| Joe Scully | |||||||||||||||||||
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| Neighbours character | |||||||||||||||||||
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| Portrayed by | Shane Connor | ||||||||||||||||||
| Duration | 1999–2004 | ||||||||||||||||||
| First appearance | 20 October 1999 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Last appearance | 27 February 2004 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Classification | Former; regular | ||||||||||||||||||
| Introduced by | Stanley Walsh | ||||||||||||||||||
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Joe Scully is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours , played by Shane Connor. He made his first appearance during the episode broadcast on 20 October 1999, along with his family.
In October 1999, the five-strong Scully family were introduced to Neighbours, replacing the departing Martin family. [1] The Scullys were the first new family to be introduced to the show since Ruth Wilkinson (Ailsa Piper) arrived with her twins in 1996. [2] Actor Shane Connor was cast as Joe Scully, the patriarch of the family in July 1999. [3] He had previously made a guest appearance in the show as Phil Hoffman in 1991. [4] Connor was invited to audition for the role of Joe by the show's producers, and he accepted when he learned that there was a chance to work with Janet Andrewartha, who was cast as Joe's wife Lyn Scully. [2] The character of Joe also offered Connor a chance to play someone other than a bad guy or "a man on the verge." [2] Connor was contracted with Neighbours for three years, with 12-month options. He began filming with his on-screen family in August 1999. [2] Connor admitted that he did not know how popular Neighbours was until his first day of filming on the Ramsay Street set, where around 40 people came to watch the shoot. He likened it to "the holy pilgrimage." [5] He made his first appearance as Joe on 20 October. [2] Connor's contract was renewed several times during his stay on the show. [3]
Simon Yeaman of The Advertiser described Joe as a "fast-living building businessman", whose family were "set to stir things up in Ramsay St with their boisterous antics." [5] Connor told Yeaman that the family had "a much different energy" to the other characters on the street. He continued: "They (his daughters) get stuck into the street pretty quickly into the boys I mean." [5] Connor was surprised when Yeaman informed him that his character was billed as a womaniser, who flirts with "every woman who crosses his path... he can't help himself". [5] He said that he had yet to have any scenes featuring that aspect of Joe's personality, and thought it would be pointless with the younger "spunks" in the cast, adding "you wouldn't want to get the old man into it." [5] Of Joe, Connor said, "Basically, Joe's the only male there when you want something stirred up. Everyone else is so easy to get along with. He's the only one who isn't so easy to get along with. Well, he is, as long as you don't get on the wrong side of him." [2] Connor explained that Joe was not one for caring what others thought and he thought that someone like Joe, who could not care less, would stir up the street. [2] Connor added, "He doesn't fit into the landscape easily, and neither do I." [2] Joe owns his own building business and "lives on the edge". [1]
In 2003, Connor had his contract terminated by Grundy Television and he was dismissed from the show after he developed an amphetamine problem, which caused him to clash with cast members and disrupt filming. [3] [6] Joe made an off-screen exit in early 2004, leaving Erinsborough to take care of his injured father in Bendigo. [7] Connor later filed an unfair dismissal claim against Grundy and sued them for nine months of lost earnings ($200,000). [3] He admitted that he had suffered from "amphetamine hangovers", but he denied that he had been aggressive. [3] He also claimed that Andrewartha did not like him and was behind most of the complaints to producers. [6] Connor later won his case and Grundy Television were ordered to pay him more than $230,000. [8]
In 2023, following her brief return to the series, Kate Keltie, who plays Joe's daughter Michelle, disclosed in a behind the scenes video that storyliners had decided that Joe had died, although his fate had not been mentioned on-screen. [9]
Joe married Lyn O'Rourke in 1978 and together they had four children – Jack Scully, Felicity Scully, Michelle Scully and Stephanie Scully.
After moving to Ramsay Street Joe started as an apprentice in the building trade. He eventually worked his way up to forming his own construction company, Ozbuilt.
