Neighbours stars reveal what’s next in their careers after spectacular end to TV show
With 37 years of Neighbours now finished, stars of the long-running show have revealed what’s next in their careers.
Entertainment
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With the final chapter in the extraordinary saga of Neighbours now finished, the path ahead for the much loved cast who have played key parts in the story of Ramsay Street in recent years is full of twists and turns.
Some are heading to the UK to further their career, one has jumped straight from Ramsay Street into the Robbie Williams feature film Better Man, two are pursuing music opportunities, one is on a huge road trip around Australia and Ryan Moloney is bee keeping.
Reality TV feeds off celebrity these days and some big names are now free of the punishing Neighbours shooting schedule so it would not surprise to see some Erinsborough favourites dabble in reality in the coming years.
It is hard to imagine reality shows like I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here, particularly the UK version, is not pitching to the likes of Moloney to be part of an upcoming season.
Here is what lies ahead for some of Neighbours’ finest.
Ryan Moloney
He played Jarrod “Toadie” Rebecchi for 27 years, after getting a gig for just one scene on the show back in 1995.
Moloney is keeping his options open about what to do next.
He is studying a civil construction course, has his commercial pilot’s licence, is a beekeeper and runs a honey business on the Mornington Peninsula.
Alan Fletcher
He spent 28 years playing the beloved Dr Karl Kennedy on the iconic soap.
“Neighbours has brought me 28 years of challenging and immensely satisfying creative work. The show has given me the opportunity to work with some of Australia’s finest talents in front of and behind the camera and it has afforded me incredible work opportunities overseas,” Fletcher said.
“It has been a privilege and great blessing to have been involved in a show that is so universally loved.”
His immediate plans post show are to head to the UK and to release an album.
“I’m touring my Dr Karl in Conversation Show in the UK in September as well as playing music. I am releasing an album late in 2022 and playing the Tamworth Country Music Festival in January, then joining the Neighbours Farewell Tour in the UK in March,” he said.
“I’ll be looking for acting work and developing some screen projects amongst all that.
“I always loved the comedic elements of my character on Neighbours and would like to pursue opportunities in that line.”
Reality TV is not in his wheelhouse.
“I haven’t been approached and (it is) not work I am actively pursuing at this stage.”
Richard Huggett
Huggett, who played Glen Donnelly, said it was very special to have been part of the moving, emotional and historic final episode of Neighbours.
“Having been on the show 30 years ago and to have Glen come back and be in key storylines has been truly special,” Huggett said.
“To also be involved in the final episode is a once in a lifetime experience. The cast and crew really are like family.
“The fans are truly amazing. Their love and loyalty is second to none. The fans are truly devastated and many have watched since Day 1. That is 37 years of television so I feel their pain. I can proudly say I have responded to each and every letter as I appreciate the time they have taken to share their feelings.”
Since Neighbours wrapped Huggett and his wife have been exploring Australia.
“We are having an adventurous road trip, revisiting great country towns from my shearing days,” he said.
“The great thing about being an actor is you never know what role is next, where you are going, so everything is exciting. I would love to host and create an Aussie road trip show, documenting and sharing our adventures with the Neighbours fans.”
Huggett did not rule out giving reality TV a crack.
“I would love to do SAS: Australia however the thought of crawling through a pipe the size of me in the dark, for 50 metres kind of turns me off,” he joked.
“Maybe a 55 Plus fitness reality show (and) be a role model and motivate men in this age bracket to get fit and active and stay this way.”
April Rose Pengilly
Playing Chloe Brennan had been life changing.
“I am so incredibly honoured to be part of the Neighbours story. The show is unlike anything else and working on it has been such a wonderful experience. I am truly grateful,” Pengilly said.
She said she hoped opportunities to do comedy would come her way post-Neighbours.
“It’s widely known that the Neighbours schedule is one of, if not THE, most gruelling in the world, so after four-and-a-half years of trying to juggle that with my other work opportunities, I am beyond exhausted,” she said.
“I’m a bit of a workaholic and find it difficult to stop, but I’m trying to make myself take a little time off to reset.
“I would love to work on more comedy – that has always been my one true love.”
She also is not ruling out dabbling in reality TV.
“I have previously done Dancing With The Stars, and I’d definitely love to have another spin on the dance floor,” she said.
