Finn Kelly
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| Finn Kelly | |||||||||||||||||||
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| Neighbours character | |||||||||||||||||||
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| Portrayed by | Rob Mills | ||||||||||||||||||
| Duration | 2017–2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| First appearance | 15 March 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Last appearance | 28 July 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Introduced by | Jason Herbison | ||||||||||||||||||
| Spin-off appearances | Neighbours: Erinsborough High (2019) | ||||||||||||||||||
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Finn Kelly is a fictional character from the Australian television soap opera Neighbours, played by Rob Mills. The actor relocated to Melbourne, where the show's studios are located, for the role of progressive high school teacher Finn. Mills began filming his first scenes in early November 2016, and he confirmed that he would be on-screen for around four to five months. He made his first appearance during the episode broadcast on 15 March 2017. Finn was introduced as a replacement for fellow teacher Brad Willis (Kip Gamblin) at Erinsborough High.
Finn initially projected a charismatic, affable, easygoing persona, which concealed his true sociopathic nature. He schemes to win back his former girlfriend Elly Conway (Jodi Anasta) and become principal of the school, before a brain aneurysm kills him. He manipulates student Xanthe Canning (Lilly Van der Meer) into helping him by using inappropriate flattery. Finn interferes with Susan Kennedy's (Jackie Woodburne) multiple sclerosis medication, resulting in her hospitalisation and his subsequent promotion to principal. However, this soon leads to the character's downfall, and as his crimes are exposed, he tries to flee the country. After attempting to frame Xanthe and surviving a ruptured aneurysm, Finn departed on 29 June 2017.
Mills reprised the role for another guest stint in May 2018. Finn returns to Erinsborough with Elly's sister Bea Nilsson (Bonnie Anderson), who believes him to be a disabled man called Patrick, in order to exact his revenge. He uses Bea to frame Elly for a hit-and-run on Xanthe, which he carries out. Finn later corners Susan, Elly, Bea and Xanthe on a cliff edge, and he is pushed over by Susan, resulting in a four-month coma. Mills was promoted to the regular cast in March 2019 and Finn was redeemed through an amnesia storyline, which saw him move in with the Kennedys and start a new relationship with Bea. Mills enjoyed playing Finn's vulnerable side and hoped viewers would sympathise with him. Mills finished filming with the show in December 2019, and his exit scenes aired on 24 March 2020. Mills later reprised the role for a guest stint in March 2021 and on 28 July 2022 for the show's final episode.
For his portrayal of Finn, Mills was longlisted for Best Daytime Star at the 2019 Inside Soap Awards. Finn was named "one of the nastiest characters Neighbours has ever seen" by Johnathon Hughes of Radio Times. Finn's redemption storyline and promotion to the regular cast has proved divisive among viewers.
On 15 November 2016, Sophie Dainty of Digital Spy reported that actor Rob Mills had been cast in the guest role of high school teacher Finn Kelly.[2] Mills began shooting his first scenes during the same week.[3] Of joining the cast, Mills stated: "I can't wait to get started on the show. As a youngster, I played baseball just behind where Ramsay Street is located and I thought at the time, how great it would be to be on Neighbours, and now it has happened!"[2] He later confirmed that his character's storyline would run for around four to five months.[4] Mills made his first appearance as Finn on 15 March 2017.[5]
Development
Characterisation and introduction
