Lucy Robinson (Neighbours)

Lucy Robinson is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours'', played by Melissa Bell. The character has previously been portrayed by Kylie Flinker and Sasha Close. She was created by producer Reg Watson as one of the serial's original characters. Lucy was a prominent figure during the early 1990s of ''Neighbours'', with Bell playing her on and off for five years. Portrayed originally as being clever, a recast was implemented to fit the character's transformation and she became the stereotype of a ditzy blonde female. She has been involved in storylines including battling a brain tumour, coping with blindness, incest, modelling and addictions to drugs, alcohol and spending. She has also been positively and negatively received by critics for her "busty blonde" image while played by Bell. After making a brief return on 6 May 2013, Lucy made subsequent return visits until 2016. She was reintroduced as part of the serial's 35th anniversary in 2020, before returning briefly in late 2021 as part of the reintroduction of her half-brother, Glen Donnelly (Richard Huggett), and twice in 2022, appearing in the show's final episode.

Casting

Lucy was created by Reg Watson as a young child, to help the serial appeal to all ages. Monroe 1996, p.47. She was originally played by Kylie Flinker, who had no prior acting experience when she auditioned for the role. Flinker was cast as Lucy after impressing in an emotional scene in which she had to cry. Flinker's departure from the serial was publicised in the 8 November 1986 edition of ''TV Week''. Patrice Fidgeon reported that Flinker would not be renewing her contract and would finish at the end of the year, with her final scenes airing around March 1987. Flinker decided to leave ''Neighbours'' to return to school, having worked with various tutors while on set and attending special classes during filming breaks. Fidgeon said Lucy would likely be written out by being sent to visit her friend Bradley Townsend (Bradley Kilpatrick) in Paris. Fidgeon also confirmed that the character of Lucy would continue to be seen as the role was going to be recast.

After Flinker quit the show in order to concentrate on her school work; the role was recast with Sasha Close playing her. Close said she was very lucky to get the part, with Lucy's storylining leading to departure for the character, Close agreed to film on a recurring basis until she was in her final year of school. In 1991, Lucy was recast once more after producers decided Lucy would feature in the show on a permanent basis, with Melissa Bell taking over. This allowed Lucy to become one of the show's central characters.

Development

Characterisation

While played by Flinker, Lucy was described as being an innocent child who never does any wrong. Margaret Koppe of '' TV Radio Extra'' said Lucy was "a nice, normal little girl of nine" who looks up to her older sister Julie Robinson (Vikki Blanche), although she sometimes prefers "rough and tumble fun with her brothers." A writer for the ''Neighbours Pocket Trivia Book'' noted that Lucy has her "fair share of adventures" while growing up on-screen. She is Jim Robinson's ( Alan Dale) "spoiled little girl" and behaves "terrible" towards her father's girlfriend Zoe Davis (Ally Fowler) taping "ugly threats" from television shows and playing them over the phone to scare Zoe. She is also a "disobedient snooper" and causes trouble for Rosemary Daniels (Joy Chambers) by exposing letters sent from her ex-fiancé Gerard Singer ( Bryan Marshall) and mother Helen Daniels' ( Anne Haddy), confessing their love. But Lucy does have "a good side" to her curiosity; for instance she helps the police catch the culprit of a robbery that occurs at Clive Gibbons' (Geoff Paine) house. Flinker said she shared some similarities with Lucy, but she liked to let her hair down and was more of a tomboy.

In her teenage years, Lucy was described as giving her father plenty of reasons to worry, going from one dead-end job to the next and being incredibly flirtatious. During the character's return in 2005, whilst an interviewed by Digital Spy, Bell spoke about how Lucy has grown up and learned from her mistakes, changing from a rebellious young woman into a clever business woman and stated: "I started in 1990 and I've come back many times, the last about eight years ago. Now I'd describe Lucy as a centered woman with her life together, very focused on her business. But she probably yearns for a family and for love. Just growing up does that to people. She's grown from her early twenties to her late twenties, and she's very different to when she was at earlier stages of her life." She also made light of the fact that Lucy has Robinson qualities and can be a bit ruthless at times. A Channel 5 writer described Lucy as a feisty character who is often embroiled in the dramas surrounding her corrupt brother, Paul ( Stefan Dennis).

