Finn continues to haunt Susan
JACKIE WOODBURNE TELLS US THAT SUSAN IS STILL HAUNTED BY THE ACTIONS OF MONSTER FINN…
It might be hard to believe, but it’s been more than a year since Finn’s demise following the horrific events on the island. While Susan might seem as if she’s moved on from her kidnapping, the return of Olivia Bell – who’s keen to write another book on the psychopathic killer – has stirred up bad memories. But as we chat to Neighbours actress Jackie Woodburne, she reveals that she’s very happy to see Susan go through the wringer once more…
Hi, Jackie! So first of all, were you surprised that Susan was being taken back to the horror of Finn Kelly? After almost 27 years of the storylines that I’ve done? No, I wasn’t really surprised! It meant that I was going to be given a nice, big, juicy storyline, so I was very pleased to take on the challenge of it. I believe that Susan would have some sort of post-traumatic stress disorder – she was held hostage, and she thought she was about to die! That kind of experience in reality would be horrific. I think her damage from that would inform everything for the rest of her life.
Can you tell us why Susan decides to watch Finn’s video diaries?
Well, initially Susan became aware of Finn’s diaries just after he died, and she had no interest in watching them. I don’t think she felt she had the strength at that time – Susan was broken. However, after having time, she’s ready to find out why Finn was able to manipulate her in that way. Susan needs to look right inside the soul of the man to try to get some answers.
Tell us about the visualisation, and when Susan ‘sees’ Finn…
David is the one who suggests Susan tries this technique in order to try to ask ‘Finn’ questions that she didn’t get a chance to ask him before he died. She wants to find out how everything happened and why. If she can visualise him answering these questions, she might get some sort of closure. But when Susan tries this technique, Finn is right in front of her, so to speak. It’s too much, and she just stops it immediately.
What was it like having Rob Mills (aka Finn) back on set with you?
As soon as I saw Rob’s name on the call sheet, I knew I was in for good time! Rob and I work really well together, and have a lot of fun. We’ve loved this story, and we were both very invested in trying to do a good job – so it was great. Actually, Rob was even more menacing than before! I think there was a real maturity there.
Does Susan tell Karl about it?
She doesn’t tell him initially because, first of all, Susan thinks that he’ll catastrophise it and be upset. But she also wants to have control over the situation. Susan worries that if she tells Karl, then she has to cope with his curiosity and anger, so she keeps him out of the loop – which is probably not the best thing to do.
How much has what happened with Finn affected Susan?
Susan’s lost confidence in her ability to judge people after Finn. She feels that she can never take the risk of letting someone into her life again, in case she misreads them. However, in going through this process of talking to imagined Finn, she comes to understand that she is a nurturing person. Susan has to take the risk of getting it wrong in order to get the payoff of having those lovely relationships with people. So she does come to a good conclusion in that way – I think that’s a great result for Susan as she can trust her instincts again.
Finn is in front of Susan, so to speak – it’s too much!