Finn is hired by Erinsborough High principal Susan Kennedy (Jackie Woodburne) to replace teacher Brad Willis (Kip Gamblin).[6] He is described as being "charismatic and affable",[7] as well as a "progressive and respected school teacher".[2] Of his similarities to the character, Mills told Colin Vickey of the Herald Sun: "They told me that he was handsome and charming and I went 'yeah, I can do that'. He loves kids. He is like Robin Williams in Dead Poets Society. He wants to make a difference in this world as an educator. That is my modus operandi as well. I love helping out kids and teaching."[8] Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy observed Finn was "warm, easygoing and friendly" upon his arrival.[9] Claire Tonkin of Network Ten stated that Finn "brings an unexpected agenda, juicy secrets and oodles of charm."[7] As Finn settles in, it becomes clear that there is more to him "than meets the eye", and the serial's executive producer, Jason Herbison called him "a really intriguing character".[2][8] Vickery (Herald Sun) noted that Finn "has a dark side", which led Mills to describe him as "driven". He explained that Finn does not let anything get in the way of what he wants and initially only the viewers would see this side of him.[8] He added that Finn is "quite good at charming and manipulating people to convince them of his good intentions."[8]
On-screen it emerges that Finn had a relationship with fellow teacher Elly Conway (Jodi Anasta) when they both lived in Sydney.[10] Anasta said that Elly was in love with Finn, but she was unaware that he was married and lying to her at the time.[6] Anasta called him "the ultimate charmer and heartbreaker".[10] She also said that Finn is the former boyfriend that Elly attempted to run down in her car, which had been briefly mentioned on-screen before his arrival.[10] Finn's introduction also led to further exploration of Elly's background and behaviour. She is "taken aback" when she sees him at the school, and viewers are given an insight into the manipulation and embarrassment she suffered while working with Finn in Sydney.[10] Elly worries that Finn is going to cause trouble for her, while Susan is impressed by him.[6] Anasta stated that like Elly, Finn has been through "some tough times". He has issues, and does not necessary make the right choices, which makes him seem like a bad person, but he is not "intrinsically nasty or horrible."[6] He and Elly initially clash over their history, before she asks him to resign and leave the school, which Finn refuses to do. He later finds her at a local bar and says he wants to make amends, but Elly does not forgive him and they cause a scene.[9] Finn begins tutoring Elly's student Xanthe Canning (Lilly Van der Meer) and shows interest in her cousin Ben Kirk's (Felix Mallard) career plans. While he is talking with Xanthe, Elly confronts him about an online comment regarding the incident at the bar. She pushes him away from her and he falls down some stairs in front of Xanthe.[11]
Career ambitions and manipulation of Xanthe Canning
Finn wants to reunite with Elly and take the principal job from Susan. A writer for TV Soap said that relocating to Erinsborough to work at the high school was all part of Finn's plan to win Elly back, after ruining their relationship with his "vindictive scheming".[12] Having realised that he is in love with Elly, Finn does not want to waste time as he has a brain aneurysm, that could rupture at any moment. He knows that he has the perfect opportunity to fulfil his dream of becoming a school principal, and begins keeping notes on every decision Susan makes.[12] He also convinces Xanthe to be his spy at the school, after she learns about his aneurysm.[13] Finn "turns on the charm" with Elly and they have sex.[14] Following their night together, Elly avoids Finn and later says that she does not want to be in a relationship with him. Adding to his frustrations, she and Susan find Xanthe a new tutor, as they realise that she has become too involved in his personal life. Finn loses his temper with Elly and receives a warning about his behaviour, leading him to step up his plan to have Susan removed from her job.[12] Finn starts by using his relationship with Elly to undermine Susan's role as principal.[14]
Finn also finds an opportunity to continue his manipulation of Xanthe when he finds her organising a picnic at the lake on Mother's Day. He plays on her sympathetic nature by admitting that he finds the day difficult, as his mother is dead.[15] Finn later gifts Xanthe a necklace for her birthday, and allows her to attend a hospital appointment with him.[13] The next step in Finn's plan sees him interfere with Susan's multiple sclerosis (MS) medication, resulting in her hospitalisation and his promotion to acting principal.[16] While shooting the medication swap scene, the director asked Mills to make it clear that Finn did not find his decision easy, showing that he was not all bad and had chosen "the darker path" as it was the quickest way to achieve his goal.[17] Mills said that Finn has to use Susan's collapse to remind others that she is not fit to run the school, which convinces them that he is the best person for the position.[17] He also explained that he enjoyed being "Susan's nemesis" and playing out the tension between her and Finn, saying "there was no shouting or confrontation, they hate each other but both chose to play the long game."[16]
