Stephanie Scully
Encyclopedia
Stephanie Jo "Steph" Scully (previously Hoyland) 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. Steph's storylines have included marrying Max Hoyland
, becoming a stepmother to his children Boyd
and Summer
, battling breast cancer, pregnancy, victim of a stabbing and infidelity. She has proven popular with viewers. Following Bonner's decision to quit the show after eleven years, Steph departed on 24 November 2010.
(Janet Andrewartha
) and Joe
(Shane Connor
) and her younger sisters Felicity
(Holly Valance
) and Michelle
(Kate Keltie
). Stephanie was said to be twenty years old and into leathers and motorbikes.
In September 1999, Inside Soap
reported that Emma Roche
had joined the cast of Neighbours as Stephanie. However, Roche unexpectedly quit the role after three weeks. When Carla Bonner dropped by to see her agent, she was on the phone to the Neighbours casting director, Jan Russ
. Russ asked to see Bonner straightaway for an audition for the part of Stephanie. Bonner had little acting experience, having appeared in television bit parts, but she went over to Russ' office and was given a script for a cold read
. She was asked to go to the studio the next day, where she auditioned again. She then received a call to say she had got the part. Bonner had to learn nineteen scenes by the next day and develop the character of Stephanie quickly. Four days after her audition with Russ, she began filming. Bonner filmed three weeks worth of scenes in one week.
said Steph is "one of the most dependable characters on the street." TV Week
describe Steph as being "more into Grand Prix
racing than girly stuff, but that hasn't stopped her from having her fair share of weddings and more than her fair share of romantic dramas". They also add that she is has proven to be a loyal friend, a great mother to Charlie and a great stepmother.
(Stephen Lovatt
) and Toadfish Rebecchi
(Ryan Moloney
) were main focal points in her storylining. Steph is strong, but the breakdown of her marriage nearly destroyed her. Of Max's departure and the effect it has on Steph, Bonner stated during an interview with television magaizine What's on TV
: "Torn. She still loves him but she's also angry with him. I think she wants to move on because she knows she has to prepare herself for the fact he might never come home." Steph's best friend Toadie gives her a shoulder to cry on, they later start a relationship. Bonner further discusses their relationship in the same interview adding: "Steph and Toadie have been friends for years, but it’s never extended beyond friendship. Until now [...] I think it's inevitable when you start spending so much time with someone that after a while they just fit into your life. Toadie’s been a fantastic support to Steph, there every step of the way."
Describing the developments in Steph and Toadie's relationship during 2008, Dan Bennet speaking for Newtwork Ten states: "Steph has already agreed to a long engagement with Toadie, but she's not ready to marry. This relationship will reach a massive fork in the road early in the new year. Toadie will force Steph to decide what she wants from this relationship."
Bonner called the reaction to the storyline and the amount of publicity the condition gained "amazing". She revealed that she had received letters from members of the public complimenting her performance. She said "People seem to be so appreciative of the awareness that I seem to have raised". Bonner's doctor back home in Australia also told her that she would be amazed at the amount of awareness the storyline would raise. Executive producer Ric Pellizzeri revealed that a female viewer had sent in a letter of thanks for the cancer storyline, after she copied a breast examination that Steph had done and found a cancerous lump. Viewers watched Steph going through treatment for the cancer and it eventually went into remission. However, the cancer later returned while Steph was pregnant and she almost died after deciding to give birth before beginning treatment again.
, said "I'm very sad that Carla is leaving us and she knows the door is always open for Steph to return to Ramsay Street". Bonner began filming her last scenes in September and she said that she was feeling "very emotional" about leaving. Bonner said Steph's exit storyline was not what viewers would have imagined. She said "It's so out of the character, however the storyline is so strong and supports the outcome". Bonner added that Bower has made it possible for her to return in the future.
with her family. The move helps her get over her failed relationship with Larry "Woody" Woodhouse (Andrew Curry
), who was is jail for armed robbery. Steph immediately attracts the attentions of Toadfish Rebecchi and Lance Wilkinson
(Andrew Bibby
), but she falls for Drew Kirk
(Dan Paris
). Steph becomes good friends with Drew's girlfriend, Libby Kennedy
(Kym Valentine
). Steph and Libby are knocked off Steph's bike by Brendan Bell (Blair Venn
). Steph comes away with torn ligaments, but Libby is left in a critical condition, which causes Steph to become depressed. Libby and Drew break up, but Steph is upset when Drew admits he still loves Libby. Steph then briefly dates Daniel Fitzgerald
(Brett Tucker
). Steph agrees to run away with Woody after he is released from prison. While she is getting drinks for them, Woody suddenly takes off in the car and crashes. Steph is prevented from pulling Woody out of the resulting fire. Steph dates Woody's friend, Mitch Foster (Hugh Sexton), and Woody returns, having been in hiding. Steph tells them both to leave.
