Our pick of what to watch this week, plus the best podcasts and new books…
Australian soap Neighbours comes to an end after 37 years this week and concludes with a special one-hour episode. As well as the return of Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan as Charlene and Scott Robinson, Guy Pearce also makes a comeback to reprise his role as Mike Young, who he played from 1986 to 1989. Here, Guy reveals more…
What did it feel like to be back on the set of Neighbours? Surreal. It’s really lovely to be working again with the likes of Annie Jones (Jane Harris), Stefan Dennis (Paul Robinson) and Peter O’brien (Shane Ramsay). I’ve always wanted to step back onto the show at some stage and of course with the sad news that it’s finishing, it seemed like the appropriate time.
You’ve had an incredible career, having starred in films such as
LA Confidential and Memento.
Do you credit Neighbours for that? The confidence it gave me and what I learnt are immeasurable. I feel super lucky to have got on the show when I did, as it took off and became huge.
Have you stayed in touch with your former castmates, Kylie and Jason? Absolutely. Jason and I see each other all the time, and we still call each other Scott and Mike, which is a bit sad! Whenever I’m in London I’ll see Jason and Kylie, too, if she’s around.
What do your Hollywood pals think about your return to Neighbours?
Kate Winslet [Guy’s co-star in Sky Atlantic’s Mare of Easttown] is a huge fan of the show. She was besotted with Mike back in the day and when I told her I was coming back, she was beside herself!
Was there a piece of costume or prop that helped you reconnect with Mike? Funnily enough, the producers had his old motorcycle gloves. They had been in a box since 1987, so they definitely helped!
✱ Neighbours