Will Offspring return to our screens for season eight – or is it gone forever? That’s the question that fans of the popular drama desperately want answered.
The much-loved Aussie series was left out of Network Ten’s 2018 programming line-up at last year’s annual upfronts, leading to speculation the once celebrated show was dead and buried.
Now, Offspring leading lady Asher Keddie has finally shed some light on its future. The Gold Logie winner says she is open to bringing back her character, Nina Proudman.
However, TV WEEK can exclusively reveal that Asher and Network Ten have had no discussions about the return of the show since the last episode of season seven aired on August 30 last year.
“I haven’t had a conversation about Offspring for so long, since we finished last year, and that’s the truth,” the 43-year-old tells us.
“I guess if someone had the conversation, I would always say yes to a conversation.”
Asher hasn’t ruled out a return to Offspring for an eighth season.
This is not an unusual position for Offspring to be in. When the show finished its fifth season in 2014, many predicted that was the end. Two years later, it was back on screens.
Reflecting on the drama, Asher says it’s only in hindsight that she realises just how much viewers loved Nina.
“What an incredible success that show has been,” she beams. “And what an incredible role for me!”
When she won a TV WEEK Gold Logie in 2013, Asher says the hype was so huge, and the attention so relentless, she had difficulty coping with it. She’s now able to look back at the success of the show with enormous pride.
“I don’t think I was able to deal with how much love surrounded it and me when we were around season three and four, when it was huge,” she reflects.
“I’m feeling so grateful now, but I don’t know I felt it at the time, because I had so much going on.”
Now, for the first time in her life, Asher has started to make career plans, and that includes a future away from Offspring.
Recently, she has been filming the BBC and ABC co-production The Cry in Melbourne. Filming for the series has now shifted to Scotland, and Asher hopes to have work meetings in London as well. She’s also developing a project as a producer with Matchbox Pictures.
“It probably feels like in my life that I have never really made plans when it comes to my acting,” she admits. “I’ve never really done that before.
“I don’t know if it’s foolish or not, but I’ve been really lucky. I’ve just gone where the wind takes me.
“But I’m starting to change. I don’t know if that’s because I’m getting older, or because I’m responsible for other people. But I’m 44 this year, and I’m starting to make plans, and it feels good.”
At this point in her life, Asher has a confidence to try new things.
“I’m really focusing on developing things,” she enthuses. “I feel focused about producing – I feel like I can do it and enjoy it.
“I’ve got to that point where I will always do this [acting]. I will always love it, but it doesn’t mean I can’t do other things as well. I’m also loving acting more than ever.”
For our full interview with Asher Keddie, pick up a copy of the latest TV WEEK mag. On sale now!