Steph begins a relationship with Marc Lambert (David Karakai) and they become engaged. During the wedding, Marc looks at Felicity and Steph realises that he loves her sister. Steph refuses to forgive Felicity and goes to stay with Libby and Drew. Steph befriends Summer Hoyland
(Marisa Siketa
) and her father, Max. Steph and Max agree to be friends and she starts dating Alex Argenzio (Marco Pio Venturini). However, Steph realises that she loves Max and they begin a relationship. After finding a lump in her breast, Steph is told that she has cancer. Steph struggles to cope with the news and ends her relationship with Max. They later reunite and Steph proposes to Max, who accepts. The couple get married in a park. Steph helps her brother, Jack
(Jay Bunyan), through his drug problem. Steph sits with her grandfather, Charlie (Cliff Ellen
), until he dies. Steph adjusts his pillow, just as Lyn and her brother, Michael (David Paterson), walk in. Michael accuses Steph of murder and she is arrested. Steph is found guilty and given a suspended sentence.
Max and Steph decide to adopt and they meet Kayla Thomas (Virginia Ryan
), who decides to give them her unborn child. Kayla later decides to keep her baby. Steph discovers that she is pregnant. She starts having dreams about Drew and realises that her cancer has returned. Steph refuses treatment for her child's health. Steph gives birth to a son, who she and Max name Charlie. Steph then undergoes treatment for cancer and after radiotherapy, she is given the all clear. Max accidentally kills Cameron Robinson (Adam Hunter
) and his behaviour changes. He admits himself to a psychiatric ward and later leaves town. Steph kisses Toadie and after he is shot, she confesses to Susan Kennedy
(Jackie Woodburne
) that she loves him. Max returns and Steph decides to give their marriage another chance, but they realise that things can not go back to how they were and Max leaves.
Toadie and Steph begin a relationship and Steph takes over Max's bar, renaming it Charlie's. Steph also wins a place on the local council. Toadie proposes, but Steph turns him down. She later changes her mind. During the wedding, Steph stumbles over her vows and Toadie calls the whole thing off. Steph then asks Libby and Ty Harper
(Dean Geyer
) to move in with her. Steph begins dating Jay Duncan (Charlie Clausen
). During a picnic in a national park, a bush fire is started. Toadie becomes suspicious of Jay and he discovers that Jay had previously saved a few young mothers from fires. Jay takes Steph and Charlie to a cabin in the country and Steph discovers that Jay was responsible for the fires. She manages to sneak Charlie out of the house and Toadie rescues Steph. Jay is later arrested.
Steph decides that she wants to spend more time with her son and she sells Charlie's to Elle Robinson (Pippa Black
), who installs Rebecca Napier
(Jane Hall
) as manager. Steph later returns to working at the garage with Lucas Fitzgerald
(Scott Major
). Steph meets Greg Michaels (Nick Farnell) online and they begin dating. They break up when Steph discovers he has a wife and he becomes jealous over her friendships with other men. Lyn returns to Ramsay Street and persuades Steph to buy Number 26. Steph develops feelings for Lucas. After seeing Libby kiss Lucas, Steph goes to Charlie's and runs into Dan. Dan kisses Steph and they have sex, which leaves them both feeling guilty. Lucas is involved in an accident and Steph supports him and encourages him to attend rehab. Lucas tells her that he loves her, but Steph rejects him. After Lucas professes his love for her again, Steph tells him she loves him too.
