Serendipity Gottlieb
Encyclopedia
Serendipity "Ren" Gottlieb is a fictional character
from the Australian soap opera Neighbours
, played by Raelee Hill
. She made her first on-screen appearance on 25 August 1994. Serendipity is Stephen
and Mark Gottlieb's only sister. She is a hippy who arrives in Erinsborough to see Mark. During her time in the show she became good friends with Sam Kratz
and Annalise Hartman
, was almost beaten up by her boyfriend, became a designer and got engaged to Luke Handley
. Serendipity departed on 7 September 1995.
told TV Week
that they would be introducing a "younger, livelier look with six regular characters under the age of 18". It was then that they introduced the characters of Serendipity Gottlieb and Stonefish Rebecchi
(Anthony Engelman). Hill revealed that she was spotted by Neighbours casting director, Jan Russ
, during a break from filming on Blue Heelers
. Hill said "We got talking and she asked me to audition for the role of Serendipity Gottlieb." Hill later said "Apparently, I looked exactly how they imagined Serendipity to look so she suggested that I audition for the part and I got the job!" Hill was axed from Neighbours in 1995.
(Eliza Szonert
) on her fashion business, a change occurred in her personality. She begins driving a BMW
and "the power goes to her head."
When Luke Handley
(Bernard Curry
) is hassled by some guys at the Coffee Shop, Serendipity helps him out and they kiss. Of this development with their friendship, Hill said "They end up falling into bed together that evening. When they wake up the next morning, they realise that their relationship has changed forever." Luke and Serendipity try and take things slowly, but Serendipity is "certain about her feelings for Luke", while he is not sure. When Serendipity suggests they keep sleeping together and see other people, Luke has doubts. He has trouble making a commitment to Serendipity because of the death of his younger sister years before. Hill said that that has made him "afraid to get close to anyone." Luke and Serendipity eventually decide to begin a relationship and when Luke is offered a job in Japan, he proposes to Serendipity. She accepts and they leave Ramsay Street together. Hill added "After much talk, Luke realises that he does love Ren. They work out their differences and leave Ramsay Street as a couple."
(Dan Falzon
) are looking for a new housemate and Ren moves in straight away.
Ren strikes up a friendship with Sam Kratz
(Richard Grieve
) and they grow close. Sam meets Chip Kelly (Martin Crewes
) through the Erinsborough football team and he and Ren begin a relationship. Chip suffers from mood swings and Karl Kennedy
(Alan Fletcher)wonders if he is abusing steroids. Ren comes to the same realisation when she tries to stop his advances and he gets violent. Ren narrowly manages to escape without injury. When Ren gets home she tells the story to Sam, Mark and Annalise Hartman
(Kimberley Davies
). Sam goes and beats Chip up, which Ren disapproves of. Ren and Annalise then start up self-defence classes for the residents of Ramsay Street.
Ren helps to repair other people's relationships. She acts as a go-between for Rick and Cody Willis
(Peta Brady
) and Mark and Annalise. Her hippy background proves to be useful for Brett Stark
(Brett Blewitt
) when she helps him make a love potion. Ren agrees to be one of Annalise's bridesmaids at her wedding to Mark. Ren proves to be a friend for both her brother and Annalise after their wedding is called off, following Mark's revelation that he wants to become a priest.
Ren and Danni Stark begin making jewellery and start selling it. They build their business up after demand grows and Ren begins dating Kingston White (Simon Wilton). Ren begins to change and becomes very driven by business and making money. She and Danni get involved in the fashion world, but when Ren discovers that their clothes are being created in an illegal sweat shop, she is horrified. Ren breaks down and rips up her designs. Mark supports her during this time, as does Luke Handley. Ren realises that she is not cut out for the fashion industry and goes back to her old self. She also strikes up a friendship with Lucy Robinson
(Melissa Bell
). Ren and Luke begin a relationship, but they both find it difficult to take the step from friends to lovers. Mark falls from the roof of Number 22 and ends up in a coma, this reunites Ren and Luke and Luke proposes. Ren is shocked, but she accepts. Luke is offered a job in Japan and Ren decides to go with him. Their relationship does not last and Luke eventually returns to Erinsborough.
said Serendipity's most notable moment was "Discovering a sweat shop for illegal immigrants and shutting it down." Jessica Adams from The Sun-Herald
said Serendipity's name was "freakish."
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 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 Raelee Hill
Raelee Hill
Raelee Hill is an Australian actress best known for her roles in some of her country's most successful television series...
. She made her first on-screen appearance on 25 August 1994. Serendipity is Stephen
Stephen Gottlieb
Stephen Gottlieb is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Lochie Daddo. He made his first on-screen appearance on 12 October 1992.-Casting:...
and Mark Gottlieb's only sister. She is a hippy who arrives in Erinsborough to see Mark. During her time in the show she became good friends with Sam Kratz
Sam Kratz
Sam Kratz is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Richard Grieve. He first appeared in 1994 and remained in the show until 1996. In 2005, Sam made a cameo in his wife Annalise's documentary about Ramsay Street....
and Annalise Hartman
Annalise Hartman
Annalise Kratz is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Kimberley Davies. She debuted on-screen in the episode airing on 15 January 1993 and departed in 1996, and a brief return in 2005. Annalise has often been portrayed as having a conniving persona...
