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Felicity "Flick" Scully is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera ''
Neighbours ''Neighbours'' is an Australian television soap opera that has aired since 18 March 1985. It was created by television executive Reg Watson. The Seven Network commissioned the show following the success of Watson's earlier soap '' Sons and ...
'', played by
Holly Valance Holly Rachel Candy (; born 11 May 1983), known professionally as Holly Valance, is an Australian and British actress, singer, model, and a right-wing political activist. Valance became well known for her role as Felicity Scully on the Austra ...
. She made her first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 20 October 1999. She departed on 28 November 2002, but made cameo appearances in the serial's 20th anniversary episode in 2005 as well as the final episode in 2022.


Creation and casting

The character was created along with her family, which initially included father 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 ...
), mother
Lyn Lyn or LYN may refer to: People * Lyn (singer), South Korean singer * Lyn (gamer), South Korean ''Warcraft III'' player * Lyn (given name) * Lyn (surname) In science and technology * Lynx (constellation), standard abbreviation * Lyn (locomotive ...
(
Janet Andrewartha Janet Andrewartha (16 September 1951 – 26 July 2024) was an Australian television and theatre actress and director and singer. Andrewartha began her career as a high school music teacher before attending drama school. She graduated in 1979 an ...
), eldest sister
Stephanie Stephanie is a female name that comes from the Greek name Στέφανος (Stephanos) meaning "crown, wreath, garland". The male form is Stephen. Forms of Stephanie in other languages include the German "Stefanie", the Italian, Czech, Pol ...
(
Carla Bonner Carla Bonner (born 3 March 1973) is an Australian actress, best known for playing the role of Stephanie Scully in the Australian soap opera drama ''Neighbours'', a role she played from 1999 to 2010. She was also a guest on ''Celebrity Big Broth ...
), and youngest sister Michelle ( Kate Keltie). The Scullys were introduced during the episode broadcast on 20 October 1999, following the departure of the Martin family. Former ''Neighbours'' cast member
Scott Michaelson Scott Michaelson is an Australian retired actor and talent manager who is most famous for playing Brad Willis in ''Neighbours''. Career Michaelson played the role of Brad Willis in ''Neighbours'' from 1991 to 1993, taking over from Benjamin ...
saw a picture of Holly Valance in a magazine and got in touch to ask her if she would like to audition for ''Neighbours''. Having previously acted in commercials, Valance did not have much auditioning experience, but she thought she would give it "a shot" and went up for the role. She learned that she had won the part of Felicity three months later. Valance was surprised that she had been cast, saying "I never would have elieved it You know the show that I've been watching since I was two years old and been such a huge fan. Not in a million years would I thought I would be a part of." ''Neighbours'' marked Valance's first major television role. She was fifteen when she auditioned, and sixteen when she was cast as Felicity, one year older than her character was said to be.


Development


Characterisation

Upon her introduction, Felicity, or Flick, was fifteen years old and "a devoted feminist", who had a "very active social conscience." Jim Schembri from ''
The Age ''The Age'' is a daily newspaper in Melbourne, Australia, that has been published since 1854. Owned and published by Nine Entertainment, ''The Age'' primarily serves Victoria (Australia), Victoria, but copies also sell in Tasmania, the Austral ...
'' thought Flick was "the slightly more reserved" sibling, who he noted were all different from another. Valance said she shared some similarities with her characters, including her stubborn streak and her "feistiness." She also thought Flick acted a lot younger than her age. When it came to Flick and romance, Valance said "She throws her heart and soul into everything, every guy she meets she's in love with fully and completely and will marry him if he asked her after the first hour of knowing him. Whereas I'm like sit back and really think about things and more practical and it takes a long time to make a decision even if it's which socks to buy."


Departure

Valance departed ''Neighbours'' in 2002 to concentrate on her music career. She filmed her final scenes in August of that year. Valance said it took three takes to film her last scene. Of her departure, she said "I've learnt so much. I kept telling myself I wasn't going to cry, it's so sad to be leaving. I've made such good friends and learnt so much. When I started, I didn't know a thing."


