Annie Jones, one of Neighbours’ most iconic and adored actress’s from the very early years of thhe show is returning to Ramsay Street to reprise the role that made her a household name later this year.
In 1989, Jones won a TV Week Silver Logie for Most Popular Actress for her portrayal of Jane Harris, the character she played from 1986 to 1989. She was nicknamed “Plain Jane Superbrain”, starting out as a nerdy book worm then blossoming into a beauty who would become best friends with Charlene Mitchell (Kylie Minogue) and Scott Robinson (Jason Donovan). Her character went on to fall in love with Mike Young, played by a then 19-year-old Guy Pearce.
Annie Jones said: “I was absolutely thrilled to be asked to return to Neighbours. As an actor, the best thing you can be is a working actor. I’ve done a lot of guest roles but usually very short-lived, so this has been lovely to come back for an extended period and really get my teeth into a part.”
Jones returned to the set of Neighbours in December last year, the first time since a brief appearance for the series’ 20th and 30th anniversary specials. Her character arrives back on the famous street on a mission to rectify the past and raises some eyebrows in the process.
Jason Herbison said: “Annie is a beloved star from the golden era of Neighbours and we are honoured to have her back on the show. She had a very interesting take on what her character Jane might be up to nowadays and we incorporated it into the storyline. There’s warmth and nostalgia yet also a very fascinating character journey.”
While her Neighbours character remains her longest ongoing role, Jones has made guest appearances in dozens of Australian productions during her three-decade long career including The Doctor Blake Mysteries, Winners & Losers, Wentworth, The Worst Year Of My Life Again, City Homicide and Underbelly: Tell Them Lucifer Was Here.
Stefan Dennis, who plays Paul Robinson, the only remaining member of the cast from 1986, said this about his former co-star: “This is going to sound terribly gushy, but Annie is just the same as she was on the show 30 years ago, kind, funny and just a beautiful person to be around. I’ve loved having her back on set,”
Jane Harris returns to Ramsay Street in early April.
Neighbours airs 6:30pm weeknights on Eleven
