Neighbours fans express dismay over casting: 'If you are not asked back they will have made a huge mistake!'
- Replies 2
Over the years, we have seen the plot of the iconic Aussie show Neighbours thicken as it featured the lives of fictional Ramsay Street residents and their day-to-day ordeals.
The Logie Award-winning soap made headlines anew when it was abruptly cancelled this year due to budgeting issues caused by a major broadcasting investor pulling out.
However, all was not lost as the production company Fremantle managed to find a new broadcast partner, and it was revealed the show will resume next year.
At the same time the announcement was made, so were the names of some of the actors that will be returning: Jackie Woodburne (Susan Kennedy), Alan Fletcher (Dr Karl Kennedy), Ryan Moloney (Toadfish Rebecchi) and Stefan Dennis (Paul Robinson).
However, some of the show’s other stars were apparently blindsided by the series’ revival.
Actor Takaya Honda, who played David Tanaka on the show, for example, pointed out that the four actors involved in the announcement of the development were the only ones who knew.
Source: Instagram/@neighbours
This has caused concerns among the show’s loyal fanbase that their favourites might not be coming back in the reboot, especially considering it was also said that writers were ‘starting immediately’ for production to start in early 2023.
Case in point: fan-favourite Neighbours star April Rose Pengilly, who played Chloe Brennan for over four years, has some fans clamouring for her return to the show on social media.
In her latest post on Instagram — featuring some behind-the-scenes videos of her time on the soap — April made a subtle reference to the elephant on Ramsay Street.
‘Who’s excited for the new Neighbours?’ she wrote.
‘We don’t know who will be asked back yet (apart from the four who were initially announced), but swipe to enjoy some BTS vids until then.’
Her admission — which some view as a subtle dig to show producers — sparked an emotional reaction among fans, who expressed their disappointment and worry about the future casting of the show.
'The way in which it was announced with the rest of the cast not given a heads-up and none being asked back yet, that sucks,' one fan wrote.
'I have to be honest, it dampened my enthusiasm a little bit… I love the heritage four, and yes they needed to come back (but) they are not the whole show.’
‘I feel like it's being a little disregarded how much characters like Chloe, David, Aaron, Terese and others have come to mean to the audience over the years. I don't want an entirely new cast.'
Another Instagram user reassured her, writing: 'If you are not asked back they will have made a huge mistake! You are one of the people that makes the show shine!'
‘I feel the new production company should reprise the entire cast at the point it got shelved, it still had many many fans at that point, and the fan base enjoyed the actors and storylines,’ a third one added.
‘It doesn’t need a big overhaul because it might lose its magic! It wasn’t broken, so it doesn't need fixing…’
Well, it's clear that at least some members of the cast, fans, and viewers are all hoping for the reboot to have enough of the familiar faces that made Neighbours as popular and beloved as it was in the past.
Source: YouTube/Neighbours Official Channel
Speaking of familiar faces, Kate Keltie, who played Michelle Scully on Neighbours in the early 2000s, is dealing with a personal dilemma we hope she overcomes.
Scott McGregor, also known as policeman Mark Brennan, meanwhile faces one count of sexual assault over an incident in a Melbourne pub earlier this year.
What do you think of the Neighbours situation, members? Do you have any favourites you’d love to see back with Susan, Karl, Toadfish, and Paul on Ramsay Street?
Let us know in the comments below!
Source: Instagram/@aprilrosepengilly
The Logie Award-winning soap made headlines anew when it was abruptly cancelled this year due to budgeting issues caused by a major broadcasting investor pulling out.
However, all was not lost as the production company Fremantle managed to find a new broadcast partner, and it was revealed the show will resume next year.
At the same time the announcement was made, so were the names of some of the actors that will be returning: Jackie Woodburne (Susan Kennedy), Alan Fletcher (Dr Karl Kennedy), Ryan Moloney (Toadfish Rebecchi) and Stefan Dennis (Paul Robinson).
However, some of the show’s other stars were apparently blindsided by the series’ revival.
Actor Takaya Honda, who played David Tanaka on the show, for example, pointed out that the four actors involved in the announcement of the development were the only ones who knew.
Source: Instagram/@neighbours
This has caused concerns among the show’s loyal fanbase that their favourites might not be coming back in the reboot, especially considering it was also said that writers were ‘starting immediately’ for production to start in early 2023.
Case in point: fan-favourite Neighbours star April Rose Pengilly, who played Chloe Brennan for over four years, has some fans clamouring for her return to the show on social media.
In her latest post on Instagram — featuring some behind-the-scenes videos of her time on the soap — April made a subtle reference to the elephant on Ramsay Street.
‘Who’s excited for the new Neighbours?’ she wrote.
‘We don’t know who will be asked back yet (apart from the four who were initially announced), but swipe to enjoy some BTS vids until then.’
Her admission — which some view as a subtle dig to show producers — sparked an emotional reaction among fans, who expressed their disappointment and worry about the future casting of the show.
A recent Instagram post by April Rose Pengilly had fans saying they want her back on Neighbours. Screengrab Credit: Instagram/@aprilrosepengilly
'The way in which it was announced with the rest of the cast not given a heads-up and none being asked back yet, that sucks,' one fan wrote.
'I have to be honest, it dampened my enthusiasm a little bit… I love the heritage four, and yes they needed to come back (but) they are not the whole show.’
‘I feel like it's being a little disregarded how much characters like Chloe, David, Aaron, Terese and others have come to mean to the audience over the years. I don't want an entirely new cast.'
Another Instagram user reassured her, writing: 'If you are not asked back they will have made a huge mistake! You are one of the people that makes the show shine!'
‘I feel the new production company should reprise the entire cast at the point it got shelved, it still had many many fans at that point, and the fan base enjoyed the actors and storylines,’ a third one added.
‘It doesn’t need a big overhaul because it might lose its magic! It wasn’t broken, so it doesn't need fixing…’
Well, it's clear that at least some members of the cast, fans, and viewers are all hoping for the reboot to have enough of the familiar faces that made Neighbours as popular and beloved as it was in the past.
Source: YouTube/Neighbours Official Channel
Speaking of familiar faces, Kate Keltie, who played Michelle Scully on Neighbours in the early 2000s, is dealing with a personal dilemma we hope she overcomes.
Scott McGregor, also known as policeman Mark Brennan, meanwhile faces one count of sexual assault over an incident in a Melbourne pub earlier this year.
What do you think of the Neighbours situation, members? Do you have any favourites you’d love to see back with Susan, Karl, Toadfish, and Paul on Ramsay Street?
Let us know in the comments below!
Source: Instagram/@aprilrosepengilly
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