Samantha Fitzgerald
Encyclopedia
Samantha "Sam" Fitzgerald (née Grieves) is a fictional character
from the Australian Network Ten
soap opera Neighbours
, played by Simone Buchanan
. She made her first on-screen appearance on 21 March 2008 and departed the show on 25 June 2008. She returned briefly on 24 November 2008. Sam's main storylines have focused on her bipolar disorder
, pregnancy and miscarriage
. In June 2010, Susan Bower announced that Sam would be returning to Neighbours. She returned on 1 November 2010 and departed on 24 November 2010.
In 2010, Neighbours executive producer, Susan Bower, revealed that Buchanan would be reprising her role of Samantha. Speaking of the reasons behind her return Bower stated: "I like if we are going to have returning characters that they're part of the story. They don't just walk in and say 'G'day' and walk out again." The Herald Sun
reported that Buchanan would be returning for a four week guest role. Bower later said that there is "plenty in store" for the character. She added "Hang onto your hats, Sam is back and I know Simone will love what we have planned". Sam returned to Neighbours on 1 November 2010.
described Samantha as a "smart, successful lawyer". Network Ten
describe Sam as "long-suffering" and an "off-the-rails lawyer", they also call the character "fiery". During the Dan, Libby and Sam triangle, Daytime Confidential said Sam would "go to incredible lengths to get Dan".
to carry out the relevant research. With their help the scriptwriters, production team and Buchanan worked to portray the illness as accurate as, possible. Buchanan's brother, Miles, suffers from the illness and is a spokesperson for the charity. He spoke of his delight that Neighbours decided to include such a storyline and praised it for being "gripping". Buchanan immediately turned to her brother when she got the role of Samantha and he helped her with her portrayal of the illness. Buchanan herself felt that she had done the storyline justice, during an interview with the charity she stated: "I think they’ve done a great job, the writers really did their research beforehand; they spent time with people who have bipolar disorder, and worked closely with SANE Australia. They haven’t glossed over it." Neighbours' executive producer Susan Bower
said that it was important to represent the character dealing with bipolar disorder accurately. She said "As a matter of course, any storylines involving health, police or adoption issues need to be properly researched. We have a responsibility because misinformation can cause a lot of problems, but proper information can do a lot of good. In the end, proper research also helps you tell the story better than making it up".
's (Carla Bonner
) culpable driving court case. Sam is determined to see Steph sent to jail and she forms an alliance with Paul Robinson
(Stefan Dennis
). Buchanan said "Sam comes back to Erinsborough with her lawyer's hat well and truly on. She mentions that she's now well again – her bipolar disorder is under control. She also talks about Dan and the fact that she's seen him and the baby." Buchanan also said that Sam has a personal agenda as well as a professional one, she is unhappy that Steph fell pregnant with Dan's child. Sam also wants to get back at Libby Kennedy
(Kym Valentine
). Sam and Paul join up because Paul wants justice for Donna Freedman
(Margot Robbie
), whose husband Steph killed. Dennis said Sam is "as devious as Paul is" and he sees that Sam is a way to get his wish for Steph to be punished. Buchanan added that she surprised to be asked back because she thought her character had "burnt her bridges with most people in Ramsay Street the last time around." Bower revealed that viewers can see that Sam has a score to settle with Steph and Libby and her questions open up a lot of wounds for Steph. Bower added that that issue has "divided many fans."
(Brett Tucker
), their friendship grew into love and they were soon married. Sam begins suffering from manic episodes and she is later diagnosed with bipolar disorder
. Sam falls pregnant, but miscarries at six months and her behaviour grows worse. Dan became more her carer than her husband and Sam walked out on him after realising how much she was hurting him.
