- Kate: "Nobody ever asked me about my scars."
- Jill: "She means knife scars, Mom."
- Kate: "Oh, well, okay."
- — Kate and Jill's exchange after Kirby Reed suggests Sidney Prescott must have scars everywhere, a hint at Kate's jealousy.
Kathleen "Kate" Roberts was a minor character in Scream 4 (2011 film). She is the mother of Jillian "Jill" Roberts and the younger sister of Maureen Prescott, therefore making her Sidney Prescott's aunt. Her character is mostly an homage to Maureen.
Kate was the seventh character to fall victim to the fourth Ghostface killing spree, also known as the Woodsboro Massacre Remake.
She was portrayed by Mary McDonnell.
Biography
Background
Kathleen "Kate" Roberts was raised in Woodsboro, California alongside her older sister, who was approximately five years older, Maureen Roberts. When Kate was around 13 in early-1969, her older sister relocated to Hollywood in Los Angeles without her or their parents' knowledge. Her sister later returned to Woodsboro, and moved out of their home to 34 Elm Street, while Kate stayed at the Roberts Residence.
Kate's forgotten scars: losing a sister.
In 1994, at approx. age 38, Kate gave birth to her only daughter, Jill, with an unnamed ex-partner. Shortly afterwards, the two separated.
Given Jill's later motivation on family, it is highly unlikely her father was in the picture for the majority of her life (as having her paternal family influence may have led her to a different path). Coupled with her age and occupation, her pregnancy was likely a surprise.
The Original Woodsboro Murders and aftermath
Over a year after the birth of her only child, Kate's older sister, Maureen, was brutally murdered. In the canonical series of events, her sister's killer was identified as Cotton Weary, a man her sister was also having an affair with.
Kate in the background at her niece, Sidney's, book signing.
It is unknown how Kate reacted to the allegations of her sister's promiscuity, as it was generally accepted by the court that Cotton raped and murdered her. It is highly likely she would have been an attendee of Sidney's eye-witness testimony in late-1995 / early-1996 that sent Cotton to death row.
Despite not appearing nor being mentioned in the original trilogy (Scream 1, 2 and 3) at all, Gale mentions that nobody from Woodsboro who knew her can determine where Maureen had been between the ages of 18 and 20 (1969—1971). It is possible that despite being a young girl, Kate was among those asked.
The Second Woodsboro Murders (2011)
In the fourth film, she is first seen in the background at the local Woodsboro bookstore, where Sidney is promoting her self-help book, Out of Darkness. This is prior to the beginning of the second Woodsboro Murders (2011), a remake massacre.
Kirby discusses Sidney's knife scars in front of Jill and Kate, almost in fan-girl awe.
Later, she states to Kirby Reed, her daughter´s best friend, when she mentions Sidney having scars, that she also suffers from emotional scarring because of her sister’s death, and "nobody ever asked" her about her scars. However, Kirby was referring to knife scars, which Jill later clarifies.
When Jill is attacked by Ghostface after Olivia Morris' death, Kate attempts to protect her by not allowing her to leave the house. Unfortunately for Kate, Jill disobeys her mother and seemingly escapes to Kirby's house.
In a panic, Kate and Sidney decide that they need to go get her, but they are attacked by Ghostface (Charlie Walker) before they can leave the house.
Knife in the back: Family ties cuts deep.
After the disappearance of deputies Anthony Perkins and Ross Hoss, Ghostface (Charlie Walker) attacks Sidney and Kate. They run from the back door after seeing a reflection of the killer. Sidney closes the front door on the killer's arm, only to have Kate die when she is stabbed in the back of the neck through the mail slot of the front door. Before she dies, she asks Sidney to, "Tell Jill I'm so sorry."
Kate apologizes for not being able to protect her daughter.
However, it turns out that her own daughter, Jill, had her mother planned to be killed, thus she is partially responsible for her mother's death.
According to Jill, Kate had to die so she can "stay true to the original", referring to how she wanted to be like Sidney, whose mother was also murdered. She also states, "All I ever heard was Sidney this, and Sidney that, Sidney, Sidney, Sidney! You were always just so fucking special!" Jill, here, attributes Kate's incessant, competitive comparisons to Sidney as a reason for her psychopathy.
Relationships
Family
Allies
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Enemies
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Trivia
Kate's final stand.
- Kate's death represents her sister Maureen's so that Jill "could stay true to the original".
- Kate, as a character in general, is based on her sister, Maureen. The fact she says to Sidney to tell Jill she is sorry is based on her creating a backstory.
- Goof or an accomplice: Kate notices Hoss and Perkins are missing from out the front when she arrives back from grocery shopping.
- Sidney notes how Kate's shopping is peculiar, which Kate responds, calling it a "stress-buster". It is possible Jill was aware her mother would not use her intuition and be focused on other trivial activities, possibly as an avoidance tactic.
- This is still strange however, as logic would dictate this is dangerous and raise alarm bells for their lack of safety.
- A deleted scene indicated Kate was also a "pill-popper" medicated parent that was neglectful in raising her child (explaining her absence during Olivia's gruesome death). It is possible that this occurrence would slip her mind through this idea. Though its deletion from the theatrical release leaves Kate in a much more illogical form.
- Another major issue, however, is the blood left from stabbing the cops that would be visible from the streetlights.
- There are fans that speculate Judy Hicks (who was killed eleven years later) was a third killer, or Kate herself was involved somehow.
- Kate is a realtor. (Script notes)
- In an old script for Scream 4, she was a Prescott, Neil's sister.
- Lauren Graham (who is 15 years younger than Mary McDonnell) was originally cast in the role, but dropped out days before principal photography due to script changes and scheduling conflicts.
- In an old script, she was Maureen's "kid sister". Kate's age gap is much smaller than Maureen in the theatrical release following a last-minute casting change.
- Kate uttered the words, "I'll be right back."
- A deleted scene on the DVD shows Kate outside Olivia's house after Jill and Sidney are attacked. It shows her being in shock over Olivia's death, having taken a sleeping pill. She, Sidney, and Jill walk across the street as Kirby Reed and Trevor Sheldon look on.
- She is the oldest female victim in the series at 55.
- Her sister Maureen is the 2nd at 44.
Gallery
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Kate Roberts has a Photo Gallery. |
Appearances
- Scream 4 (2011 film)
Character Guide
| Scream 4 Characters | ||
| Principal Characters | Sidney Prescott • Gale Weathers • Dewey Riley • Ghostface | |
| Supporting Characters | Anthony Perkins • Charlie Walker • Jill Roberts • Judy Hicks • Kirby Reed • Kate Roberts • Olivia Morris • Rebecca Walters • Robbie Mercer • Deputy Hoss • Trevor Sheldon | |
| Stab Cameos | Sherrie • Trudie (Stab) • Chloe • Rachel | |
| Cameo Characters | Marnie Cooper • Jenny Randall • Dr. Danny Orth • Mr Baker | |
| Ghostface(s) | Jill Roberts • Charlie Walker | |