"First and foremost Finn is a great teacher. He wants to make a difference, inspire young people and change the education system and bring it up to date. Oh, and he's a sociopath as well! As an actor you stick up for your character – he may do bad things but he's still inherently good. He's just misunderstood! Basically, Susan is in Finn's way, he needs to be school principal in order to make these changes. She keeps shutting him down so has to get out of the way."[16]
After Xanthe realises that he is behind Susan's condition, Finn uses "inappropriate flattery" to make sure she keeps quiet. Johnathon Hughes of Radio Times observed that Finn is "borderline grooming" Xanthe with his manipulative behaviour, and Mills admitted to being worried about how far his character was going to go with her.[16] He said, "I spoke to the writers early on and they explained it wasn't going to be that kind of relationship. Xanthe has fallen for Finn, but it's not reciprocated romantically by him at all. She lacks a positive male role model in her life and Finn is the first person in her life who has really nurtured her."[16] He also said that Finn needs Xanthe to keep his aneurysm a secret, and that he genuinely wants her and the other students to do well at school.[16] Mills told Hughes that Finn does worry he has taken things with Xanthe too far. He realises that she has the information to cause his downfall, and he cannot risk her finding out that he has been using her.[16] The actor later said that Finn will go as far as he can with Xanthe without their relationship becoming sexual, as he still loves Elly. However, he will tell Xanthe he loves her if it means she does not become suspicious about his intentions.[17]
Downfall
The character's downfall is sparked by student protests at the changes he has made to the school, including a vertical integration teaching scheme. Mills admitted that Finn "hasn't put any logistics in place for this system to work" and called his character "an idiot".[16] He explained that Finn just assumed the students and teachers would be ready, which adds to his frustrations because he does not have the time to implement things slowly. Mills commented that it makes Finn's behaviour "more maniacal."[16] Piper and Ben later show Finn a petition and Piper films his reaction to send to the local newspaper. Finn then "goads" Ben over Xanthe's decision to break up with him.[18] Finn's involvement in Susan's hospitalisation is also discovered after Nell Rebecchi (Scarlett Anderson) swallows some of the pills and collapses. Susan's husband Karl Kennedy (Alan Fletcher) notices Susan tested positive for the same painkillers, and gives them to the police.[18]
With the medication swap exposed and the police wanting to question him, Finn decides to leave the country. However, Xanthe believes herself to be in love with him and books herself a ticket too, telling Finn that he needs someone to look after him. Mills told Ellis (Inside Soap) that Finn feels he cannot say no in case Xanthe tells everyone the truth about his crimes.[19] He also revealed that they shot the plane scenes out of sequence, after he had only completed a couple of weeks filming. He called it "a good acting exercise" as he had to really think about the things Finn and Xanthe would go through to get to that point.[19] Finn and Xanthe are found by the police and taken to the station, where Finn is questioned about poisoning Susan and having an inappropriate relationship with Xanthe.[20] Finn tells the police that Xanthe poisoned Susan and frames her with false evidence. When faced with the accusation, Xanthe refuses to believe that Finn would do that to her, and does not cooperate with the police any further.[21]
After he is released, Finn goes into hiding. Mills told Soaplife's Alison James that Finn is waiting for "the heat to die down" over the "furore" he has caused at the school and with Xanthe.[22] During a showdown with Xanthe, who realises that he has used her, Finn's aneurysm bursts. Mills said it had been just a matter of time before it did, and Finn had been experiencing headaches whenever he became frustrated or angry. Finn falls into a coma and Xanthe calls an ambulance. When he wakes up, he claims to be paralysed and later claims that he was almost smothered by Elly.[22] Mills thought Finn was on a downward spiral and struggling to get out of the mess he has made. The actor told James that Finn becomes "a compulsive liar and he turns into something of a psychopath".[22] Finn made his exit on 29 June 2017, following a confrontation with Susan, who realises that he is not remorseful.[23] Mills would not rule out a return for his character in the future, saying "I'd be up for returning at some point if they'll have me. I want Finn to be redeemed, if that's at all possible..."[16]
