Australia’s iconic soap Neighbours continues to break boundaries. A recent storyline saw resident gay boys Aaron and David foster a troubled youth. Here I interview actors Matt Wilson and Takaya Honda, as well as Neighbours producer Jason Herbison.
In the past few years serial drama Neighbours has developed a reputation for addressing equality, with LGBTIQ stories that are topical, relatable and most of all real. To that end, Ramsay Street has become an address for diverse and likable characters, while leading Australian television into the 21st Century.
When gay characters Aaron (Matt Wilson) and David (Takaya Honda) tied the knot back in 2018, it was a milestone moment marking Australian television’s first gay wedding. Since then, more LGBTIQ persons have arrived in Erinsborough including the introduction of transgender character Mackenzie Hargreaves (Georgie Stone).
In a recent story arc, Aaron and David become foster parents to Emmett Donaldson, a troubled thirteen-year-old, played by Ezra Justin. Hoping to originally foster an infant, the boys’ situation took a twist when Emmett’s case became an urgent priority.
Greeting the adolescent with open arms, all seemed well at first, but in true soap opera style, Ramsay Street threw some unexpected curveballs. From the meddlesome Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis) to a rooftop accident and the introduction of Emmett’s estranged older brother and manipulative mother, it all made for great viewing. But while it delighted fans, critics and boosted ratings, there was a far greater significance at the story’s core.
On the Neighbours set with Takaya Honda, Deborra-lee Furness, Ezra Justin and Matt Wilson
For Neighbours producer Jason Herbison, who along with his male partner adopted a child of their own, the fostering story was one of great relevance and importance.
“We always planned a long story arc with Aaron and David,” says Herbison.
“That includes falling in love, marrying, then starting a family. With all the challenges same-sex couples face in starting a family, fostering is very topical. There are thousands of children of all ages needing stable homes in Australia and we wanted to explore that. We’re not saying our storyline reflects every single foster family experience out there, but the twists and turns were inspired by real life. The best stories make you laugh and cry, and this has moments of both.”
“A few years back our gay characters raised some eyebrows. Nowadays the only place you find negative commentary is the odd homophobic Facebook rant.” – Jason Herbison
In the role of Emmett, newcomer Ezra Justin plays a convincingly troubled, yet adorable teenager who is taken to heart by the Ramsay Street residents, both on screen and off.
“Ezra is an incredible young actor and we couldn’t be more impressed with him,” says Herbison.
“We were only one week into filming the story when the COVID pandemic hit, turning everything upside down for us, but Ezra coasted through it all. Takaya and Matt have been amazing too and were very invested, right from the beginning.”
Matt Wilson, Takaya Honda and Ezra Justin in a scene on Neighbours
For Matt Wilson, playing the role of a surrogate father included some detailed preparation, including research into the foster care system.
“We were lucky enough to have plenty of resources at hand,” says Wilson.
“Some of the Neighbours team members had either worked with the foster care system directly, or had close contacts that did. It was great that we could chat to them and learn about their experiences. A lot of the story plots were moments based on true stories from around us, and it really opened our eyes.
“In my opinion the true heroes are the writers, producers, editors and crew who put it all together,” says Wilson.
“They do such an amazing job and are passionate about paving the way for future onscreen LGBTIQ representation in Australia. It never occurred to me how complex the fostering process is. There is so much red tape involved, and rightfully so, that I can see it turning people away. Everyone we had spoken to had said the foster care system in Australia is overwhelmed.”
Similarly, the storyline was an eye-opener for Honda, who along with Wilson’s character, took on the role of a sudden first-time parent.
“I was very unaware of the specifics around foster care and how underserved the industry is,” says Honda.
“There are so many kids out there who don’t have a safe place to call home and it’s not an area that gets much media attention, so, I’m quite proud to have brought it to the fore.
“A close friend of mine was a foster child,” says Honda.
“It isn’t something we’ve really dived deep into, as I know there’s a lot of pain associated with it, but I can only think she is a success story from the foster system. Matt and I were also able to talk to the writing team, one of which is a foster carer themselves, and those insights were invaluable to us.”
Deborra-lee Furness directing scenes on iconic soap Neighbours
However, one of the greatest forms of on-hand support came from Deborra-lee Furness, who along with husband Hugh Jackman, have adopted children of their own. In 2008, Furness co-founded Adopt Change, an organisation devoted to providing safe homes for displaced and vulnerable children. As part of developing the fostering storyline, Herbison engaged the aid of Adopt Change with Furness contributing to the story narrative, as well as directing scenes.
“It was an honour to have Deb involved in the storyline,” says Herbison.
“This subject matter is very close to her heart and I love that she uses her platform to bring awareness to the cause. She’s also an incredible actress, and she brought all those years of experience to the set. I think we’ve only seen the tip of what she can do in the directing field.”
“Deborra-lee pushed us and our characters into territories we wouldn’t normally have gone to!” – Takaya Honda
Wilson and Honda were similarly impressed with Furness, especially to have her in the director’s chair.
“Deb is a force of nature,” says Wilson.
Deborra-lee Furness has co-founded Adopt Change, an organisation devoted to providing safe homes for displaced and vulnerable children.
“She has a way of manipulating a scene and pushing you to boundaries, moment by moment, which all pays off in the edit suite. What a woman!”
“Deborra-lee was an absolute dream to work with,” agrees Honda.
“Her positivity is infectious and the different light she shone on the script was refreshing. She pushed us, and our characters, into territories we wouldn’t normally have gone to!
“And Ezra Justin is a fast rising star,” he says.
“Everyone we have spoken too has said the foster care system in Australia is overwhelmed.” – Matt Wilson
“I offered guidance and support whenever he asked and I also felt the urge to protect him when COVID hit. I wanted to help in order to not let his time on Neighbours be ruined by the pandemic. I can only hope to work with both Deborra-lee and Ezra again, as I know I’ll be better for it.”
As for the show itself, Neighbours has clocked up over 6000 episodes, is shown in over sixty countries and inspired international remakes. Fans around the world are all too familiar with names like Dr Karl, Toadfish, Harold and Madge, Mrs Mangle and of course Scott and Charlene.
Over the years, Neighbours has reflected the changing times, with current storylines not only involving LGBTIQ culture but also drug abuse, police corruption, cyber stalking, mental illness, Huntington’s Disease and environmental issues. The show has survived in a niche market where many have failed, and earlier this year the 35th year celebration saw many past characters return.
“Neighbours is always evolving,” says Herbison.
“But there’s a sense of the familiar to it as well. Sometimes we take ourselves very seriously and other times we don’t at all, which is a bit like real life. We don’t always get it right but the people who make the show love it for what it is, and I think the audience feels the same.”
Neighbours producer Jason Herbison, who along with his male partner have adopted a child of their own.
As Neighbours continues to entertain, it also continues to represent the world as we know it, and the concept of two gay men fostering a child is one of great progression, relevance and admiration.
“We’ve received a lot of recognition, which is lovely,” says Herbison.
“The biggest reward is the real change we have seen in the audience. For example, a few years back our gay characters raised a few eyebrows, but nowadays the only place you find negative commentary is the odd homophobic Facebook rant. Our wider audience simply don’t care. They see everyone as human beings and that’s how it should be.”
For more visit: adoptchange.org.au
Neighbours screens 6.30pm weeknights on 10 Peach and streamed on 10play.com.au