, was almost beaten up by her boyfriend, became a designer and got engaged to Luke Handley
Luke Handley
Luke Handley is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Bernard Curry. He made his first on-screen appearance on 7 March 1995. Luke's storylines included a brief fling with Libby Kennedy, a relationship with Serendipity Gottlieb, suffering a breakdown, being...
. Serendipity departed on 7 September 1995.
Casting
In 1994, Network TenNetwork 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...
told TV Week
TV Week
TV Week is a weekly television magazine in Australia, first published as a Melbourne-only publication in December 1957 , and bearing a strong affiliation to television station GTV.The publication is still publishing weekly...
that they would be introducing a "younger, livelier look with six regular characters under the age of 18". It was then that they introduced the characters of Serendipity Gottlieb and Stonefish Rebecchi
Stonefish Rebecchi
Kevin "Stonefish" Rebecchi is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap Neighbours, played by Anthony Engelman. He made his first appearance on 31 March 1994. Stonefish was the first of the Rebecchi family to appear and he was later followed by his mother, father and brothers. The...
(Anthony Engelman). Hill revealed that she was spotted by Neighbours casting director, Jan Russ
Jan Russ
Jan Russ is an Australian Casting director and actor best known for her work on the soap opera Neighbours from the show's beginning in 1985 to her departure in 2009. Russ was also the casting director on Prisoner until the show's cancellation...
, during a break from filming on Blue Heelers
Blue Heelers
Blue Heelers is an Australian police drama series which depicted the lives of police officers stationed at the fictional Mount Thomas police station in a small town in Victoria.- Overview :...
. Hill said "We got talking and she asked me to audition for the role of Serendipity Gottlieb." Hill later said "Apparently, I looked exactly how they imagined Serendipity to look so she suggested that I audition for the part and I got the job!" Hill was axed from Neighbours in 1995.
Character development
Hill said her character and her siblings all had a "fantastic upbringing." Serendipity is a "real bohemian and has a really great collection of crushed velvet smocks", which is a contrast to Mark. Hill added that playing Serendipity was "like taking a trip down memory lane" as she had been into the hippy lifestyle when she was a teenager. Serendipity enjoyed living in the hippy communes with her parents when she was a child and retained her beliefs in the healing properties of crystals and rebirth. She is described as "one of life's free spirits" and is ruled by her heart rather than her head. Serendipity was less conservative than the other Ramsay Street residents and she "brought a breath of fresh air" into her brother, Mark's life. When Serendipity begins to work with Danni StarkDanni Stark
Danielle "Danni" Stark is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Eliza Szonert. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 30 November 1993 and remained in the show until 13 November 1996, with a brief cameo in 2005 in Annalise Hartman's...
(Eliza Szonert
Eliza Szonert
Eliza Szonert is an Australian actress.Szonert is best known for playing Danni Stark in Australia's long-running soap opera, Neighbours, from 1993 to 1996. Szonert reprised the role in 2005 for the show's 20th anniversary....
) on her fashion business, a change occurred in her personality. She begins driving a BMW
BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
and "the power goes to her head."
When Luke Handley
Luke Handley
Luke Handley is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Bernard Curry. He made his first on-screen appearance on 7 March 1995. Luke's storylines included a brief fling with Libby Kennedy, a relationship with Serendipity Gottlieb, suffering a breakdown, being...
(Bernard Curry
Bernard Curry
Bernard Curry is a Sydney-based Australian actor, best known for his role in soap operas Neighbours and Home and Away.-Career:...
) is hassled by some guys at the Coffee Shop, Serendipity helps him out and they kiss. Of this development with their friendship, Hill said "They end up falling into bed together that evening. When they wake up the next morning, they realise that their relationship has changed forever." Luke and Serendipity try and take things slowly, but Serendipity is "certain about her feelings for Luke", while he is not sure. When Serendipity suggests they keep sleeping together and see other people, Luke has doubts. He has trouble making a commitment to Serendipity because of the death of his younger sister years before. Hill said that that has made him "afraid to get close to anyone." Luke and Serendipity eventually decide to begin a relationship and when Luke is offered a job in Japan, he proposes to Serendipity. She accepts and they leave Ramsay Street together. Hill added "After much talk, Luke realises that he does love Ren. They work out their differences and leave Ramsay Street as a couple."
Storylines
Serendipity arrives in Erinsborough after she had been working as a nanny in Amsterdam. The last time she had seen her brothers was at their mother's funeral. Mark is happy to have his sister around. Mark and Rick AlessiRick Alessi
Riccardo "Rick" Alessi is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Dan Falzon. He made his first on-screen appearance on 8 June 1992 and he remained until his departure on 9 March 1995.-Casting:...