Steph suddenly leaves Ramsay Street and she tells Toadie that she is pregnant with Dan's child. Toadie agrees to help Steph and they tell their friends and family that they are back together. Steph's pregnancy is later revealed. Steph finds a lump in her breast and fears that her cancer has returned. She goes to the hospital for a biopsy. When Lyn tries to take control, Toadie suggests to Steph that they get married. Steph notices how upset Toadie is after he learns that his former girlfriend, Sonya
(Eve Morey
), is leaving. Steph tells Sonya to stay and reveals the truth about the wedding and the baby. Steph discovers that Dan has been involved in an accident and tells him about the baby. Paul Robinson
(Stefan Dennis
) records the conversation and plays it at Charlie's, just as Libby walks in. Libby is devastated and tells Steph to stay away from her. During an argument, Steph collapses from high blood pressure. She decides to stay with her father for a while and she gives birth to a baby boy. Steph hands the baby over to Dan, who names him Adam.
Steph runs into Woody and they catch up. Lyn worries that Steph is suffering from post-natal depression and tries to stage an intervention. Libby goes to find her and they talk, but Steph becomes angry and leaves on her motorbike. She hits Ringo Brown
(Sam Clark
) and he dies. Steph is charged with driving in a dangerous manner, driving under the influence of alcohol and culpable driving. Charlie goes missing during Halloween and he is found by Samantha Fitzgerald
(Simone Buchanan
). Sam reveals that she is back to prosecute Steph's court case and Steph asks Toadie to be her lawyer. Steph asks Toadie to keep her out of jail and to arrange joint custody of Adam. The jury find Steph guilty. Lucas asks Steph to run away with him, but she turns him down. Steph is then sentenced to six years in prison. A few months later, she is moved to a low security prison in Bendigo.
, Bonner was nominated for "Best Actress" and the storyline, which saw Steph getting jilted at the altar by Toadie was nominated for "Best Storyline". The following year saw Bonner nominated for "Sexiest Female".
In June 2002, Steph came first in a poll run by Newsround
to find viewers' favourite Neighbours character. She received 34.85% of the vote. Robin Oliver writing for The Sydney Morning Herald
said he was compelled to watch Steph and Max's wedding, because it was twenty minutes of "good fun".
In 2007, Australian newspaper Herald Sun
placed Steph's discovery of her fiance and sister's affair at number four on their list of Neighbours Top Ten moments. They said "Steph and Marc had a quick engagement, but in the meantime Marc fell in love with Flick. Flick tried but couldn't hide the fact that she also loved her sister's betrothed. Steph and Marc made it all the way to the alter, but after she said "I do", he replied: "I can't, I'm in love with your sister." Priceless". In a feature by Virgin Media
dedicated to television "yummy mummies", Steph was placed fifth on the list. Virgin Media said "After several ups and downs and a battle with illness, Neighbours glam mummy Steph (played by Carla Bonner), gave birth to baby Charlie in 2006".
In 2010, Steph was voted viewers favourite Neighbours character in a survey carried out by website Yahoo!
. Yahoo!'s TV editor, Paul Johnston said: "Steph has beaten some classic soap favourites to take the lead spot as the nation's favourite Neighbours character". Johnston also added "By witnessing her develop from the tomboy with a passion for motorbikes to a loving mother she has been a regular in people's living rooms for over a decade".
Ruth Deller of television website Lowculture
was negative towards the character, saying "She used to be awesome, way back when the Scully family arrived, but the departure of her whole family, her not-that-convincing relationships with Max and Toadie and her lack of useful storylines have meant she’s felt like a spare part on the street for ages". In July 2010, Deller placed Steph at number five on her list of worst characters of the last seven months. She said "Steph's decline over the past few years has been pretty heartbreaking for those of us who remember the sassy, pretty, smart young woman that she was when the Scully family first arrived on Ramsay Street. Since then, she's had a tedious love life, been miraculously cured of cancer (which in true Neighbours-style could definitely return if she had a baby and could then definitely return again if she had an abortion), been ruined by marriage to the insufferable Max Hoyland (who we still haven't forgiven for murdering CamRob), had an unbelievable romance with best mate Toadie and an even more unbelievable friendship with Libby (when clearly the characters hate each other, and it's more of a 'frenemy' thing)".
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 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...
. She made her first on-screen appearance on 21 October 1999. Stephanie is the eldest daughter of Joe
Joe Scully
Joe Scully is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Shane Connor. He made his first on-screen appearance on 20 October 1999, along with his family.-Casting:...
and Lyn Scully
Lyn 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...
and the mother to a son, Charlie. Steph's storylines have included marrying Max Hoyland
Max Hoyland
Max Hoyland is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Stephen Lovatt. He made his first appearance on 22 August 2002 and departed on 16 February 2007.-Casting:...
