WOKE Vibes Hit Ramsay Street: Neighbours’ Bold Revamp Unveils Diverse Cast
By Katie Hind
Updated: 16:36 EDT, 26 August 2023
Harold Bishop, prim and proper, is in for a jolt as the revamped Ramsay Street welcomes its new residents. Brace yourselves as the Australian soap opera Neighbours reclaims the spotlight next month, transforming the fictional cul-de-sac in Erinsborough into the epicenter of woke culture in the southern hemisphere. Get ready for a vibrant mix as the show introduces a biracial gay couple with two kids, a transgender character, a male gay duo, and a single lesbian.
This iconic soap opera, which was sidelined last year after Channel 5 decided against renewal, isn’t just about the household names it launched – Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Guy Pearce, and Margot Robbie. It’s all about change, and Ramsay Street is set to experience a shift. Remember the uproar when Scott Robinson and Charlene Mitchell (played by Donovan and Minogue) shared a roof in ’87? That scramble ended with an impromptu wedding, off-the-charts ratings, and a pop music adventure for the duo.
But brace yourselves – things are shifting. The Mail on Sunday leaks that the upcoming revival will introduce the Varga-Murphy family, a modern clan that turns heads. There’s Cara, embodied by actress Sara West, who is white; then there’s Remi, played by Naomi Rukavina, who brings her multi-racial flair. Together, they’re two moms raising JJ and Dex, their two sons.
Ramsay Street is set for an influx of modernity with the Varga-Murphy family – two moms, Cara (Sara West) and Remi (Naomi Rukavina), leading the charge. The story doesn’t end there – stay tuned.
And the surprises don’t stop there. Ramsay Street will now feature a female transgender character named Mackenzie Hargreaves, portrayed by Georgie Stone. The real-world backstory adds a layer of authenticity – Georgie, who is transgender herself, pitched the character concept to the producers when Neighbours’ return was in the cards. The saga of Ramsay Street has always paced alongside evolving times. Lesbian character Chloe Brennan, played by April Rose Pengilly, is slated to return, joining her on-screen brother Aaron Brennan and his partner David Tanaka, now parents to daughter Isla.
Rumor has it that the Neighbours team is aiming for a diverse splash, sparking some raised eyebrows among TV insiders. One voice speculates that this move is aimed at cracking the tough nut that is the American market. The show’s set to hit Amazon’s Freevee channel across the pond.
The buzz is real – with Neighbours set to hit American screens, the show’s makers are daring big. Los Angeles and New York’s woke vibes might just vibe with the show’s new direction. Sara West, our very own Cara Varga-Murphy, chimes in, expressing hope that the Varga-Murphys will be a mirror to the vibrant LGBTQIA+ community she stands proud with.
Zooming in on suburban Ramsay Street’s six houses, the Neighbours magic resumes on September 18. A mainstay for 37 years on British screens – first the BBC, then Channel 5 – it’s clawing its way back. Channel 5 tapped out last year after Fremantle, the Australian production company, cranked up the UK rights price.
With Amazon now the force behind it, Fremantle’s roped in US star Mischa Barton as guest character Reece.
Hold onto your hats – Karl and Susan Kennedy (Alan Fletcher and Jackie Woodburne) are returning, along with Stefan Dennis as Paul Robinson. Toadie Rebecchi, played by Ryan Moloney, is back in action.
Last July, Donovan and Minogue swung by as Scott and Charlene to bid Ramsay Street adieu in the grand finale. Guy Pearce made a triumphant return, while Natalie Imbruglia and Holly Valance popped up in London, and Margot Robbie beamed in from LA.
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