Neighbours cast: What happened to the original characters?

By Laura Denby

Published: Wednesday, 27 July 2022 at 12:00 am

As Neighbours heads rapidly towards its finale, we’re feeling nostalgic for the show’s roots. Having hit screens back in 1985, Neighbours began with two core families, and both clans are still prominent in the soap.

The Ramsays have continued to have family members coming and going from Erinsborough, while the Robinsons are now represented by Paul (Stefan Dennis), the only original character to remain on the show since its debut. The ruthless businessman has quite the history, clocking up several marriages and just as many children alongside his continuous scheming behaviour.

But while Neighbours viewers are well-versed in Paul’s life story, what about all those other alumni? Let’s take a trip down memory lane and remind ourselves of Ramsay Street’s introductory residents.

Max Ramsay

Francis Bell played patriarch Max – with the famous street he lived on having been named after his grandfather. Max was a loudmouthed, uncouth man who always made his feelings known. His marriage to Maria was rocky, but the pair reunited offscreen and settled in Brisbane after Max’s exit in 1986.

Years later, it was revealed that Max had had an affair with Anne Robinson. Anne had never featured on the soap, but the scandal linked the two clans in an unexpected way as the pair conceived a child, Jill Ramsay. Fans, however, found the hasty plot twist rather nonsensical!

Actor Bell passed away in 1994, and it was hinted onscreen in 2009 that Max had died as all references since have been in past tense.

Maria Ramsay

Played by actress Dasha Bláhová, Maria was the wife of Max who only featured on Neighbours for a matter of months. Maria fell in love with Richard Morrison (Peter Flett) after her marriage broke down, and they moved to Hong Kong. But the following year, she and Max got back together and were never seen again.

We do know, though, that Maria is still very much alive, as son Shane was seen calling her about their old house being up for sale on Ramsay Street. There has been no word on whether we could be seeing Maria back on-screen for the finale, but if Shane’s plan pays off we can only imagine that the character intends to come home.

Danny Ramsay

Danny (David Clencie) was revealed not to be Max’s biological son, explaining away years of clashes and struggles between the pair. But Max eventually reassured Danny that he would always be his dad. In 1986, Danny transferred his bank job to a northern branch.

He was last seen in 2005 taking part in Annalise Hartman’s (Kimberley Davies) documentary on Neighbours’ 20th anniversary, alongside many other characters. As an original Ramsay, it would certainly be a treat to see what Danny has been up to once more…

Shane Ramsay

Shane returned to Neighbours very recently as Peter O’Brien reprised the role. Before then, he hadn’t been seen since 1987, leaving Erinsborough to travel around Australia.

Shane’s homecoming came after more than 30 years away. He caught up with old friend Paul, and made an offer to buy Lassiters Hotel. He revealed he had made his fortune via Crypto Currency, explaining where he got the cash for the hotel and, potentially, his old home. He’ll be present as Neighbours bows out in upcoming scenes.

Julie Robinson

Played by Vikki Blanche, Julie was raised by Jim as his own daughter. His wife Anne had been raped by Jim’s boss, and Julie was born as a result. The nosey Julie left screens the same year that Neighbours debuted, marrying Philip Martin before moving away with her new clan.

In 1992, Julie returned as actress Julie Mullins took over the role – but two years later, she chose to leave. The soap decided to kill her off, and Julie attended a murder mystery event amid her struggling marriage. Drinking heavily, Julie fell from a tower to her death – although Philip was initially suspected of her murder.

Philip Martin

Played by Christopher Milne in 1985, Philip was then portrayed by Ian Rawlings in his second stint. After Julie’s untimely death, he fell into a depression. But eventually, Philip overcame this and fell in love with Ruth Wilkinson. They married, and the new blended family decided to move to Darwin in 1999, where they settled near the Willis family.

Rawlings later reprised his role twice. First in 2005 for the soap’s 20th anniversary, which saw him in a furious row with Paul for framing him for fraud as well as catching up with old pals. In 2017, Philip was seen in Neighbours vs Time Travel, a web series which focused on Paul travelling back to 1985 with disastrous results! So could we be seeing Philip again? It’s certainly possible – just keep him and Paul out of each other’s way!

Debbie and Michael Martin

Debbie (Mandy Storvik and Katrina McEwan, later Marnie Reece-Wilmore) and Michael (Samuel Hammington) were Philip’s children from his marriage to first wife Loretta. Michael resented stepmother Julie and caused trouble for her, and is later wrongly suspected of starting a house fire. Michael descended into a life of crime, but after time in a detention centre he changed his ways. He was last seen in 1998 supporting his family on the day of dad Philip’s third wedding, to Ruth.

Debbie’s storylines included attempting suicide and a battle with bulimia. In 2005, she briefly appeared for Neighbours’ anniversary where we learned she was now working at the New York branch of Lassiters. If Philip decides to return to Erinsborough for a visit, could his kids follow suit?

Jim Robinson

Another original Ramsay Street patriarch, Jim was played by Alan Dale. A widower, Jim was shocked to learn he had another son, Glen Donnelly (Richard Huggett); but eventually he welcomed Glen into the clan. Some time later, Jim suffered a heart attack.

Although he recovered, his heart gave out for a second time in 1993. Love interest Fiona (Suzanne Dudley) found him, but instead of getting help, she seized the opportunity to transfer his money to her account! Jim died as a result, but 25 years later Paul sees a vision of his father after being involved in a car accident. Jim talks to Paul about putting right his mistakes, and Paul vows to be a better man. And it worked – to an extent! Will we be seeing another spiritual return from Jim? Watch this space!