, becoming a stepmother to his children Boyd
Boyd Hoyland
Boyd Hoyland is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Kyal Marsh. He made his first on-screen appearance on 5 June 2002...
and Summer
Summer Hoyland
Summer Rose Hoyland is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Jordy Lucas. She made her first on-screen appearance on 20 May 2002. The character was originally played by Marisa Siketa from her arrival to her departure in 2005 and her subsequent...
, battling breast cancer, pregnancy, victim of a stabbing and infidelity. She has proven popular with viewers. Following Bonner's decision to quit the show after eleven years, Steph departed on 24 November 2010.
Character creation and casting
The Scully family were created and introduced to Neighbours following the departure of Martin family. The character of Stephanie was created along with her mother and father, LynLyn 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:...
) and Joe
Joe Scully
Joe Scully is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Shane Connor. He made his first on-screen appearance on 20 October 1999, along with his family.-Casting:...
(Shane Connor
Shane Connor
Shane Connor is an Australian actor, who has had extensive experience in both stage and film productions.-Background:Shane Connor graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts in the early 1980s...
) and her younger sisters Felicity
Felicity Scully
Felicity Jane "Flick" Scully is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Holly Valance. She made her first on-screen appearance on 21 October 1999 and she departed on 28 November 2002....
(Holly Valance
Holly Valance
Holly Valance is an Australian actress, singer, and model, who has dual United Kingdom citizenship. Valance began her career as Felicity "Flick" Scully on the Australian soap opera Neighbours...
) and Michelle
Michelle Scully
Michelle Scully is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Kate Keltie. She made her first on-screen appearance on 21 October 1999 when she and her family moved into Ramsay Street...
(Kate Keltie
Kate Keltie
Kate Keltie is an Australian actress.Born in Melbourne, Keltie played the role of Michelle Scully in the Australian television soap opera Neighbours between 1999 and 2003, as well as a brief return in 2004. She also appeared in Thunderstone and as Bec Cleary in Blue Heelers in 2004.-External links:...
). Stephanie was said to be twenty years old and into leathers and motorbikes.
In September 1999, Inside Soap
Inside Soap
Inside Soap is a weekly UK magazine, released every Tuesday. It covers current and future storylines in soap operas shown in the United Kingdom....
reported that Emma Roche
Emma Roche
Emma Roche is an Australian actress.She began modelling at the age of four, and appeared in several commercials. Her first significant acting role was as Danielle in Heartbreak High. After leaving the show, she worked in London, appearing in several plays...
had joined the cast of Neighbours as Stephanie. However, Roche unexpectedly quit the role after three weeks. When Carla Bonner dropped by to see her agent, she was on the phone to the 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...
. Russ asked to see Bonner straightaway for an audition for the part of Stephanie. Bonner had little acting experience, having appeared in television bit parts, but she went over to Russ' office and was given a script for a cold read
Cold reading (theatrical)
Cold reading is a term used by actors and other performers in theatre, television, film, and performance fields. A cold reading is a reading aloud from a script or other text without any rehearsal, practice or study in advance...
. She was asked to go to the studio the next day, where she auditioned again. She then received a call to say she had got the part. Bonner had to learn nineteen scenes by the next day and develop the character of Stephanie quickly. Four days after her audition with Russ, she began filming. Bonner filmed three weeks worth of scenes in one week.
Characterisation
Steph is the only original member of the Scully family to have remained on the street. Steph is a tomboy with a passion for mechanics and motorbikes. Holy SoapHoly Soap
Holy Soap is a UK television and entertainment website founded in June 2009 by the British television company Channel 5. The website is the official UK home of the Australian soap operas Home and Away and Neighbours, which are broadcast on the channel...
said Steph is "one of the most dependable characters on the street." 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...
describe Steph as being "more into Grand Prix
Grand Prix motor racing
Grand Prix motor racing has its roots in organised automobile racing that began in France as far back as 1894. It quickly evolved from a simple road race from one town to the next, to endurance tests for car and driver...
racing than girly stuff, but that hasn't stopped her from having her fair share of weddings and more than her fair share of romantic dramas". They also add that she is has proven to be a loyal friend, a great mother to Charlie and a great stepmother.
Relationships
Steph's later relationships with Max HoylandMax Hoyland
Max Hoyland is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Stephen Lovatt. He made his first appearance on 22 August 2002 and departed on 16 February 2007.-Casting:...
