| Lucas Fitzgerald | |||||||||||
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| Neighbours character | |||||||||||
| Portrayed by | Scott Major | ||||||||||
| Introduced by | Susan Bower | ||||||||||
| Duration | 2008— | ||||||||||
| First appearance | 22 July 2008 | ||||||||||
| Classification | Current, regular | ||||||||||
| Profile | |||||||||||
| Home | 24 Ramsay Street | ||||||||||
| Occupation | Mechanic Photographer Technical Teacher at Erinsborough High (2010–) |
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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 Fitzgerald. His storylines have included re-connecting with his brother, fighting a Gambling addiction, relationships with Elle Robinson and Stephanie Scully, being injured in a motorbike accident and getting involved in illegal street racing. Lucas has been described as being a bit of a "bad boy".
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Scott Major first appeared in Neighbours in 1993 as Darren Stark.[1] Major had just returned to Australia, after being overseas for a few years and was getting the feel for acting again, when he received a call to play Lucas.[1] He agreed to play the role, saying "It's a different character and it seemed like it could be a lot of fun. In Australia as an actor, to get a regular show it's really hard".[1] Major also attributes the chance to work with Brett Tucker, who he had known for about ten years, as one of the reasons why he accepted the role of Lucas.[1] In 2009, Major signed a two year contract and was promoted to regular cast member.[1]
Network Ten describe Lucas as being a bit of a "bad boy" who is always the life of the party.[2] They also state that he loves "being a hero to his mates", but underneath he is a sensitive guy.[2] Channel Five's Holy Soap website describe Lucas as being cheeky and cocky.[3] They also said that he is a ladies' man.[4] Major has said that Lucas is a great character to play. He explained "He's got all the right elements that I'd want in a character, he doesn't take anything too serious. It's really fun".[1] Lucas is a motorbike rider and Major had to get a motorbike licence, so he could accurately portray this element of his character.[1] Inside Soap called Lucas a "typical Aussie bloke-next door."[5] They said that if anyone needs a job doing, than Lucas would do it well and throw a few jokes in while he works.[5] Lucas is not a stranger to hard work and he is employed as a mechanic and a teacher.[5] In July 2011, executive producer, Susan Bower, said Lucas was a "gorgeous, blue-collar larrikin."[6]
Lucas begins a relationship with Elle Robinson (Pippa Black) following his failed relationship with Libby Kennedy (Kym Valentine).[1] Major said that Lucas cannot figure Elle out at first, but he is attracted to her.[1] They are opposites and Lucas calls Elle "Princess". Major added "It's not smooth sailing for either of them, and it's still up in the air as to whether they'll finally get it together or not."[1] Major explained that little things keep Lucas and Elle coming back to each other and that there are comedic elements to their relationship.[1] Of Lucas and Elle, executive producer, Susan Bower said "They're our moonlighting couple. They're chalk and cheese and they'll always be chalk and cheese".[7] She said that they are "crazy about each other", but they are always splitting up and getting back together again.[7] Within their relationship, Bower said that they brought in an important issue that concerns a lot of people, "how does one get an adrenalin rush?" Lucas and Elle are "high rollers", so when they get together they need to look elsewhere for their adrenalin rush.[7] When Elle and Lucas split because he is struggling with a gambling addiction, Elle decides to get revenge on him and invites him to her father's stag night at a casino. However, Elle is left feeling guilty about what she has done.[8] The couple get back together, but when Elle discovers that Lucas has withdrawn a large amount of money, she worries that he has started gambling again.[9] However, Lucas brings out a ring and proposes to Elle at the Erinsborough High Deb ball.[9] Elle accepts, but she is late offered a job in New York and Lucas tells her to follow her dreams and they say goodbye at the airport.[9] During an interview with Digital Spy in March 2011, Major said that he missed the Lucas and Elle storylines, particulary when they both worked for the Erinsborough News. He explained "There was a lot of comedy involved but it also came across as a very deep love."[10]
