Neighbours cast protests AI-driven microdrama project

Actors and crew members of the Australian soap opera ‘Neighbours’ have expressed significant concern over a new project that uses artificial intelligence to repurpose series footage into mobile-friendly microdramas. The initiative is a partnership between producer Fremantle and US-based RoseBerry Media, which aims to use an AI tool called RedSnapper to scan decades of episodes to create vertical video content for mobile users.

The first installment of this project will focus on footage featuring Margot Robbie, who played Donna Freedman between 2008 and 2011. While Fremantle maintains that the technology is used only to assist editors in identifying key moments and does not generate synthetic voices or transform actor appearances, former cast members have criticized the move.

Actor Stefan Dennis described the project as ‘unbelievably invasive, morally and legally wrong,’ while former star Matthew Werkmeister expressed concern regarding the use of his image without consent and questioned whether residuals would be paid. Werkmeister characterized the venture as a ‘money grab’ intended to monetize the existing library quickly.