Nicolette Stone (Charlotte Chimes) has certainly come a long way since her Neighbours debut a little over two years ago.
The popular character burst onto our screens with a penchant for scheming and manipulation, and had something of a habit of leaving chaos in her wake.
Despite her nefarious activity, however, she never strayed down a path of no return, and with an excellently paced redemption arc – not to mention stunning performances from star Charlotte Chimes – Nicolette cemented herself as a firm fan-favourite of Ramsay Street.
Neighbours’ untimely end, however, is almost upon us, after Channel 5 controversially decided to drop it from their schedules in favour of ‘original UK drama’, which the broadcaster claims has a ‘strong appeal’ for audiences.
The show finishes out in a delightful way this Friday (July 29), with an hour-long outing that celebrates everything Neighbours is, was and still could’ve been.
Before the big finale, however, Metro.co.uk thought it only fitting to catch up with a number of the show’s stars, one being Charlotte, who discusses her iconic time on the show, as well as revealing what’s next for her.
It’s been quite a few months since the news of Neighbours’ ending broke, so how are you feeling about it all now as we approach the ending?
It comes in waves. I’m sad – really sad. But then at the same time, I’m excited for the next adventure.
I’m really sad for all the fans, and for the Australian industry. We’re losing an absolute training ground for crew and cast. I go through phases of being really sad: “I’m going to really miss this”, and I’m sure there will be a grieving period. But I’m also excited at the possibilities.
It’s one of those great soaps that you would just assume would’ve been on TV forever.
I assumed it would never end! I’m just like: “Oh is it really over?”
Nicolette has become such an iconic character in such a short space of time. What’s it been like to play her over these last couple of years?
I’ve absolutely loved it. I feel so privileged that I got cast as Nicolette, it’s been an absolute joy. It’s been very difficult sometimes, but I really felt like I tried to never shy away from the human-ness in her, and all parts of her that are ‘ugly’. That’s been really fun to delve into.
Do you think the finale will be a proper celebration of the show and its success over the years?
Yes, absolutely! When we first heard snippets of it, and I cried. Then reading it, I cried! It’s the end of an era, so it’s heavy. It’s an absolute celebration, but it’s heavy at the end.
There are a number of characters and faces coming back – are you excited to see so many old faces and is there any of the returnees you’d like to share a scene with?
There is someone in particular that I have been hopeful of her sharing a scene with, but I’m not at liberty to say anymore! [laughs].
You’ve been at the centre of some incredible storylines over the years – do you have a favourite?
The baby swap storyline really does stand out. It was so juicy, and horrible and wonderful. It was a total rollercoaster. But I think over my two years at Neighbours – and I can’t believe it’s been two years – any of Nicolette’s ‘Cha Cha’s, so like two steps forward and one step back. Any time when she like butts heads with Paul or butts heads with Pierce, or with her mum or the boys. All of that has been my favourite to play – when she’s not her best self. That’s not a challenge in any way, if that makes sense?
There was a scene recently where Nicolette felt guilty because she’d worked with Paul to find out Glen’s big secret, unaware of the Kiri connection. We saw her question if she was like Paul, which I thought was a really powerful moment compared to who she was when she first arrived.
I completely agree with you! I feel like she really has come a long way. She is still who she is, but she’s softened as a person.
Are you proud of how far Nicolette has come?
Totally! She’s still a fiery firecracker! She’s definitely evened out a bit more, and maybe that’s from becoming a mum and being in a stable home environment, and being on really good terms with her own mother. She’s getting to be very conscious of how she wants to parent, as well as wanting to repair the relationship with her own mum.
The relationship between Jane and Nicolette is just one of the best on the show – what’s it like working with Annie Jones and will you miss playing this dynamic and working with her every day?
Aw! Oh my god, the thought of it all. Every time I think about it too much, I start crying. I love going to work and seeing Annie’s beautiful face every day. She is the most wonderful person. There aren’t words to describe how wonderful it is working with her.
We love scenes with Jane and Nicolette, it’s been such an interesting relationship to watch grow over the years.
I love them. Everyone is happy at work, but I think because Annie and I, we’ve been back around three years, and we’ve both just been so happy to be there. I feel like that brings an element to the relationship, for us and our dynamic. It’s like: “how can we make this the best we can possibly make it?” even if it’s a big fight, we’re like: “Come on! Come at me!
Another dynamic we’ve loved is Nicolette, David and Aaron, and how they’ve co-parented Isla. Are you glad that this was the direction Nicolette’s story took?
I’ve really loved it, this year especially. It was a hard storyline at first, with the characters constantly butting heads, so for them to be getting along, it’s kind of like what they all wanted.
Mary, who plays Isla, she’s a bit older now, and she recognises us, and puts her arms out to come to us! She walked to me today on set. I held her in a capsule to give to Paul when she was three weeks old! She originally played Abi and then became Isla – that happens!
I’ve known her since she was three weeks, it’s just crazy!
Will it be difficult to say goodbye to Nicolette?
I think I haven’t even started to think about what that’s going to be like, because I would’ve thought in the past: “Maybe I’ll leave and go to London”, but Nicolette could always come back for a stint. But it’ll be very weird not being her anymore. In a way, I share my life with her and have done for the last two years. I am her as much as I am me in a week!
There are some weeks where I’m probably more her because in the other hours I’m asleep! It’s going to be very weird putting those shoes in the back of the cupboard and not putting them on again.
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What’s next for you? Do you have anything planned for when the show ends?
I’ve written a short film which I’m producing and acting in, and Kate Kendall, one of our amazing actors and directors is going to be directing it. We’re filming that in Melbourne when we finish, so that’s exciting! I’m auditioning at the moment. I’ve got a wedding in Italy in August, but then I’m going to come to London.
I go through phases of being sad and excited. I keep saying to myself: “The greater the unknown, the greater the possibilities” – knowing that it’s all going to work out. I’m not quite sure exactly what’s next, but I hope it’s going to be fun!
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