Samantha Fitzgerald

Samantha Fitzgerald
Born	Samantha Fitzgerald
Other names	Sam Fitzgerald
Occupation	Lawyer (fictional character)
Years active	2008–2010, 2020 (in show)
Known for	Character in Neighbours
Notable work	Neighbours

Samantha "Sam" Fitzgerald is a fictional persona featured in the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Simone Buchanan. Her first appearance was on 21 March 2008. Samantha’s prominent narratives included her marriage to Daniel Fitzgerald (Brett Tucker), her experience with bipolar disorder triggered by a previous miscarriage, and a subsequent pregnancy. Executive producer Susan Bower announced Buchanan’s return to the role in 2010, with Samantha reappearing on 1 November as the lead prosecutor in Stephanie Scully's culpable driving case, before departing again on 24 November. Buchanan reprised the character once more in April 2020.

Casting

Buchanan joined the cast of Neighbours in early 2008 for a guest stint lasting five months. She highlighted Samantha’s bipolar disorder as a significant reason for accepting the role.

Characterisation and introduction

Colin Vickery from the Herald Sun described Samantha as an "intelligent, accomplished lawyer." The official Neighbours site portrayed her as "fiery," "long-suffering," and an "off-the-rails lawyer." Actress Kym Valentine referred to her as "a beautiful, intelligent woman." Johnathon of Daytime Confidential observed that Sam would "go to great lengths to win Dan over."

Samantha was brought into the storyline as Daniel Fitzgerald’s estranged spouse (Brett Tucker). According to Tucker, the concept of Dan having a wife was initially mentioned casually during talks about his character’s return. Dan initially conceals his marital status but reveals it to Libby Kennedy (Kym Valentine) before their relationship advances, which leads to contact with Samantha. Tucker explained that Dan was dealing with unresolved emotional wounds from his past and needed closure to move forward. Samantha’s arrival reawakens complex feelings between them, while Libby senses Dan’s lingering emotions. Buchanan found the dynamic between Sam, Dan, and Libby intriguing, highlighting that Samantha was not a villain but rather an innocent party caught in the situation.

Bipolar disorder

A central storyline for Samantha involved her struggle with bipolar disorder. The production team behind Neighbours aimed to depict the condition accurately and sensitively, collaborating closely with mental health organization SANE Australia. Buchanan also worked alongside SANE and drew from her brother Miles Buchanan’s experience as a bipolar disorder advocate to ensure authenticity.

Buchanan praised the careful handling of the storyline, commending the writers’ thorough research and consultation with SANE Australia. Executive producer Susan Bower stressed the necessity of detailed research to prevent misinformation and improve narrative quality.

Samantha’s bipolar condition was triggered by a miscarriage she and Dan had suffered years before. Their reunion delved into their shared sorrow and reignited their relationship, ultimately leading Samantha to decide to remain in Erinsborough after Dan declares his love for her.

Subsequently, Samantha discontinues her medication in an attempt to conceive but deceives Dan by claiming she is pregnant when this fails. As her manic episode intensifies, she fabricates a miscarriage to hide the truth. Libby uncovers this deceit and insists that Dan be informed, believing Samantha intentionally caused him pain despite sacrificing their relationship. Unsure whether Samantha’s actions stem from manipulation or illness, Libby warns that she will disclose the truth if Samantha continues lying.

Returns (2010, 2020)

In 2010, Susan Bower, the executive producer of Neighbours, revealed that Simone Buchanan would return to portray Samantha once again. Bower stressed that the characters making a comeback would play significant roles within the plot rather than just brief guest appearances. Buchanan rejoined the cast for a four-week stint beginning on 1 November 2010, with Bower assuring viewers that Samantha’s storyline would undergo meaningful progression.

