Erinsborough High

[Perdita]

Australian soap Neighbours is getting a spin-off series focusing on Erinsborough High. The show will run parallel to the events taking place in the main series, and will debut on streaming platform My5 in November.
‘Neighbours continues to be a popular show which has brought enjoyment to audiences for many years, so it’s hugely exciting to bring its first ever spin-off series to fans in the U.K. exclusively on My5,’ said Oli Thomas, VP digital lead at Channel 5.
The long-running soap has seen the likes of Margot Robbie, Guy Pearce and Kylie Minogue begin their careers on Ramsay Street; the show first began airing in 1985. In recent years older stars have returned to the soap, with Gayle and Gillian Blakeney the most recent – and they’ve teased a whole lot of havoc is coming with them. When appearing on Loose Women, the duo spoke about their comeback and how excited they were to be back on set: ‘Neighbours invited us back and we realised it was almost 30 years since we first arrived on Ramsay Street. It was like a nostalgic high school reunion type of feeling.
‘Catching up with Stefan Dennis, there was a director and makeup artist from 26 years ago there, and the studio and the set hadn’t changed as much we’d thought!’ Gayle and Gillian Blakeney are the most recent characters to return. In late August the show confirmed details about its first-ever transgender storyline as newcomer Georgie Stone prepares to make her debut on the soap. Georgie transitioned when she was eight and has won awards for her work as a trans activist. Newcomer Georgie Stone prepares to make her debut on the soap. She wrote to the soap’s producers last year pitching the character and has worked with the writers on Mackenzie’s storyline; the plot will centre on 19-year-old Mackenzie Hargreave who will join Erinsborough High as a student, where she’ll meet fellow pupil Yashvi Rebecchi (Olivia Junkeer). After Yashvi becomes convinced that she met Mackenzie in her old home town of Bourke, Mackenzie will eventually admit that they went to primary school together before she transitioned, but that she was known as Michael at the time.


Read more: https://metro.co.uk/2019/09/05/neighbours-confirms-spin-off-series-focusing-erinsborough-high-10691410/?ito=cbshare

[Kyzaah]

I’m down for an Aussie Degrassi.

[Pantherboy]

Digital Spy article:


Neighbours star Olivia Junkeer promises "dark and gritty" scenes in online spinoff
Erinsborough High will be launching next month.

https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/neighbours/a29121995/neighbours-spoilers-olivia-junkeer-erinsborough-high-spinoff/

Neighbours star Olivia Junkeer has revealed that the show's new online spinoff will have a "darker" and "grittier" tone.

Show bosses have announced that Ramsay Street's teens will soon be taking centre stage in a five-part drama called Erinsborough High, revolving around the dramas at the local school.

Channel 5 has commissioned the project for its on-demand service My5. It will also be available to watch for Australian fans on 10 Play.

Speaking exclusively to Digital Spy, Olivia – who plays Yashvi Rebecchi – explained: "Erinsborough High is very, very different from the main show. It's darker, the sets are grungier, and there are a lot of differences with the scripts, camera and lighting. There's even swearing in it!

"It does connect to Neighbours and follows the same storylines. Yashvi still has the exact same mindset that she does in the main show, so whatever she's experiencing in Neighbours will still be relevant in Erinsborough High.

"But you'll also see Yashvi grow into a woman. The storylines are grittier, darker and more sinister."

Olivia also highlighted show newcomer Hendrix Greyson (Benny Turland) as one to watch in the spinoff.

She said: "You see a real big change in Yashvi's character and Hendrix's character. They're the main people from Neighbours that are in it.

"Erinsborough High shows the ups and downs of high school and being a teenager in the best way. I think it really relates well to teenagers now.

"It dives into social media, relationships between girls and boys, girls and girls, boys and boys. It shows every side to being a teenager and it's excellent. I really do recommend that everyone watches it."

Erinsborough High will launch in November.

Neighbours airs weekdays at 1.45pm and 5.30pm on Channel 5 (UK) and 6.30pm on 10 Peach (Australia).

[Kyzaah]

Is Mackenzie going to be in this series?

[Pantherboy]

Is Mackenzie going to be in this series?

Yes, I believe so (I think it is supposed to be the 6 in the photo in the article who will be the main characters in the 5-part series).


EDIT: In the last paragraph of this Digital Spy article it confirms that Mackenzie will be part of the series:

https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/neighbours/a29145553/neighbours-olivia-junkeer-mackenzie-hargreaves-show-regular-hopes/

[indigodance]

I think the storyline, like several others of late are too heavy on the preachy bit. Over dramatic from Shane and Susan..and as for the kids standoff with yashvi over the toilet ...well over the top.

