Classic Australian soap opera Neighbours is getting ready to air again the next week.
Cast members who claim they had “no idea” the show was coming back have found themselves in the dark as filming gets begin.
With an incredible 37-year run that culminated in a spectacular July finale that saw the return of beloved characters like Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue to Ramsay Street, Neighbours bid farewell earlier this year.
But in an unexpected turn of events, it was revealed that the show was returning, and that it would debut on Amazon Freevee on September 18.
Many Hollywood celebrities, like Chris and Liam Hemsworth, Margot Robbie, Guy Pearce, and Russell Crowe, who made early appearances on Ramsay Street, got their start in show business on Neighbours.
Many of these notables are noticeably missing, even if some are expected to return for the relaunch. Now let’s explore those that were overlooked.
Honda Takaya
It has been said by former Neighbours star Takaya that he was unaware of the show’s resuscitation.
Erinsborough favourites Jackie Woodburne, Alan Fletcher, Ryan Moloney, and Stefan Dennis enthusiastically discussed the comeback and affirmed that they will play their parts again in a video that was posted on Twitter.
After sharing the tweet, Honda, who played David Tanaka in the show, said that neither he nor the other cast members had heard of it.
He posted on Twitter, saying, “Just FYI, the cast is finding this out right now.”
“Allow us some time to absorb this,” the actor, who has been a part of the show since 2016, continued.
“We have no knowledge.”
Wilson Matty
Along with saying, “Did not see this coming,” on his Instagram Stories, Matty, who portrayed Aaron Brennan, also commented on the official news of a Neighbours reboot.
He shared his disbelief on Instagram Stories, joining a number of his castmates who were equally taken aback by the news.
Although it is unknown if Aaron will return to Ramsay Street, supporters have begun organising a campaign in favour of it.
Ingeborg Stone
The iconic Australian soap opera character Georgie Stone revealed that she learned about the revival via the internet just like the rest of us. Georgie Stone played Mackenzie Hargreaves in the show.
“Thanks for all the DMs!” she wrote on the internet at the time. I have no idea if I’m returning, as I only learned that Neighbours was coming back when you guys did! But I appreciate you enquiring and desiring more from Mackenzie.”
Patrick McLachlan
From 1987 to 1989, the actor portrayed Henry Ramsay, the brother of Kylie Minogue’s character Charlene. However, when the programme ended after 37 years, he was not one of the numerous former cast members welcomed back.
McLachlan was cleared of sexual harassment claims in 2020, but it was “devastating” for the performer, according to a spokesman, who also blamed “cancel culture” for the rejection of his invitation to return.
Mendelsohn Ben
When Ben Mendelsohn, 53, was a young 17-year-old in 1986, he appeared in 19 episodes of Neighbours as Warren Murphy.
Even though Ben went on to play prominent roles in Hollywood productions such as The Dark Knight Rises, Animal Kingdom, Star Wars, and Bloodline on Netflix, he stated to Yahoo in 2016 that his “most widely known” role was still Neighbours.
“When I consider some of the things I’ve done over the past few years, I think, ‘Oh geez, how did I get through?'” he continued. However, I don’t really look back on any of it with shame.”
He will not be making an appearance in the reboot, despite his gushing over his time on the show.