Samantha took on the role of prosecutor in Stephanie Scully's culpable driving trial, collaborating with Paul Robinson to ensure Steph was held accountable for Donna Freedman’s death. Buchanan explained that Samantha’s motivations were twofold: a professional commitment to justice and personal grudges, including resentment over Steph’s pregnancy and conflicts with Libby Kennedy. Stefan Dennis characterized Samantha as "as devious as Paul," using her to further Paul’s objective of securing Steph’s punishment. Despite past tensions, Buchanan expressed surprise at being invited back, acknowledging Samantha’s difficult relationships on Ramsay Street. Bower pointed out that Samantha’s return elicited strong reactions from viewers due to her confrontational interactions with both Steph and Libby.

On 23 March 2020, Daniel Kilkelly from Digital Spy announced Buchanan’s upcoming return in April 2020. In this instance, Samantha was engaged by Claudia Watkins amid a custody dispute involving Elly Conway.

Storylines

Upon Dan’s return to Erinsborough, he seeks a divorce from Samantha in order to pursue a relationship with Libby. Taken aback, Samantha remains in town after accepting a job offer from Rosetta Cammeniti's law firm. She keeps her bipolar disorder hidden but becomes upset when Dan reveals it to Libby. Developing a friendship with Libby, Samantha helps locate Libby’s son, Ben Kirk. Although initially planning to leave, she stays to organize Rosetta’s baby shower. Dan later tries to rekindle their relationship.

Samantha discontinues her medication without informing Dan in an attempt to conceive another child, which causes her symptoms to worsen. She falsely claims she is pregnant but suffers a miscarriage, leading to hospitalization and resumption of treatment. She invites Dan to move with her to New Zealand; however, at the airport, realizing she will always be secondary to Libby, she departs alone after signing the divorce papers.

Six months later, a pregnant Samantha returns during Dan and Libby’s wedding preparations, revealing that Dan is the father. Elle Robinson offers her a place to stay, and Samantha secures employment as a legal adviser at Paul Robinson's newspaper. After discovering that her baby was conceived later than initially believed and is not Dan’s child, Samantha becomes vulnerable to blackmail by Cassandra Freedman. The secret is eventually exposed by Stephanie Scully, prompting Samantha to leave Erinsborough.

During a manic episode, Samantha contacts Dan requesting he care for their newborn daughter Emma. Dan agrees and travels with Libby to New Zealand but returns alone after transferring money into Samantha’s account. Libby demands that Dan sever all contact with Samantha.

A year later, Samantha returns as the prosecutor in Steph Scully’s culpable driving case. She attempts reconciliation with Donna Freedman but is rejected. Throughout the trial, Samantha employs witness manipulation and personal attacks that contribute to Steph receiving a six-year prison sentence. Donna accuses Samantha of exploiting the case as a form of personal revenge.

A decade later, now a partner in a law firm, Samantha represents Claudia Watkins in a custody battle over Claudia's granddaughter Aster Conway. She criticizes the Kennedys for their past involvement and assists Claudia in challenging Elly Conway’s family suitability for custody. Samantha orchestrates blackmail against Judge Joseph Vagg to influence Elly’s sentencing and arranges circumstances leading to Aster being placed in Claudia’s custody while granting visitation rights to the Kennedys and Bea Nilsson.

Following Claudia's arrest for evidence tampering in Finn's case, she refuses cooperation until Samantha arrives but ultimately loses her as a client when she fails to flee. Toadie confronts Samantha regarding her unethical methods; she denies any legal jeopardy and threatens legal action if further pursued.

Reception

At Samantha's debut, a reviewer from the Daily Record referred to her as a "blonde beauty." One year on, the same outlet expressed annoyance toward the character, wishing she had disappeared permanently but remarking she had resurfaced "like the proverbial bad penny." In 2010, television critic Andrew Mercado commended Buchanan's 2009 performance, describing it as a "great turn" portraying a "crazed ex." Cameron Adams of the Herald Sun emphasized that Buchanan's comeback ensured heightened drama due to her "slightly unhinged" persona. Adams also highlighted a significant emotional scene between Sam and Libby as "charming." Later, his colleague Siobhan Duck recognized Buchanan's widely praised work in the role.