[Pantherboy]

Tvwise.co.uk article:


My5 Sets Premiere Date For ‘Neighbours: Erinsborough High’

https://www.tvwise.co.uk/2019/10/my5-sets-premiere-date-for-neighbours-erinsborough-high/

Neighbours: Erinsborough High will premiere on Channel 5’s VOD service My5 on Monday November 11th, when all five episodes will be available to stream.

Neighbours: Erinsborough High explores what goes on behind the school gates of Erinsborough High during exam period, with the disappearance of one of the Year Twelve students sparking a number of revelations. The show’s storyline will run in parallel to the main series on Channel 5 and will feature crossover as well as new characters.

The series is produced by Fremantle and stars Olivia Junkeer, Lachlan Miller, Grace O’Sullivan, Georgie Stone, Benny Turland, Darius Amarfio-Jefferson, Jemma Donovan, Rob Mills, Ellmir Asipi, Nikolai Egel, Mahalia Brown, Amanda Harrison, Sharon Johal and Jodi Anasta. Rather than being an acquisition, Neighbours: Erinsborough High was in fact commissioned by My5. Natalie Lynch is the series producer, while Jason Herbison is the executive producer.

TVWise’s UK Premiere Dates page has been updated with this new information.

[Perdita]

https://www.facebook.com/DigitalSpySoaps/videos/545865046190380/

First look

[Pantherboy]

Digital Spy article:


Neighbours: Erinsborough High spin-off – Release date, cast, spoilers and everything you need to know
Even more drama from Erinsborough.

https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/neighbours/a29697359/neighbours-erinsborough-high-spin-off-release-date-cast-spoilers-trailer/

Neighbours fans are about to have even more Ramsay Street drama in their lives, as the show launches an exciting five-part spin-off series titled Neighbours: Erinsborough High.

The Aussie soap is delving deeper into the lives of the teen characters with the new show, which will focus on the local school and has been tipped to have darker storylines.

Here's everything you need to know about the bonus drama series.

Neighbours: Erinsborough High release date – when is it out?

Erinsborough High has been specially commissioned by Neighbours' British broadcaster Channel 5 for its on-demand service My5. It will be uploaded at 00.01 on Monday, November 11, with all five episodes available to watch straight away as a box-set. Irish fans have the same release date on the RTÉ Player.

Australian fans aren't missing out, as Erinsborough High will also be released on 10 Play on Tuesday, November 12. Good news all round!

Neighbours: Erinsborough High cast – who's in it?

Neighbours: Erinsborough High will feature several of the regular cast from the main show. Yashvi Rebecchi (Olivia Junkeer), Hendrix Greyson (Benny Turland), Harlow Robinson (Jemma Donovan), Mackenzie Hargreaves (Georgie Stone), Susan Kennedy (Jackie Woodburne), Finn Kelly (Rob Mills) and Dipi Rebecchi (Sharon Johal) have all been confirmed as part of the cast.

These aren't the only characters, as we'll also see some new faces, along with some students and teachers who've previously only appeared on the main show in a guest capacity.

The full list of other characters is Richie Amblin (Lachlan Miller), Olivia Lane (Grace O'Sullivan), Jeremiah Annan (Darius Amarfio-Jefferson), Ollie Sudekis (Ellmir Asipi), Cherie Raynor (Mahalia Brown) and Marty Muggleton (Nikolai Egel).

Neighbours: Erinsborough High spoilers – what happens in the show?

Storylines in Neighbours: Erinsborough High will run parallel to those in the main show, as the disappearance of a Year 12 student during the exam period leads to some surprising revelations among the pupils.

Show bosses have said that the series explores issues such as bullying, mental illness, sexuality, cultural diversity, and parental and peer pressure.

A full set of synopses for the episodes follows below, although be warned that it does contain some storyline detail which some spoiler-phobic readers may prefer to avoid.

Episode One

Stress levels are through the roof during exams at Erinsborough High, but the disappearance of Year 12 student Olivia Lane has got everyone on edge. Fortunately, the task of recording a private video diary for view at the ten-year reunion is giving respite to students as they make sense of the chaos. Yashvi has finished her last exam and is determined to celebrate – but is it all just for the camera?

Meanwhile, night falls – and when Angela Lane learns Finn Kelly was the last person to see her daughter alive, she begins to fear the worst.

When Hendrix comes off second best in a feud with Physics teacher Marty Muggleton, he's determined to get him fired.

Elsewhere, Richie fails to cram for the Physics exam because he's too busy texting Mackenzie, but Richie clams up face-to-face. Could it be something to do with his ex-girlfriend Olivia?

Episode Two

Having found the missing Olivia, Yashvi assumes she got spooked by seeing Finn Kelly on campus. Olivia doesn't deny it, and Yashvi agrees to provide her refuge on Ramsay Street. But when she spies a cryptic love text on Liv's phone, Yashvi begins to suspect she's running away from someone other than Finn. When she later spies Olivia getting into a car with a teacher, Yashvi's rocked. Could they be Olivia's secret lover?