Drink driving

Lucy had often been portrayed as an immature and spoilt character. But a car accident forces her to reevaluate her life choices. Lucy gets drunk following an argument with Jim and attempts to drive home. With Brad Willis (Scott Michaelson) as her passenger she crashes the car into a lake. Bell told an '' Inside Soap'' reporter that Lucy behaves without thinking, then cannot concentrate while being "all over the place". The actress did not drive the car into the lake. But she and Michaelson did film in the lake on a night shoot. They were given belts to keep them floating in scenes. However the belts only managed to drag them down into the surface mud below. On-screen Lucy faces the consequence of her ordeal and as Bell stated; "this is the incident that really shakes her, she realises that she could have killed someone, and that really makes her stop and think." She believed that her fictional counterpart's story would help viewers to be vigilant about driving under the influence of alcohol.

Departure and 1993 return

In 1992 Bell quit her role as Lucy in order to host a chat show, of her exit she revealed she was sad to leave but the producers decided to leave the door open for her to return in the future, already having agreed to return to filming in 1993 for a three-episode stint especially for the 2000th episode of ''Neighbours''. Lucy's departure storyline played her deciding to take a modelling job in Singapore. Bell explained o an ''Inside Soap'' reporterthat "I think that was what she originally said she wanted to do, and then she went through about sixteen career changes before landing that particular job." Bell kept her promise and Lucy appeared again in 1993. The return sees Lucy attend her grandmother Helen 's birthday party. But she also announces that she has married her agent, David Kazalian (Frankie J. Holden). Bell told from ''Inside Soap'' that "Lucy hasn't taken the very conventional route in her life so far. She's been off around the world modelling and she fell in love with the man who looked after her." Lucy's family are not impressed with her new marriage. Helen becomes worried as she thinks that they behave in a cold manner around each other. Bell described David as "not the warmest of men" and they do not spend much time "canoodling". Bell was happy to reprise the role because Lucy is "fun" and "very versatile" character.

1995 return

In 1995, Bell returned to ''Neighbours'' for three months. Bell wrote a letter to the then story editor with suggestions on how Lucy could return. Delighted with her ideas they telephoned her to discuss Lucy's imminent comeback. The storyline saw Mark Gottlieb ( Bruce Samazan) find her working as a go-go dancer in "a seedy strip joint". He took her back to her family, where upon Lucy revealed that her marriage to David had broken down and her dreams of becoming a model had been "shattered". She then became desperate and began dancing to make money. Lucy moved back in with her family, but her problems did not end. Bell told Victoria Ross from ''Inside Soap'' "She starts taking drugs and drinking heavily, but because it's ''Neighbours'' you won't see too much slurring or staggering about!"

20th anniversary return

In 2005 ''Neighbours'' celebrated its 20th anniversary; Bell along with numerous other past cast members had been asked to return. Her return was later confirmed and it was stated that she would re-appear towards the end of 2005. Bell has stated that producers approached her with a proposal to return six months prior to filming. During an interview with media reporting website Digital Spy, Bell was asked what it was like playing Lucy after two previous actresses had taken the role; she replied: "It was really easy because I took over the character when she left boarding school and was grown up. I started when I was 18, and looked at old tapes to see her character and her relationships." In another interview Bell said: "I love Lucy so much. She is so me. I played Lucy at such a young age; only 18 years old. So playing her at 32 was wonderful for me, as she had changed so much over the years. Bell told Herbison of ''All About Soap'' that Lucy returns to Ramsay Street to visit Paul. She wants to help him reconnect with his family and change his life following an accident.