(Kym Valentine
) and gets in contact with Sam to ask for a divorce. Sam arrives in Ramsay Street hoping that Dan wants a reconciliation. Dan explains that he wants a divorce, so that he can start a relationship with Libby. Sam is shocked, but their conversation is interrupted by Rosetta Cammeniti
(Natalie Saleeba
) who Sam went to university with. After realising that she is losing Dan, Sam decides to stay for a while and is offered work with Rosetta's law firm. Sam refuses to disclose details about her medical condition to anyone else, but she is angry when she realises that Dan had told Libby. When Libby visits Sam for some legal advice she tells her that there is nothing between her and Dan and Sam and Libby begin a friendship. Sam and Dan speak about the baby they lost and Sam helps find Libby's son, Ben Kirk
(Blake O'Leary), who was trapped in a drain. Sam announces that she is planning to leave, but she stays to organise a baby shower for Rosetta. When Rosetta is told that she had had a false pregnancy, she remains convinced that she is pregnant and Sam tells Rosetta that she believes her. Dan later decides to give his marriage with Sam another try.
Sam decides to try for another baby and stops taking her medication, so she can get pregnant. Sam does not tell Dan about her plans, but her symptoms begin to show and she tells Dan that she wants a child with him. When Libby spots Sam with a pregnancy test, Sam lies that she is pregnant and Dan is delighted. Sam's behaviour continues to get worse and she goes to Charlie's and gets drunk. She later decides to go to a hotel with Oliver Barnes
(David Hoflin
) and announces that her marriage is over. Dan calls the crisis assessment team and Sam admits that she is not pregnant and lies that she had miscarried again. After making Dan promise he would not leave, Sam tells him the truth. Sam is admitted to hospital and is put back on her medication. She then asks Dan to move to New Zealand with her and Dan agrees to go. At the airport, Sam realises that she is always going to be second best to Libby and leaves alone. Dan returns home to find Sam had signed the divorce papers.
Six months later, a heavily pregnant Sam returns to Erinsborough in the middle of Dan and Libby's joint hen and buck's night. Sam claims not to know about the wedding and tells Dan that he is about to become a father. Elle Robinson (Pippa Black
) offers Sam a room at her house and Libby tries to be nice by inviting her to a barbecue. When Libby sees Dan feel the baby kick, she calls off the wedding. It later emerges that Lucas Fitzgerald
(Scott Major
) had told Sam about the wedding. Sam asks Paul Robinson
(Stefan Dennis
) for a job and he employs her as a legal adviser for his newspaper. When Libby turns up at Sam's ultrasound scan, Sam tells Dan that she does not want Libby involved with her baby. Cassandra Freedman
(Tottie Goldsmith
) moves into Ramsay Street and when she sets her sights on Paul, she sees Sam as a threat. Cassandra gets a job at the hospital and she reads Sam's file and decides to blackmail her about her bipolar disorder. Sam finds out that her baby was conceived three weeks later than she had thought and therefore is not Dan's. Cassandra begins her blackmail plan and Sam blurts out that she had not known that Dan was not the father of the baby. Cassandra gets Sam to convince her daughter, Donna
(Margot Robbie
), to move out of the Robinson's house. As Sam and Cassandra are discussing her secret, Stephanie Scully
(Carla Bonner
) overhears and tells Libby and Dan the truth about Sam's baby. Dan confronts Sam and she tells him that the baby is not his. Sam then leaves Erinsborough.
Sam later calls Dan, while suffering a manic episode and asks him to look after her and her newborn daughter, Emma. Dan agrees and he and Libby go to New Zealand. Libby returns alone as Dan agrees to stay for another week. Libby discovers Dan has transferred $12,000 of their money into Sam's bank account, to help with her debts. On Dan's return, Libby makes him promise not to have any further contact with Sam.