“I have been approached by other shows, but nothing has been right or worked with my schedule thus far. We’ll see.”
Ben Hall
He went straight from Neighbours, after his character Ned Willis left the show earlier this year, to the Melbourne set of the Robbie Williams feature film Better Man.
“Ned departed a few months before the finale but returned to tie up some loose ends so I’ve had time to get out and work on another production, Better Man, for the last few months and put to use the skills I learnt at Neighbours,” Hall said.
“I’d like to work on more Australian films. I love this industry and seeing the familiar faces of our Aussie cast and crew. There’s also some big international productions coming, so I’ll throw my hat in the ring for those too.”
He revealed he had previously been approached to do Celebrity X Factor in the UK and was open to doing reality TV should the opportunity arise.
Hall said he was proud to be part of the Neighbours legacy.
“It means being a part of a legacy of cast and crew that brought joy, entertainment and Aussie culture to the world while they were still in comfort of their living rooms,” he said.
“I like to think we were that reliable comfort for people when their world got a bit crazy.
“I think people are starting to realise what a big hole Neighbours will leave in terms of work, training and industry experience (in Australia). I don’t know if anything will be able to replace it in the same way.”
Charlotte Chimes
Chimes, who played Nicolette Stone, the daughter of Jane Harris, the character portrayed by Annie Jones, said she felt privileged to have been a small part of the enormous story that was Neighbours.
“The love (from fans) has been overwhelming. I’m so touched I got to play a small role in such an iconic series. I’m just so grateful,” Chimes said.
She said she was working on developing a TV series now that Neighbours had finished and was hoping to find opportunities in the UK.
“I just wrapped on a short film I wrote, produced and acted in,” she said.
“I’m currently developing a series and hopefully about to start on a thriller feature with a wonderful writer. Other than that (I’m) auditioning lots and am off to Italy for my friend’s wedding. Molto benne!
“I’d love to sign with an agent in the UK. I’m open to all genres: comedy, drama and thriller.
“I hope to continue writing and producing my own projects also. It’s where I am most creatively fulfilled; having a vision and bringing it to life with a team.”
Reality TV is not her vibe.
“I despise reality TV – sorry – so no for me,” she said.
Jacinta Stapleton
Stapleton, who played Amy Greenwood, said the character was a gift that kept on giving.
“I’ll be forever grateful for the time spent here,” Stapleton said.
“As the most iconic show in Australia it has been a privilege, especially being asked to reprise the role of Amy 20 years later. I was only supposed to be on it for five weeks.”
She said she was open to new and different opportunities in the wake of Neighbours.
“I hope to continue to find interesting roles and challenging projects. I dare say we have a few fans in the UK, so that’s certainly on the cards to explore opportunities over there,” she said.
“I’ve written a sci-fi/drama which I want to pitch overseas. There’s a few projects I want to pitch in Australia too.”
Reality TV also has taken her interest.
“I hit up Jock (Zonfrillo) at the (F1) Grand Prix party and basically told him I’m going to win Celebrity MasterChef. They haven’t asked me yet, but hopefully they do now,” she laughed.
“Cooking is one of the greatest loves of my life. Also dancing is too.”
Phoebe Roberts
Roberts is moving to the UK to pursue her career following her stint as Freya Wozniak on Neighbours.
She said being part of Neighbours had been an incredible learning experience.
“I truly feel so lucky to have experienced one of the greatest training grounds in the world and to have worked with the amazing team that creates this iconic show. I’ve learnt so much and have loved every moment,” she said.
“The dedication and love from the fans has been tremendous. Of course many people are feeling heartbroken about the end, Neighbours has been such an important part of their lives, but their support, their gratitude and love has been something very beautiful to witness.”
Freya Van Dyke
Van Dyke, who played Zara Selwyn, said the experience of being part of the Neighbours swan song was one she would treasure.
“I wasn’t here (on the show) for long, but to be able to say ‘hey, I was on Neighbours until the end’ is definitely special,” Van Dyke said.
She said next up he was heading to the stage.
“I’m getting right back on the grind. I’m doing a play, Ramona Glasgow, that debuts this September in Melbourne. I’m super stoked about that,” she said.
“Otherwise it is back to auditioning, training and living life.
“I’m up for anything interesting that comes my way. A period drama piece would be the dream. As a bi-woman, I’d also love to do more on queer representation.”
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