Reintroduction
Mills reprised the role for another guest stint the following year, and Finn returned on 22 May 2018.[24] Mills stated that he was "absolutely thrilled" when he received a call asking him to return.[25] He praised the writers for the "magnificent job" they did scripting Finn's return, adding "this storyline is testament to just how psychotic Finn really is..."[26] Mills said Finn's teaching ambitions had gone, but he still had a "desire to be a manipulator."[25] Instead, Finn returns to Erinsborough to get his revenge, as he feels he has unfinished business.[26] Mills explained, "He's been to prison and served his time and I'd like to say he's rehabilitated, but I really don't think he is. There's great hurt in him. He doesn't like to lose and if anything he's gotten a little worse this time round."[25]
Mills confirmed that Finn is still obsessed with Elly, but he holds a grudge against her because his love is unrequited, leading to "some psychosis".[25] Mills confirmed that Finn would not have much to do with Xanthe this time round, but when he does, his actions would have "a big impact" on her. He also said that Finn still does not like Susan, and there would be no reconciliation between them.[25]
It soon emerges that Finn is dating Elly's younger sister Bea Nilsson (Bonnie Anderson), who was introduced shortly before his return.[25] Mills explained that Bea has been living on the streets and is estranged from her family, following a falling out with her mother. The actor joked, "So Finn thought it might be a good idea if they just patched things up, because he's such a good Samaritan!"[25] Finn uses the pseudonym "Patrick", so Bea has no idea who he really is. Mills told Johnathon Hughes of Radio Times that viewers would be left wondering whether his feelings for her were genuine, pointing out that she looks a lot like Elly, which is easier for his manipulation.[25] He called Bea "savvy" and "resilient", and he thought she would be fine despite being around "a strong narcissist" like Finn. He also mentioned that Bea and Finn have formed "a close bond".[26]
Finn has also convinced Bea that he needs a wheelchair, and tries to avoid her seeing him out of it. He also manages to secure a job at the hospital as Karl Kennedy's assistant on an MS trial, but makes sure that he is not seen by Karl or Susan, who drops by the office to deliver her medical file, which Finn steals.[27] Finn's plan starts to unravel when Bea finds his wheelchair at their apartment and he is nowhere to be found. He tells her that he has been getting some movement back in his legs, but sensing that Bea is sceptical and about to break up with him, Finn proposes and Bea accepts. She then asks him to meet her family, which he initially agrees to, but then cancels at the last moment.[27] Finn tampers with the data from the MS trial, leading to good results that Karl plans to present at a medical conference.[28] However, Finn contacts the hospital's COO Clive Gibbons (Geoff Paine) and tells him the data has been falsified, leading Clive to shut down the trial.[28]
Finn's revenge plan is revealed on the day of a local scavenger hunt when he deliberately strikes Xanthe with Elly's car, before kidnapping three of his victims. The storyline also saw the character make a temporary exit from the serial.[29] Finn takes Elly's car and drives it at Xanthe and Chloe Brennan (April Rose Pengilly) at high speed. Xanthe pushes Chloe out of the way, taking the full impact of the car.[29] Van der Meer commented, "She sees Finn staring at her behind the wheel, there's a split-second where they lock eyes then she's hit and knocked out."[29] Elly is blamed for the attempt on Xanthe's life, until Xanthe wakes from a coma and reveals that Finn was behind the wheel.[29] Susan and Elly later come face to face with Finn, as they try to track down Bea. He lures them into a shipping container, where he has already put Bea, and locks them all in. He then flees the scene, leaving the women to die.[30] Karl and Mark Brennan (Scott McGregor) eventually rescue the women, and Elly is rushed to hospital with dehydration. Bea is left "heartbroken that she's been so betrayed" by Finn.[30]