(Janet Andrewartha
). Lucas and Sam talk and she tells him that she is good. Steph thanks Sam for finding Charlie and Sam tells her that she has been to see Dan and Adam. Lyn asks Sam what brings her back to town and Sam tells her that she is there to prosecute Steph's culpable driving case. The next day, Sam goes to see Donna and says that she is sorry that her husband, Ringo Brown
(Sam Clark
), is dead. Sam asks Donna if they can meet, but Donna turns her down. Sam later sees Donna's university lecturer fail her assignment and asks if she can buy her and Kate Ramsay
(Ashleigh Brewer
) tea. Sam talks to Kate about her witness statement and when she goes to Ramsay Street to talk to Paul, she sees Libby. Sam tells Karl
(Alan Fletcher) and Susan Kennedy
(Jackie Woodburne
) that she has recently lost her father and that she is sorry for what she did to them. Lucas then asks her to leave everyone alone. Libby warns Sam to stay away from her parents and Sam tells her that Dan is a new man now he is a father. Steph takes her away and tells her to back off. Sam later gives Steph some leaflets about children in prison. Toadie tells Sam that he will report her to the police and bar association
for witness intimidation. Paul meets her in Charlie's and tells her that he wants to help Sam out and he will give her anything she wants. Sam later tells Paul that he needs to get Donna to attend the trial to upset Steph. However, Donna later realises what Paul is doing. Sam asks Karl and Susan to write victim impact statements and when she notices something is up between the couple, she talks to Susan and tells her that she will find out if something is wrong. When Libby is on the stand, Sam brings up Steph's relationship with Dan. Sam then launches a personal attack on Libby and Judge Willow (Jane Clifton
) tells her to stop. The jury later deliver a guilty verdict. Donna has a go at Sam and says that the case was never about Ringo, but a chance for her to get back at Libby and Steph. The judge later gives Steph a six year prison sentence.
called her a "blonde beauty." A year later they said "We know we're supposed to feel sorry for people who are ill, but can somebody just tell Dan's ex-wife Sam to get knotted?" The paper revealed that they had "high hopes" that Sam was gone for good, but she had turned up again "like the proverbial bad penny." Television critic, Andrew Mercado, praised Buchanan's 2009 appearance in March 2010, saying "Simone Buchanan did a great turn last year on Neighbours as a crazed ex".
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
from the Australian Network Ten
Network Ten
Network Ten , is one of Australia's three major commercial television networks. Owned-and-operated stations can be found in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, while affiliates extend the network to cover most of the country...
soap opera Neighbours
Neighbours
Neighbours is an Australian television soap opera first broadcast on the Seven Network on 18 March 1985. It was created by TV executive Reg Watson, who proposed the idea of making a show that focused on realistic stories and portrayed adults and teenagers who talk openly and solve their problems...
, played by Simone Buchanan
Simone Buchanan
Simone Louise Buchanan is an Australian actress best known for her television roles as Debbie Kelly in the situation comedy Hey Dad..! and Samantha Fitzgerald in the soap opera Neighbours....
. She made her first on-screen appearance on 21 March 2008 and departed the show on 25 June 2008. She returned briefly on 24 November 2008. Sam's main storylines have focused on her bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder or bipolar affective disorder, historically known as manic–depressive disorder, is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes a category of mood disorders defined by the presence of one or more episodes of abnormally elevated energy levels, cognition, and mood with or without one or...
, pregnancy and miscarriage
Miscarriage
Miscarriage or spontaneous abortion is the spontaneous end of a pregnancy at a stage where the embryo or fetus is incapable of surviving independently, generally defined in humans at prior to 20 weeks of gestation...
. In June 2010, Susan Bower announced that Sam would be returning to Neighbours. She returned on 1 November 2010 and departed on 24 November 2010.
Casting
Buchanan joined the cast of Neighbours in early 2008 in a five-month guest role capacity.In 2010, Neighbours executive producer, Susan Bower, revealed that Buchanan would be reprising her role of Samantha. Speaking of the reasons behind her return Bower stated: "I like if we are going to have returning characters that they're part of the story. They don't just walk in and say 'G'day' and walk out again." The Herald Sun
Herald Sun
The Herald Sun is a morning tabloid newspaper based in Melbourne, Australia. It is published by The Herald and Weekly Times, a subsidiary of News Limited, itself a subsidiary of News Corporation. It is available for purchase throughout Melbourne, Regional Victoria, Tasmania, the Australian Capital...
reported that Buchanan would be returning for a four week guest role. Bower later said that there is "plenty in store" for the character. She added "Hang onto your hats, Sam is back and I know Simone will love what we have planned". Sam returned to Neighbours on 1 November 2010.