Returns and character reflection

In March 2005, it was announced that Valance would be reprising her role as Felicity for the show's 20th anniversary episode, " Friends for Twenty Years". In July 2022, she returned with a special appearance for the final episode of the soap opera. Upon hearing that the serial would be concluding, Valance and her friend,
Natalie Imbruglia Natalie Jane Imbruglia ( , ; born 4 February 1975) is an Australian and British singer and actress. Born and raised in New South Wales, Imbruglia became widely known in the early 1990s playing Beth Brennan in the soap opera ''Neighbours''. A ...
(who played
Beth Brennan Beth Brennan (also Willis) is a fictional character from the Australian television soap opera ''Neighbours'', played by Natalie Imbruglia. She made her debut screen appearance in the episode broadcast on 6 January 1992. Beth is characterised as a ...
), brainstormed a way to become part of the finale and approached producers with an idea for a scene, which was filmed in London. Valance expressed her sadness over the serial's ending and when asked about her favourite memories of being on ''Neighbours'', she explained, "It becomes such a huge part of your life. You see those people more than your own family because you have long days. You know, I still talk to most cast members and some of the crew every few days really, so they become your second family." Additionally, Valance explained that she enjoyed spending time with the cast in the
green room In show business, the green room is the space in a theatre, or a similar venue, that functions as a waiting room and lounge for Performing arts, performers before, during, and after a performance or show when they are not engaged on Stage (thea ...
, calling it "the most fun". She summarised of being on the show, "It was so much fun. I look back at it so fondly and I'm really grateful I got that time and although it's sad the show is ending, everything sort of changes eventually, but I look back at it and it's very precious to me."


