Simone Buchanan

Simone Louise Buchanan is an Australian film and television actress, and television director. She is best known for her television roles as Debbie Kelly in the situation comedy Hey Dad..! and Samantha Fitzgerald in the soap opera Neighbours.

Simone Buchanan
Born
Simone Louise Buchanan
OccupationActress
Years active1978–present
Spouse(s)Brett Smith (m. 2008)
Children2

Career

Buchanan has appeared in several films, including playing a rape victim in Shame, and as Laura Harris – and eventually Anna Dodwell – in the Australian drama series Pacific Drive.

In 2008, Buchanan played Samantha Fitzgerald, the bipolar-suffering estranged wife of Dan Fitzgerald (Brett Tucker), in the long-running soap opera Neighbours. Originally appearing for three months, from March to June, the character's introduction was considered a success, leading to her return for a second three-month stint from November to February 2009. The character appeared for a four-week guest role in late 2010, to coincide with the 6,000th episode celebrations.[1]

Buchanan returned to the Neighbours set in 2018 as a director, after the series producer Jason Herbison asked her to do her director's attachment with the show.[2] Buchanan also appears in the 2018 horror film Boar, alongside John Jarratt, Ernie Dingo, Steve Bisley and Roger Ward.[2]

Personal life

Buchanan has been married to Brett Smith since 2008.[3] She has a son, Tane (born 1998), from a previous relationship.[4] In August 2009, it was announced that Buchanan was expecting her second child, due in early 2010. The pregnancy was achieved with IVF treatment.[5] Buchanan gave birth to a son, Rémy, via caesarean section.[4]

In March 2010, Buchanan supported Sarah Monahan, a co-star on the Hey Dad..! television show, over allegations that fellow star Robert Hughes had engaged in inappropriate sexual behaviour on the set of the show.[6] Buchanan claimed she had approached the show's producer about the alleged assaults but that he instructed her to keep quiet.[7] She testified at Hughes' 2014 trial that she only heard allegations about his inappropriate behaviour and never saw it for herself.[8]

Filmography
Television and film roles
Year Title Role Notes
1978A Good Thing GoingCathy Harris
1979My Brilliant CareerMary Anne
1980Secret ValleySimone
1981Run Rebecca, RunRebecca
Doctors & NursesJane Gilmour
1982Runaway IslandJemma McLeod
The Mystery at Castle HouseKate
1984A Country PracticeSharon Barnes(Series 4 Episode 69), (Series 4 Episode 70) The Man from the High CountryDebbie Lomax
Run Chrissie Run!Cathy
1985Sons and DaughtersDonna JacksonUnknown Episodes
The Flying DoctorsLucy DanielsOriginal mini-series pilot
1986Platypus CoveJenny Nelson
1987Hey Dad!Debbie KellyAll Episodes (1987–1990)
ShameLizzie Curtis
1991A Country PracticeSara Kennedy
1991PushSara Kennedy(Series 11 Episode 61), (Series 11 Episode 62)
1993G.P. Mickey Davis(Series 5 Episode 28)
1995Pacific DriveLaura Harris
1998All SaintsMitchie Bell(Series 1 Episode 22)
1999Water RatsJenny Spiro(Series 4 Episode 6)
2000, 2003Blue HeelersNurse Angie Cohen(Series 7 Episode 35), (Series 10 Episode 8)
2005Forced EntryJulie
2006McLeod's DaughtersAmy Tanaka(Series 6 Episode 13)
2008–2010 2020NeighboursSamantha FitzgeraldRecurring guest

2017 Boar Debbie

References
  1. "Simone Buchanan sticking to her guns in sex row". Herald Sun. The Herald and Weekly Times. 6 July 2010. Retrieved 5 July 2010.
  2. Eeles, Matthew (24 May 2018). "Interview: Simone Buchanan". Cinema Australia. Retrieved 26 July 2018.
  3. "My adoption Dream" Archived 12 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine CareForKidsBali.com (Retrieved: 31 August 2009)
  4. "Meet Simone Buchanan's Little Miracle". New Idea. 2010. Retrieved 23 May 2010.
  5. "Simone Buchanan's IVF battle: Pregnant at 41!" NewIdea.com.au, 24 August 2009 (Retrieved: 31 August 2009)
  6. Hornery, Andrew; Geesche Jacobson (27 March 2010). "Hey Dad star to see police over sex claims". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 29 March 2010.
  7. "Hey Dad! co-star 'threatened' over sex abuse claims". The Age. 26 March 2010. Retrieved 26 March 2010.
  8. Dale, Amy (13 March 2014). "Hey Dad! star Simone Buchanan heard allegations about Robert Hughes but never saw anything". dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
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