(Stephen Lovatt
Stephen Lovatt
Stephen Lovatt is a New Zealand actor, best known for his portrayal of the character Max Hoyland on the Australian soap Neighbours.-Career:...
) and Toadfish Rebecchi
Toadfish Rebecchi
Jarrod Vincenzo Rebecchi is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Ryan Moloney. He debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 8 February 1995....
(Ryan Moloney
Ryan Moloney
Ryan Moloney is an Australian actor best known for his portrayal of the fictional character Jarrod "Toadfish" Rebecchi in the Australian soap opera Neighbours.-Before Neighbours:...
) were main focal points in her storylining. Steph is strong, but the breakdown of her marriage nearly destroyed her. Of Max's departure and the effect it has on Steph, Bonner stated during an interview with television magaizine What's on TV
What's On TV
What's on TV is a weekly television listings magazine published by IPC Media, a Time Warner subsidiary.-Overview:What's on TV is a weekly UK television magazine. It publishes features, TV listings, news and gossip from soap operas, as well as puzzles and competitions...
: "Torn. She still loves him but she's also angry with him. I think she wants to move on because she knows she has to prepare herself for the fact he might never come home." Steph's best friend Toadie gives her a shoulder to cry on, they later start a relationship. Bonner further discusses their relationship in the same interview adding: "Steph and Toadie have been friends for years, but it’s never extended beyond friendship. Until now [...] I think it's inevitable when you start spending so much time with someone that after a while they just fit into your life. Toadie’s been a fantastic support to Steph, there every step of the way."
Describing the developments in Steph and Toadie's relationship during 2008, Dan Bennet speaking for Newtwork Ten states: "Steph has already agreed to a long engagement with Toadie, but she's not ready to marry. This relationship will reach a massive fork in the road early in the new year. Toadie will force Steph to decide what she wants from this relationship."
Breast cancer
One the biggest storylines for Steph saw her being diagnosed with breast cancer. Bonner wanted to play the scenes with honesty and said that "it was important that Steph went through the whole thing". Bonner prepared for the storyline by researching the condition. She said "It wasn't something I was going to take lightly it was something very serious. It was important to raise awareness and important not to offend anybody". Bonner also turned to a family friend who had survived breast cancer and asked her questions about the condition. However, with other aspects of the condition, like hair loss, Bonner had to find her "own truth". The storyline was exhausting for Bonner, but it gave her a chance to show a different side to her character and it became a "rewarding personal challenge". On Steph's reaction to the cancer, Bonner said "It's just a huge learning curve and it's a huge life experience".Bonner called the reaction to the storyline and the amount of publicity the condition gained "amazing". She revealed that she had received letters from members of the public complimenting her performance. She said "People seem to be so appreciative of the awareness that I seem to have raised". Bonner's doctor back home in Australia also told her that she would be amazed at the amount of awareness the storyline would raise. Executive producer Ric Pellizzeri revealed that a female viewer had sent in a letter of thanks for the cancer storyline, after she copied a breast examination that Steph had done and found a cancerous lump. Viewers watched Steph going through treatment for the cancer and it eventually went into remission. However, the cancer later returned while Steph was pregnant and she almost died after deciding to give birth before beginning treatment again.
Departure
In June 2010, it was announced that Bonner was to leave Neighbours after 11 years on the show. On her departure, Neighbours executive producer, Susan BowerSusan 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 "I'm very sad that Carla is leaving us and she knows the door is always open for Steph to return to Ramsay Street". Bonner began filming her last scenes in September and she said that she was feeling "very emotional" about leaving. Bonner said Steph's exit storyline was not what viewers would have imagined. She said "It's so out of the character, however the storyline is so strong and supports the outcome". Bonner added that Bower has made it possible for her to return in the future.
Storylines
Steph arrives in Ramsay StreetRamsay 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 around the residents of the Street, which was named after the...
with her family. The move helps her get over her failed relationship with Larry "Woody" Woodhouse (Andrew Curry
Andrew Curry
Andrew Curry is an Australian comedian and actor who has appeared in many television drama and comedy series, and in feature films....
), who was is jail for armed robbery. Steph immediately attracts the attentions of Toadfish Rebecchi and Lance Wilkinson
Lance Wilkinson
Lance Charles Wilkinson is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Andrew Bibby. He made his first on-screen appearance on 3 October 1995. Bibby was cast in the recurring role of Lance after an audition. After a year, Bibby auditioned for another character called...
