charges were dropped). Stood trial for the murder of her ex-husband Logan Swift (Sept./Oct. 1984).
MEDICAL HISTORY: Injured in a pipe bomb explosion (August 1983).
PERILS: Nearly shot by hitman Romeo Slade (August 1981). Victim of four murder attempts in St. Moritz, Switzerland, January 1982 [husband Jeff Brown attempted to push her from an observation deck, throw her out of an alpine gondola, arranged a skiing accident, then tried to toss her off a snowy cliff]. Locked in a deserted police precinct scheduled for demolition (June 1982). Held at gunpoint by Harry Lavendar (May 1983). Kidnapped by David Cameron (May 1983). Kidnapped and held hostage in a deserted mine by Mark Hamilton (October - December 1984).
SPOUSES
Kevin Jamison --(December 1977 - December 1978)
Raven first met Kevin shortly after her arrival in Monticello. Geraldine Whitney arranged the meeting at dinner party given to introduce the Alexanders to Monticello. Not long afterward, Kevin's wife Phoebe was killed in a car accident. Geraldine immediately encouraged a relationship between Kevin and Raven, reasoning that she would be an excellent politician's wife and asset to Kevin's burgeoning Senate campaign. Although they married, Raven found Kevin tedious and quickly entered into an affair with Asst. DA Logan Swift. When Raven became pregnant, she intended to pass the child off as Kevin's then was mortified to learn that her husband was sterile. Kevin discovered Raven's infidelity and left her briefly; however, they reconciled for the sake of his career. Although he tolerated her presence, their relationship was henceforth characterized by anger and bitterness. In December 1978, Raven had enough and planned to skip the country with her unborn child. Kevin drove wildly to the airport, attempting to stop her, and died when the car careened off the side of a cliff.
Logan Swift -- (May 1979 - September 1979)
Raven's marriage to Logan was doomed from the start. She didn't really love him, having entered into marriage to give their son Jamey a name. Vis-a-vis Kevin, Raven became quickly bored with being the wife of a public officer. She fell into a passionate affair with rogue Eliot Dorn. When Logan caught them together, Raven fled to Europe in September 1979 and divorced him in absentia. When she finally returned to Monticello, they had an acrimonious relationship, with Logan attempting to prove himself the natural father of Jamey and gain custody. He eventually succeeded. Despite Raven's abuse, Logan never stopped loving her and tried to rekindle their affair in early 1984. The result was disastrous: it strained Raven's marriage to Sky Whitney, and she stood trial for Logan's murder.
Jefferson Brown -- (June 1981 - February 1982)
Jeff Brown actually came to Monticello under the guise of Schyuler Whitney, Geraldine's nephew-by-marriage. Raven was attracted to his great wealth and his refusal to tolerate her antics. Their courtship last six months, and they married in June 1981. Then the real trouble began. As it turned out, Sky Whitney was actually Jeff Brown, a former agent of the state department who had stolen CEA documents and fled the country. Jeff met the real Sky Whitney in Lucerne, Switzerland., and shortly thereafter, their private plane crashed in the Alps. Sky died (supposedly), so Jeff underwent plastic surgery and assumed his friend's identity. Naturally, Raven learned the truth. Jeff hired hit man Romeo Slade to eliminate her, but at the last minute changed his mind... he truly loved Raven. However, he was forced to kill her himself months later when he feared she had learned the truth about other murders he had committed. Vactioning in St. Moritz, Switzerland, Jeff attempted to throw Raven off a cliff, but was shot to death by an assassin before he could go through with it.
Ian Devereaux -- (March - May 1983)
Ian was an international spy searching for "The Phonebook", a CEA document which revealed the real names of undercover counter-espionage agents. The Phonebook had been stolen by Jeff Brown, who planned to sell it to the highest bidder. Unfortunately, the real Sky Whitney was framed for the crime and faced a charge of treason. Raven married Ian, but it was a guise to prove Sky's innocence. She did, and after the Phonebook affair was resolved, Ian and Raven learned that their marriage wasn't valid: Geraldine had hired an actor to portray the minister. Although she didn't love him, Raven did have a genuine affection for Ian, and they parted friends.
Sky Whitney -- (June 1983 - series finale)
In March 1982, everyone was astonished when the real Sky Whitney turned up in Monticello very much alive. Suffering from a coma and serious injuries he had not been killed in the plane crash after all. He and Raven immediately loathed one another (Sky out of anger and Raven out of fear she'd lose the Whitney fortune). After Sky legally regained control of his assets, a destitute Raven set out to seduce him. Their relationship had many twists and turns, but Sky was eventually captivated by Raven's tempestuous nature and undeniable charm. They finally married in June 1983 and developed a strong, happy marriage. By the end of the series, Sky "tamed" Raven, who became a devoted wife and mother.
FAMILY
Jamey Swift
For Raven, son Jamey was pretty much a pawn in whatever game she happened to be playing, particularly if it involved his natural father Logan Swift. Prior to leaving Monticello for Europe in September 1979, Raven actually gave Jamey away to April and Draper Scott. Later, she fought Logan for custody, but had an ulterior motive: Jamey was set to inherit a fortune from Raven's mother Nadine. After Logan moved to New York, Raven didn't see her son again until he returned to Monticello in January 1984. They approached one another with caution and skepticism; however, by the end of the series, they cultivated a very loving mother-son relationship.
Charlotte Alexandra
Charlotte Alexandra Whitney was born to Sky and Raven on December 18, 1984, a week before the series aired its final telecast. By this point, Raven had truly developed maternal feelings and probably would have been a good mother to her daughter.
Nadine Alexander Scott
Nadine and Raven's relationship was marked by jealousy and ambivalence. . Very much concerned with appearances, Nadine was generally mortified by Raven's wild behavior and appeared content to live thousands of miles away overseas. Raven often remarked that Nadine didn't want her around as Jamey would only remind people that Nadine was a grandmother. In July 1980, Nadine returned to Monticello from London and attempted to reconcile with her estranged daughter, who was fighting Logan Swift for custody of their son Jamey. Knowing that Jamey would be sole inheritor of Nadine's wealth, Raven tolerated her mother's presence. In September 1980, Nadine died in a mysterious car crash. Raven immediately had the remains cremated, and for a time, it appeared she had poisoned her mother to gain control of the Alexander fortune.
Ansel Scott
Raven and Ansel were not only step-father and step-daughter, they had once been lovers as well. Even after Ansel's marriage to Nadine, he and Raven continued to have a flirtatious relationship.
Draper Scott
Though they were step-brother and step-sister, Draper and Raven were initially an item. They even became engaged, but when when he discovered she was having an affair with his father Ansel, Draper henceforth regarded Raven with contempt. Raven did her best to rekindle their affair and for years interfered with Draper's marriage to April Cavanaugh.
Geraldine Whitney Saxon
Although not a blood relative, Raven and Geraldine considered one another family . Geraldine had been Nadine's best friend, and after her death, became a surrogate mother to Raven. Generally, Raven's destructive antics appalled Geraldine, and at one point, she vowed never to forgive her for Kevin Jamison's death. However, regardless of the sin, Geraldine always forgave Raven and supported her when she needed help. They shared a warm relationship until the end of the series.