Summer Hoyland is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Jordy Lucas. She made her first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 20 May 2002. The character was originally played by Marisa Siketa from her arrival to her departure in 2005 and her subsequent returns in 2006 and 2007. In October 2009, it was announced that the character was to return to the show. Siketa auditioned for her previous role, but producers felt the character had evolved too much. They decided to cast Lucas instead after she came to their attention during Dolly magazine's "Neighbours Next Big Stars" competition. Summer returned on 11 February 2010. Lucas announced her departure from Neighbours in September 2012 and Summer departed on 10 January 2013. Lucas reprised the role on 30 November 2023.
Casting Marisa Siketa had previously completed three years of acting training before she auditioned for the role of Summer on Neighbours. Siketa played the role for four years, before she chose to quit the show and concentrate on her studies. She made brief appearances in 2006 and 2007. In October 2009, it was revealed that the character would be returning to Neighbours the following year. Executive producer, Susan Bower had decided to bring the character back, but announced that Siketa would not be reprising the role. In an interview with Inside Soap, Bower revealed that they had auditioned Siketa, but felt the character had evolved too much and decided against casting her again. Jordy Lucas was chosen for the role instead. Lucas came to the attention of the producers when she came second in Dolly magazine's "Neighbours Next Big Stars" competition. She then successfully auditioned for the role of Summer.
During an interview with Network Ten, Lucas said of her casting, "I would have never of thought that this would be happening, I would have never ever-ever imagined in a million years that I would be playing a role that I used to watch on TV years ago, it's really surreal." She also added "There was a lot of pressure taking on a role that was already played by Marisa Siketa, I watched footage back and she did a really good job establishing the character and she obviously had a big following". In a different interview Lucas said that the return would bring a whole new mystery to the character. She added her worries of playing a character that was already established with viewers, explaining, "There is a bit of added pressure – people already have an idea of how they want her to be. I did a lot of research into the role, but Summer has come back as a young woman after leaving as a child, so it's only fair that people should expect a change". In December 2011, a reporter for the Herald Sun announced Lucas had extended her contract with Neighbours until late 2013.
Development
Characterisation During her early days in the series Summer was known for being naughty and the "resident trouble-maker." A writer for the BBC's Neighbours website described her as having "The face of angel and the mind of a career criminal." Summer was also very good at wrapping people around her finger. The BBC writer called Summer a "mini-Mrs Mangel in the making" as she often overheard things she should not and gossiped about them afterwards. Siketa described Summer as "Funny, Mischievous, Bubbly." Summer did have another side to her personality, in which she was "delightful, kind and considerate." She developed close relationships with older women following her mother's death and she loved her brother, Boyd (Kyal Marsh). When her father started dating Stephanie Scully (Carla Bonner), Summer accepted the relationship and was more mature about it than Boyd.
Upon her return in 2010, Summer had changed her attitude. Of this, Lucas stated "She's more feisty than anything. She has her own moral code and set of rules that she wants to stick by, and she's not afraid to bend the rules at school. But when it comes down to it, she's a sensitive girl and she's very kind. She wants to look after people." Lucas also described the character on another occasion stating that Summer was now smart and feisty, and she stands up for the things she believes in. Of her dramatic change in personality she said: "I think at the same time she's gone away, she's matured into a young woman, she has changed, so there are things that are going to be different about her, so as much as people are going to miss Marisa playing her hopefully they can embrace the new Summer."
Summer is expelled from her music school and she comes to Ramsay Street to see Steph and prove to her father that she can get things sorted out. Summer has grown up, but Lucas said there is a "crazy, reckless side to her." Susan Bower said that Summer and Natasha Williams (Valentina Novakovic) spark because Summer is "a feminist, and she fights for causes and sticks up for the underdog". Lucas explained that when Summer and Natasha are friends, the storylines tend to be lighter. However, when they are at each other, Lucas said it is fun as she and Novakovic are not like that in real life, so it is something different for them. When asked if she was similar to Summer, Lucas revealed "I certainly have an opinion about lots of different subjects, but I don't go to the lengths that Summer does." Lucas told the Herald Sun in May 2011 that she would like to see Summer "go off the rails a bit more" and start hanging out with a bad crowd as she is "such a goody two shoes."
