‘Neighbors’: Why Margot Robbie Wasn’t Happy With Her Character
Margot Robbie is most known for her roles in movies, however, she first became famous through her role in the soap opera Neighbors. She left the show a decade age — and she was not satisfied with how her character was written off the show. Here’s a look at her time on one of the most famous Australian TV shows.
Margot Robbie explains what her ‘Neighbors’ character found ‘daunting’
Firstly, a little background. In recent years, Robbie has become a star of the silver screen, playing everyone from Harley Quinn to Tonya Harding to Sharon Tate. However, like a number of superstars before her, she got her start as a soap opera actor.
Neighbors is an Australian soap opera which premiered in 1985 and is currently airing to this day. Robbie became famous in Australia for playing the Neighbors character Donna Freedman. Donna eventually leaves Australia for New York with the blessing of her on-and-off boyfriend, Ringo Brown.
According to Digital Spy, Robbie explained some things about her character’s mindset. “It is very daunting for Donna at first. Ringo was the one who applied for Donna to do this course – it’s like he’s doing this one last thing for her,” Robbie said. “She doesn’t want to muck it up and let him down. She feels this is her last chance to live up to his expectations – but then she gets her head around the idea and is more determined than ever to go and be a success.”
What upset Margot Robbie about her exit from ‘Neighbors’
Robbie was actually upset by how Donna was written off of the show. “I wanted a big, dramatic death or to go to rehab. But no, it’s just a boring old happy ending!” This is especially notable given that soap operas are known for over-the-top tragedies.
According to Digital Spy, Robbie explained why Donna didn’t die a dramatic death. “I told them I was going to move to America and then I asked if they would kill me off in like a really big dramatic way,” Robbie said. “They said no because, you know, ‘If things don’t work out in America, we want you to be able to come back and play the role again’. So, my character also moved to America, incidentally.”
Where her career went from there
Robbie was able to find success in the film industry. She has not appeared on Neighbors since she left the show. Her film projects seem to be keeping her busy, as she’s set to appear in the upcoming DC Comics film The Suicide Squad, reprising her role as Harley after appearing in Suicide Squad and Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn). At this point, Robbie is undoubtedly one of the most internationally famous actors from Australia. While Robbie was dissatisfied with Donna’s character arc, her most famous roles were ahead of her.
