Serendipity "Ren" Gottlieb is a fictional character from the Australian television soap opera Neighbours, played by Raelee Hill.
During her time in the show she becomes good friends with Sam Kratz (Richard Grieve) and Annalise Hartman (Kimberley Davies), is almost beaten up by her boyfriend, becomes a designer and gets engaged to Luke Handley (Bernard Curry).
She often took her breaks in a café next to the Network Ten studio, where Neighbours was filmed, and Russ recognised Hill from her time on Paradise Beach.
[2] The character's fictional backstory explained that she enjoyed living in the hippy communes with her parents when she was younger, and she retains her beliefs in the healing properties of crystals and rebirth.
[4] Josephine Monroe, author of Neighbours: The First 10 Years, described Serendipity as "one of life's free spirits" and wrote that she is ruled by her heart rather than her head.
[2] She hung out with people similar to Ren,[6] once sang in a medieval chanting group and shopped for her clothes at markets, but unlike her character, she grew out of it.
[2] A reporter for the Dumfries and Galloway Standard thought Hill's background helped her bring real conviction to the role.
[2] Hill admitted that working with the baby who played Louise had put her off motherhood for the time being, adding that she was happy to hand her back at the end of filming.
[4] Their contemporary home decor reflected their personalities, and Andrew Anastasios of The Age wrote: "They are younger, less conservative, and Ren is 'a hippy fashion designer'.
"[4] After Ren befriends Sam Kratz (Richard Grieve), Pauline Cronin of Sunday World reported that the characters looked set to start a romance.
[5] Hill told her that it was a case of opposites attracting, and said "If only romances in Neighbours ever got a chance to get off the ground, then perhaps Sam and Serendipity could be destined for a big relationship.
[5] Things get off to a bad start when Sam grows jealous of Ren's friend Paulo Cechero (Hannes Berger), but Hill hoped the pair would get over that "little hiccup" and get together, as she was keen to work closer with Grieve.
Hill pointed out that Luke finds it hard to make a commitment as the death of his younger sister has led him afraid to get close to anyone.
She added that she spoke with the producer of Neighbours and told them she would be interested in coming back one day, especially as Ren's story with Luke is left unresolved.
[10] Serendipity arrives in Erinsborough after working as a nanny in Amsterdam, having last seen her brothers Mark and Stephen Gottlieb (Lochie Daddo) at their mother's funeral.
Sam meets Chip Kelly (Martin Crewes) through the Erinsborough football team and he and Serendipity begin a relationship.
They noted that "if you're stuck while playing Scrabble, ask if Ramsay Street characters are allowed, and this hippy sister of chef Mark might well come to your rescue.