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Michelle Scully is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera ''
Neighbours'', played by
Kate Keltie
Kate Keltie (born 23 February 1986) is an Australian former actress, best known for her role as Michelle Scully in the Australian television soap opera drama '' Neighbours''.
Biography
Keltie was born in Melbourne. She appeared in a number of ...
. She made her first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 20 October 1999 when she and her family moved into Ramsay Street. Michelle departed in 2003, but made a brief return in 2004, Michelle made her last appearance on 21 April 2004.
Creation and casting
In October 1999, the Scully family, consisting of parents,
Lyn (
Janet Andrewartha
Janet Andrewartha (16 September 1951) is an Australian television and theatre actress. Andrewartha began her career as a music teacher before attending drama school. She graduated in 1979and began securing television and theatre roles.
Andrewa ...
) and
Joe (
Shane Connor
Shane Connor (born 3 April 1959) also billed/credited as Shane Feeney-Connor, is an Australian actor, who has had extensive experience in stage, television and film productions, both locally and internationally in the United Kingdom and United St ...
) and siblings
Stephanie
Stephanie is a female name that comes from the Greek name Στέφανος (Stephanos) meaning "crown". The male form is Stephen. Forms of Stephanie in other languages include the German "Stefanie", the Italian, Czech, Polish, and Russian "St ...
(
Carla Bonner
Carla Bonner is an Australian actress, known for playing the role of Stephanie Scully in the soap opera '' Neighbours'', a role she played from 1999 to 2010. She was also a guest on '' Celebrity Big Brother Australia'' in 2002. Following her d ...
),
Felicity (
Holly Valance
Holly Rachel Candy (; born 11 May 1983), known professionally as Holly Valance, is an Australian actress and singer. Valance began her acting career on the Australian soap opera '' Neighbours'', as Felicity Scully (1999–2002, 2005, 2022). ...
) and Michelle were introduced to ''Neighbours''.
They were the first new family to move into Ramsay Street since
Ruth Wilkinson (
Ailsa Piper) and her children arrived in 1996.
The actors began filming their first scenes twelve weeks prior to their on screen debuts.
Kate Keltie was thirteen when she was cast as youngest daughter, Michelle.
Michelle was said to be twelve years old and "occasionally petulant but always lovable."
In November 2002, it was announced that Keltie was to leave ''Neighbours'' at the end of the year to go back to school.
Keltie's decision to leave the show came close to the departure of her on-screen sister,
Holly Valance
Holly Rachel Candy (; born 11 May 1983), known professionally as Holly Valance, is an Australian actress and singer. Valance began her acting career on the Australian soap opera '' Neighbours'', as Felicity Scully (1999–2002, 2005, 2022). ...
(
Felicity Scully
Felicity "Flick" Scully is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera '' Neighbours'', played by Holly Valance. She made her first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 20 October 1999. She departed on 28 November 2002, but m ...
).
Keltie originally chose to leave in August, but later agreed to stay on till the end of year.
Of her departure, she said "I'd like to move on and do other things because ''Neighbours'' has been such a big part of my life for the past three years. I definitely don't want to be typecast. A lot of people do stay because of the security of it, but I want to find other work."
Michelle departed on 14 May 2003.
Development
Speaking to Alison James of ''
Soaplife
''Soaplife'' was a soap opera
A soap opera, or ''soap'' for short, is a typically long-running radio or television serial, frequently characterized by melodrama, ensemble casts, and sentimentality. The term "soap opera" originated from radio d ...
'', Keltie called Michelle a spoilt little princess, who can twist her parents round her finger.
The actress said Michelle looks like butter would not melt, but this is far from the truth.
Describing her character further, Keltie said "She's actually wild and thinks she can get away with anything. She also has a mad imagination which means she tells very convincing fibs."
The
BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC
Here i going to introduce about the best teacher of my life b BALAJI sir. He is the precious gift that I got befor 2yrs . How has helped and thought all the concept and made my success in the 10th board exam. ...
...
's profile for Michelle said she was "very mature, very clever, and very determined."
She felt heavily burdened being the youngest member of the Scully family and hated it when Stephanie and Felicity fought, as she is "a sensitive soul."
Michelle is the apple of her father's eye, which makes her the one who can hurt him most.
The BBC added Michelle has "a definite desire to see the world - not that cold feet don't affect her sometimes - and a definite desire to change the world."
Shortly after her arrival, Michelle meets
Paul McClain
Paul McClain is a fictional character from the Australian television soap opera '' Neighbours'', played by Jansen Spencer. Paul made his first appearance during the episode broadcast on 4 November 1997. Spencer decided to leave the role in Septem ...
(
Jansen Spencer) and develops a crush on him.
Paul fancies Felicity and thinks Michelle is annoying.
Michelle does not let that put her off and she tries blackmailing him into taking her out. She also develops a sudden interest in music, which is one of Paul's hobbies.