His wife Lyn decided she wanted another baby, and they went on to have their fifth child Oscar Scully. Soon after the birth of Oscar, Joe's father and brother are hospitalised following a tractor accident. Joe left Ramsay Street to take care of his family and his father's farm. Lyn later joined Joe for a short period. However, she wanted to remain in Ramsay Street, and decided she didn't love him anymore. They divorce, with Lyn remaining in Ramsay Street and retaining custody of Oscar. When Lyn later leaves Erinsborough, she and Oscar move to Shelly Bay. When she later returns to Ramsay Street, Oscar is living with Joe.
When Joe quit coaching the cricket team, Jackie Brygel of the Herald Sun noted that "the usually happy chappie Joe shocks one and all" with his decision. [10] Brygel later became critical of the character, calling him "a completely insensitive fellow" and writing that he was "a bloke who could easily take out the prize for Most Tactless Man on a Prime-Time Soapie. And, believe us, there are many contenders." [11] She also branded him "never-jovial Joe". [12] Of Joe, Virgin Media said "Ramsay Street's Joe Scully had his hands full with tearaway teen kids, Steph, Flick, Michelle and Jack. If he was not trying to put an end to Flick's latest romance, he was feuding with his neighbour, Karl Kennedy." [13] Andrew Mercado, author of Super Aussie Soaps, describes Joe as being a "permanently missing-in-action" character following his abrupt departure. [14] The BBC said Joe's most notable moment was "Delivering a baby in a bushfire." [15]
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 her video for her debut single. Goodrem, who had just signed a record deal, almost turned down the role of Nina as she felt the character did not suit her style of music. The role was rewritten for her and she joined the cast. A year later, she was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma and had to leave the show for treatment. Once her health improved, she made a return to Neighbours in 2004 to tie up Nina's storylines. In 2005, Neighbours celebrated its 20th anniversary with an episode that featured many ex-cast members, in which Goodrem reprised her role as Nina once more. She returned again in March 2015 for the show's 30th anniversary, and for the show's final episode on 28 July 2022.
Shane Connor 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 States.
Erinsborough is a fictional suburb of Melbourne, Australia, where the soap opera Neighbours is set, focusing on the domestic and professional lives of the people who live and work there. Neighbours primarily centres on the residents of Ramsay Street and other Erinsborough locations, such as The Waterhole, Harold's Café, Lassiters Hotel, Erinsborough High School and Erinsborough Hospital. Erinsborough is a loose anagram of Neighbours.
Stephanie "Steph" Scully is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Carla Bonner. She made her first screen appearance during the episode that was broadcast on 20 October 1999. Following Bonner's decision to quit the show after eleven years, Steph departed on 24 November 2010. In November 2012, it was announced that Bonner would be reprising the role for a two-month guest stint and Steph returned on 15 April 2013. Bonner reprised the role permanently in July 2015 and made her on-screen return on 2 October 2015. On 17 May 2018, it was confirmed that Bonner would be departing the show imminently and Steph made her final appearance on 7 June 2018. Bonner made a cameo in the show's final episode broadcast on 28 July 2022.
Lance Wilkinson is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Andrew Bibby. He made his first on-screen appearance on 9 August 1995. Bibby was cast in the recurring role of Lance after an audition. After a year, Bibby auditioned for another character called Jon and the writers chose to turn him into Lance. Lance was a bookish, paranoid boy, with a kind heart and keen wit. Lance departed on 29 March 2001, but Bibby reprised his role in July 2005 for the show's 20th anniversary, in 2018 and also for the final episode in 2022. Bibby reprised his role in a flashback sequence the following year.
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.
Jack Scully is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Jay Bunyan. He made his first on-screen appearance on 17 April 2001. The character was initially played by Paul Pantano in a guest role. When he returned in 2002, Bunyan had taken over the role. Jack is the first son of Joe and Lyn Scully. He departed on 8 December 2004, with a further appearance on 11 January 2005.