(Andrew Bibby
Andrew Bibby
Andrew Bibby , in Melbourne, Victoria, is an Australian actor who played Lance Wilkinson on the Australian soap opera Neighbours in 1995, 1996–2001 and in 2005...
), but she falls for Drew Kirk
Drew Kirk
Andrew "Drew" Kirk is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Dan Paris. He made his first on-screen appearance on 27 March 1998. Drew departed on 13 September 2002...
(Dan Paris
Dan Paris
Dan Paris is an Australian actor. He is best known for playing the role of Drew Kirk in the Australian soap opera Neighbours.Paris was born in Perth, Australia and was raised in Esperance in Western Australia....
). Steph becomes good friends with Drew's girlfriend, 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:...
). Steph and Libby are knocked off Steph's bike by Brendan Bell (Blair Venn
Blair Venn
Blair Venn is an Australian actor who is best known for his role on the television series Head Start as Garrett Quinn. He has also appeared in two short stints on the Australian soap opera Neighbours as Brendan Bell and Richard Aaronow. His other television credits include Satisfaction, All Saints,...
). Steph comes away with torn ligaments, but Libby is left in a critical condition, which causes Steph to become depressed. Libby and Drew break up, but Steph is upset when Drew admits he still loves Libby. Steph then briefly dates Daniel Fitzgerald
Daniel 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...
). Steph agrees to run away with Woody after he is released from prison. While she is getting drinks for them, Woody suddenly takes off in the car and crashes. Steph is prevented from pulling Woody out of the resulting fire. Steph dates Woody's friend, Mitch Foster (Hugh Sexton), and Woody returns, having been in hiding. Steph tells them both to leave.
Steph begins a relationship with Marc Lambert (David Karakai) and they become engaged. During the wedding, Marc looks at Felicity and Steph realises that he loves her sister. Steph refuses to forgive Felicity and goes to stay with Libby and Drew. Steph befriends Summer Hoyland
Summer Hoyland
Summer Rose Hoyland is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Jordy Lucas. She made her first on-screen appearance on 20 May 2002. The character was originally played by Marisa Siketa from her arrival to her departure in 2005 and her subsequent...
(Marisa Siketa
Marisa Siketa
Marisa Julia Siketa is an Australian actress who played Summer Hoyland on the Australian soap opera Neighbours from 2002 to 2007.-Acting career:...
) and her father, Max. Steph and Max agree to be friends and she starts dating Alex Argenzio (Marco Pio Venturini). However, Steph realises that she loves Max and they begin a relationship. After finding a lump in her breast, Steph is told that she has cancer. Steph struggles to cope with the news and ends her relationship with Max. They later reunite and Steph proposes to Max, who accepts. The couple get married in a park. Steph helps her brother, Jack
Jack Scully
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...
(Jay Bunyan), through his drug problem. Steph sits with her grandfather, Charlie (Cliff Ellen
Cliff Ellen
Cliff Ellen is an Australian actor who played a prominent guest role on soap opera Neighbours as Charlie Cassidy. His first role was in Homicide. His credits include Crackerjack, Garbo, and Phar Lap...
), until he dies. Steph adjusts his pillow, just as Lyn and her brother, Michael (David Paterson), walk in. Michael accuses Steph of murder and she is arrested. Steph is found guilty and given a suspended sentence.
Max and Steph decide to adopt and they meet Kayla Thomas (Virginia Ryan
Virginia Ryan
Virginia Ryan is an Australian actor who played the recurring character of Kayla Thomas in the Australian soap opera Neighbours. She also played Trish Jenkins in the Australian-New Zealand children's show, Holly's Heroes.-Son CV de 2010 :...
), who decides to give them her unborn child. Kayla later decides to keep her baby. Steph discovers that she is pregnant. She starts having dreams about Drew and realises that her cancer has returned. Steph refuses treatment for her child's health. Steph gives birth to a son, who she and Max name Charlie. Steph then undergoes treatment for cancer and after radiotherapy, she is given the all clear. Max accidentally kills Cameron Robinson (Adam Hunter
Adam Hunter (actor)
Adam Hunter is an Australian actor.Hunter studied acting at the University of Southern Queensland . He is best known for his work on the long-running Australian soap opera Neighbours, in which he appeared in the dual role of twin brothers Robert and Cameron Robinson in 2006...