In January 2010, Holy Soap revealed that Lucas and Stephanie Scully (Carla Bonner) word begin dating.[11] Steph helps Lucas recover from injuries he sustains after a motorbike crash. As they spend more time together, Lucas realises that he loves Steph and he tells her about his feelings.[11] However, he is unaware that Steph has slept with his brother and is pregnant with his child.[11] The couple later split when the truth comes out, but Major told Holy Soap that they could get back together.[12] Of the situation, Major said "It's definitely what Lucas is hoping for. There will be lots of obstacles along the way but hopefully they might be able to get together before she departs."[12] One of the obstacles comes after Steph accidentally kills Ringo Brown (Sam Clark). Lucas tries to support Steph, but she pushes him away, as she sees the life she could have had with him and it is too hard for to bear.[12] Lucas does not understand why, but Major said that he still loves her and added "They're a male and female version of each other."[12] Holy Soap said that despite Lucas's flings with other woman, "no one quite matches up to Steph."[4] Major explained that Lucas and Steph are soulmates and when she is placed on trial for killing Ringo, he realises that he might lose her.[4] Major revealed that Lucas decides to act as the trial may leave him "devastated." He said "After being pushed away and pushed away by Steph, he figures that the only way he might be with her finally is to tell her how he feels."[4] Lucas offers to go on the run with Steph, which leaves her with a "life-changing decision to make." Steph chooses not to run and she is later sent to prison.[4]
"I think Lucas would like to think he could be on the straight and narrow, but there is always going to be something in him that will push him toward something more edgy."[13]
When Lucas becomes strapped for money and needs something to fill the void left by his gambling addiction, his friend, Billy (Jez Constable), introduces him to Garland Cole (Jack Finsterer), who gets Lucas involved in rebirthing cars and illegal street racing.[13] Major told Digital Spy that the street racing storyline gave him the chance to explore the darker side of Lucas. He explained "As an actor, it would be quite boring to play the good guy all the time and I love playing Lucas when he's being the bad boy. The storyline itself has allowed us to go to new locations – something different – and the good thing about the storyline initially for me was that it was initially Lucas on his own."[10] After Steph goes to jail, Lucas, who had considered settling down, rebels against surburban life. His motivation for street racing is the rush he gets from it, not money.[10] Garland asks Lucas to throw a race and Major said that Lucas is "very proud" and he races to win, so he refuses to throw the race and has to face the consequences.[10] Major added "Lucas is in a very steep downward spiral and unless something pulls him up soon, it could all end in tears."[10] Lucas tries to do the right thing and he also tries to look out for Kate (Ashleigh Brewer) and Sophie Ramsay (Kaiya Jones), who have become his family.[13] Major said that Lucas will "always live life on the edge", but he would like to see his character helping out children who have gone off the rails in the future.[13]
Lucas and his brother, Dan, had a troubled relationship after becoming rivals following a near-fatal motorbike accident when they were younger.[3] Dan ran Lucas off the road and Lucas was then under the assumption that Dan had done it intentionally. Lucas battled a gambling addiction, which ended up costing him his relationship with his then girlfriend, Natasha Curtis.[3] He became a mechanic for Reyada and also showcased his photography work under the name George Hanson.
Lucas goes to Charlie's with his friends and he is dared to flirt with Libby Kennedy. When he fails the dare, he is stripped of his clothes and tied to a lamp post. Libby finds him and she agrees to go on a date with Lucas, which goes well. Lucas sees Libby talking to Dan and he stands her up on their next date. Lucas apologises and asks her to come to his photography exhibition. Lucas and Dan fight and Toadfish Rebecchi (Ryan Moloney) tells Libby that Lucas and Dan are brothers. Dan and Lucas get into another fight and Lucas almost falls from a balcony and Dan's shoulder is dislocated. The brothers decide to make up and Lucas begins dating Elle Robinson.