Storylines

Felicity and her family move into Number 26 Ramsay Street minutes after the Martin family move out. Flick catches the attention of Paul McClain ( Jansen Spencer), who lives next door, but ultimately pursues Billy Kennedy (
Jesse Spencer Jesse Gordon Spencer (born 12 February 1979) is an Australian actor. He is known for his roles as Billy Kennedy on the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours'' (1994–2000, 2005, 2022), for which he was nominated for two Logie Awards, Dr. Robert ...
), who lives at Number 28. Felicity gives up once she finds out Billy has unresolved issues in his on-off relationship with Anne Wilkinson (
Brooke Satchwell Brooke Kerith Satchwell is an Australian actress and former model. She is known for playing Anne Wilkinson in the soap opera ''Neighbours'' from 1995 until 2000. She won the Logie Award for Most Popular New Talent in 1998. Since leaving ''Neigh ...
). When Paul tries to kiss Felicity, she is unimpressed. Soon after settling into the area, Felicity later sees older boy Sean Edwards (
Daniel Collopy Daniel Collopy (born 1 February 1978) is an Australians, Australian actor. Early life Collopy was born on 1 February 1978 in Melbourne, Australia. He grew up in a large family, as one of eight children, including five brothers and two sisters. ...
) much to her father Joe's chagrin. Felicity and Sean begin sneaking around one day and when Sean is forced to hide and tries escape, Joe catches him and throws him out of the house. Later, when Sean's friends accompany them on a trip down the coast, Sean suggests that they sleep together. Felicity then realises Sean is not the one for her. Felicity then develops a crush on the local postman, Pete Redman (Frank Raco). Paul and his friend
Tad Reeves Tad Reeves (also known as Tadpole) is a fictional character from the Australian television soap opera ''Neighbours'', played by Jonathon Dutton. He made his first appearance during the episode broadcast on 16 November 1998. After deciding not t ...
(
Jonathon Dutton Jonathon Dutton (born 13 August 1981) is an Australian actor and director. From 1998 to 2002, Dutton played Tad Reeves in ''Neighbours''. He later returned to the show as a director. Dutton has also appeared in '' MDA'', '' Two Pints of Lager a ...
) soon play a practical joke by sending fake replies to love letters Felicity had left for Pete. Felicity soon uncovers this and is angry with her friends, but that subsides when Pete asks her to try out for his soccer team. Felicity arrives overdressed for the first session, but continues. Flick later asks Pete to join her and her family for a meal, but she discovers Pete is married. When Erinsborough High's debutante ball arrives, Joel Samuels (
Daniel MacPherson Daniel MacPherson is an Australian actor and television presenter, known for his roles as Joel Samuels in ''Neighbours'', PC Cameron Tait in ''The Bill'', Sergeant Samuel Wyatt in Sky and Cinemax's '' Strike Back'', Whit Carmichael in the ...
) agrees to be Felicity's date. The couple, opposed by Joe continue sneaking around. Joe manages to catch them one day and has a heated confrontation which results in him shoving and injuring Joel. This leads to Felicity moving out of home and in with Joel, driving a wedge between her and her parents. After Joel leaves for London to attend his friend
Malcolm Kennedy Malcolm Kennedy is a fictional character from the Australian television soap opera ''Neighbours'', played by Benjamin McNair. Shortly after he was cast, McNair relocated to Melbourne to be closer to the studio. He admitted that it was a shock lea ...
's (
Benjamin McNair Benjamin John McNair (born 25 August 1974, London) is an Australian actor, best known for his role as Malcolm Kennedy in the soap opera ''Neighbours''. Early life McNair moved to Australia with his family when he was 18 months old. He develope ...
) wedding to Catherine O'Brien (
Radha Mitchell Radha Rani Amber Indigo Ananda Mitchell (born 12 November 1973) is an Australian actress. She began her career on television, playing Catherine O'Brien on the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours'' (1996–1997), before transitioning to working i ...
), Felicity stays on at Number 30 and manages to irritate Joel's housemates
Toadfish Rebecchi Jarrod Vincenzo Rebecchi, commonly known as "Toadfish" or "Toadie", is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours'', played by Ryan Moloney. He made his first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 23 January 199 ...
(
Ryan Moloney Ryan Moloney (born 24 November 1979) is an Australian actor, known for his portrayal of the fictional character Jarrod "Toadfish" Rebecchi in the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours'' from 1995 until his departure in 2025. Career Moloney's first ...
) and Dee Bliss (
Madeleine West Melanie Ann Weston (born 26 July 1979), known professionally as Madeleine West, is an Australian actress, author and director. She is best known for her television roles, having played Dee Bliss and Andrea Somers on the soap opera ''Neighbour ...
) with her lack of domestic skills and generally being irresponsible and untidy. On Felicity's 18th birthday, she receives news that Joel has decided to end their relationship. While on a school trip, Tad is bitten by a scorpion and, convinced he is going to die, admits to Felicity that he has always had a crush on her. When Tad recovers, he and Felicity begin dating, but it ultimately goes nowhere. When Felicity is trapped in the pub cellar overnight with barman
Matt Hancock Matthew John David Hancock (born 2 October 1978) is a British politician who served as Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General from 2015 to 2016, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport from January to July 20 ...
(Stephen Hunt), she accuses him of having engineered the situation and they argue. Matt later admits that he has had a crush on Felicity since he moved into Ramsay Street and she begins playing
Priscilla Presley Priscilla Ann Presley (née Wagner, formerly Beaulieu; born May 24, 1945) is an American businesswoman and actress. She is the ex-wife of American singer Elvis Presley, as well as the cofounder and former chairperson of Elvis Presley Enterpris ...
at his Elvis impersonation gigs. The two decide to be friends and put the whole thing behind them. Felicity decides to work rather than start University and gets a job at Lassiter's Hotel. While working there, she meets Marc Lambert (David Karakai) and is instantly attracted to him. When Steph introduces her new boyfriend to the family, Felicity is shocked to see it is Marc. Despite this, Felicity and Marc flirt and begin secretly seeing each other. Steph and Marc get engaged and on the day of the wedding, Marc hesitates and tells Steph he cannot go through it. He looks over at Felicity, which gives their affair away. After the wedding party returns to the street, Steph and Felicity have a huge argument about the events that have transpired, resulting in Felicity fleeing Erinborough in the taxi Valda Sheergold ( Joan Sydney) arrived in. Stuart Parker (
Blair McDonough Blair McDonough (born 30 April 1981), is an Australian actor who is best known for playing the role of Stuart Parker in the Australian TV soap opera ''Neighbours''. He first shot to fame the age of 19 in 2001, when he finished runner-up in the ...
) tracks Felicity down in Sydney and tries to persuade her to return. Marc also arrives in Sydney and tries to win her back, but she realises that he plans to take her on what would have been his and Steph's honeymoon. Felicity returns to Erinsborough and sees that things are still strained and leaves for several months to join Tad in America. Shortly after Felicity returns, she and Stuart begin a relationship. Felicity gets a job with the Lassiter's New York branch and Stuart proposes to her with his grandmother's ring and Felicity accepts. On the day of her departure, Felicity notices she is missing her ring and Stuart has to make a dash from the airport back to Ramsay Street to find it. With literally seconds remaining, Stuart makes it back to give the ring to Felicity. Several months later, Michelle flies out to join her and Stuart calls off the engagement. Felicity makes a brief appearance in
Annalise Hartman Annalise Hartman is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours'', played by Kimberley Davies. She made her debut during the episode broadcast on 15 January 1993 and departed on 31 January 1996. Davies reprised the role in J ...
's ( Kimberley Davies) documentary where she is revealed to be living in Hollywood and discusses her experiences of living in Ramsay Street. She mentions that she meant to post the ring back to Stuart, but had to sell it due to bills. She then congratulates him on his new engagement to Sindi Watts ( Marisa Warrington). Seventeen years later, Felicity overhears Beth Brennan viewing a video of
Karl Kennedy Karl Kennedy is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours'', played by Alan Fletcher. The actor previously appeared in the soap in 1987 as mechanic Greg Cooper. He made his first screen appearance as Karl during the episo ...
( Alan Fletcher) and Felicity tells Beth she used to live on
Ramsay Street Ramsay Street is the fictional cul-de-sac in which the characters of the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours'' live. The street is set in the equally fictional Melbourne suburb of Erinsborough. ''Neighbours'' storylines primarily centre on the re ...
. Beth tells her she did too and the two send in a video to congratulate
Toadie Rebecchi Jarrod Vincenzo Rebecchi, commonly known as "Toadfish" or "Toadie", is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours'', played by Ryan Moloney. He made his first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 23 January 199 ...
(
Ryan Moloney Ryan Moloney (born 24 November 1979) is an Australian actor, known for his portrayal of the fictional character Jarrod "Toadfish" Rebecchi in the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours'' from 1995 until his departure in 2025. Career Moloney's first ...
) and
Melanie Pearson Melanie Pearson (also Mangel) is a fictional character from the Australian television soap opera ''Neighbours'', played by Lucinda Cowden. She made her first appearance as Melanie during the episode broadcast on 30 July 1987. Cowden originally a ...
(
Lucinda Cowden Lucinda Cowden (born 24 April 1965) is an Australian actress, known for her role as Melanie Pearson in the soap opera ''Neighbours'' from 1987 until 1991. She also appeared in '' The Power, The Passion'', presented children's television series ...
) on their wedding.


