Former Neighbours star Emma Harrison gets back into acting

A former soap star is getting back into acting three decades after becoming a household name on Neighbours. A milestone birthday prompted the move.

Clive James during guest appearance on TV show Neighbours with Richard Grieve and Emma Harrison Grieve and Emma Harrison.

Emma Harrison is starting her “second act” at 50. The former Neighbours actor and model, who lives in a shipping container tiny home in Queensland, spent her 50th birthday on a cruise in Vanuatu.

Harrison, who was best known for the role of Joanna Hartman in the Aussie soap, left show business after the birth of her daughter and the end of a “traumatic relationship experience” 10 years ago.

She did 113 episodes of Neighbours, from the age of 21, and shot to stardom – even famously appearing on the cover of men’s magazine FHM in 1998 with Isla Fisher.

“I’ve just started auditioning again since I  turned 50,” Harrison told Confidential.

Emma Harrison celebrated her 50th birthday with a new set of headshots for her first acting auditions in a decade. Photo: Jack Venables Photography

“I want women who are 50 to do what they want, wear what they want, and not let that number make them feel invisible.”

At radio presenter Bianca Dye’s 50th, an agent approached Harrison and asked her why she was not acting.

Actors Isla Fisher and Emma Harrison on the cover of FHM magazine.

Emma Harrison in a scene from the television series Neighbours.

“I said I like the role of mum, I thought I was kind of past it. She told me no, there’s tonnes of roles.

“So I’m ready to get back out there.

“What’s really exciting is I’m being put forward for roles where they’re looking for 35-year-olds. I’m feeling lucky that I’m seen as younger than I actually am.”

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