Lucas begins gambling, after he is contacted by Johnno Brewer (Damien Aylward) about a poker game at the garage. Lucas borrows money from Johnno and cannot pay it back. Johnno comes for his money a few days later and Lucas is forced to ask Dan for money. Dan encourages Lucas to get help for his problem. Johnno tampers with the Parker's car, thinking it belongs to Lucas, and it causes Bridget Parker's (Eloise Mignon) death. Lucas blames himself and he tracks Johnno down and alerts the police. Lucas tries to flee Ramsay Street and begins to self-destruct. Lucas begins meeting with Sonya Mitchell (Eve Morey), which causes problems between himself, Elle and Toadie. Sonya reveals that she is Lucas's Gamblers Anonymous sponsor.
Lucas proposes to Elle and she accepts, despite opposition from her father, Paul (Stefan Dennis), and Dan. Elle gets a job overseas and they say goodbye at the airport. Dan also leaves after his marriage to Libby breaks down. Lucas receives a message from Elle telling him that their relationship would not have worked out. Lucas takes off on his motorbike and he crashes. Lucas suffers spinal injuries and is told that he will not be able to walk for a while. He attends rehab and meets Billy Forman. Stephanie Scully invites Lucas to stay with her and Lucas tells her he loves her. They begin dating, but Steph suddenly leaves and when she returns, she tells Lucas that she has got back together with Toadie. Lucas reacts angrily and tries to win Steph back. Lucas discovers that Steph is pregnant and reveals the news to her friends and family.
Lucas sets up a Blokes Club in a shed, along with Karl Kennedy (Alan Fletcher), Lou Carpenter (Tom Oliver), Declan Napier (Erin Mullally) and Zeke Kinski (Matthew Werkmeister). He becomes good friends with his neighbour Michael Williams (Sandy Winton). Michael employs Lucas to teach technical classes at Erinsborough High. Paul reveals that Steph had sex with Dan and is carrying his child. Lucas retreats to the shed and he tells Steph that he no longer has feelings for her. Lucas has sex with Libby, but they agree that it was just a bit of fun. Lucas competes with Kyle Canning (Chris Milligan) for a room at Number 24, with Lou, Kate (Ashleigh Brewer) and Sophie Ramsay (Kaiya Jones). Lucas kisses Steph and he tells her he still loves her. Steph accidentally kills Ringo Brown and Lucas feels left out during her court case. He helps Summer Hoyland (Jordy Lucas) but Steph a suit, after selling some of his tools to Billy Forman. Lucas asks Steph to run away with him, but she turns him down and is later sent to prison.
Billy puts Lucas in contact with Garland Cole (Jack Finsterer). Garland asks Lucas to rebirth a car and he gets him involved in illegal street racing. Lucas kisses Sonya's sister Jade Mitchell (Gemma Pranita) and the girls later ask Lucas if he is gambling again, which he denies. Garland orders Lucas to throw a race and lose, but Lucas does not listen and Garland has him beaten up and his house trashed. Mark Brennan (Scott McGregor) becomes suspicious and Lucas tells him that he owes someone money. Lucas is forced to throw another race, but he can not accept the loss and decides to race again to win. Garland introduces him to a new rider and Lucas is shocked to see it is Mark undercover. Mark asks Lucas to help him get Garland and they rebirth a car for him. Lucas tells Billy not to come to the garage, which angers Mark. Garland comes to pick up the car and he finds Kate. He becomes suspicious, but the police arrive and Mark arrests Garland. Lucas tells Kate about the street racing and she asks him to move out for a while.
Lucas supports Sonya after she admits she is Callum's (Morgan Baker) mother. Lucas manages to convince Toadie that Sonya loves him, but he becomes frustrated by Toadie's refusal to act on his feelings. At Harold Bishop's (Ian Smith) wedding, he gives a speech about love, which prompts Toadie and Sonya to get back together. Lucas takes Chris Pappas (James Mason) on at the garage. Paul tells Lucas that his father, Patrick (Brad Liddicoat), has died. Lucas is undecided about going to Patrick's funeral and he tells Paul that he did not respect his father. Lucas decides to go to the funeral, but then changes his mind about going into the church. Patrick's solicitor, Peter Noonan (James Saunders), gets in touch and Toadie offers to go to the office with Lucas. Lucas becomes upset when Peter reads out a letter from his father. He is given Patrick's ashes, which he later scatters on a football field.
