Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. 

Guy Pearce delights fans with unexpected Neighbours update

‘We’re in the process of working it out,’ actor said

Peony Hirwani
Monday 22 May 2023 07:29 BST
Comments
Guy Pearce calls Kevin Spacey 'a handsy guy' in Seven Network interview

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Guy Pearce has confirmed he will be making an appearance in the forthcoming reboot of Neighbours.

Streaming service Amazon is relaunching the Australian soap after what fans believed to be the show’s finale aired in July last year.

The original series followed the lives of the residents of residents of Ramsay Street, a cul-de-sac in the fictional Melbourne suburb of Erinsborough.

Pearce, 55, first appeared in the role of Mike Young in 1986, and went on to star in over 400 episodes over three years.

In April 2022, the LA Confidential star also made an appearance in the “finale” alongside Margot Robbie, Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan, where his character was reunited with former flame Jane Harris (Annie Jones).

Speaking on the Good Weekend Talks podcast, Pearce revealed he would appear in the new season of the Neighbours reboot.

“Annie and I called each other, ‘What do we do now, because we’re living in the street,’” Pearce said. “And she said, ‘Well I’m all right because I’m on the show anyway, but what are you going to do?’ I said, ‘I don’t know.’ So we’re in the process of working it out.

“Obviously, if I’m going to extricate myself from the show, I want to do it respectfully. I wasn’t just gonna go, ‘Well, bad luck. You had your chance, that was it,’ you know. So there may be a little appearance or two, shall we say.”

Neighbours alumni Stefan Dennis, Annie Jones, Geoff Paine, Guy Pearce, Lucinda Cowden, Ian Smith and Paul Keane (Fremantle/Channel 5/PA)
Neighbours alumni Stefan Dennis, Annie Jones, Geoff Paine, Guy Pearce, Lucinda Cowden, Ian Smith and Paul Keane (Fremantle/Channel 5/PA) (PA)

What was intended as the final episode of Neighbours on Channel 5 aired in July 2022, when the soap failed to secure new funding after being dropped by the broadcaster.

Three months later, however, it was announced that Amazon would revive the soap after 1.2 million fans in Australia, and 3 million in the UK, tuned into watch the finale.

Apple TV+ logo

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled

Try for free
Apple TV+ logo

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled

Try for free

Pearce had previously joked that Robbie could request the return of the crate of champagne she sent to producers to say “thank you”, quipping that the rescue by Amazon made the “finale” look like “a rather expensive exercise”.

The new series of Neighbours is reportedly set to air in the second half of 2023.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in