Fremantle Partners With RoseBerry Media To Recut Neighbours For Mobile Screens

Fremantle, the production company behind the Australian soap opera Neighbours, has teamed up with RoseBerry Media to create a new line of short-form content for mobile devices. The two companies will use artificial intelligence to analyze the show's extensive archive and edit it into vertical video clips. The initial focus of this micro-drama series will be the storylines involving Margot Robbie, who played Donna Freedman from 2008 to 2011.

The project involves scanning decades of existing footage to identify key character arcs and standout moments. According to a statement from the companies, the technology helps editors quickly locate the strongest material. They emphasized that the new episodes will use original, previously broadcast dialogue and performances. The process will not generate new scenes, alter actors' faces, or use synthetic voices. A human editor will review and approve every stage of the editing process.

Matt Werkmeister, who joined the Neighbours set in 2005 at the age of 13, expressed concern that his image and voice are being repurposed without direct consent. Werkmeister, now 34, played Zeke Kinski, a character who shared many scenes with Robbie's Donna. He noted that when he signed his contract two decades ago, streaming platforms did not exist. This creates uncertainty about his rights regarding the new format. He stated that he has not been approached by the companies behind the micro-drama.

Sam Clark, who played Ringo Brown from 2006 to 2010, also learned about the project through a friend. Clark, 39, is currently a producer and voice actor based in Los Angeles. He said he does not have a negative view of the work receiving a second life, provided it is not manipulated into new storylines. However, he is still trying to understand the parameters of his contract, which did not account for AI or social media.

Sound recordist Bruce Findlay, 68, described the process as cutting up a Picasso and rebuilding it. Findlay has worked in the television industry for nearly five decades and was on Neighbours from the very first episode. He felt that chopping up the product they worked hard to create and reassembling it with AI belittles the original process.

Guy Hameiri, head of RoseBerry Media, said this is the first time the company will use its in-house AI tool to sift through the more than 9,300 episodes of Neighbours. The goal is to create premium vertical television that reimagines the material for new audiences. Jens Richter, head of Fremantle's commercial and international arm, called the project an exciting example of using technology to unlock new value from their catalogue.

Fremantle is currently in discussions with two unions regarding the project. It is understood that residuals, which are ongoing payments for actors and writers when work is re-aired or syndicated, will be paid. However, these payments do not apply to crew members. The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance confirmed that talks are underway. Acting CEO Adam Portelli said workers should be consulted before their likeness or expertise is used in ways they could not have envisioned when signing contracts decades ago.

Robbie has not yet responded publicly to the announcement. The BBC has contacted her agency for comment. The show aired its final episode last year, but the new micro-drama series aims to bring the franchise to a different demographic through a different delivery method.