Kim Collins

Kim Collins is a character featured in Home Before Dark. She is portrayed by Joelle Carter.

Biography
Kimberly was born in Erie Harbor, Washington, to Carol and Roger Collins. She had an idyllic childhood and was often fawned over by her adoring parents as she was an only child. She was popular in middle school and frequently hung out with boys her age, especially Matthew Lisko, Frank Briggs Jr., and Richie Fife. She had a crush on Matt and went on to date him in high school until their eventual graduation. She desired to stay in Erie Harbor while he wanted to leave for New York to pursue a career. Carol stayed behind to look after the town and her parents. Her parents eventually divorced and her father's mental health declined rapidly, making him overly paranoid. Kim became the principal of Erie Harbor School while Carol became the librarian. She also had an off-and-on relationship with Frank Briggs Jr.

Season 2
In "Not Giving Up", Kim finds Hilde in the library and asks if she should be in class. She calls Hilde smart and driven but states that her grades suck. She talked to Hilde’s parents a Hilde missed a lot of classes last semester, which has negatively affected her grades. Hilde promises to try not to let it happen again. Kim notes that it’s interesting Hilde said “try” instead of “will”. She promises she’ll be watching Hilde. Hilde asks if Kim is okay after the holidays. Her father says that people who have loved ones in prison need extra support. Kim tells her to go to class.

In "I Believe You", at Erie Harbor School, Kim announces that school is closed until a tree is removed and the power is restored. A group of soccer moms is outraged at how unorganized Kim is and why they weren’t notified earlier. As they advance to Kim, she protests as it’s not safe for them to go past the barrier. The crowd of moms shouts at Kim calling her just as bad as her con of a mother, critiquing her for being disorganized, and shouting that their tax dollars pay her salary. Kim tries to soothe the crowd. Bridget takes the megaphone and tells them that if anyone has questions or grievances, like the ladies with their petition, they can take it with her lawyer - her. She tells them Kim has no comment and for everyone to have a nice day. With the crowd dispersing, Bridget assures Kim she doesn’t have to hire her as a lawyer. Kim is getting used to the abuse but appreciates her support. Bridget knows what that feels like so she wants to try and put an end to it. Ginny yells for her mom as she is holding Bridget’s heavy purse. Bridget rushes over and the women say goodbye.

That afternoon, Kim walks the halls of Erie Harbor school with the superintendent as they discuss the power being out. He then warns her that the petitioners are becoming more vocal with the school board. While he knows they aren’t reasonable people, they are also taxpayers and voters. He warns her to be careful and look out for herself as they are petitioning the district to place her employment under review. If too many people sign they will have to fire her. He reminds her that while her mother’s actions were her own, they still reflect on Kim.

At the farmer’s market, Kim is approached by Bridget who is also there for groceries. She gives Kim an envelope of cease and desist letters for all the people attacking her. This means that they can sue if the harassment continues. Kim walks away and mails them quickly. She thanks Bridget profusely for the gesture.

In "Fighting His Ghost", Izzy does some filing at Bridget's law office when Principal Collins arrives so she and Bridget can talk. Kim gives her a gift to say thank you. It’s a bullhorn necklace for getting the PTA off her back. She only gets a few dirty looks now, but it’s Bridget who shut them down. She loves the necklace. Kim uneasily looks around before asking her and Matt to come by tomorrow for a meeting with Jessica’s parents. She heard about the other girls drinking and the events that took place afterward.

At the school, Kim shows Matt, Bridge, and Jessica’s father a surveillance video that the school’s cameras caught just as the power came back on. The video shows Jessica and Izzy drinking in the parking lot and egging the school. There was no damage as it was a prank but they were drunk. She wants to give them a chance to redeem themselves. She’s giving them detention but if it happens again there will be serious consequences.

In "Dark Rooms", Frank walks the pier on his patrol when he sees Kim inside a restaurant laughing with a man. He texts her asking how her day is going. He watches her check the text then lie about being stuck in talent rehearsal. She then sees him on the bridge. She walks over to ask what he’s doing there. He calls her out for lying and she apologizes but wants to talk about it later. He asks what the man’s talent is. She explains she’s on a job interview as everything with the PTA has her thinking of transferring to another school district. He can’t believe she wouldn’t tell him her plans to leave Erie Harbor. She tells him not to worry about it. With her mom in prison and a cop shaking her down during an interview, she probably won’t get the job.

In "The Black Box", Frank is off-duty when he finds Kim waiting by the hood of his truck. She remarks that he sucks as tailing people. He apologizes for following her and losing his temper. She would never cheat on him but he’s worried about her leaving. She would leave for the right job and wants to know how he feels. He feels like he wishes he wouldn’t be carrying around a ring this entire time waiting for the right time to propose. He gets in his car and drives off without another word as she shouts after him.

Frank returns to his office the next day to find Kim, who is apologizing for not telling him about the job. They both start apologizing at the same time and realize they were both wrong and shouldn’t have fought. They sit down together and he admits he was scared as he doesn’t want her to leave. She doesn’t think she will as the district is too far. She asks if he really bought a ring and he takes it out of his jacket. She’s surprised he’s been carrying it around the entire time. He’s terrible at hiding things as she would have found it in a second. He shows it to her and she finds it beautiful. She asks if he still wants to marry her because she wants to marry him. She takes the ring and tries to propose but he interrupts as it’s his line. He gets down on one knee and begins to ask when she cuts him off to say yes. From behind them is a round of applause from the office as they saw everything. Trip smiles at him and they leave as Kim kisses Frank and hugs him.

In "Just a Bird", Between classes, Hilde tries to give out tests for the water as she explains the toxins to those who do take the tests. However, most people aren’t interested. Kim stands behind her and tells her she can’t set up booths like this. Hilde tries to justify what she’s doing and accidentally lets it slip that Frank is fired. Kim tells her to get permission before she does this again. She takes the booth supplies and leaves, telling Hilde to think about the consequences before she takes action.

By nightfall, Frank is drinking while sitting by a campfire. Kim walks over to him to ask if he’s okay, which he isn’t. She confronts him for keeping the secret of his firing from her. She had to find out from Hilde and it was hard to keep a straight face in front of her. Frank just wasn’t ready for it to be real. He apologizes as she deserves better as she deserves someone better, someone, who doesn’t disappoint her or get fired from the first job they ever had. She doesn’t feel that way as he’s not just some guy but her fiancé. He remarks that makes it worse. She reminds him that he was Cranky Frankie in the first grade because he was the world’s saddest first-grader who would cry when his mom dropped him off. She’s known every version of him and she’s loved them all, even Cranky Frankie. She could never be ashamed of him and they hug tightly.

Physical Appearance
Kim initially has red hair that she wears in a high ponytail. After recent events, she dyes her hair light blonde and begins to wear it down around her shoulders in loose waves.