Plans to turn classic Margot Robbie Neighbours scenes into short phone videos with AI-assisted editing have unsettled some former cast and crew, who say their images and work may be reused without fresh consent.
Fremantle, which produced the Australian soap that aired its final episode last year, has partnered with US firm RoseBerry Media on a micro-drama project. The companies say AI will help scan decades of episodes so editors can build vertical mini-episodes for mobile viewers, with Robbie’s Donna Freedman years as the first focus.
How the AI-assisted edits would work
RoseBerry Media’s Guy Hameiri said this is the first time the firm will use its in-house AI tool on Neighbours material—more than 9,300 episodes—to make “premium vertical television.” The firms say the tool will map character arcs, storylines and standout moments so editors can find strong clips faster.
A Fremantle spokesman said the mini episodes will use “original, previously broadcast footage, dialogue and performances.” He said the process “does not generate new scenes or performances, alter actors’ faces or likenesses, or use synthetic voices,” and that a human editor will review and approve every stage. Fremantle’s Jens Richter called the project an example of technology unlocking new value from the catalogue; both companies say it can bring the show to new audiences.
Cast and crew raise consent questions
Matt Werkmeister, who played Zeke Kinski and shared many scenes with Robbie’s character, said he has not been approached and wants consent for image, voice and writers’ work if a new micro-drama is built from existing material. He noted that when he signed his contract about two decades ago, “streaming didn’t even exist as a platform.”
Sam Clark, who played Ringo Brown—later married on-screen to Robbie’s character—said he learned of the plan only when a friend flagged it. He said he does not mind old work finding a second life “as long as it’s not being manipulated into new storylines,” but is still unclear on rights signed before AI and social media. Robbie has yet to respond publicly.
Sound recordist Bruce Findlay, who worked on Neighbours from its first episode, likened AI-assisted chopping of old episodes to “cutting up a Picasso and rebuilding it,” arguing it belittles the labour behind the original product. The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance’s acting CEO Adam Portelli said workers should be consulted before likeness or expertise is used in ways they could not have imagined when contracts were signed decades ago. Fremantle is understood to be in talks with two unions; residuals are expected for actors and writers, but not for crew.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- 2005: Matt Werkmeister joined Neighbours as a teenager, later playing Zeke Kinski.
- 2006–2010: Sam Clark appeared as Ringo Brown.
- 2008–2011: Margot Robbie played Donna Freedman on Neighbours.
- Last year: Neighbours aired its final episode.
- Now: Fremantle and RoseBerry Media announce AI-assisted micro-dramas; some former cast and crew raise consent concerns while unions hold talks.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Purane Neighbours episodes ko AI se chhoti phone videos banane ka plan hai, pehle Margot Robbie ke scenes par. Companies kehti hain sirf purani asli footage use hogi, nayi face ya awaz nahi. Kuch actors aur crew kehte hain un se ijazat nahi maangi gayi. Pakistani viewers ko yeh dikha sakta hai ke streaming par purani dramas kaise dubara package ho sakti hain.