) and his behaviour changes. He admits himself to a psychiatric ward and later leaves town. Steph kisses Toadie and after he is shot, she confesses to 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 loves him. Max returns and Steph decides to give their marriage another chance, but they realise that things can not go back to how they were and Max leaves.
Toadie and Steph begin a relationship and Steph takes over Max's bar, renaming it Charlie's. Steph also wins a place on the local council. Toadie proposes, but Steph turns him down. She later changes her mind. During the wedding, Steph stumbles over her vows and Toadie calls the whole thing off. Steph then asks Libby and Ty Harper
Ty Harper
Ty Harper is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by singer Dean Geyer. He made his first appearance on-screen on 27 March 2008. He was introduced to the show as the cousin of Taylah Jordan and as a potential romantic interest for Rachel Kinski...
(Dean Geyer
Dean Geyer
Dean Stanley Geyer is an Australian Singer-Songwriter and Actor who came third in the 2006 season of the talent show television series, Australian Idol.-Early life:...
) to move in with her. Steph begins dating Jay Duncan (Charlie Clausen
Charlie Clausen
Charlie Clausen is an Australian actor most known for his role as Jake Harrison on McLeod's Daughters in 2003 and as Acting Sergeant Alex Kirby on the police drama series Blue Heelers, which he starred in for the majority of Season 12 and Season 13...
). During a picnic in a national park, a bush fire is started. Toadie becomes suspicious of Jay and he discovers that Jay had previously saved a few young mothers from fires. Jay takes Steph and Charlie to a cabin in the country and Steph discovers that Jay was responsible for the fires. She manages to sneak Charlie out of the house and Toadie rescues Steph. Jay is later arrested.
Steph decides that she wants to spend more time with her son and she sells Charlie's to 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:...
), who installs Rebecca Napier
Rebecca Napier
Rebecca Jane Robinson , is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten 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...
(Jane Hall
Jane Hall (actress)
Jane Hall is an Australian actress and comedian.-Biography:Born in Melbourne, Hall grew up in the Dandenong Ranges....
) as manager. Steph later returns to working at the garage with 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...
). Steph meets Greg Michaels (Nick Farnell) online and they begin dating. They break up when Steph discovers he has a wife and he becomes jealous over her friendships with other men. Lyn returns to Ramsay Street and persuades Steph to buy Number 26. Steph develops feelings for Lucas. After seeing Libby kiss Lucas, Steph goes to Charlie's and runs into Dan. Dan kisses Steph and they have sex, which leaves them both feeling guilty. Lucas is involved in an accident and Steph supports him and encourages him to attend rehab. Lucas tells her that he loves her, but Steph rejects him. After Lucas professes his love for her again, Steph tells him she loves him too.
Steph suddenly leaves Ramsay Street and she tells Toadie that she is pregnant with Dan's child. Toadie agrees to help Steph and they tell their friends and family that they are back together. Steph's pregnancy is later revealed. Steph finds a lump in her breast and fears that her cancer has returned. She goes to the hospital for a biopsy. When Lyn tries to take control, Toadie suggests to Steph that they get married. Steph notices how upset Toadie is after he learns that his former girlfriend, Sonya
Sonya Mitchell
Sonya Mitchell is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Eve Morey. She made her first on-screen appearance on 14 August 2009. Sonya was initially a recurring character, but Morey was promoted to regular cast member in July 2010...
(Eve Morey
Eve Morey
Eve Morey is an Australian actress best known for playing Sonya Mitchell in the soap opera Neighbours.-Career:Morey majored in drama and media studies, while undertaking a Bachelor of Arts Degree at Deakin University...
), is leaving. Steph tells Sonya to stay and reveals the truth about the wedding and the baby. Steph discovers that Dan has been involved in an accident and tells him about the baby. 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...
) records the conversation and plays it at Charlie's, just as Libby walks in. Libby is devastated and tells Steph to stay away from her. During an argument, Steph collapses from high blood pressure. She decides to stay with her father for a while and she gives birth to a baby boy. Steph hands the baby over to Dan, who names him Adam.
Steph runs into Woody and they catch up. Lyn worries that Steph is suffering from post-natal depression and tries to stage an intervention. Libby goes to find her and they talk, but Steph becomes angry and leaves on her motorbike. She hits 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...
