Lucas Fitzgerald is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Scott Major. The actor had previously appeared in Neighbours in 1993 as Darren Stark. He received a call to play Lucas shortly after he was getting the feel for acting again. Major accepted the role as the character seemed like fun and he wanted to work with his friend Brett Tucker. He made his first screen appearance as Lucas during the episode broadcast on 22 July 2008. The following year, Major signed a new contract and was promoted to the regular cast. On 1 July 2013, it was confirmed that Lucas had been written out of Neighbours and he departed on 24 September 2013. Major remained with the series as a director, and Lucas made numerous guest appearances from 2015 until 2025.
Lucas is Daniel Fitzgerald's (Brett Tucker) brother. He has been portrayed as being cheeky, a bit of a "bad boy", a rebel and a ladies man. His storylines have included re-connecting with his brother, fighting a gambling addiction, developing relationships with Elle Robinson (Pippa Black), Stephanie Scully (Carla Bonner), Emilia Jovanovic (Freya Stafford) and Vanessa Villante (Alin Sumarwata) being injured in a motorbike accident, getting involved in illegal street racing, becoming a father and being diagnosed with testicular cancer. For his portrayal of Lucas, Major received a nomination for Best Daytime Star at the 2013 Inside Soap Awards. Lucas returned for the final episodes on 11 December 2025.
Casting Scott Major received the call to join the cast of Neighbours not long after he had returned home to Australia, after working overseas. He had previously appeared in the show as Darren Stark in 1993. Wanting to get back into acting, Major agreed to play the role of Lucas. He stated: "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". Major also attributed the chance to work with Brett Tucker, whom he had known for about ten years, as one of the reasons why he accepted the part. In 2009, Major signed a two-year contract and was promoted to the regular cast. In November 2011, Major told Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy that he would like to stay with Neighbours as long as he keeps enjoying it. He said "At the moment, I still love working on the show and look forward to coming to work every day. I have a ball. I keep my outside interests active as well, which keeps me fresh." That same year saw Julian Mineo play a five-year-old Lucas in flashbacks.
Development Characterisation and introduction A writer for Network Ten described the character as being a bit of a "bad boy" who is always the life of the party. They also stated that he loves "being a hero to his mates", but underneath he is a sensitive guy. A Holy Soap reporter called Lucas cheeky, cocky and "a ladies' man." Major branded Lucas a great character to play, saying "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". As Lucas rides a motorbike, Major had to get a motorbike licence, so he could accurately portray this element of his character. An Inside Soap columnist quipped that Lucas was a "typical Aussie bloke-next door." They said that if anyone needs a job doing, then Lucas would do it well and throw a few jokes in while he works.
Lucas is not a stranger to hard work and he is employed as both a mechanic and a teacher. Major believed that Lucas would always be a rebel, saying "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." In July 2011, executive producer, Susan Bower, called Lucas a "gorgeous, blue-collar larrikin." A few months later, Major revealed viewers had not seen the last of Lucas's edgier side, which he said was "not pretty." Of what he has liked about playing Lucas, Major quipped "I like the fact Lucas does stupid things. I think that's very real. He acts first and goes from the heart and messes up big time. He says stupid things and gets jealous. He should probably learn from his mistakes! I'm really fond of Lucas." The actor added that there was nothing big that he disliked about his character.