Storylines
Michelle moves to
Erinsborough
Erinsborough is the fictional suburb where the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours'' is set. The show focuses on the domestic and professional lives of the people who live and work in the suburb. ''Neighbours'' storylines primarily centre on the ...
with her family. She complains that she is unwell in order to get out of moving boxes and furniture. Michelle takes a shine to neighbour Paul McClain, who is interested in her older sister, Felicity. When food goes missing from the Scully house, Michelle's father, Joe, discovers she is hoarding for the
Y2K bug. Joe assures her that he will not let any harm come to the family. On Millennium Eve, Michelle babysits five-year-old,
Louise Carpenter
Shannon Louise "Lolly" Allen (also Carpenter) is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours''. She made her first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 25 July 1994. Louise was played by Tessa Taylor from her bi ...
(
Jiordan Anna Tolli
Jiordan Anna Tolli (born 1994) is an Australian actress and singer, known for playing the role of Lolly Allen in the Australian soap opera '' Neighbours''. In 2013, Tolli competed in the fifth season of ''The X Factor Australia'' and reached t ...
), but grows impatient that she is missing the celebrations out in the street and briefly leaves Louise unattended. Louise, unable to find Michelle, discovers some firecrackers and matches on the table and starts a fire in the Scully house.
Drew Kirk
Andrew "Drew" Kirk is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours'', played by Dan Paris. Following his decision to move into acting, Paris won the role of Drew after attending his first ever audition. He admitted that he in ...
(
Dan Paris
Daniel Paris (born 15 June 1973) is an Australian actor and photographer. He is best known for playing the role of Drew Kirk in the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours''.
Personal life
Paris was born in Perth, Western Australia and was raised ...
) notices the house is on fire and rescues Louise. Michelle regrets leaving Louise alone.
When Michelle begins Year 8 at
Erinsborough High
''Neighbours: Erinsborough High'' is an Australian streaming television series produced for video on demand and catch up TV services My5 and 10 Play. It was released on 11 November 2019. The series is a spin-off of soap opera ''Neighbours''. Fe ...
, she is bullied by
Cecile Bliss (Molly McCaffrey) and her friends. Michelle talks about to Joe and he tells her to stand up for herself, but this backfires when Michelle pushes Cecile one day, causing her to fall and break her arm, resulting in suspension for Michelle. Soon after this, Michelle begins a friendship with
Bianca Nugent (Jane Harber). After spotting a seemingly abandoned house, Michelle investigates and agrees to help the mystery occupant. When Michelle tries to find out who it is, she is immediately spooked when
Damon Gaffney (
Richard Morgan) confronts her. Upon learning that Damon became a recluse after his wife and daughter died, Michelle tries her best to help him but is accused of meddling. When Michelle is scared by a dog, Damon comes to her aid. Damon then decides to receive counselling for his
agoraphobia.
When
Patsy Edis (Anne Maloney) begins babysitting for Lou, Michelle is immediately suspicious and warns him about her, but he is dismissive. Michelle's suspicions are proved correct, after Patsy is caught burgling Lou's and several other houses in the street. Michelle takes an interest in the environment and other green issues. This leads to an incident where Michelle and several others are arrested during an
animal rights
Animal rights is the philosophy according to which many or all Animal consciousness, sentient animals have moral worth that is independent of their Utilitarianism, utility for humans, and that their most basic interests—such as avoiding s ...
protest march. Michelle starts dating
Zack Shaw (Owen Lee). When Zack transfers to Erinsborough High, he is not keen to be seen around Michelle as he is several years older than she is. The couple later split up when Zack spreads rumours about Michelle being easy. She takes revenge by breaking into the school with
Elly Conway
Eleanor "Elly" Conway (also Brennan) is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera '' Neighbours'', played by Jodi Gordon. She was originally played by Kendell Nunn from her first appearance on 13 December 2001, until her departure in ...
(Kendell Nunn) and writing "Zack is gay" on the blackboard, disgusting Elly, who believes Michelle is not much better for stooping to Zack's level.
When
Connor O'Neill (
Patrick Harvey), a friend of Michelle's brother
Jack
Jack may refer to:
Places
* Jack, Alabama, US, an unincorporated community
* Jack, Missouri, US, an unincorporated community
* Jack County, Texas, a county in Texas, USA
People and fictional characters
* Jack (given name), a male given name, ...
(
Jay Bunyan
Jay Ryan (born 29 August 1981) is a New Zealand actor. He is best known for his roles as Jack Scully in the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours'', Kevin in the New Zealand comedy-drama programme ''Go Girls'', Mark Mitcham in the internationally ...
) moves in with the Scullys there is an obvious attraction between the two. Michelle's parents become concerned about the age gap. After Michelle is hospitalised following a mishap with floor cleaner, while making
mocktails, Connor is forced to admit he is
illiterate
Literacy in its broadest sense describes "particular ways of thinking about and doing reading and writing" with the purpose of understanding or expressing thoughts or ideas in written form in some specific context of use. In other words, hum ...
