The Oscar-nominated actor Margot Robbie will join a handful of international stars returning to Ramsay Street for the final episode of the long-running Australian soap Neighbours.
The 32-year-old, who starred in The Suicide Squad and is playing Barbie in Greta Gerwig’s forthcoming film, will return to her role as Donna Freedman in the Australian soap.
Robbie’s character appeared as a regular on Neighbours from 2008 to 2011. When her soap contract came to an end after a run of 327 episodes, she was offered a renewal. Instead, she went on to be cast in the US TV series Pan Am, about 1960s cabin crews.
The news was revealed in a post from the Neighbours UK Twitter account on Saturday. Robbie’s return was announced alongside with those of other former stars including the House actor Jesse Spencer and the singer Delta Goodrem.
“Surprise! You didn’t think we were done did you?! We’re thrilled to share that Margot Robbie, Jesse Spencer, Delta Goodrem, Kym Valentine and Carla Bonner will all make an appearance in our finale!” the tweet said.
Surprise! 👀
— Neighbours (@NeighboursTV) July 23, 2022
You didn’t think we were done did you?!
We’re thrilled to share that Margot Robbie, Jesse Spencer, Delta Goodrem, Kym Valentine and Carla Bonner will all make an appearance in our finale! 🎉 #CelebratingNeighbours pic.twitter.com/KjzoLDKvx6
In March, news broke that, after 37 years on air, the Australian soap would come to an end as its producers Fremantle failed to secure another UK broadcaster.
In February the UK’s Channel 5 had announced it would no longer air the programme.
“Following the loss of a key broadcast partner in the UK, and despite a search for alternative funding, we currently have no option but to rest the show,” a Fremantle spokesperson said.
Neighbours is the longest-running drama series on Australian television with 9,000 episodes broadcast, and it has enjoyed widespread popularity in Britain for almost four decades.
The story of the lives of Ramsay Street residents still attracts 1.5 million UK viewers a day.
The Australian soap launched the international careers of stars including Robbie, Russell Crowe, Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, and Guy Pearce.
The final credits for the show will roll for UK viewers on 29 July. Neighbours will come to a close with a double-episode special on Channel 5 where it has been bankrolled since 2008.
Kylie Minogue’s Charlene Mitchell and Jason Donovan’s Scott Robinson will also be returning for the finale, alongside a host of other former stars including Pearce, Daniel MacPherson and Natalie Bassingthwaighte.
