Easily the area of the canvas I kept trying to catch up for, lol.

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Sara West (@sarajwest)

@Vee They were the bright spot for me in the first year. Unfortunately, the second year made some mistakes with them, but still, they are ending the show intact (I hope). Nothing compared to the decimation of Wendy Rodwell.

The show's final cast photo, which...is very unique.

5 hours ago, DRW50 said:

The show's final cast photo, which...is very unique.

 

That just gives me a headache trying to figure out who (if anyone) was on set since there are so many badly photoshopped in. 

Dame Jackie Woodburne will be co-starring in a new four-part drama from Fremantle for Channel 5, created by Jason Herbison and filmed at Neighbours' Nunawading studios and in Victoria. Kym Marsh has also been cast.

I find this news encouraging, as it keeps the lights on until Neighbours gets saved again, and is what happened last time with Channel 5's Aussie-made dramas from Jason Herbison co-starring British soap stars. (Charlie Brooks, Jo Joyner, Danny Dyer). Only now it's with added Ramsay Street royalty! Am keen to see Jackie getting stuck into a new role.

https://tvtonight.com.au/2025/07/jackie-woodburne-to-co-star-in-new-drama-imposter.html

That makes me so happy for Jackie!!

59 minutes ago, Liberty City said:

That makes me so happy for Jackie!!

Me too, so well deserved. Just love the thought of her face on billboards across the UK next year to advertise the new drama.

1 hour ago, Adamski said:

Me too, so well deserved. Just love the thought of her face on billboards across the UK next year to advertise the new drama.

Oh, that would be aces for those able to see them!!

12 hours ago, Adamski said:

Dame Jackie Woodburne will be co-starring in a new four-part drama from Fremantle for Channel 5, created by Jason Herbison and filmed at Neighbours' Nunawading studios and in Victoria. Kym Marsh has also been cast.

I find this news encouraging, as it keeps the lights on until Neighbours gets saved again, and is what happened last time with Channel 5's Aussie-made dramas from Jason Herbison co-starring British soap stars. (Charlie Brooks, Jo Joyner, Danny Dyer). Only now it's with added Ramsay Street royalty! Am keen to see Jackie getting stuck into a new role.

https://tvtonight.com.au/2025/07/jackie-woodburne-to-co-star-in-new-drama-imposter.html

That's great news. Jackie is one of the best actors out there - few can do so much without even raising their voice.

That does seem rather calculated to keep the crew (and studio) together. Good for her.

On 2/17/2025 at 10:01 AM, DRW50 said:

Matt Wilson has been the quiet MVP of Neighbours since the revival. He's good at comedy and at drama and has very natural emotional connections, even when he is often kept with a small group. He may never be known as a "legend" or an "icon," but maybe that's for the best. 

Completely agree with this. David's death has been the making of Aaron as a character, IMO, and he has been so good throughout the revival.

Aaron is an excellent 'community' character - you can easily put him in scenes with anyone and it just works. He has charm to burn and adds hugely to the show's feelgood factor. I also love his relationship with Jane. 

And while we shouldn't have to feel grateful for this, I've always appreciated that an actor who is married to a woman IRL can so convincingly portray male on male desire onscreen. I genuinely believed that Aaron was in love with his 'Boo' and that they fancied each other. And I definitely believed that Aaron was sexually attracted to/had chemistry with both Clint and Rhett during the recent gay love triangle, which was so much fun and very Neighbours.

In other news, I hadn't watched Neighbours since the 40th in March but am now fully caught up. I have to say I'm really loving it, it feels like the show is firing on all cylinders with a full cast and lots of interconnected stories. A completely different show to the first year of the revival.

 

The Darcy/Amanda storyline was excellent, and thank god it gave Alan and Jackie something to do. It's also given Dame Annie Jones some meaty material to get stuck into. (I really hoped that Amanda's portrait would replace that overbearing one of Mrs Mangel, but sadly not).

 

Cara has also matured into such a well rounded character, I love her, and she was excellent going up against Paul when Chelsea lleft baby Thomas behind. Someone online said she's a little bit Joe Scully and a little bit Pam Willis, I quite like that. Naomi Rukavina was also brilliant in the hospital bed scene where Remi's amnesia was revealed. So soapy!

 

Saskia is a fun addition to the canvas, her evil little smirks are a hoot and I hope the mystery of what's wrong with her continues for a while. She's also made me interested in the teen group for the first time in ages. The actor who plays Dex does 'lovesick puppy' so well, it's adorable.

 

What I've also really enjoyed is the intergenerational aspect, where you have Max sharing scenes with Agnes (loved Anne Charleston's stint), and Sadie sharing scenes with Amanda. It gives the show heart, and I love seeing these young actors learning from industry legends. 

 

As for the bad, well they have really done a number on poor Wendy Rodwell, she was very unlikeable during the catfishing saga, and then digging into Andrew's genealogy without his knowledge. But this revolting Andrew/Holly attraction has me fully on Wendy's side again. I also enjoy any scene where Wendy has to plaster on a smile to hide her insecurities/doubts. Candice Leask does that so well. 

 

The Rodwell family unit suffers from only having three members, IMO, and although the actor who played Felix was great, it's baffling why he was cast after those quotes from Jason Herbison saying the actor "has a busy life."

 

Also on the negative side is Taye, ye gods he is so plastic and cringe inducing, a real weak link in the cast. The actor only seems to have one facial expression: "sulky bitch."

 

As for making Nell an accidental killer, what exactly was the point? It had no lasting ramifications whatsoever. 

 

And as others have said, why cast a gifted and popular actress like Libby Tanner if you're only going to use her for three eps?

 

Really don't want this show to end.

I was disappointed to see Saskia's arc wrapped up so quickly. The actress played her so well, and it was a hoot seeing her seethe menacingly with those deep dark eyes. If the show wasn't ending there's so much more they could have done with her. 

Stefan Dennis will be on the new series of Strictly Come Dancing.

I wanted Andrew Rodwell with someone else... but Holly? Of all people? Ugh... spare me. Waste of a good character.

I so hare Andrew and Holly

Poor Max, Sadie and Wendy. Not hoe id end the show

 

Rumor is

Spoiler

Final episode airs Dec 11th