Characterisation
The Herald SunHerald Sun
The Herald Sun is a morning tabloid newspaper based in Melbourne, Australia. It is published by The Herald and Weekly Times, a subsidiary of News Limited, itself a subsidiary of News Corporation. It is available for purchase throughout Melbourne, Regional Victoria, Tasmania, the Australian Capital...
described Samantha as a "smart, successful lawyer". Network Ten
Network Ten
Network Ten , is one of Australia's three major commercial television networks. Owned-and-operated stations can be found in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, while affiliates extend the network to cover most of the country...
describe Sam as "long-suffering" and an "off-the-rails lawyer", they also call the character "fiery". During the Dan, Libby and Sam triangle, Daytime Confidential said Sam would "go to incredible lengths to get Dan".
Bipolar disorder
One of Sam's main storylines was her battle with bipolar disorder, which was triggered by a miscarriage. The storyline required careful planning as Neighbours production team wanted to portray the issue sensitivley. Buchanan whose real life brother suffers from the illness, worked closely with charity SANE AustraliaSANE Australia
SANE Australia is a non-profit organisation which works to improve the attitudes toward and treatment of people with mental illnesses. It was formed in 1986 as Schizophrenia Australia Foundation, and is based in Melbourne....
to carry out the relevant research. With their help the scriptwriters, production team and Buchanan worked to portray the illness as accurate as, possible. Buchanan's brother, Miles, suffers from the illness and is a spokesperson for the charity. He spoke of his delight that Neighbours decided to include such a storyline and praised it for being "gripping". Buchanan immediately turned to her brother when she got the role of Samantha and he helped her with her portrayal of the illness. Buchanan herself felt that she had done the storyline justice, during an interview with the charity she stated: "I think they’ve done a great job, the writers really did their research beforehand; they spent time with people who have bipolar disorder, and worked closely with SANE Australia. They haven’t glossed over it." Neighbours
Susan Bower
Susan Bower is an Australian television producer and television writer best known for her work on the soap opera Neighbours.-Career:Bower is a former nurse who worked at The Alfred Hospital for 20 years before getting her scriptwriting breakthrough on A Country Practice, where she provided the...
said that it was important to represent the character dealing with bipolar disorder accurately. She said "As a matter of course, any storylines involving health, police or adoption issues need to be properly researched. We have a responsibility because misinformation can cause a lot of problems, but proper information can do a lot of good. In the end, proper research also helps you tell the story better than making it up".
2010 return
Sam returned in November 2010 as the prosecutor in Stephanie ScullyStephanie Scully
Stephanie Jo "Steph" Scully is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Carla Bonner. She made her first on-screen appearance on 21 October 1999. Stephanie is the eldest daughter of Joe and Lyn Scully and the mother to a son, Charlie...
's (Carla Bonner
Carla Bonner
Carla Bonner is an Australian actress best known for playing the role of Steph Scully in the soap opera Neighbours, a role she played from 1999 to 2010...
) culpable driving court case. Sam is determined to see Steph sent to jail and she forms an alliance with Paul Robinson
Paul Robinson (Neighbours)
Paul Stewart Robinson is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, a long-running serial drama about social life in the fictional Melbourne suburb of Erinsborough. He is played by Stefan Dennis. Paul debuted in the serial's first episode in 1985 and appeared on a...
(Stefan Dennis
Stefan Dennis
Stefan Dennis is an Australian actor, best known for playing the role of Paul Robinson in the soap opera, Neighbours, from its first episode in March 1985 to the present day...