After witnessing his tormentor's warped respect for Hendrix, Jeremiah realises an alliance with Hendrix could be a form of protection. Meanwhile, Richie feels the pressure to ace the Physics exam, and the temptation to join up with Hendrix is strong.

Mackenzie is unimpressed, warning Hendrix that his issue with authority figures clearly stems from his daddy issues. Her harsh words hit a nerve – but will he do the right thing, or continue to take Marty down?

Episode Three

It's exam time, and Hendrix is apprehensive about the plan – but he's saved from having to pull out himself when Richie wants out. They spread the word among the other students, but Jeremiah keeps his bully Ollie in the dark. Hendrix throws a party at Lassiters to prove he's still a legend and invites Jeremiah. But Ollie gets to him first…

Mackenzie is happy to hear Richie pulled the plug on the plan, but she remains confused by his inability to talk to her in real life. Meanwhile, Yashvi comes to think the worst about Liv – especially when she finds a pregnancy test in her locker.

Episode Four

Anonymous texts begin to circulate about the relationship between Olivia and a teacher. Humiliated, Olivia accuses Yashvi of being the source. But her stomach turns when she realises the person responsible for the rumour is the person she's in a secret relationship with.

Mackenzie's on a high after kissing Richie, but she's devastated when he yet again blanks her at school. Meanwhile, Hendrix seeks out Jeremiah to tutor him next year and is shocked to see the damage that Ollie has inflicted on him.

Episode Five

Learning Richie and Olivia had been having sex, Mackenzie is filled with anxiety over her new boyfriend's expectations. Meanwhile, Hendrix decides to take a stand against Ollie and report his assault of Jeremiah – putting his reputation and new friendship in jeopardy.

Olivia's lover begs her to remain silent about their relationship until she's finished her exams and can leave home. Seeing Olivia's distress, Yashvi makes it her mission to help her friend, and as a result finds a career path worth pursuing post-high school.

Neighbours: Erinsborough High trailer – get a sneak peek at the series

Erinsborough High currently has two official trailers released to tease the episodes and you can watch them both below.

(see the above Digital Spy hyperlink for trailers)

Neighbours: Erinsborough High is released on Monday, November 11 on My5.

[Pantherboy]

Digital Spy article:


Neighbours star Georgie Stone teases romance for Mackenzie in new spin-off
"There is no shame in sharing your feelings."

https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/neighbours/a29746459/neighbours-spin-off-erinsborough-high-mackenzie-romance/

Five-part Neighbours online spin-off series Neighbours: Erinsborough High is set to feature a bit of romance between Mackenzie Hargreaves and Richie Amblin.

Played by Georgie Stone and Lachlan Miller respectively, the duo will establish a close relationship via text, but the latter's character struggles to transport his digital confidence over into real life, which proves to be a stumbling block.

Discussing some of the intense scenes between Mackenzie and Richie, actress Georgie opened up on what they were like to shoot: "I was actually quite nervous for a few of those scenes with Richie, but I couldn't have asked for a better scene partner.

"Lachie is such a cool guy, he's really awesome to work with. Some of the scenes we were doing were really intimate and personal, but I just trusted him completely."

On what she hopes fans will take away from the pair's romance, the 19-year-old added: "Communication is so important. I think society teaches guys to close themselves off a bit - they aren't encouraged to talk about their feelings. But for relationships to really work, you have to be emotionally available for your partner.

"Mackenzie has learned to articulate herself really well, so it is frustrating for her to have to work to get Richie to open up. We wanted viewers, especially teenagers, to understand why communication is so important.

There is no shame in sharing your feelings and what you are going through."

Lachlan Miller also spoke out about the storyline and why he thinks it's important Neighbours explores "the LGBTQ+ experience" with Mackenzie being transgender.

"At a time where more and more people are being accepted for who they are, and yet so many are still afraid to fully be themselves, I think exploring the LGBTQ+ experience is absolutely paramount," he said.

"Erinsborough High delves deep into modern day LGBTQ+ issues and addresses many questions and queries that people may have. Everybody deserves to be and love themselves and we, as a show, will do anything we can to help and support this."

Neighbours airs on Channel 5 (UK) and 10 Peach (Australia).

[Danners9]

It's not a bad little series.

Changes who Hendrix is - maybe this side of him will come through in the main show.
Not keen on some of the things Mackenzie kept saying to the video diaries. If the goal was to show it in 10yrs, being so dramatic would be incredibly embarrassing and ultimately unnecessary.
Has Jeremiah been in the main show? quite rare to see people of different backgrounds in the show, and when they are they are mixed.
The Ollie kid needs a slap.