2013 return

In May 2010, Bell told Jason Herbison nterviewing then for ''Inside Soap''that she wanted to return to Neighbours and that Lucy was her "best friend". She noted that a return would be viable because of Paul's presence and suggested that Lucy could control and expand Lassiters. On 14 March 2013, it was announced that Bell had reprised her role and would be returning to ''Neighbours''. Bell filmed her scenes a few weeks prior to the announcement and was on-screen for two weeks from 6 May. She told Thomas Mitchell from ''TV Week'' that her first day back on set was not as strange as she had thought it would be and she had enjoyed stepping back into Lucy's shoes, especially as the character is in control of her life. Bell admitted that despite being the third actress to play Lucy, she felt like she owned the character. She said "I've played the character since I was 17 ow aged 40 so I took her from a young woman to a mature adult business-woman. I've always loved the character and it was really fun for me to come back and revisit Lucy."

Lucy's return coincided with a storyline involving her brother Paul and a "crucial time" in his life. Bell stated that she was glad Paul was always up to something as it made for an interesting storyline. Lucy has become the head of Lassiter's Worldwide and she returns to sort out the corruption and bribery that has taken place. On Paul's reaction to Lucy's visit, Bell stated "Paul and Lucy have always had a close relationship. She's looked up to him over the years and she'll always be his little sister. But, now she's the boss, overruling him and he doesn't like it. They get along at first, but just how long will that last?" Lucy fires a lot of Lassiter's staff and she is "astonished" to learn how Paul's been running the business. Bell added that Lucy is not married and is very focused on her career. She is "more assertive than she used to be" and has learnt a lot. While she is in town, Lucy also becomes keen to meet her niece, Kate Ramsay ( Ashleigh Brewer), for the first time. During an August interview with Kylie Gillies and Larry Emdur from '' The Morning Show'', Bell revealed that she would be returning to ''Neighbours'' again. Lucy's return was a factor in Bell's personal decision to lose weight via a gastric balloon. She returned on 5 December 2013. Series producer Jason Herbison indicated that Lucy would continue to appear in the show and described her as "part of the extended ''Neighbours'' family".

Returns (2014–2022)

Lucy returned again in July 2014, and as part of the show's 30th anniversary in March 2015. On 6 November 2015, Lucy and Chris Pappas ( James Mason) made a cameo appearance to announce the birth of their daughter. In June 2016, Dennis revealed that Bell had been filming more appearances as Lucy. Bell reprised the role for the show's 35th anniversary celebrations. She was pleased with Lucy's return storyline and how the character has grown since she was last on screen, calling it "brilliant". She teased, "For Lucy, it will be a full circle for her which I'm really excited about. It's more a nervous energy, I just want to get back into and I feel I know the character so well now, it's great to see what is in store for her this time around." Lucy returns on 18 February 2020, as she comes to Erinsborough to check up on new general manager of Lassiters, Chloe Brennan (April Rose Pengilly).

Bell reprised the role in 2021, as Lucy reconnects with her half-brother Glen Donnelly. Bell told ''Inside Soaps Sarah Ellis that she was excited when she learned that Glen was returning and even more so when she found out that Huggett was reprising the role. She stated "I hadn't seen Richard for over 20 years, but once we got back on set with Stefan ennis, who plays Paul it was as if no time had passed at all. Richard is as lovely as ever, it was just like the old days!" Bell explained that initially Lucy does not believe Paul when he tells her that he saw Glen, as she thinks it is one of his "schemes". However, when she and Glen reunite, Lucy learns that he had wanted to reconnect for a while and has been following her career online. Bell said Lucy plays "peacemaker" between the siblings so there is not any awkwardness. She continued: "She thinks it's great that Glen is back in their lives. But for Paul it's more about making peace with the past, and his regrets about how it's taken all these years for them to reconnect. He knows it's what their dad Jim would have wanted." Bell also confirmed that Lucy's return is brief, but she would love a longer stint in the future. Bell announced her return to the role in March 2022. This stint sees Lucy forced to fire Terese Willis (Rebekah Elmaloglou) from Lassiter's following the Lassiter's Fashion Week disaster.