). Buchanan said "Sam comes back to Erinsborough with her lawyer's hat well and truly on. She mentions that she's now well again – her bipolar disorder is under control. She also talks about Dan and the fact that she's seen him and the baby." Buchanan also said that Sam has a personal agenda as well as a professional one, she is unhappy that Steph fell pregnant with Dan's child. Sam also wants to get back at Libby Kennedy
Libby Kennedy
Elizabeth Grace "Libby" Kennedy is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Kym Valentine. She made her first on-screen appearance on 3 October 1994 and departed in 2004, before returning on 12 November 2007. Libby is the only daughter of Karl and Susan Kennedy...
(Kym Valentine
Kym Valentine
Kym Valentine is a Maltese Australian actress best known for her portrayal of Libby Kennedy in the soap opera Neighbours.-Early and personal life:...
). Sam and Paul join up because Paul wants justice for Donna Freedman
Donna Freedman
Donna Jane Brown is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Margot Robbie. She made her first on-screen appearance on 2 June 2008. Donna was initially a guest character, but Robbie was promoted to regular cast member shortly after she made her debut...
(Margot Robbie
Margot Robbie
Margot Robbie is an Australian actress. She is known for her role as Donna Freedman on the soap opera Neighbours, which earned her two Logie Award nominations. In 2011, Robbie began appearing as Laura Cameron in the ABC drama series Pan Am.-Early life:Robbie was born on 2 July 1990 and grew up on...
), whose husband Steph killed. Dennis said Sam is "as devious as Paul is" and he sees that Sam is a way to get his wish for Steph to be punished. Buchanan added that she surprised to be asked back because she thought her character had "burnt her bridges with most people in Ramsay Street the last time around." Bower revealed that viewers can see that Sam has a score to settle with Steph and Libby and her questions open up a lot of wounds for Steph. Bower added that that issue has "divided many fans."
Backstory
When Samantha met Daniel FitzgeraldDaniel Fitzgerald (Neighbours)
Daniel Fitzgerald is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Brett Tucker. He made his first on-screen appearance on 1 September 1999. Dan becomes a teacher at Erinsborough High and shares a house with fellow teacher, Tess. He remained as a recurring...
(Brett Tucker
Brett Tucker
Brett Alan Tucker is an Australian actor and singer. He was a series regular in The Saddle Club and McLeod's Daughters...
), their friendship grew into love and they were soon married. Sam begins suffering from manic episodes and she is later diagnosed with bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder or bipolar affective disorder, historically known as manic–depressive disorder, is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes a category of mood disorders defined by the presence of one or more episodes of abnormally elevated energy levels, cognition, and mood with or without one or...
. Sam falls pregnant, but miscarries at six months and her behaviour grows worse. Dan became more her carer than her husband and Sam walked out on him after realising how much she was hurting him.
2008–09
When Dan returns to Erinsborough, he is attracted to Libby KennedyLibby Kennedy
Elizabeth Grace "Libby" Kennedy is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Kym Valentine. She made her first on-screen appearance on 3 October 1994 and departed in 2004, before returning on 12 November 2007. Libby is the only daughter of Karl and Susan Kennedy...
(Kym Valentine
Kym Valentine
Kym Valentine is a Maltese Australian actress best known for her portrayal of Libby Kennedy in the soap opera Neighbours.-Early and personal life:...
) and gets in contact with Sam to ask for a divorce. Sam arrives in Ramsay Street hoping that Dan wants a reconciliation. Dan explains that he wants a divorce, so that he can start a relationship with Libby. Sam is shocked, but their conversation is interrupted by Rosetta Cammeniti
Rosetta Cammeniti
Rosetta "Rosie" Cammeniti is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Natalie Saleeba. The character was introduced into the serial as part of a group of four "20 somethings." Saleeba began filming in July and she made her first on-screen appearance on 12 October...
(Natalie Saleeba
Natalie Saleeba
Natalie Saleeba is an Australian actress best known for her roles as Jessica Singleton in the medical drama series All Saints and Rosetta Cammeniti on Neighbours....