(Dan Falzon
Dan Falzon
Dan Falzon is an Australian actor of Maltese descent, best known for his role as Rick Alessi on the television soap opera Neighbours. He also appeared in the Channel Nine drama The Alice, as a park ranger. He also formed the short lived pop group Milk with his brother, releasing the single...
) are looking for a new housemate and Ren moves in straight away.
Ren strikes up a friendship with Sam Kratz
Sam Kratz
Sam Kratz is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Richard Grieve. He first appeared in 1994 and remained in the show until 1996. In 2005, Sam made a cameo in his wife Annalise's documentary about Ramsay Street....
(Richard Grieve
Richard Grieve
Richard Grieve is an actor, currently living in England. He was born in Hong Kong. He has worked extensively in film, television, theatre and musical theatre, but is perhaps best known for his roles in the British soap Emmerdale, and two Australian television series, Neighbours and Home and...
) and they grow close. Sam meets Chip Kelly (Martin Crewes
Martin Crewes
-Early life:Crewes was born in London. He moved to Australia when he was 10 years of age, and attended the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, in Perth. Other notable graduates of WAAPA include Hugh Jackman, Lisa McCune and Frances O'Connor...
) through the Erinsborough football team and he and Ren begin a relationship. Chip suffers from mood swings and Karl Kennedy
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)wonders if he is abusing steroids. Ren comes to the same realisation when she tries to stop his advances and he gets violent. Ren narrowly manages to escape without injury. When Ren gets home she tells the story to Sam, Mark and Annalise Hartman
Annalise Hartman
Annalise Kratz is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Kimberley Davies. She debuted on-screen in the episode airing on 15 January 1993 and departed in 1996, and a brief return in 2005. Annalise has often been portrayed as having a conniving persona...
(Kimberley Davies
Kimberley Davies
Kimberley Davies is an Australian actress most famous for playing Annalise Hartman on the Australian soap opera Neighbours from 1993 to 1996...
). Sam goes and beats Chip up, which Ren disapproves of. Ren and Annalise then start up self-defence classes for the residents of Ramsay Street.
Ren helps to repair other people's relationships. She acts as a go-between for Rick and Cody Willis
Cody Willis
Cody Willis is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, originally played by Amelia Frid. She made her first on-screen appearance on 24 November 1989. The character departed in 1991, but returned in 1993 with Peta Brady in the role...
(Peta Brady
Peta Brady
Peta Brady is an Australian actress. She is best known for playing Cody Willis in the TV soap opera Neighbours. Since she left the show, Brady has appeared in the film Mullet, the TV sitcom Kath & Kim and the SBS series RAN ...
) and Mark and Annalise. Her hippy background proves to be useful for Brett Stark
Brett Stark
Brett Stark is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Brett Blewitt. He debuted in the episode airing on 30 November 1993, along with his sister, Danni Stark and remained as a regular in the show until 8 March 1996. Blewitt returned as Brett for five...
(Brett Blewitt
Brett Blewitt
Brett Blewitt, is an Australian actor who played Brett Stark on the Australian soap opera Neighbours from 1993 to 1996...
) when she helps him make a love potion. Ren agrees to be one of Annalise's bridesmaids at her wedding to Mark. Ren proves to be a friend for both her brother and Annalise after their wedding is called off, following Mark's revelation that he wants to become a priest.
Ren and Danni Stark begin making jewellery and start selling it. They build their business up after demand grows and Ren begins dating Kingston White (Simon Wilton). Ren begins to change and becomes very driven by business and making money. She and Danni get involved in the fashion world, but when Ren discovers that their clothes are being created in an illegal sweat shop, she is horrified. Ren breaks down and rips up her designs. Mark supports her during this time, as does Luke Handley. Ren realises that she is not cut out for the fashion industry and goes back to her old self. She also strikes up a friendship with Lucy Robinson
Lucy Robinson
Lucy Robinson is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Melissa Bell. She had previously been portrayed by Kylie Flinker and Sasha Close. She was created by producer Reg Watson as one of Neighbours' original characters. Lucy was a prominent figure...
(Melissa Bell
Melissa Bell (actress)
Melissa Bell is an Australian actress and singer. She was the third actor to play Lucy Robinson in soap opera Neighbours....
). Ren and Luke begin a relationship, but they both find it difficult to take the step from friends to lovers. Mark falls from the roof of Number 22 and ends up in a coma, this reunites Ren and Luke and Luke proposes. Ren is shocked, but she accepts. Luke is offered a job in Japan and Ren decides to go with him. Their relationship does not last and Luke eventually returns to Erinsborough.
Reception
The BBCBBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
said Serendipity's most notable moment was "Discovering a sweat shop for illegal immigrants and shutting it down." Jessica Adams from The Sun-Herald
The Sun-Herald
The Sun-Herald is an Australian tabloid newspaper published on Sundays in Sydney by Fairfax Media. It is the Sunday counterpart of The Sydney Morning Herald. In the 6 months to September 2005, The Sun-Herald had a circulation of 515,000...
said Serendipity's name was "freakish."