Cliff fall and redemption
Towards the end of 2018, the character reappears as Bea finds him at a remote cabin in the bush, where he has been hiding since leaving her for dead.[31] Bea has been seeking closure on her relationship with Finn, and is "horrified" when she comes face to face with him.[31] Mills explained that Finn "has had some time out", continuing "Obviously, you can't lock three people in a shipping container and expect to get away with it! The police are looking for him, so he's been waiting for the heat to subside. Now he's back for revenge!"[31] Finn initially tells Bea that he wants to make things right between them and attempts to seduce her. Bea says she never stopped loving him, but Finn is aware that this is a lie. Mills described Finn's behaviour as "creepy", but said he has genuine feelings for Bea.[31] As Bea strikes Finn and runs from the cabin, she meets Susan, Elly and Xanthe, who have tracked her location. The women are confronted by Finn at the edge of a cliff. Mills likened his character to "a kid in a candy store", as the women have been very important to him at one time or another.[31]
The confrontation ends with Finn being pushed over the cliff and the women agreeing to keep what happened to themselves. The scenes were filmed over a couple of days, and Mills came close to falling from the cliff for real, so the fearful reactions from the actresses was real. A stunt man then came in to shoot Finn's fall.[31] Finn is found and taken to the hospital, where he remains in a coma. Bea, Xanthe, Susan and Elly keep quiet about their involvement, but Elly struggles and Susan starts having visions of Finn.[32] They soon learn that Finn planted canisters of cyanide in the school air vents, after several students and teachers fall ill. This prompts Susan to almost smother Finn at the hospital, and then confess that she was the one who pushed him off the cliff.[32]
In March 2019, following scenes in which Finn woke from his coma, the show announced via its social media platforms that Mills had signed a permanent contract, meaning Finn would become a member of the regular cast.[33] Producers plotted a redemption storyline arc for the character, after he is diagnosed with retrograde amnesia. Finn believes the year is 2007 and he is a nineteen year old university student.[34] The producers also chose to introduce returning character Beverly Marshall (Shaunna O'Grady) into the storyline, as she carries out a series of tests and concludes that Finn's amnesia is genuine.[35] Karl offers to help Finn recover his memories, by taking him to familiar places, but his plan fails. Mills told Inside Soap's Alice Penwill: "Finn doesn't remember anything. But I suppose that's the best thing for Finn – hopefully now he has the chance to start afresh."[35] Finn later seeks advice from lawyer Imogen Willis (Ariel Kaplan), knowing that if his memories return, he could be going to prison.[35] Mills hoped viewers would believe that Finn has amnesia and might sympathise with him. He called the new Finn "a really good guy",[35] and added "I've had to tap into different emotions to discover these different layers. He isn't one-dimensional, and it's been fun to play his vulnerable side."[35]
The attitudes of the character's involved with Finn also begin to change, including Susan, who becomes more empathetic towards him as she spends time at the hospital.[36] Bea plans to tell Finn how much he hurt her, but when she sees him save Imogen and Susan from a speeding car, it causes her to change her mind about him, leaving her conflicted when it comes to his sentencing hearing.[36] Anderson said her character was "terrified" by Finn, but she has since seen "a complete transformation" in him.[36] She continued, "Seeing him in court really opens up some old wounds for her. She has to relive her ordeal, yet Finn clearly has no recollection of what he did – so it's hard for Bea to hate him..."[36] Instead of the expected "character assassination", Bea's statement to the court is sympathetic towards Finn.[36] At the conclusion of the hearing, Finn is given a non-custodial sentence. Needing somewhere to live, Finn's half-brother Shaun Watkins (Brad Moller) asks the Kennedys to house him and Bea is "taken aback" when they agree, meaning she has to share a house with her abuser. Her boyfriend Ned Willis (Ben Hall) is also not happy with the arrangement, and later believes he has witnessed Finn intimidating Bea.[37]
