Neighbours Star Rebekah Elmaloglou Spills Drama, Secrets, and Her Vision for the Show’s Finale

Celebrations for Neighbours’ 40th anniversary risked being somewhat marred by news of the Australian soap being axed – again.

Recently, Amazon disclosed that they won’t extend the series they resurrected last year when Netflix cancelled it in 2022.

In the traditional realm of soap operas, there’s a lingering uncertainty about the true father of the baby boy, given my ex-lover, Paul. While I was involved with him, I found myself drawn towards Jeffrey Swain, the computer whiz, during our time together. This tryst was an attempt to thwart a blackmail plot related to my secret machinations that were unfolding behind Paul’s back.

Eventually, a DNA test confirms Paul is the daddy, which Elmaloglou reveals makes Terese even more uptight and angry than usual (if that’s possible).

Terese finds herself in a difficult situation when Chelsea starts to stir things up between her and Paul, causing chaos in their lives. Chelsea skillfully maneuvers to re-enter Paul’s life by using the baby as a tool. However, Terese is wise to this manipulation and sees through Chelsea’s attempts at deception. In simpler terms, Terese is dealing with a complicated situation because Chelsea is trying to get back into Paul’s good graces by using their baby in an underhanded manner, but Terese can clearly see that Chelsea is up to no good.

It’s the latest of numerous bumps in the road for Erinsborough power couple Terese and Paul, who have been on and off pretty much since Elmaloglou’s alter ego arrived in 2013. Terese came in as part of a new branch of the beloved Willis clan, whose history on Ramsay Street dates back to the early 1990s.

Despite being married to Brad, Terese often felt an attraction towards her colleague Paul that flared up whenever they disagreed on managing Lassiter’s Hotel. Their connection ignited a tumultuous romance that has seen its ups and downs, and although it has recently been rekindled, the future of their relationship remains uncertain.

Ball-breaking business boss Terese has become a firm fan favourite, with Elmaloglou’s powerhouse performance guiding the character through heartbreak, grief, cancer and alcoholism, always ensuring she emerges from each setback even tougher.

The actress was already a familiar face to soap fans when she was cast, having got her big break as troubled teen Sophie Simpson on rival drama Home and Away back in 1990 at the age of 15. Even before that, Elmaloglou had notched up an impressive raft of credits as a child actor in Australian film and TV, including an appearance in 1985 blockbuster Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome alongside Mel Gibson and Tina Turner.

“When I went into Home and Away a lot of the kids were very green, it was their first big job,” she recalls. “Although I’d been acting throughout my childhood working on soaps is very different.

“It’s a unique way of acting and actually quite difficult. You need a fine balance between drama and comedy and everything in between, and have to be able to flip constantly and make it realistic and relatable. It’s like jumping on a treadmill that’s on 12 and you have to keep running!

“At first it’s quite scary but you get used to it. I love it and much prefer the pace and switching quickly between drama and the comedic. You have the opportunity to go big a lot of the time.

“I remember the older Home and Away cast really took me under their wing, especially Emily Symons (Marilyn Chambers), who my very first scene was with, and Ray Meagher (Alf Stewart), who is such a consummate professional.

“I also learnt a lot from Terence Donovan, who played Sophie’s dad, even then he was a big name veteran Australian actor. He was amazing, years later we worked together on Neighbours where he was Terese’s father-in-law, Doug Willis. Terry is Jason Donovan’s dad, and Jason’s daughter Jemma was also in Neighbours (as Harlow Robinson). I have a strong connection to the Donovans!”

As the aforementioned Jason can attest to, soap brings an intense level of stardom some struggle with, but Elmaloglou admits to being at ease at the attention from the public which has been part of her life from an early age.

“In Australia I probably get recognised more for my Kellogg’s sultana bran commercials I did when I was a kid than I do for Neighbours! That’s also partly because Australia doesn’t embrace the show as much as it used to. Sometimes I feel we don’t get the recognition we deserve from the Australian media, which is disappointing. So when we come to the UK it’s great because the fans are amazing.”

Along with other members of the cast, past and present, Elmaloglou felt the love from Neighbours’ devoted British fans first-hand during last month’s 40th-anniversary tour. The live show, in which the cast were interviewed live on stage and shared memories of their Ramsay Street experience, was a huge hit and cemented the special relationship between Neighbours and its UK audience as it reaches the big four-oh.

Sadly, Elmaloglou learned that the show was being canceled mere hours after her plane touched down in Australia following the tour, causing her a sudden and disappointing jolt.

“It’s just so sad and disappointing for the UK fans. After the success of the tour, which was so special, the decision really doesn’t make sense. To be honest, I don’t really know the ins and outs or understanding behind it. We’re dealing with a large corporation, it’s business, it’s money.”

Neighbours has previously swerved the axe: it was picked up by Australia’s Channel 10 when original network Seven dropped it after its first year in 1985. When the BBC stopped showing it in 2008 after over 20 years, the loyal UK fan base fretted they’d be denied their daily dose of Oz drama, until Channel 5 stepped in and gave it a home until 2022. Fan power saved it before; whether it can do it again remains to be seen.

The show will remain on Prime Video until the end of 2025, so there’s still a way to go – and Elmaloglou is hoping this means yet more trauma for Terese.

“I love her,” she smiles. “She is such a lot of fun with so many different angles and things going on, it’s been constantly fun. I wouldn’t have stayed this long if the writers didn’t love creating stories for her. I feel blessed with this character.”

On a personal level, my family and I have made the decision to relocate. Previously, I had to sell our home in Melbourne, where Neighbours is filmed. We’ve since moved to a new state and are all adapting to our new lives. Currently, I am in the process of obtaining an agent to assist me in my move to the United Kingdom.

And what about tough cookie Terese, has the star thought about her swan song?

“As you can imagine, we’re all coming up with fabulous ideas for our characters to be the main storyline of the next finale! I’d definitely like to see Terese and Paul in a really good place.

“The producers are sitting on it at the moment, I’m not sure if they’ve even properly planned anything yet, but there are some full-on amazing suggestions being thrown around.

“It’s heartbreaking to think it’s ending, but whatever happens, Neighbours will always be remembered as iconic!”

2025-03-18 18:10

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