In celebration of International Woman’s Day on March 8, Neighbours will be airing a special all-female episode.
Starring women, directed by women, celebrating women, the soap will shine the spotlight on all the women in the community of Erinsborough.
With the recent passing of Sonya (Eve Morley), the residents of Ramsay Street will come together to remember her life and the impact she had on family and friends.
As the women rally together, Piper (Mavournee Hazel) decides that she will interview each of the women about their female heroes for a special episode on her video blog. They each reflect on the women that have helped shape them, inspire them and motivate them.
“It’s celebrating the beautiful woman that passed and how we are to look after her legacy and look after each other,” Neighbours director Kate Kendall, 45, tells TV WEEK.
The female stars of Neighbours will take part in a special episode.
Kate played Lauren Turner in the series before going behind the scenes in 2018 to wear the director’s hat. She believes Sonya’s battle with Ovarian cancer will resonate with viewers.
“I don’t think there’s a person that hasn’t had some connection to cancer,” she explains. “Whether it’s ovarian cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, people are affected by it on a daily basis.”
The female-centric episode will not only celebrate the women of Erinsborough, but also looks at the effect the passing of Sonya has had on the community.
“It was really fun to do, but overshadowed by the fact that one of our favourite characters died,” Kate says. “People were thinking about things rather than chanting about things.”
The women of Erinsborough will reflect on the death of their dear friend, Sonya.
In the current climate of the Time’s Up movement, women have begun to feel more comfortable sharing their stories as a form of support. This special episode is no different, as the women of Erinsborough come together to celebrate one another, as well as the life of a beloved neighbour and friend, Sonya.
It is an important reminder to viewers of the role women make in each community and why it is worthy of celebrating.
“International Women’s Day is so important because it reminds us that we still have a way to go in gender equity,” says actress Jackie Woodburne.
“It’s a global drive, but to see it reflected in the context of a suburban town like Erinsborough, makes it more personal and relevant to us all. I’m so proud Neighbours continues to address current and relevant issues in such an entertaining and accessible way.”
Neighbours airs weeknights, 6:30pm, on 10 Peach.