Peter tells Lucas that that was a precondition to the rest of his inheritance and Lucas learns that his father has left him a large amount of money. Lucas gives Chris a pay rise and Carla Turner (Natasha Cunningham), who Lucas meets at Charlie's, persuades him to pick her a winner on the horse racing. Lucas decides to make a proper bet, but later tells Sonya that he changed his mind. Lucas decides to give Sonya his inheritance, so she can buy the community garden. However, Sonya turns him down. Lucas goes on a date with Michelle Tran (HaiHa Le) and they begin dating. Lucas starts to find Michelle annoying and when she tries to plan a holiday away together, he decides to break up with her. Lucas learns Elle is selling the garage and he decides to buy it. He then gives Chris an apprenticeship. When a customer talks about gay people in a derogatory manner, Chris tells Lucas, who is reluctant to do anything about it. Chris quits his job, but Lucas apologises and he accepts his job back. Lucas witnesses an argument between Chris and his father, George (Lliam Amor). When George slaps Chris, Lucas punches George. He later apologises.
Lucas is offered a large sum of money to sell the garage to a development group, represented by Toadie. Lucas meets Emilia Jovanovic (Freya Stafford) when her car breaks down in Ramsay Street. While Lucas fixes her car, Emilia tells him she is a beautician. Lucas invites her for a drink, but she declines. Lucas later books an appointment with Emilia and Lou forces him to have his chest waxed by her. Lucas is disappointed when Emilia cancels their date, but he decides to go to Emilia's workplace and invites her to lunch in his van. Lucas and Emilia begin dating and Lucas learns she is Michael's sister in law. Lucas tells Toadie that he will not be selling the garage. Lucas becomes angry with Toadie when he tries to convince him to accept the latest offer for his garage. Lucas later finds his garage has been sabotaged and he fails an impromptu safety inspection. He blames Toadie and his law firm. Peter Noonan tells Lucas that a foreman from the development sabotaged his business and Lucas will be compensated. Chris is attacked by an unknown assailant and Lucas initially believes homophobic customer, Warren Burrell (Tony Rickards) is behind it. He later discovers a man working for Peter Noonan attacked Chris and he calls the police to arrest Peter.
For his portrayal of Lucas, Major was nominated for "Best Bad Boy" at the 2009 All About Soap Bubble Awards.[14] Holy Soap named Lucas' most memorable moment as feeling responsible for Bridget Parker's death when Johnno Brewer sabotaged the Parkers' car. They said "It led to a guilt-stricken Lucas trying to flee Ramsay Street".[3] Of Lucas, Jaci Stephen of The Daily Mail said "Not only is he addicted to gambling, he is pathologically attached to his biking jacket, even when everyone around him is in boxer shorts and vests. Maybe he lost his undies in a poker game?"[15] One year later she commented on his jacket again, saying he must be cemented into it; because he has worn it "ever since he first arrived in Erinsborough".[16] Stephen later insulted Lucas' storyline with Steph, in which he starts physio to be a "real man" for her. She said "Trust me, Lucas. Given the girl's history, she'd probably be happy with a goldfish for company."[17]
The Daily Record said that his relationship with Elle was becoming more epic than "Doctor Zhivago, Romeo and Juliet or The Thorn Birds. They branded it as a silly storyline because they were "clearly mad for each other" but "too stubborn to let each other know it".[18] After Lucas discovers Dan has given Sam his savings, the paper said "Even Lucas, who's hardly a moral compass you could steer by, is disgusted by his brother's actions."[19] In July 2011, Anthony D. Langford from AfterElton revealed that he had seen some comments from people thinking that Lucas and Chris should be paired up.[20] He opined that there is not a hint of romance between the two and revealed that he liked Chris and Lucas's mentor and mentee relationship as it is.[20]
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