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 September 2001, and Paul departed on 11 December 2001. In 2005, Spencer reprised the role for a cameo appearance in the show's 20th anniversary episode.
Lori Lee is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Michelle Ang. She made her first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 20 November 2002. Ang departed in 2003 but returned the following year to reprise her role. She made her last screen appearance as Lori on 20 November 2004.
Teresa "Tess" Bell is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Krista Vendy. She made her first appearance during the episode broadcast on 17 September 1999 and departed on 18 September 2001. In 2023, Vendy reprised the role.
Connor O'Neill is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Patrick Harvey. He made his first screen appearance during the episode on 19 April 2002. Harvey was still in school when he won the role of Connor. He initially auditioned using an Australian accent, but later re-read for the part in his natural Northern Irish accent. The producers decided this would suit the role of Connor better. The character became well known for his friendship with Toadfish Rebecchi and his relationships with Michelle Scully, Carmella Cammeniti and Serena Bishop. One storyline saw Connor have a one-night stand with Lori Lee, which resulted in the birth of their daughter, Madeleine. Harvey decided to move on from Neighbours, so he could pursue other roles and Connor departed on 30 May 2006. In August 2012, it was announced Harvey had reprised his role for a four-week guest stint and Connor returned on 30 October. He departed on 27 November 2012.
Gino Esposito is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Shane McNamara. The character made his first appearance during the episode broadcast on 11 August 2000. The character was originally played by Claude Stevens. McNamara was cast in the role when the character was reintroduced in 2001. Gino owned a hair salon called A Good Hair Day, which employed both Lyn Scully and Janelle Timmins. Script producer Luke Devenish called Gino "a [gay] stereotype" and a comedic character, similar to Mr. Humphries from British sitcom Are You Being Served?.
Andrew Robinson is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Jordan Patrick Smith from 2009 to 2013 and in 2022. He made his first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 13 November 1991. Shannon Holmes played the role from the character's birth in 1991 until his departure the following year. Andrew's backstory was subject to retroactive continuity to explain Smith's Scottish accent, and he had his age reduced so that he would be a teenager on his return. Andrew is the only son of Christina Alessi and Paul Robinson. His storylines have included his return to Erinsborough, having an affair with Donna Freedman, fighting with his stepbrother and becoming involved in a love triangle with Natasha Williams and Summer Hoyland. In November 2012, it was announced Smith would be leaving Neighbours and Andrew made his screen departure on 29 March 2013. In 2022, Smith reprised the role for the show's final episode.
Lyn Scully is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Janet Andrewartha. The character made her first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 20 October 1999, along with her family and remained a prominent feature within the show until late 2006. Andrewartha reprised her role for a brief return in 2008 and then returned permanently in August 2009. Lyn departed again on 26 May 2011, so Andrewartha could pursue new acting opportunities. She reprised the role again in 2016, 2017 and 2019.
Rebecca Napier is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Jane Hall. The show suffered a ratings decline in early 2007 and plans were put in place for storylines to focus more on relationships and family dynamics. During this period, the character of Rebecca was created and introduced. She made her first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 13 July 2007. Rebecca is the mother of Oliver Barnes and Declan Napier. Rebecca departed on 15 March 2011, after Hall chose to leave the serial. Hall reprised the role in February 2014 and again in September 2019.
Samantha "Sam" Fitzgerald is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Simone Buchanan. She made her first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 21 March 2008. After departing on 25 June 2008, she made a brief return on 24 November 2008. Samantha's main storylines focused on her marriage to Daniel Fitzgerald, her bipolar disorder, which was triggered by a miscarriage prior to her introduction, and a pregnancy. In June 2010, executive producer Susan Bower announced that Buchanan had reprised her role and Samantha returned on 1 November 2010. She was the lead prosecutor in Stephanie Scully's culpable driving trial. The character departed on 24 November 2010. Buchanan reprised the role ten years later, and returned on 6 April 2020.