Evan Hancock - Maggie Hancock

Maggie Hancock, played by Sally Cooper, made her first screen appearance on 9 May 2001. The character was introduced alongside her family, after the Neighbours scriptwriters decided to add some "new blood" to the show to fill the void left by the temporary departures of six regular characters. Cooper was cast as Maggie, the matriarch of the Hancock family. Maggie is married to Evan (Nicholas Opolski) and they have two children; Leo (Anthony Hammer) and Emily (Isabella Oldham). Maggie is also a stepmother to Chris and Matt (Stephen Hunt). Maggie is a law student and a writer for the BBC stated "Maggie had a difficult task in negotiating her way through the world of the modern blended family. It was a role she managed well. Add all this to her legal career and you have one very busy woman." Maggie works alongside Toadfish Rebecchi (Ryan Moloney) and he later confesses his feelings for her. They almost share a kiss, but Maggie "nipped the romance in the bud". However, Evan finds out that Maggie and Toadie were more than friends and Maggie has to decide whether she is still fully committed to her husband. Hunt, who played Matt Hancock, commented "Toadie was the one who started it, but there was some doubt whether Maggie had feelings for him too." Evan and Maggie are united when Matt is involved in a car accident and when Maggie spots Evan and Matt sorting through their issues, she decides her marriage is worth saving and convinces Evan to try again. In 2002, the producers decided to write the Hancocks out of the show.

Maggie and her family move to Erinsborough after her husband, Evan, gets a job at the local high school. On the day they are moving into 32 Ramsay Street, Maggie and Evan realise that their youngest son, Leo, is missing. They drive round looking for him and eventually find him in the local pub with Toadfish Rebecchi. Maggie learns Toadie is in his final year of law and she reveals she is also a law student. They become friends and Maggie helps Toadie with his court case against UniFM radio. Shortly after their arrival, Maggie and Evan deal with the anniversary of their daughter, Francesca's death. Maggie reassures Leo that it was not fault Francesca died and learns he has spoken about it with Dee Bliss (Madeleine West). Maggie becomes eager to help Libby Kennedy (Kym Valentine) sue The Chronicle for unfair dismissal. Libby's father, Karl (Alan Fletcher), believes his daughter should not pursue her case as she is pregnant and he takes his frustrations out on Maggie. Libby eventually takes an out-of-court settlement. Maggie is not happy when she realises that Evan has been feuding with most of their neighbours. The family are also hit with financial difficulties, with matters being made worse when Emily loses an pair of expensive earrings and goes missing. The police tell Maggie and Evan that Emily boarded a bus, but ran off when the driver opened the door. They join the search and Maggie is delighted when Leo finds Emily.

Maggie takes on some work from a legal firm and she starts spending less time at home, which Evan resents her for. Maggie and Evan suspect Leo is taking drugs when they notice his strange behaviour. However, Matt discovers that Leo is actually writing essays for his classmates so he can pay for breakdancing lessons. Evan bans Leo from breakdancing, which causes a rift between them. Maggie finds it hard to concentrate on her studies and she fails an exam. After she pleads her case, Maggie is allowed to graduate and she begins working at a law firm with Toadie. Maggie learns he likes someone at work and assumes it is the sandwich girl. Maggie and Evan continue to grow apart and Maggie accuses him of trying to control the family. She also becomes fed up with Evan's ex-wife Genevieve (Julie Campbell), leaning on him for support. Toadie tells Maggie that he has feelings for her and it causes tension between them at work. However, as her family problems increase, Maggie becomes closer to Toadie. Just as they are about to kiss, Evan appears and announces Matt and Leo have been in a car accident. Maggie and Evan discuss selling their house to pay for Matt's legal fees and Maggie realises she needs to stay loyal to her family. She goes to see Toadie and tells him she is sticking by her family and rejects him when he tries to kiss her. Emily later finds and reads out a letter from Toadie, which mentions his feelings for Maggie. Evan becomes angry when Maggie tells him Toadie made her feel alive, and he demands a divorce. After selling their house, Maggie and Evan manage to resolve things and the family move to Albury.

A writer for the BBC said Maggie's most notable moment was when she rejected Toadie.