) who Sam went to university with. After realising that she is losing Dan, Sam decides to stay for a while and is offered work with Rosetta's law firm. Sam refuses to disclose details about her medical condition to anyone else, but she is angry when she realises that Dan had told Libby. When Libby visits Sam for some legal advice she tells her that there is nothing between her and Dan and Sam and Libby begin a friendship. Sam and Dan speak about the baby they lost and Sam helps find Libby's son, Ben Kirk
Ben Fitzgerald
Ben Ian Fitzgerald is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Blake O'Leary. The character was previously played by Noah Sutherland and Sean Berends. He made his first on-screen appearance on 14 December 2001. Ben is the son of Libby Kennedy and Drew...
(Blake O'Leary), who was trapped in a drain. Sam announces that she is planning to leave, but she stays to organise a baby shower for Rosetta. When Rosetta is told that she had had a false pregnancy, she remains convinced that she is pregnant and Sam tells Rosetta that she believes her. Dan later decides to give his marriage with Sam another try.
Sam decides to try for another baby and stops taking her medication, so she can get pregnant. Sam does not tell Dan about her plans, but her symptoms begin to show and she tells Dan that she wants a child with him. When Libby spots Sam with a pregnancy test, Sam lies that she is pregnant and Dan is delighted. Sam's behaviour continues to get worse and she goes to Charlie's and gets drunk. She later decides to go to a hotel with Oliver Barnes
Oliver Barnes
Oliver Barnes is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by David Hoflin. He made his on-screen debut on 30 January 2007. Oliver is the oldest son of Rebecca Napier and the brother of Declan Napier...
(David Hoflin
David Hoflin
David Hoflin is a Swedish-born Australian actor. He is most famous for playing Jason Bates in Ocean Girl between 1994 and 1998, and Oliver Barnes in Neighbours between 2007 and 2008.-Career:...
) and announces that her marriage is over. Dan calls the crisis assessment team and Sam admits that she is not pregnant and lies that she had miscarried again. After making Dan promise he would not leave, Sam tells him the truth. Sam is admitted to hospital and is put back on her medication. She then asks Dan to move to New Zealand with her and Dan agrees to go. At the airport, Sam realises that she is always going to be second best to Libby and leaves alone. Dan returns home to find Sam had signed the divorce papers.
Six months later, a heavily pregnant Sam returns to Erinsborough in the middle of Dan and Libby's joint hen and buck's night. Sam claims not to know about the wedding and tells Dan that he is about to become a father. Elle Robinson (Pippa Black
Pippa Black
Pippa Black is an Australian actress. From 2005 to 2009, Black played Elle Robinson in the soap opera Neighbours. Black played Tonya in the NBC series Outsourced from 2010 to 2011.-Career:...
) offers Sam a room at her house and Libby tries to be nice by inviting her to a barbecue. When Libby sees Dan feel the baby kick, she calls off the wedding. It later emerges that Lucas Fitzgerald
Lucas Fitzgerald
Lucas Fitzgerald is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, portrayed by Scott Major. He made his first on-screen appearance on 22 July 2008. The role of Lucas is Major's second character on the show, he previously played Darren Stark in 1993. Lucas is the brother of Daniel...
(Scott Major
Scott Major
Scott Major is an Australian actor. Major's acting début was playing Murray on Home and Away in the 1990s. He joined the Neighbours cast for a brief period in 1993 as the original Darren Stark. and then was a part of the Heartbreak High cast as "Rivers" from 1994–1995...
) had told Sam about the wedding. Sam asks Paul Robinson
Paul Robinson (Neighbours)
Paul Stewart Robinson is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, a long-running serial drama about social life in the fictional Melbourne suburb of Erinsborough. He is played by Stefan Dennis. Paul debuted in the serial's first episode in 1985 and appeared on a...
(Stefan Dennis
Stefan Dennis
Stefan Dennis is an Australian actor, best known for playing the role of Paul Robinson in the soap opera, Neighbours, from its first episode in March 1985 to the present day...