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. Felicity and her sister, Michelle 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

For her portrayal of Felicity, Valance was nominated for the
Logie Award for Most Popular New Female Talent The Silver Logie for Most Popular New Female Talent was an award presented at the Australian TV Week Logie Awards. It was first awarded at the 41st Annual TV Week Logie Awards ceremony, held in 1999. The award is given to honour a standout perfo ...
in 2000. In a feature on past ''Neighbours'' characters, telecommunications network ''
Orange Orange most often refers to: *Orange (fruit), the fruit of the tree species '' Citrus'' × ''sinensis'' ** Orange blossom, its fragrant flower ** Orange juice *Orange (colour), the color of an orange fruit, occurs between red and yellow in the vi ...
'' described Felicity's most memorable moment as "Falling in love with her sister Steph's fiancé, Marc Lambert. The feeling was entirely mutual, and when Marc got to the altar with Steph, he was so busy ogling Flick he couldn't say his vows." Michael Osborn of the
BBC The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a British public service broadcaster headquartered at Broadcasting House in London, England. Originally established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company, it evolved into its current sta ...
said "As Flick Scully in ''Neighbours'', Valance spent far too much time flouncing around in that terrible school uniform with a butter-wouldn't-melt look in her eyes." Wil Marlow ''
The Birmingham Post The ''Birmingham Post'' is a weekly printed newspaper based in Birmingham, England, with distribution throughout the West Midlands (region), West Midlands. First published under the name the ''Birmingham Daily Post'' in 1857, it has had a succe ...
'' stated that Flick "immediately stood out as the one to watch". In June 2002, Felicity came second in a poll run by ''
Newsround ''Newsround'' (stylised as ''newsround'') is a BBC children's news programme, which has run continuously since 4 April 1972. Originally ''John Craven's Newsround'', it was one of the world's first television news magazines aimed specifically ...
'' to find viewer's favourite ''Neighbours'' character. She received 22.55% of the vote. In the same year, Young Media Australia criticised ''Neighbours'' in a report, singling out Felicity falling in love with her sisters fiancé. They suggested that the scriptwriters should take more responsibility when influencing young viewers. A
TVNZ Television New Zealand (, "Te Reo Tātaki" meaning "The Leading Voice"), more commonly referred to as TVNZ, is a New Zealand state-owned media company and Crown entity. The company operates a television network, streaming service, and news se ...
reporter included Flick in their list of the top 30 ''Neighbours characters, and stated "While the other teenage girls were chasing boys, Flick was more interested in saving the world. She was full of ideals, not just a pretty face." In 2022, Kate Randall from ''
Heat In thermodynamics, heat is energy in transfer between a thermodynamic system and its surroundings by such mechanisms as thermal conduction, electromagnetic radiation, and friction, which are microscopic in nature, involving sub-atomic, ato ...
'' included Flick in the magazine's top ten ''Neighbours'' characters of all time feature. Randall opined that Valance "flounced onto our screens as part of the loud Scully family." Lorna White from ''Yours'' profiled the magazine's "favourite Neighbours characters of all time", on which Flick was listed. Hiyah Zaidi from ''
NationalWorld National World is a British multimedia company based in Leeds, England. The company was founded and listed on the London Stock Exchange in September 2019 as a media takeover vehicle. In January 2021, it acquired JPIMedia for £10.2 million. I ...
'' that Flick became known for finding "herself in a number of love triangles."


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Scully, Felicity Neighbours characters Television characters introduced in 1999 Fictional waiting staff in soap operas Fictional salespeople Australian female characters in soap operas Scully family