Storylines

1985–1989

Lucy's mum Anne died in 1973 giving birth to her and she was raised by Jim and her beloved grandmother, Helen. Lucy grows up to be a mischievous, yet intelligent little girl, who has great fun with her brothers, loved her grandmother and father, and enjoy plays with her dog Basil. Lucy is the flower-girl at her older brother Paul's wedding to Terry Inglis (Maxine Klibingaitis). In late 1986, Lucy falls down a drain and is trapped for many days. She was eventually found, but is left temporarily blinded by the incident. Lucy's good friend Bradley Townsend (Bradley Kilpatrick) leaves to go to Europe with his mother Andrea (Gina Gaigalas) and her new partner, Jack Lassiter (Alan Hopgood) and Lucy promises to visit him. During a trip to the beach, Basil falls into the water and drowns when the tide took him, Lucy devastated by the incident, but Scott's ( Jason Donovan) friend Mike Young (Guy Pearce), who had failed to save Basil, tries to cheer her up by getting her a new puppy, Bouncer, whom Lucy comes to adore.

In 1987, Lucy leaves to visit Bradley for several months. Upon her return, Lucy's (now Close) mood and attitude noticeably change, which annoys her family and friends. Lucy then organises a dinner party but none of her guests arrive. Realising her attitude has alienated her friends, Lucy changes her ways and soon fits in. She attends both of her brother's weddings. However, Lucy's behaviour becomes strange when she lets Bouncer off his leash while walking him, and is later dropped from the netball team, and generally become forgetful and clumsy. Nobody can figure out what is going until Scott tries to wake Lucy from a nap but is unable to. Lucy is rushed to hospital, where it is discovered she has a large brain tumour. The Robinsons are worried but remain hopeful and the surgery is a success. During her stay in hospital, Lucy meets Rick Hansen (Dominic McDonald), a fellow patient around her age and they become friends after a difficult start. When Lucy finds the nurses stripping Rick's bed, she assumes he has died and is left devastated but Rick reappears and tells her he is being discharged and invites her to join him in the country over the holidays, which she accepts.

On Valentine's Day 1988, Lucy attends Jim's wedding to Lucy's much loved doctor, Beverly Marshall (Lisa Armytage). On the same day, Paul and Gail Robinson renew their vows and Lucy meets her new step-cousins Todd Landers (Kristian Schmid) and Katie Landers (Sally Jensen). There is a difficult adjustment period due to the Landers' children's home life being chaotic but the three of them get along. Lucy, after passing an entrance exam, is sent off to the Alumwood boarding school. When she returns for the Christmas holidays, she finds herself at odds with Sharon Davies (Jessica Muschamp) when she flirts with her boyfriend Nick Page ( Mark Stevens), which results in an angry Sharon pushing Lucy into the pond at Lassiter's. Following the holidays, Lucy finds herself accused of cheating, facing expulsion. The truth is revealed when Todd tracks down Carolyn Woodhouse (Laura Christie), Lucy's classmate, who she agreed to take the blame for and urges her to confess. Carolyn then owns up and Lucy is exonerated. On Lucy's next visit, problems arise when Jim and Beverly find contraceptive pills in her bag and matters are not helped when Lucy and Nick begin dating. One such incident has them being caught at the Waterhole for being under age. After several arguments, Lucy agrees to go and stay with Julie and her family over the next few holidays.

1991–1995

Lucy (now played by Bell) returns to Ramsay Street permanently. Upon her return, she is different than she was before she had departed. The high-level intellectual was gone, replaced by a stereotypical 1990s blond bimbo bombshell. Following her expulsion from Alumwood, she re-enrols at Erinsborough High to complete Year Twelve. During this time, she is constantly battling the unrequited affections of Todd's friend Josh Anderson (Jeremy Angerson), but she is more interested in Glen Donnelly, despite knowing that he is her half-brother. The pair prepare to have sex, but are caught by Paul. He tells Jim, who is disbelieving at first, accusing Paul of lying, however, Helen confirms this is the truth. After a few arguments, the family agrees to move forward. Lucy then confesses to Glen's ex-girlfriend, Gemma Ramsay (Beth Buchanan) who then slaps her. Scenes showing Lucy and Glen's relationship were edited out and cut by the BBC
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