In July 1999, Connor began filming the ongoing role of builder and family patriarch Joe Scully in the television soap opera "Neighbours", with his first scene's going on air in October. The show's producers invited him to audition for the role, and he decided to accept when he found out that he would be working with actress Janet Andrewartha, who plays Joe's on-screen wife Lyn Scully. Connor had previously played a guest role in the series as character Phil Hoffman debuting on-screen in "Episode 1410" on 26 March and appearing until 16 April 1991. Joe Scully gave Connor the chance to play a character who was not a "bad guy, a confrontational type, a man on the verge". Connor was initially contracted with "Neighbours" for three years, with 12-month renewal options.