Rob Mills, a veteran of Neighbours and a well-known Australian actor, is pleading with the Australian government to find a way to keep the popular soapie on the air.
The show’s largest investor, UK broadcaster Channel 5, announced that they will not be extending their contract or continuing to sponsor the show, indicating that it is likely to end.
Rob Mills, speaking to A Current Affair, suggested that the show could be saved if the Australian government stepped in to help.
“We’re looking at thousands of jobs in the arts that have been created through something like Neighbours. I think the government could possibly step in. Screen Victoria could also possibly step in,” he told the news program.
“Let’s hope when the election comes around, we get a Prime Minister who works towards funding the arts” he added.
“We always talk about the actors that have come through on Neighbours, but it’s the writers that have come through as well, the directors, the crew,” Rob continued.
“I feel like that’s the sad thing that will be lost, is the training ground, so let’s hope that doesn’t happen.”
Rob played Finn Kelly, a teacher on Neighbours from 2017 to 2021, but he’s one of the hundreds of Australian actors who rose up the ranks thanks to the show.
And he isn’t the only one who wants the show to be preserved; Jackie Woodburne, who has played Susan Kennedy for 27 years, also wants the show to be spared.
“It’s been a rollercoaster absolutely … the last 24 hours or 36 hours as you can imagine,” she told the panel during an appearance on The Project.
“It’s kind of a lot of information to try and process, but I still feel a bit in shock, a bit overwhelmed,” she admitted.
Jackie also confirmed that she saw her co-stars in a meeting with the producers.
“I have to say the feeling was one of … it was just – it was quite lovely,” she explained.
“Everyone was so sad, we were all crying, we were all very emotional about it all,” says the cast, “but we’re all so determined to bring this show home as best we can.”
There are already rumors circulating that one of the actors who got their start on Neighbours would return for the show’s upcoming finale.
Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan’s careers were launched by the show in its early days, especially after their wedding episode.
It was also Margot Robbie’s, Liam Hemsworth’s, Holly Valance’s, Delta Goodrem’s, Natalie Imbruglia’s, and even Russell Crowe’s first acting role.
