Latest news with #Imposter
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Neighbours star Jackie Woodburne announces shock career move
Neighbours star Jackie Woodburne has revealed a surprising career move following the official end of production on the long-running Aussie soap earlier this month. The veteran actress, 69, will co-star alongside former Coronation Street favourite Kym Marsh, 49, in a brand new TV thriller titled Imposter. The series marks Jackie's first non-Neighbours role in more than 30 years. The beloved performer has not appeared in a single production since stepping onto Ramsay Street as Susan Kennedy back in 1994. Imposter will feature Jackie as matriarch Helen, whose refusal to sell her seaside hotel sparks a dramatic family feud with her three adult children. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. The plot thickens when Amanda, played by Marsh, arrives claiming to be Helen's long-lost daughter given up for adoption years ago. As Amanda integrates into the family, doubts arise about her true identity, leading to a gripping tale of deception and betrayal that culminates in murder, according to the series' synopsis. The series is set to be filmed across Victoria later this year. Jackie has played Susan, the wife of co-star Alan Fletcher's character Dr Karl Kennedy, since 1994. It follows reports that Fletcher is wasting no time embracing a new chapter following the end of Neighbours production. Last week, it was revealed the beloved Australian actor has swapped Ramsay Street for the stage, announcing a surprise music tour in the UK. Just one week after filming wrapped on the iconic Australian soap, the 68-year-old - best known for playing Dr Karl Kennedy since 1987 - arrived in London with wife Jennifer Hansen to embrace his musical endeavours. Jennifer shared the exciting news on social media on Friday, posting a cheerful snap of herself and Alan beaming after touching down in England. 'Arrived in London with Alan and getting excited about our first gig at the Bedford Pub on July 22nd,' she wrote, hinting at big things ahead for her husband's post-soap career. The Perth-born actor is one of the most beloved stars to ever appear on the Aussie soap opera. It comes after the long-running soap opera was abruptly axed in February and the final days of filming were completed earlier this month. Amazon did not renew their contract with production company Fremantle Australia. In response to the shock announcement, an Amazon spokesperson told MailOnline: 'Neighbours has brought so much joy over the last 40 years to its fanbase globally. 'Forty years is an incredible milestone and we are proud that Amazon MGM Studios was able to have a small part of bringing further episodes to Freevee and Prime Video customers over the last two years.' In a heartwarming post, the crew assured fans that new episodes from the 40th anniversary season would continue to be broadcast on Prime Video and Ten, with 'all the big soapie twists and turns our viewers love'. The final ever episodes will air at the end of 2025 with fans forced to say goodbye to Ramsay Street for a second time, after first being axed in February 2022.
Metro
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Neighbours legend's new role with major UK TV star after 31 years as Susan
The prospect of not having Neighbours legend and acting powerhouse Jackie Woodburne on our screens isn't worth thinking about – and thankfully we don't have to as the Susan Kennedy star has landed a new role. In just over a week since Neighbours wrapped production for the second time, Jackie – who has portrayed Ramsay Street royalty Susan for 31 years – has already lined up a new part. The soap titan has joined the cast of Imposter, a new four-part drama set in Australia that will see a family at war over a hotel when mum Helen refuses to sell up, despite her children demanding that she does so. The soapy plot twists and turns follow, with Helen having had a secret daughter named Amanda, who she gave up for adoption decades earlier. When Amanda unexpectedly shows up, Helen is delighted – but this is the just the beginning of what's set to unfold. Consider us intrigued and excited already. Jackie will be starring opposite Coronation Street and Waterloo Road star Kym Marsh, who will play a key role in the Channel 5 drama. Neighbours, which was axed by Channel 5 in 2022, returned to screens in 2013 when Amazon's ad-supported free service Freevee swooped in to rescue it. The daily escapades of Erinsborough residents thrilled fans for another two years before the decision was made by Amazon (in the wake of Freevee's closure) not to renew Neighbours for another season. More Trending Production wrapped on the long-running Aussie soap – a staple of daytime TV in the UK for 40 years – earlier this month, with the final episode slated to drop in December. Discussing her time on the serial, Jackie said: 'It's impossible to measure the gratitude I feel for the gift of 30 years on Neighbours. 'To do so I would have to calculate the number of extraordinary cast and crew I have been privileged to work with, count the number of laughs I have shared with them, measure the pride I feel for the diverse, dramatic (and sometimes outrageous!) storytelling we have all been a part of. View More » 'We are the best version of 'family'. It has been a wild ride into a happy life. [I] wouldn't change it for quids!' If you've got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us soaps@ – we'd love to hear from you. Join the community by leaving a comment below and stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage. MORE: Coronation Street legend 'can't wait' as she announces new role
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Coronation Street's Kym Marsh teams up with soap icon for new Channel 5 drama
Jackie Woodburne, Susan Kennedy on recently-cancelled soap Neighbours, will star alongside Kym Marsh who has confirmed a second big career boost in a matter of weeks Kym Marsh will link up with Neighbours legend Jackie Woodburne for an exciting new Channel 5 drama. The soap great, Susan Kennedy on the long-running Australian show, will join former Coronation Street star Kym in Imposter, which will be produced by Fremantle Australia for Channel 5. The pair will be on screen together and a preview for the new programme teased what's ahead. It read: "A splashy seaside hotel becomes the centre of a bitter family dispute as matriarch Helen refuses to sell, despite pressure from her three adult children. But Helen is hiding a secret: a daughter she gave up for adoption decades ago. When Amanda suddenly appears, Helen welcomes her with open arms— but is Amanda who she says she is? "The lucrative hotel is the ultimate prize and a twisted scheme soon spirals into betrayal and ultimately, murder. The series is set to begin production in Victoria, Australia, this Summer. The series is set to begin production in Victoria, Australia this Summer." Channel 5 have yet to confirm when the show will air. It is a second big career boost for Kym, who was earlier this month announced in the cast of brand-new stage play, Single White Female – based on the iconic 90s psychological thriller. The world premiere stage production, written by author, journalist and broadcaster, Rebecca Reid, will embark on a major UK and Ireland theatre tour from January 2026. Kym said: "I am so excited to be bringing this brilliant, brand new and thrilling play to theatres across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. I remember being totally gripped by the movie when I first saw it in the cinema and could never have imagined back then that I'd be starring in the world premiere of its life on stage. Get ready to be thrilled, shocked and entertained and watch out for those stiletto heels." Neighbours was axed for a second time earlier this year, with the news coming just two years after it had been initially cancelled on Channel 5 'Everyone's got an idea of how they would like the show to end, but that [the previous] finale was written and everyone gave it 100% because we all thought: 'This is it,'' Jackie told TV Tonight after the news. 'This was our opportunity to honour the show and take it out with a bang. 'But I don't think you can do that twice. It wouldn't have the same impact. I have no doubt that [producers] will come up with a heartfelt, authentic, beautiful farewell. Everybody's, once again, just focused on making sure that we give it our all… But it does feel different this time. 'The vibe last time, there was such an energy of, 'Of course, they'll keep us. Someone's got to rescue us!'... This time, I think because we've been through it before, you only have one 'first time', don't you? So there wasn't the same level of anxiety, fear and heartbreak.'
