Neighbours Cast Question AI Recut

Former cast members of the Australian soap opera Neighbours are questioning the use of artificial intelligence to re-edit their past performances for mobile devices.

The series ended its run in 2025 after four decades. Producer Fremantle announced a partnership with US company RoseBerry Media in late 2026. The collaboration aims to use AI tools to process the archive and produce short, vertical videos for social media platforms.

Initial work will focus on the tenure of Margot Robbie, who portrayed Donna Freedman between 2008 and 2011. The companies state that the technology will scan the extensive library to map character arcs and identify key storylines for editors.

Former actor Matt Werkmeister, who joined the set in 2005 at age 13, has not been contacted by the producers. He expressed concern that his image and voice are being repurposed without direct consent. Werkmeister noted that streaming platforms did not exist when he signed his contract two decades ago.

Sam Clark, who played Ringo Brown from 2006 to 2010, learned of the project through a friend. He said he is open to his work gaining new life but is trying to understand the contractual parameters regarding AI usage. Clark emphasized that he is concerned about manipulation into new storylines rather than simple re-editing.

Bruce Findlay, a sound recordist who worked on the show from its first episode in 1985, compared the process to cutting up a Picasso and rebuilding it. He argued that chopping the product into small pieces and reassembling them with AI belittles the original production effort.

Fremantle says human editors will approve every stage of the process and that no new scenes, synthetic voices, or altered likenesses will be used. The company is currently in discussions with two unions, including the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance. While residuals will be paid to actors and writers, ongoing payments for crew members are not included in the current arrangements.

Adam Portelli, acting CEO of the MEAA, stated that workers should be consulted before their likeness is used in ways they did not envision when signing contracts. Fremantle and RoseBerry Media describe the initiative as a way to unlock new value from their catalogue and bring the show to new audiences.