Lucas' identity was initially kept secret upon his introduction, and Major called him "a mystery man". He arrives in Erinsborough with a motorbike touring team for whom he works. He was given an immediate love interest in the form of established character Libby Kennedy (Kym Valentine). Lucas and Libby meet at the local bar, Charlie's, but he fails to secure a date with her leading to his friends playing a joke on him. Major commented "It's only when he later gets tied to a lamp post outside that she pays him attention." Major admitted that the scenes, filmed on his first day, were "pretty embarrassing". Libby agrees to go on a date with Lucas, and they end up talking until the sun comes up. They arrange a second date, but after Lucas sees Libby talking to another Erinsborough resident, his interest in her changes. An Inside Soap writer noted that Lucas and the other character obviously had an "unpleasant history". Major added that Lucas seeing Libby is a complete coincidence, but he when it comes to the second date, Lucas does not show up, leaving her confused. It later emerges that Lucas is Daniel Fitzgerald's (Brett Tucker) brother. Their fictional backstory explains that their troubled relationship stems from a near-fatal motorbike accident that occurred when they were younger. Dan ran Lucas off the road and Lucas was left with the assumption that Dan had done it intentionally. Lucas then battled a gambling addiction, which ended up costing him his relationship with his then girlfriend, Natasha Curtis. Lucas became a mechanic for motorbike firm, Reyada, and also showcased photography work under the name George Hanson.
Relationships Elle Robinson
Lucas begins a relationship with Elle Robinson (Pippa Black) following his failed relationship with Libby. Major said that Lucas cannot figure Elle out at first, but he is attracted to her. 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." Major explained that little things keep Lucas and Elle coming back to each other and that there are comedic elements to their relationship. Of Lucas and Elle, Bower commented "They're our moonlighting couple. They're chalk and cheese and they'll always be chalk and cheese". She said that they are "crazy about each other", but they are always splitting up and getting back together again. 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.
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. 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. However, Lucas brings out a ring and proposes to Elle at the Erinsborough High Deb ball. 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. During an interview with Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy in March 2011, Major said that he missed the Lucas and Elle storylines, particularly 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."
Stephanie Scully In January 2010, Holy Soap revealed that Lucas and Stephanie Scully (Carla Bonner) would begin dating. 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. However, he is unaware that Steph has slept with his brother and is pregnant with his child. The couple later split when the truth comes out, but Major told Holy Soap that they could get back together. 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." 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. 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." Holy Soap said that despite Lucas's flings with other woman, "no one quite matches up to Steph." 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. 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." 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.
Emilia Jovanovic
In late 2011, Lucas meets a new love interest in the form of Emilia Jovanovic (Freya Stafford). Of his character's introduction to Emilia, Major explained "In their first meeting, Lucas catches Emilia on the street with her bonnet up and I don't think you could get a better intro for Lucas as an icebreaker than someone who has broken down. He's in his element and goes to the damsel in distress." Emilia has an Austin Healey Sprite, which is a car Lucas has a passion for. There is an instant connection between them and they flirt with each other. Lucas is initially unaware Emilia is Michael Williams' (Sandy Winton) sister-in-law, but Major said when he discovers how they know each other, it is not a big deal to him. Lucas is just thinks that it is great Emilia has a connection on the street. Michael warns Lucas that Emilia is bad news and Lucas takes that seriously. He puts Emilia to the test, which she passes. Major explained he was enjoying working with Stafford and thought Lucas was looking for love and stability. The actor added "He has had a rough trot so it would be nice to see him with someone he is happy with."
Lucas and Emilia's relationship progresses and they decide to give in to their "simmering passion" after sneaking into Toadfish Rebecchi's (Ryan Moloney) house. Major told Inside Soap that Emilia needs some lemongrass for a recipe and Lucas knows Toadie has some, so they let themselves in. However, Lucas forgets about the lemongrass and he engages Emilia in some "saucy fun" in the living room. Major said "It's a little bit cheeky, but it's all fun and games – until they fall back on the couch and it breaks!" Lucas and Emilia are mortified at breaking Toadie's couch, but Major said this could be the start of something serious for the couple. The actor explained Lucas and Emilia are about to go public with their relationship, which is a big step forward for them both. Lucas learns Emilia moonlights as a nude model in her spare time and he struggles with her free-spirited attitude. Lucas tries to tell Emilia he is fine with it, but when she presses him, he eventually reveals he is uncomfortable. Of Emilia's reaction, Carena Crawford of All About Soap said "Emilia's understanding, but she starts to doubt whether the pair have enough connection to keep their relationship going."