) for a job and he employs her as a legal adviser for his newspaper. When Libby turns up at Sam's ultrasound scan, Sam tells Dan that she does not want Libby involved with her baby. Cassandra Freedman
Cassandra Freedman
Cassandra "Sass" Freedman is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Tottie Goldsmith. Cassandra is the mother of Donna, Tegan and Simon, she first appeared on-screen on 10 February 2009...
(Tottie Goldsmith
Tottie Goldsmith
Tottie Goldsmith is an Australian actress and singer.-Biography:Goldsmith is the daughter of Melbourne restaurateur and nightclub owner Brian Goldsmith and British-born actress Rona Newton-John. Her great grandfather was German physicist and Nobel Prize winner Max Born...
) moves into Ramsay Street and when she sets her sights on Paul, she sees Sam as a threat. Cassandra gets a job at the hospital and she reads Sam's file and decides to blackmail her about her bipolar disorder. Sam finds out that her baby was conceived three weeks later than she had thought and therefore is not Dan's. Cassandra begins her blackmail plan and Sam blurts out that she had not known that Dan was not the father of the baby. Cassandra gets Sam to convince her daughter, Donna
Donna Freedman
Donna Jane Brown is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Margot Robbie. She made her first on-screen appearance on 2 June 2008. Donna was initially a guest character, but Robbie was promoted to regular cast member shortly after she made her debut...
(Margot Robbie
Margot Robbie
Margot Robbie is an Australian actress. She is known for her role as Donna Freedman on the soap opera Neighbours, which earned her two Logie Award nominations. In 2011, Robbie began appearing as Laura Cameron in the ABC drama series Pan Am.-Early life:Robbie was born on 2 July 1990 and grew up on...
), to move out of the Robinson's house. As Sam and Cassandra are discussing her secret, Stephanie Scully
Stephanie Scully
Stephanie Jo "Steph" Scully is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Carla Bonner. She made her first on-screen appearance on 21 October 1999. Stephanie is the eldest daughter of Joe and Lyn Scully and the mother to a son, Charlie...
(Carla Bonner
Carla Bonner
Carla Bonner is an Australian actress best known for playing the role of Steph Scully in the soap opera Neighbours, a role she played from 1999 to 2010...
) overhears and tells Libby and Dan the truth about Sam's baby. Dan confronts Sam and she tells him that the baby is not his. Sam then leaves Erinsborough.
Sam later calls Dan, while suffering a manic episode and asks him to look after her and her newborn daughter, Emma. Dan agrees and he and Libby go to New Zealand. Libby returns alone as Dan agrees to stay for another week. Libby discovers Dan has transferred $12,000 of their money into Sam's bank account, to help with her debts. On Dan's return, Libby makes him promise not to have any further contact with Sam.
2010
When Charlie Hoyland (Jacob Brito) wanders off during Halloween, Sam finds him and runs into Steph, Lucas and Lyn ScullyLyn Scully
Lynette "Lyn" Scully is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Janet Andrewartha. The character debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 21 October 1999, along with her family and remained a prominent feature within the show until late 2006...
(Janet Andrewartha
Janet Andrewartha
Janet Andrewartha is an Australian actress. She is famous for playing on-going roles in two popular Australian soap operas: that of Reb Kean in Prisoner and Lyn Scully in Neighbours.-Biography:...
). Lucas and Sam talk and she tells him that she is good. Steph thanks Sam for finding Charlie and Sam tells her that she has been to see Dan and Adam. Lyn asks Sam what brings her back to town and Sam tells her that she is there to prosecute Steph's culpable driving case. The next day, Sam goes to see Donna and says that she is sorry that her husband, Ringo Brown
Ringo Brown
Ringo Brown is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Sam Clark. Clark was given the role after he entered and won a Dolly magazine competition. He made his first on-screen appearance on 24 January 2007...
