As Christmas approaches, the cast of Neighbours are still surprised – and thankful – they can celebrate together.
“It was a huge shock to hear the news that the show was back [after it was cancelled after 37 years in 2022],” Lucinda Cowden, who plays Melanie, Toadie’s (Ryan Moloney) ex-wife, tells TV WEEK. “We’d all given it a great send-off and said our goodbyes. I felt so happy and grateful to play Mel again.”
“It was a huge shock to hear the news that the show was back…”
(Image: Supplied)Lucinda, 58, has been embroiled in some intense storylines this year, from allegedly murdering wealthy hotelier Reece Sinclair’s (Mischa Barton) sister, Krista (Majella Davis), to her spiky relationship with Toadie’s new wife, Terese (Rebekah Elmaloglou).
“Poor Mel has had a really hard time so far and it doesn’t get any easier for a while,” Lucinda reveals.
With the reboot bringing both familiar and fresh faces to the series, Alan Fletcher who plays Dr Karl, admits to conflicting emotions.
The reboot brought both familiar and fresh faces.
(Image: Supplied)“It was so exciting to go back to the studio – until I started to meet so many new cast and crew,” Alan, 66, says. “It was like stepping into a brand-new show. I was very nervous – I felt like I had to prove myself to them.”
Takaya Honda, who plays Paul Robinson’s (Stefan Dennis) son David, says that while the “cast chemistry was wonderful”, he’s excited about his holiday break after a tough year: he lost his mother Rhonda in August after a long battle with early-onset Alzheimer’s.
“It will be the first year my wife and I stay home for Christmas,” Takaya, 36, explains. “After a tough year, we’ll finally be able to set up some of our own traditions and have presents under our own tree, our first after eight years.”
Jackie is looking forward to a Christmas surrounded by loved ones.
(Image: Supplied)Despite the sad loss of his mum, Takaya is still grateful for 2023.
“The highlight has been rejoining this cast and feeling all their love through one of the hardest periods of my life,” he says.
As for Jackie Woodburne, who plays Susan, she’s looking forward to a Christmas surrounded by loved ones.
“I’m looking forward to lots of fun with family,” Jackie, 67, says. “We have even more kids around this year, which makes Christmas very special.”
“The highlight has been rejoining this cast.”
(Image: Supplied)