) and he dies. Steph is charged with driving in a dangerous manner, driving under the influence of alcohol and culpable driving. Charlie goes missing during Halloween and he is found by Samantha Fitzgerald
Samantha Fitzgerald
Samantha "Sam" Fitzgerald 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...
(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....
). Sam reveals that she is back to prosecute Steph's court case and Steph asks Toadie to be her lawyer. Steph asks Toadie to keep her out of jail and to arrange joint custody of Adam. The jury find Steph guilty. Lucas asks Steph to run away with him, but she turns him down. Steph is then sentenced to six years in prison. A few months later, she is moved to a low security prison in Bendigo.
Reception
At the 2008 Inside Soap AwardsInside Soap Awards
The Inside Soap Awards is a yearly award ceremony run by Inside Soap magazine since 1996. The awards celebrate the British and Australian soap operas and their actors. Until 2007, EastEnders had won the award for "Best Soap" on every occasion...
, Bonner was nominated for "Best Actress" and the storyline, which saw Steph getting jilted at the altar by Toadie was nominated for "Best Storyline". The following year saw Bonner nominated for "Sexiest Female".
In June 2002, Steph came first in a poll run by Newsround
Newsround
Newsround is a BBC children's news programme, which has run continuously since 4 April 1972, and was one of the world's first television news magazines aimed specifically at children...
to find viewers' favourite Neighbours character. She received 34.85% of the vote. Robin Oliver writing for The Sydney Morning Herald
The Sydney Morning Herald
The Sydney Morning Herald is a daily broadsheet newspaper published by Fairfax Media in Sydney, Australia. Founded in 1831 as the Sydney Herald, the SMH is the oldest continuously published newspaper in Australia. The newspaper is published six days a week. The newspaper's Sunday counterpart, The...
said he was compelled to watch Steph and Max's wedding, because it was twenty minutes of "good fun".
In 2007, Australian newspaper 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...
placed Steph's discovery of her fiance and sister's affair at number four on their list of Neighbours Top Ten moments. They said "Steph and Marc had a quick engagement, but in the meantime Marc fell in love with Flick. Flick tried but couldn't hide the fact that she also loved her sister's betrothed. Steph and Marc made it all the way to the alter, but after she said "I do", he replied: "I can't, I'm in love with your sister." Priceless". In a feature by Virgin Media
Virgin Media
Virgin Media Inc. is a company which provides fixed and mobile telephone, television and broadband internet services to businesses and consumers in the United Kingdom...
dedicated to television "yummy mummies", Steph was placed fifth on the list. Virgin Media said "After several ups and downs and a battle with illness, Neighbours glam mummy Steph (played by Carla Bonner), gave birth to baby Charlie in 2006".
In 2010, Steph was voted viewers favourite Neighbours character in a survey carried out by website Yahoo!
Yahoo!
Yahoo! Inc. is an American multinational internet corporation headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, United States. The company is perhaps best known for its web portal, search engine , Yahoo! Directory, Yahoo! Mail, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Groups, Yahoo! Answers, advertising, online mapping ,...
. Yahoo!'s TV editor, Paul Johnston said: "Steph has beaten some classic soap favourites to take the lead spot as the nation's favourite Neighbours character". Johnston also added "By witnessing her develop from the tomboy with a passion for motorbikes to a loving mother she has been a regular in people's living rooms for over a decade".
Ruth Deller of television website Lowculture
Lowculture
lowculture.co.uk is a UK television website founded in January 2003 by Paul Lang, who currently works as the art director of Doctor Who Adventures.-Purpose:...
was negative towards the character, saying "She used to be awesome, way back when the Scully family arrived, but the departure of her whole family, her not-that-convincing relationships with Max and Toadie and her lack of useful storylines have meant she’s felt like a spare part on the street for ages". In July 2010, Deller placed Steph at number five on her list of worst characters of the last seven months. She said "Steph's decline over the past few years has been pretty heartbreaking for those of us who remember the sassy, pretty, smart young woman that she was when the Scully family first arrived on Ramsay Street. Since then, she's had a tedious love life, been miraculously cured of cancer (which in true Neighbours-style could definitely return if she had a baby and could then definitely return again if she had an abortion), been ruined by marriage to the insufferable Max Hoyland (who we still haven't forgiven for murdering CamRob), had an unbelievable romance with best mate Toadie and an even more unbelievable friendship with Libby (when clearly the characters hate each other, and it's more of a 'frenemy' thing)".