Chris Pappas Summer begins a relationship with Chris Pappas (James Mason) in May 2010. They date for three months before Chris reveals that he is gay. Summer initially takes the news well. She plays it down and explains that she is dealing with it. The Herald Sun's Alice Clarke said Summer dealt with the news that Chris was gay "extremely well." When asked if she would react in the same way as Summer, Lucas told Clarke "There's no denying that it would be a really difficult thing to go through, but you have to respect that it's an even harder thing that they're going through." Chris and Summer become good friends and Mason said "Chris is determined to help Summer through whatever comes in the future, and really just stick by her. It's a good friendship that evolves even though it's been such an ordeal." Chris later tries to prove to Summer that he is a good friend by playing Cupid for her. Chris becomes a wingman for Summer and helps her to find someone else to date as he feels guilty for hurting her. Daniel Kilkelly from Digital Spy said Summer's friendship with Chris has been nice to watch and when he asked Lucas if she was happy that Mason is staying in the show, she said, "I think it's fantastic that the Chris character is staying on and will evolve over time – he provides a voice of reason for the other characters who all fire up so quickly. And I love working with James [Mason], he is one of the nicest people you'll ever meet."
Relationship with Andrew Robinson Summer becomes involved in a love triangle with Andrew Robinson (Jordan Patrick Smith) and Natasha Williams. Summer likes Andrew, but he breaks her heart by dating Natasha. Andrew thinks he is doing the right thing, as Lyn Scully (Janet Andrewartha) warned him to stay away and Summer is dealing with her stepmother being sent to jail. Andrew and Natasha organise a party and Andrew is surprised at his feelings when Summer turns up. He later expresses concern for her when she collapses, which makes Natasha realise she needs to get rid of Summer. Natasha warns Summer to stay away from Andrew, while she is in the hospital. Lucas told Holy Soap that she was backing the pairing of Summer and Andrew and wanted things between them to move along. She said "It's a lot of fun to play the tortured teenager in love, but it's been going on for about a year and half now so it would be nice for Summer to just have something that really makes her happy in her life. Every time she gets something that makes her happy, something happens to destroy it." Lucas revealed that fans had sent her videos of Summer and Andrew they had made on YouTube and she commented that "Everyone seems to love Andrew and Summer."
In December 2010, it was revealed that Summer and Andrew would give into their feelings for each other before they become trapped in a house fire. The storyline begins when Andrew becomes jealous of Summer going on a date with his business partner, Tomas Bersky (Tim Munley). Andrew tries to warn Summer off Tomas, which makes Summer happy as this means he likes her. While Tomas is "charming", Andrew is the one Summer wants and she would not consider being with anyone else. Lucas explained that Andrew believed Summer was too good for him, but seeing her with Tomas is a wake-up call. Summer tells Andrew that she has wanted to be with him since the day they met and Lucas said "Summer has desperately wanted to say this to Andrew for so long, but she's been scared of getting hurt. Andrew also knows that if he doesn't act now and let Summer know how he feels, it'll be too late." While they are together, a fire breaks out and Natasha goes in to save Summer, not knowing Andrew is there too. Summer and Lyn move in with the Williams family and Summer is forced to watch Andrew carry on his relationship with Natasha.
Summer is devastated when Andrew tells her Natasha is pregnant and she believes they are back at square one. When she was asked if Summer would try to win Andrew back, Lucas said "No, because she feels she has to respect the fact that Andrew has this responsibility of having a child. I don't think this is something she wants to get involved with." Summer becomes suspicious about Natasha's pregnancy as she knows that Natasha likes to play games. Though she knows she does not want to come across as a jealous ex-girlfriend. Summer discovers that Natasha's ultrasound scan photos are fake and she realises Natasha has been lying about being pregnant. Summer then reveals the truth to Andrew. Summer later tells Andrew that they cannot be together and Lucas explained that Summer feels that the situation with Natasha never would have happened if they had not cheated on her. She added "And I guess she feels that the whole situation is way too messy and that Andrew has a whole lot of baggage to sort out, and this is not the right time to start a relationship." Lucas admitted that Summer and Andrew deserve to be together as they have been through a lot and they have a good chemistry. When asked if Summer and Natasha would be friends again, Lucas said "They have both done the wrong thing. Summer cheated with her boyfriend, Tash with the fake pregnancy; they have both been guilty of doing the wrong thing."
Lucas told What's on TV that Summer and Andrew "have a lot to resolve" after the conclusion to the love triangle storyline. Natasha decides to get Summer and Andrew back together, making Summer suspicious of her motives. Natasha tries to get Andrew and Summer to talk through their issues, but when they get together they argue and Andrew claims Summer is always judging him. When asked if Summer is aware of this, Lucas said "Not initially. Summer does have a tendency to take the high moral ground on issues and is very head-strong. Admitting she is wrong or overreacting doesn't come easily to her!" Andrew then kisses Lisa Devine (Sophie Tilson) in front of Summer, leaving her gutted. Lucas said that while it would be nice for Summer and Andrew to end up together, she believes they are more interesting when their relationship is strained. When Lyn announces the family is relocating to Bendigo, Summer is devastated at the thought of leaving Andrew. However, just as Lyn is driving out of Ramsay Street, Andrew runs after the car and declares his love for Summer. Summer decides to stay in Erinsborough to be with Andrew and they finally begin a relationship.