(Sam Clark
Sam Clark
-Studio albums:-Singles:-Music videos:-Filmography:-Awards and nominations:-External links:* on SoundCloud...
), is dead. Sam asks Donna if they can meet, but Donna turns her down. Sam later sees Donna's university lecturer fail her assignment and asks if she can buy her and Kate Ramsay
Kate Ramsay
Kate Ramsay is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Ashleigh Brewer. She made her first on-screen appearance on 15 May 2009. She is the eldest sibling of Harry and Sophie Ramsay...
(Ashleigh Brewer
Ashleigh Brewer
Ashleigh Brewer is an Australian actress. She is best known for playing Kate Ramsay in the long-running Australian soap opera Neighbours.-Biography and personal life:...
) tea. Sam talks to Kate about her witness statement and when she goes to Ramsay Street to talk to Paul, she sees Libby. Sam tells Karl
Karl Kennedy
Karl Raymond Kennedy is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Alan Fletcher. The character and his family were created by storyliners in an attempt to bring the show back to its roots. Karl made his first on-screen appearance on 20 September 1994 along with his...
(Alan Fletcher) and Susan Kennedy
Susan Kennedy
Susan Kennedy , is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Jackie Woodburne. The character and her family were created by storyliners in an attempt to bring the show back to its roots. Susan made her first on-screen appearance on 3 October 1994 along...
(Jackie Woodburne
Jackie Woodburne
Jackie Woodburne is a Northern Irish-born Australian actress.-Personal life:Woodburne was born in Carrickfergus, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Her father was a member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary. She has two older siblings: John and Stephen. At age three she emigrated with her family to...
) that she has recently lost her father and that she is sorry for what she did to them. Lucas then asks her to leave everyone alone. Libby warns Sam to stay away from her parents and Sam tells her that Dan is a new man now he is a father. Steph takes her away and tells her to back off. Sam later gives Steph some leaflets about children in prison. Toadie tells Sam that he will report her to the police and bar association
Bar association
A bar association is a professional body of lawyers. Some bar associations are responsible for the regulation of the legal profession in their jurisdiction; others are professional organizations dedicated to serving their members; in many cases, they are both...
for witness intimidation. Paul meets her in Charlie's and tells her that he wants to help Sam out and he will give her anything she wants. Sam later tells Paul that he needs to get Donna to attend the trial to upset Steph. However, Donna later realises what Paul is doing. Sam asks Karl and Susan to write victim impact statements and when she notices something is up between the couple, she talks to Susan and tells her that she will find out if something is wrong. When Libby is on the stand, Sam brings up Steph's relationship with Dan. Sam then launches a personal attack on Libby and Judge Willow (Jane Clifton
Jane Clifton
Jane Clifton is a Gibraltar-born actress and singer who lived as a child in Cardiff, Wales. In 1961 she emigrated to Perth, Australia. Her best known acting role is probably that of tough prison bookie Margo Gaffney in Prisoner...
) tells her to stop. The jury later deliver a guilty verdict. Donna has a go at Sam and says that the case was never about Ringo, but a chance for her to get back at Libby and Steph. The judge later gives Steph a six year prison sentence.
Reception
During Sam's first appearance the Daily RecordDaily Record (Scotland)
The Daily Record is a Scottish tabloid newspaper based in Glasgow. It had been the best-selling daily paper in Scotland for many years with a paid circulation in August 2011 of 307,794 . It is now outsold by its arch-rival the Scottish Sun which in September 2010 had a circulation of 339,586 in...
called her a "blonde beauty." A year later they said "We know we're supposed to feel sorry for people who are ill, but can somebody just tell Dan's ex-wife Sam to get knotted?" The paper revealed that they had "high hopes" that Sam was gone for good, but she had turned up again "like the proverbial bad penny." Television critic, Andrew Mercado, praised Buchanan's 2009 appearance in March 2010, saying "Simone Buchanan did a great turn last year on Neighbours as a crazed ex".