Australian soap opera Neighbours is being recut into an AI-driven microdrama focusing on Margot Robbie’s character, sparking backlash from actors and unions over consent, compensation, and the ethical use of archival footage.
The long-running Australian soap Neighbours, which concluded its original run in 2025 after 40 years, is being repurposed into a vertical microdrama using artificial intelligence. RoseBerry Media, in partnership with producer Fremantle, is leveraging an AI tool called RedSnapper to extract 150 minutes of content from the show’s 9,300 episodes, focusing initially on Margot Robbie’s character, Donna Freedman, whom she played from 2008 to 2011.
Actors Raise Concerns Over Consent and Compensation
Former cast members, including Matthew Werkmeister—who played Zeke Kinski alongside Robbie—and Stefan Dennis, who portrayed Paul Robinson, have criticized the project. Werkmeister, who signed contracts at 13, argued that AI’s use of his image without consent sets a concerning precedent.
Dennis called the venture unbelievably invasive, morally and legally wrong.
Both actors are seeking legal and union support, with the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) and Australian Writers’ Guild involved in discussions.
Werkmeister questioned whether residuals would be paid, noting that his original contracts did not account for AI or vertical streaming. I’d be intrigued to know if they reached out to the wonderful Margot Robbie,
he said, suggesting her star power is central to the project. Robbie’s agent has not publicly commented, though her image and performances are at the core of the adaptation.
AI Process and Industry Context
The project aligns with a booming $15bn microdrama market, particularly in China, where vertical formats dominate. RoseBerry’s CEO, Guy Hameiri, called Neighbours an iconic piece of television history
and emphasized its potential to “reimagine” classic content for new audiences. However, critics argue the venture exploits older contracts that predate AI and streaming, with some calling it a “money grab” to monetize a defunct show’s library.
Sound recordist Bruce Findlay, who worked on Neighbours for decades, described the AI edits as like cutting up a Picasso and rebuilding it.
Meanwhile, actor Sam Clark, who played Ringo Brown, expressed uncertainty about his rights but acknowledged the “second life” of his work as long as it’s not being manipulated into new storylines.
Residuals and Consent in AI Adaptations
Key questions remain: Will actors receive residuals for AI-driven adaptations? How will consent be defined for content created decades ago? The Australian Writers’ Guild is advocating for robust AI regulations,
while unions in the UK and US warn of broader implications for performer rights. Matthew Werkmeister urged legislators to set a precedent
for AI accountability, stating, We urgently need way more robust AI regulations, guardrails and proper consent mechanisms in place.
The project’s legal and ethical boundaries are untested, with no clear guidance on how to balance innovation with historical contracts. As AI reshapes media, Neighbours’s AI-driven revival highlights a clash between technological ambition and the rights of those whose work fuels it.
More on Margot Robbie
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— https://x.com/theheraldsun/status/2105482196958195933
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