Relationship with Bea Nilsson
Bea and Finn's romantic connection was revisited in May 2019, following the breakdown of Bea and Ned's relationship, due to his involvement in a revenge plan on Finn.[38] Feeling guilty for the part he played in their break up, Finn attempts to get them back together. However, it makes Ned realise that Bea was right to end their relationship. Bea later thanks Finn for trying to help her out.[38] The former couple later come close to kissing, leaving Bea confused and unwilling to talk about it. Finn also struggles and they turn to Karl and Susan for advice.[39] Katie Baillie of Metro noted that Bea seemed "horrified" that she cares for Finn, and unaware that she never "quite buried her feelings" for him.[39] Finn is "disappointed, but understanding" when Bea wants to forget the incident happened.[39]
Finn and Bea's feelings for one another are revealed when he deals with an obsessive fan, Alfie Sutton (Harry Borland), who has broken into the house to take a photo with him. Finn reacts violently when Alfie approaches Bea, and pulls him away.[40] Alfie blackmails Finn and Bea into letting him go, knowing that Finn will get into trouble if they go to the police. Finn then explains to Bea that he was "overprotective" because he is in love with her, and she tells him she feels the same.[40] As they attempt to keep their relationship a secret, Finn and Bea decide to go on a date outside of Erinsborough. Although Bea has a flashback to when she was manipulated by him, the date is a success. But later that day, Ned spots them kissing, putting their secret at risk.[41]
Finn and Bea eventually decide to tell their family and friends about their relationship, before they find out some other way. A shocked Karl and Elly urge Bea to break off the relationship, as they think she will get hurt again, but Bea remains committed to Finn.[42] The relationship is tested by the reappearance of Alfie, who breaks into the Kennedy house and steals Finn and Bea's clothes.[43] When Karl and Susan learn of the incident with Alfie and his obsession with Finn, they encourage Finn to go to the police or move out. Finn reports the break in and assault to the police, and is held at the station when Alfie contradicts his statement.[44] After being informed that he will be held on remand, Finn has a panic attack. Lawyer Toadfish Rebecchi (Ryan Moloney) then asks that Finn be placed under house arrest instead.[44]
Writers introduced the character's estranged father Trent Kelly (Peter Houghton) in February 2020, leading to further exploration of his fictional backstory.[45] Finn tells Bea and Susan that his father suffered with alcoholism, which "turned him into a mess" and they started to lose touch, which worsened when Finn went to university.[45] Kilkelly (Digital Spy) explained that Finn feels that does not have closure on his past, so Bea contacts Trent on his behalf and meets him with Elly. They learn a secret about Trent "which could devastate Finn".[45] The storyline also tests Finn's relationship with Bea again, as he becomes closer to Elly.[45]
Departure and returns
Mills finished filming with the show in December 2019.[46] Of leaving, he commented "That was the end of my three years as the character of Finn Kelly. I have a lot of auditions coming up."[46] His character's exit scenes aired on 24 March 2020, as the third death part of the 35th anniversary week of Neighbours.[47] Finn drowns in a shallow grave that he has dug for Susan. Although Finn's death is an accident, Elly's suspicious behaviour at the scene leads her to be questioned by the police and later charged with his murder.[47]
Mills later reprised the role for a short guest stint beginning 2 March 2021.[48] Finn reappears as Susan begins using a visualisation technique to help her gain closure over her trauma.[48] Of his return, Mills stated "It's just a short resurrection, no witchcraft involved. It was so good, the way it was written and shot. Finn has some unfinished business."[48] Mills liked that his character was still part of the show and his presence on the street "has haunted people."[48] In June 2022, Mills appeared on Studio 10 to discuss the Neighbours finale, following its cancellation earlier in the year. He told hosts Sarah Harris and Tristan MacManus that he had been on set for the filming of the final scene, but did not confirm at the time whether he would be reprising his role.[49] Mills did make an appearance as a ghostly Finn during the finale, which aired on 28 July 2022.[50]