Michelle Scully

Add links
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Michelle Scully
Neighbours character
Portrayed byKate Keltie
Duration1999โ€“2004, 2023
First appearance20 October 1999 (1999-10-20)
Last appearance4 December 2023 (2023-12-04)
ClassificationFormer; regular
Introduced by
Book appearancesSisters in the City
In-universe information
OccupationStudent at Erinsborough High (1999โ€“2003)
Father
Valda Sheergold
Uncles
Nephews
Charlie Hoyland
Adam Fitzgerald

Michelle Elizabeth Scully is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Kate Keltie. 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, before departing again on 21 April 2004. Keltie reprised the role in a guest appearance on 4 December 2023.

Creation and casting

In October 1999, the Scully family, consisting of parents, Lyn (Janet Andrewartha) and Joe (Shane Connor) and siblings Stephanie (Carla Bonner), Felicity (Holly Valance) and Michelle were introduced to Neighbours.[2][3] They were the first new family to move into Ramsay Street since Ruth Wilkinson (Ailsa Piper) and her children arrived in 1996.[3] The actors began filming their first scenes twelve weeks prior to their on screen debuts.[3] Kate Keltie was thirteen when she was cast as youngest daughter, Michelle.[4] Michelle was said to be twelve years old and "occasionally petulant but always lovable."[4]

In November 2002, it was announced that Keltie was to leave Neighbours at the end of the year to go back to school.[5] A reporter for the Herald Sun also said Keltie quit the soap to focus on her Showbiz and Entertainment Expo business, following the success of the first expo held in November.[6] Keltie's decision to leave the show came close to the departure of Valance, who played her on-screen sister.[5] Keltie originally intended to leave in August, but later agreed to stay on until the end of year because of Valance's exit.[5][6] 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."[5] Her exit scenes aired on 14 May 2003.[7] In August 2003, Kylie Miller of The Age confirmed Keltie would be reprising her role for six weeks in October, with a view to a full-time return.[8] Miller also reported that Ketlie would be returning around the same time as Michelle Ang, who plays her on-screen love rival Lori Lee.[6]

Development

Speaking to Alison James of Soaplife, Keltie called Michelle a spoilt little princess, who can twist her parents round her finger.[9] The actress said Michelle looks like butter would not melt, but this is far from the truth.[9] 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."[9] The BBC's profile for Michelle said she was "very mature, very clever, and very determined."[10] 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."[10] Michelle is the apple of her father's eye, which makes her the one who can hurt him most.[10] 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."[10]

Shortly after her arrival, Michelle meets Paul McClain (Jansen Spencer) and develops a crush on him.[9] Paul fancies Felicity and thinks Michelle is annoying.[9] 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.[9]

In 2023, Keltie reprised her role as Michelle.[11] The return was part of an ongoing storyline which resulted in a protest and riot against the closing of Erinsborough High, which leads to Michelle and other former students joining.[12] Keltie described her return as "so much fun and it's been really amazing to catch up with lots of old friends".[1] She called it a "pretty different experience" acting as Michelle as the character had previously been in high school during her initial stint. She also told social media that Michelle was living with Felicity in New York, had gotten married and had given birth to a son named Joe. She also revealed that Michelle's father, Joe, had passed away off-screen.[1]

Storylines

Michelle moves to

Jiordan Anna Tolli), 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 (Dan Paris
) notices the house is on fire and rescues Louise. Michelle regrets leaving Louise alone.

When Michelle begins Year 8 at

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

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
(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

Tahnee Coppin (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

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.

Michelle returns twenty years later to protest against the closure of Erinsborough High. It is revealed she has since married a famous chef. After Toadie Rebecchi (Ryan Moloney) spots her from a distance, Michelle is interviewed by Summer Hoyland (Jordy Lucas), her eldest sister Steph's former stepdaughter. She talks about her experiences of being bullied by Cecile and praises Susan for helping her.

Other appearances

In 2005, four novellas based on characters from Neighbours were released.[13] The books were available to buy at some Australia Post outlets and on the internet.[13] Michelle and her sister, Felicity were the focus of one of the books entitled Sisters in the City.[13] It explains what happened after they both left Erinsborough and went to New York together.[13] 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".[13]

Reception

Jackie Brygel from the Herald Sun said the character was "never meek nor mild".[14] A writer for the BBC's Neighbours website said Michelle's most notable moment was "Keeping her relationship with Connor a secret."[15] 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)."[7] Katie Baillie writing for Metro 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".[16]

References

  1. ^ a b c Baalla, Sara (9 December 2023). "Neighbours star announces character's off-screen death". Digital Spy. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  2. ^ Matessi, Peter (15 April 2004). "Ramsay St, USA". The Age. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  3. ^ a b c Enker, Debi (10 February 2000). "Rumblings in Erinsborough". The Age. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
  4. ^ a b Schembri, Jim (10 February 2000). "Girls next door". The Age. p. 10. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
  5. ^ a b c d Schembri, Jim (7 November 2002). "Showbiz tips from a veteran". The Age. Retrieved 26 November 2010.
  6. ^ a b c "No more soap". Herald Sun. 25 December 2002. Retrieved 14 March 2024 – via Gale.
  7. ^ a b Schembri, Jim (8 May 2003). "We'll remember Michelle. Will her Neighbours?". The Age. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
  8. ^ Miller, Kylie (14 August 2003). "Networking". The Age. Retrieved 14 March 2024 – via Gale.
  9. ^ a b c d e f James, Alison (March 2000). "Girl Power!". Soaplife (8). What's on TV: 40โ€“41.
  10. ^ a b c d "Character: Michelle Scully". BBC. Archived from the original on 11 October 2003. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
  11. ^ Mitchell, Harriet (4 December 2023). "Neighbours announces two more returns for school protest scenes". Digital Spy. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  12. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (30 November 2023). "Neighbours riot scenes revealed as more familiar faces return". Digital Spy. Hearst Communications. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  13. ^ a b c d e Cubby, Ben (26 September 2005). "The plot thins". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 20 September 2010.
  14. ^ Brygel, Jackie (24 October 2001). "Soap dish". Herald Sun. Retrieved 9 March 2024 – via Gale.
  15. ^ "Character: Michelle Scully". BBC. Archived from the original on 3 October 2003. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
  16. ^ Baillie, Katie (23 January 2016). "11 of the worst Neighbours characters ranked from Serena Bishop to Libby Kennedy". Metro. Retrieved 19 March 2022.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Michelle_Scully&oldid=1213622048"