Neighbours legend Lucinda Cowden talks soap spin-off hopes – and her new project with Toadie star Ryan Moloney

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Fans were thrilled to learn that Lucinda Cowden, who played Melanie Pearson, will return for the final episode of Neighbours. Her memorable laugh is a beloved part of the show, and it wouldn’t have felt right to say goodbye without hearing it one last time.

Ever since Melanie left last year to start a new life with Vic Stone in Gippsland, things haven’t felt quite right in Erinsborough. While she did make an appearance for the 40th anniversary in March, her absence has definitely been felt.

As filming neared its end in July, Cowden worried she hadn’t been selected to be among those invited to preview the new Ramsay Hills and Robinson Towers properties.

They didn’t seem as scary anymore, almost like they were begging. I began to believe they actually wanted Mel to return.

I tried to make my message a little funny instead of sounding really worried. He replied by email, saying he needed a day to think things through because he was overwhelmed. Then, on Monday, my agent called me.

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Lucinda was shocked to learn the show was cancelled, finding out the news right after finishing a UK tour celebrating the show’s anniversary earlier this year. She said the news completely surprised her.

The tour went amazingly well – the fans were so supportive and gave us a real boost. I was still in Manchester the day after it ended, and the rest of the cast had already left early that morning to catch their flights, she said.

I was shocked by the number of texts I received. It’s amazing how many people still love this show, so it’s really disappointing to see it canceled again.

But where do we find Melanie upon her comeback?

Things seem to be going well for Mel and Vic, and for pubs in the Gippsland area. It’s good to hear Mel is happy and loved, especially considering how difficult things were for her in the past.

“From the reboot to when she left, it was a rollercoaster that was mainly downhill.”

She actually thinks a spin-off show focusing on Melanie would be great, and we completely agree!

I’d absolutely love to see a little story focusing on Gippsland, maybe with Byron, Nicolette, and Jane Harris involved! It would be so wonderful to see what they’re all up to and get a good catch-up with those characters.

I’m really hoping the show will include short updates on where the different families are now and what they’ve been up to. I think a lot of people would enjoy seeing that.

Cowden shared that working on that particular episode was a real pleasure, but he doubts it will ever be recreated on the same scale. If it returns, he imagines it will be in smaller, shorter segments.

As a movie lover, it’s really disheartening to see a fantastic training facility like this potentially disappear in Melbourne. It feels like the arts, in general, are facing a tough time right now, and honestly, the rise of AI is pretty scary for anyone who makes things creatively. It’s a real threat to our livelihoods and the future of storytelling.

The growing concern about artificial intelligence has sparked a new storyline featuring a popular character from the soap opera.

I had an idea for a show called Soapboxed a while ago, and I discussed it with Megan Herbert, a script editor for ‘Neighbours’. We’re working together to launch it at the Flinders Fringe Festival in February.

I’m thrilled to have cast Ryan Moloney, a really talented actor I’ve admired for a long time. You might not recognize the name yet, but he’s a rising star who impressed me in auditions over the past four years.

The play focuses on television and soap operas, and naturally includes playful nods to the characters Mel and Toadie. We’re hoping to take it on tour around the UK eventually, as there’s something uniquely personal about the experience of live theatre.

Before the show ends, viewers have one last episode to enjoy. For Lucinda, saying goodbye to the Neighbours set in Nunawading, Victoria, was a really unusual experience.

I remember the first time I drove to the studio – I was around 22 years old. By the time I left, it felt like decades had passed! Looking back, that one trip really marked the start of nearly 37 years spent going in and out of that building.

For a long time, I felt pressure to move beyond being known as ‘Melanie from Neighbours’. But I’ve realized it’s okay to be remembered for that role, and I’m actually very grateful to have been part of such a beloved show for so many years.

The Neighbours finale streams from 7:30am tomorrow on Prime Video.

Read our guide to the best Christmas TV for 2025.

Authors

Michael AdamsSoaps Editor

Michael Adams is the Soaps Editor at TopMob, keeping fans up-to-date on all the latest news and spoilers from popular shows like Coronation Street, EastEnders, Emmerdale, and Hollyoaks. Before joining TopMob, he worked as a Soaps Reporter at Metro for two years and even worked on the sets of Coronation Street and Emmerdale.

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2025-12-10 21:35