Harlow’s mum Prue turns up
NEIGHBOURS STAR JEMMA DONOVAN GIVES US THE GOSSIP ON THE IMMINENT ARRIVAL OF HER ALTER EGO’S MUM…
Harlow’s relationship with her mum is an important part of who she is,” explains Neighbours actress Jemma Donovan, as we chat to her about her character’s mother, Prudence – and why Harlow’s so worried about her being on Ramsay Street. “They’ve always been quite distant growing up, hence why Harlow’s quite mature for a 17-year-old. Harlow’s shocked to see her, because there’s always an ulterior motive with Prue.”
Harlow arrived in Erinsborough in July to meet her estranged dad, Robert Robinson, and went on to be reunited with the rest of the family. But her mum, Prue, remained in London – and after a meeting with Terese and Paul, it was revealed that she was part of a cult! Unbeknown to Harlow, Prue has now jetted to Australia, and is about to arrive on Ramsay Street to visit her daughter…
“It’s hard for Harlow to trust her mum,” reveals Jemma. “There’s a part of Harlow that really wants to believe Prue is there for her, but another part of her is very cautious. They’ve only really had each other, but I think Harlow’s had to be very independent and grown-up by herself – she’s mature beyond her years!”
Prue disrupts Harlow’s new life in Ramsay Street almost immediately, after she discovers how Ned was recently attacked. Shocked Prue demands that Harlow returns to their home in London for her own safety.
“Harlow has a whole new family, new friends and a new life in Erinsborough – whereas there’s just her mum back home,” reasons
Jemma. “You can see that real bond with them, even with Roxy! When Prue claims she’s there for Harlow’s well-being, Harlow finds it difficult to believe, because of their history. Harlow is quite naive in that sense. It’s really tough for her. She doesn’t know whether to leave with her mum, where there’s a lot of instability, or stay in Erinsborough, where they take her on as one of their own.”
Despite Harlow and Prue not seeing eye-to-eye, Jemma says she and co-star Denise Van Outen, who plays her onscreen mum, get along much better.
“Denise has been lovely and we’ve had so much fun together,” grins the star. “She’s from the UK, so having her here was like having a little bit of home, which has been great. A mother and daughter have a very strong connection, and that’s hard to portray when you’ve only met somebody for a few weeks, so I really hope it translates on screen.”
Just like her alter ego, Jemma made the courageous move from
the UK to Australia earlier this year, and she’s slowly getting used to such a big upheaval in her life.
“My family and I come over here quite often, which is good as it’s not completely new to me,” she grins. “I moved here by myself so it’s very daunting, especially being 19 and just out of school. But, with the cast and crew of Neighbours, I couldn’t have asked for a better group to help me, even with small things.
“The time difference in the UK is also tricky,” adds Jemma. “Especially when I need to call my mum to ask a question and she’s not up. But I love it – I wake up every morning and think, ‘How have I gotten so lucky to do the job I love, in the city that I really enjoy living in?’”