Jemma Donovan first appeared on Neighbours in 2019 as Harlow Robinson, the evil Robert Robinson’s daughter – but she’s not the only famous soap star in her family.
In Neighbours, Corey seeks vengeance on Harlow when her affair with Ned is revealed.
Jemma Donovan, who plays Harlow Robinson on Ramsay Street, has a less dramatic but equally interesting life off-screen, with family ties to Neighbours co-stars, a famous popstar father, and disclosing her dream role outside of Ramsay Street.
Harlow has become a fan favourite among Neighbours viewers since her debut in 2019 as the daughter of Paul Robinson’s wicked son Robert Robinson. She even teamed up with TV star Amanda Holden in a recent plot.
The Daily Star takes a glimpse inside the lives of actress Jemma Donovan as her character Harlow’s life takes a drastic turn.
Spin-off fame
Jemma had a connection to Neighbours before joining the renowned Australian soap in 2019, as she played Harlow Robinson in the spin-off series Erinsborough High for four episodes, a role she would later play in Neighbours.
The series covers what happens behind the doors of the town’s famous High School, where several Ramsay Street residents, including Libby and Susan Kennedy, have worked in the past.
Jemma had appearances in the TV series Spotless and the TV film Mr Stink in 2015 before becoming famous for her role as Harlow Robinson on Ramsay Street.
Jemma did admit to feeling pressured to prove herself to fans after earning the role of Harlow, telling The Mirror: “I think, at the beginning, I was like, ‘Oh, I really want to make sure that I prove myself here as well, and not just come on because of the family name in that way.”
“So, I think there was a bit of pressure, but I really enjoyed proving myself.”
Dream role
Neighbours fans were upset when it was announced earlier this year that the popular serial would be ending after 37 years.
Jemma has opened up about the next step of her career in an interview with Digital Spy, revealing the character she would like to play next.
“My goal at the moment is to be in a period drama,” said Jemma.
“That’s what I would love to do. It would bring me back home as well and I think that would just be great. I haven’t done anything like that yet.
“So, for me, as long as I’m doing what I love the rest of my life, it doesn’t really matter. As long as I’m happy as well. I also will play it by ear, because I’m kind of like that in life, and just see what I want to do that day.”
Popstar father
Since many Neighbours fans are aware, Jemma is not the first Donovan to appear on Ramsay Street, as her father Jason played Scott Robinson on the drama from 1986 to 1989.
With over 20 million viewers turning in to attend Scott and Charlene’s wedding in 1988, his character Scott Robinson was in a romance with Charlene, played by music icon Kylie Minogue.
After leaving the drama, Kylie and Jason embarked on a singing career that catapulted them to new heights of recognition around the world, culminating in the release of their duet Especially for You.
Following the success of Especially For You, which has become a slow-dance classic throughout the years, Jason went on to create singles like When You Come Back To Me and Sealed With A Kiss, garnering four No. 1 hit during his stint with Stock, Aitken, and Waterman.
Jason Donovan has also appeared in hit musicals like as Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, where his song Any Dream Will Do was a Top Ten hit.
Viewers also went crazy over the news that Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue would be reprising their roles as Scott and Charlene Robinson on Neighbours, with Jemma already hinting that fans will be overjoyed with the show’s conclusion.
She told The Mirror: “Our fans are so invested in the program, and I love that they dissect and analyze even the most minute detail – now that’s dedication!
“I know our fans are going to be blown away by what is being planned for the finale, very celebratory … but that’s all I’m saying for the moment!”
Jemma stated on ITV’s Lorraine that her father was her biggest supporter after she landed the role of Harlow Robinson, claiming that he started crying when he found out.
“He’s just so happy,” said Jemma.
Famous family
Terrance Donovan, Jemma’s grandfather, joined the drama in 1990 as Doug Willis, demonstrating that acting talent runs in the family.
He played Doug for more than 26 years until his character died outside Lassister’s hotel in 2016.
Her aunt is also a known face to Neighbours viewers since she is none other than Stephanie McIntosh, who portrayed Sky Mangel from 2003 to 2007.
She returned in 2015 for a brief cameo, and then again in 2020 as a police investigator investigating Finn Kelly’s death.
Although Jemma’s mother kept a low public profile, it is reported that she worked as a stage manager in London on a performance of The Rocky Horror Show, where she met her future husband Jason Donovan.
The pair married in 2008 and have three children, one of whom is Jemma.
Mix-up with Amanda Holden
Amanda Holden, a former contestant on Britain’s Got Talent and a radio broadcaster, recently starred in Neighbours as Harriet, the aunt of Jemma Donovan’s character Harlow Robinson.
Following the death of her mother Prue, previously played by Denise Van Outen, Harlow traveled to London to meet her aunt.
However, Amanda has since revealed that while filming, many people mistook Jemma for her daughter in real life, telling Daily Star: “The amount of times people stopped to ask, ‘is that your daughter, Amanda?’ We do look quite similar. We’ve both got kind of quite high foreheads and little round faces!
“She’s just so cool and so sweet, and I know her dad, obviously, very well.
“I love him and the whole family, so it was just so brilliant to be part of it all. And just so camp!”
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