. Michelle agrees to help him, but Connor decides against it and gets help from
Libby Kennedy
Libby Kennedy (also Kennedy-Fitzgerald) is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours'', played by Kym Valentine. She made her first appearance during the episode broadcast on 3 October 1994. Valentine auditioned for the r ...
(
Kym Valentine
Kym Valentine (born 24 May 1977) is an Australian actress best known for her long running intermittent portrayal of Libby Kennedy in the soap opera ''Neighbours.''
Early life
Valentine was born in Blacktown, Sydney, and grew up in Granville. ...
) instead. Michelle becomes concerned when Connor begins spending a lot of time hanging around with
Nina Tucker
Nina Tucker is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours'', played by Delta Goodrem. She made her first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 11 June 2002. Goodrem was approached by producers after they saw he ...
(
Delta Goodrem). Connor tells Michelle there is nothing going on, but Nina clearly is attracted to Connor. When she is blackmailed by
Tahnee Coppin
The following is a list of characters that first appeared in the Australian soap opera '' Neighbours'' in 2002, by order of first appearance. They were all introduced by the show's executive producer Stanley Walsh. The 18th season of ''Neighbours ...
(
Anna Jennings-Edquist), Michelle and Nina take revenge on her when she tries to claim credit for Nina's song "
Born to Try".
Michelle receives news that she is accepted into the exchange programme, but on the day she is supposed to leave for New York, the insurance falls through. Sometime later, Michelle and Connor's relationship is put to the test when
Jim Baynes (David Cormick), one of Joe's workmates calls immigration on Connor. After trying to flee, immigration agree to be lenient with Connor, citing his illiteracy. Joe throws Connor out of the house and he moves into Number 30. Michelle later gets a second chance with the exchange programme after Tahnee is expelled from it and leaves for New York after an emotional farewell with Connor. Joe visits Michelle soon after.
A year later, Michelle returns to Erinsborough and finds Connor in the arms of
Carmella Cammenitti (
Natalie Blair
Natalie Louise Blair (born 16 April 1984) is an Australian actress, best known for her role as Carmella Cammeniti on the Australian television series ''Neighbours''.
Personal life
Blair was born to John Blair on 16 April 1984 and raised in Go ...
). Connor breaks up with Carmella, which results in her slapping Michelle. After an initially shaky reunion and the revelation of Connor's one night stand with Jack's ex-girlfriend
Lori Lee (
Michelle Ang
Michelle Ang (born 17 October 1983) is a New Zealand actress. She is best known for her role as Lori Lee in the Australian television soap opera ''Neighbours'', and for voicing the female Jango Fett clone Omega in the animated series '' Star War ...
), Michelle decides that she is going to leave New York and resume her life in Erinsborough with Connor. After the couple spend the night together at Lassiter's, they get a shock in the hotel lobby when they see Lori and she is holding her and Connor's daughter
Madeleine (Madison Lu). Connor pledges his loyalty to Michelle, but when Lori reveals Connor practically offered to marry her the previous year if she did not go through with the abortion, Michelle breaks up with Connor. She says goodbye to her family and returns to the States.
Other appearances
In 2005, four novellas based on characters from ''Neighbours'' were released.
The books were available to buy at some Australia Post outlets and on the internet.
Michelle and her sister, Felicity were the focus of one of the books entitled ''Sisters in the City''.
It explains what happened after they both left Erinsborough and went to New York together.
Of the books, a spokeswoman said "It's different to what happens in the show; it's more like a fantasy of what happens, might have happened, in the show, they would take about an hour to read if you're a quick reader".
Reception
A writer for the BBC's ''Neighbours'' website said Michelle's most notable moment was "Keeping her relationship with Connor a secret." Jim Schembri of ''The Age'' paid tribute to Michelle and praised her departure, saying "Our beloved Michelle Scully (Kate Keltie) is off to New York to continue her education. There's been a party, a final I-still-love-you scene with former flame Connor (Patrick Harvey) and the inevitable don't-cry-mum moment. It's beautiful, touching and all done with the type of small-screen melodramatic pathos that the makers of ''Neighbours'' now do so well and so effortlessly that one wonders if they've developed some special software to write it (and I say that with love, guys, so please don't sue)."
Katie Baillie writing for ''
Metro
Metro, short for metropolitan, may refer to:
Geography
* Metro (city), a city in Indonesia
* A metropolitan area, the populated region including and surrounding an urban center
Public transport
* Rapid transit, a passenger railway in an urb ...
'' included Michelle on a list of the "worst Neighbours characters" ever. Baillie claimed that Michelle was a "weirdo" for casting spells on Paul and was "annoyingly self-righteous" and later "went all spoilt brat".
References
External links
Character profileat the
BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC
Here i going to introduce about the best teacher of my life b BALAJI sir. He is the precious gift that I got befor 2yrs . How has helped and thought all the concept and made my success in the 10th board exam. ...
...
{{DEFAULTSORT:Scully, Michelle