Magda Szubanski tells Neighbours actors the soapie’s same-sex wedding episode will save lives

IT’S been 31 years since probably the most famous Neighbours moment of all time, Scott and Charlene’s wedding. And another marriage next week will make history for the long-running soap.

TAKAYA Honda’s David Tanaka and Matt Wilson’s Aaron Brennan are about to make history with the first-ever same-sex marriage on Neighbours.

The television nuptials come less than a year after same-sex marriage was legalised in Australia.

One of the issue’s biggest advocates — Magda Szubanski — is on board to play wedding celebrant Jemima Davies-Smythe in the special episode of the long-running Channel 10 soapie.

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Matt Wilson’s Aaron Brennan and Takaya Honda’s David Tanaka with Magda Szubanski playing wedding celebrant Jemima Davies-Smythe in the same-sex marriage episode of Neighbours.

“Magda said to us ‘what you are doing today is saving lives’,” Honda says. “Magda was conscious this was a special moment.”

David and Aaron’s ceremony come 31 years after Neighbours’ most famous wedding — Scott Robinson (Jason Donovan) to Charlene Mitchell (Kylie Minogue).

The wedding of Charlene (Lylie Minogue) and Scott (Jason Donovan).

Wilson joined Neighbours in June 2015 and his character Aaron has always been openly gay. It is a different story for Honda. David, on air since September 2016 spent a long time struggling with his sexuality.

“David has come a long way in accepting himself and who he is,” Honda says. “Aaron has been key in that — seeing someone so comfortable with himself and enjoying life.

“In one of my first meetings with the script department (in 2016) they told me that Aaron would be David’s long term partner and that they wanted us to be married.

“Matt and I have worked really hard to foster a relationship (between David and Aaron) that would have the audience barracking for us.”

Magda Szubanski, in character as cricket mad Sharon Strezlecki from the hit series Kath and Kim, with champion cricketer (and Sharon's idol) Shane Warne.

Szubanski provides a touch of humour in the episode. The 57-year-old’s performance as the eccentric Davies-Smythe will delight fans of her Sharon Strzelecki on Kath & Kim.

But Wilson says everyone involved in the episode wanted to make sure the vows between David and Aaron struck home emotionally.

A scene from the same-sex marriage episode of Neighbours. Channel 10.

“This is everything I’ve been waiting for — something really meaty that I could dig my teeth into that was challenging and emotional,” Wilson says.

“During our chats between takes Magda would mention the history — how hard it has been and that the thought of having a same-sex marriage on television was unthinkable when she was our age.”

Neighbours executive producer Jason Herbison believes it is high time that the show had a gay couple walking down the aisle.

Marriage Equality Ambassadors and volunteers Ian Thorpe, and Magda Szubanski on the Lawns of Parliament House in Canberra. Picture Kym Smith

“The passing of same sex marriage means all our characters, gay or straight, have the chance to celebrate their love as it should be,” Herbison says.

It wouldn’t be a soapie wedding without a few hitches along the way — Aaron is dealing with a dodgy back — but there is a feeling of happy ever after.

“David and Aaron are very different but they have found some common ground where they connect,” Honda says.

“You’ve got commitment and we’ve been putting out the idea of having babies so fingers crossed that will happen. There is so much more to explore.”

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