During the late 90s, receptionist Sarah Beaumont shook up Ramsay Street when she had an affair with married man, Karl Kennedy. With Sarah now back in Erinsborough for the first time in 14 years, we caught up with British-born actress Nicola Charles to chat about her return to Neighbours...
Were you surprised when you were asked to return to Neighbours? Aside from your appearance in the 20th anniversary episode in 2005, it’s been a long time!
"Yes, I was pleasantly surprised when asked to reprise the role of Sarah. Though I did feel there were lots of unanswered questions at the time so imagined they might want to investigate those further one day."
So what brings Sarah back to Erinsborough? What has she been up to all this time?
"Sarah's work brings her back to Erinsborough and we find out what she has been up to in her absence. Turns out it's quite a lot and she is now a savvy businesswoman and not at all the girl we remember her as."
How do Karl and Susan react when they see Sarah again?
"Karl's reaction to Sarah is one of shock followed by panic really. Sarah's arrival comes at a time when Karl felt he was finally making inroads with Susan and of course Sarah's sudden appearance threatens that. Susan is naturally horrified and uncomfortable with Sarah's presence."
Can you remember the original viewer reaction to Karl and Susan’s affair? Who came off worse from the affair – Karl or Sarah?
"I vividly remember the viewers reaction to the Karl/ Sarah affair and was and still am a little disappointed that Sarah seemingly bore the brunt of the blame. Karl was married, Sarah was not. He should have carried the blame at 'least' equally in my eyes, but Teflon Karl escaped blame again and Sarah became the Scarlet woman!"
This time around, is there still a big attraction between Karl and Sarah?
"I wouldn't describe it as a 'big attraction' between Karl and Sarah, but there is a closeness there and a sense of knowing that would of course threaten anything either of them might have with somebody else. None of us particularly likes our partner having close (once intimate) friendships with members of the opposite sex and though Karl and Susan are separated Sarah does rather put a spanner in the works of any reconciliation."
Could Sarah have her eye on any other of the Ramsay Street regulars?
"I think Sarah finds charm in Paul's pushy bravado. They are similar animals in the sense that they have had to be ruthless to achieve in business and there is a lot of mutual respect there. I would imagine a Sarah/Paul relationship would also be very hard for Karl to stomach on a daily basis. Which might be a sort of Karma for him."
What’s it been like working with Alan Fletcher (Karl) and Jackie Woodburne (Susan) again?
"I have loved working with Alan and Jackie again. Both great professionals and easy to work with. Jackie helped me enormously with the energy of Sarah's approach."
Have you bumped into anyone else from Neighbours over the years?
"I stayed friends with the crew mostly after leaving the show. Directors, hair and make-up etc. Not really cast. No reason for that, just that most people leaving the show head off to Hollywood or London and rapidly become spread out around the globe."
Did it bring back some memories filming on location in ‘Ramsay Street’?
"It did bring back memories filming in Ramsay Street again. It was a bit like entering my own little ghost town."
You’re originally from the UK. What do you miss most when you are away filming?
"I miss so much about the UK. I miss being able to sit in a pub and wax lyrical about politics, money, sex etc. I have just spent six years in America where such subjects are taboo socially and honesty isn't that popular. I miss the humor in the UK. Our ability to laugh at ourselves. That doesn't translate all over the world. Of course, I miss my family too."
Are you involved in any other upcoming film/TV projects you can tell us about?
"I'm involved in a couple of new TV projects down here at the moment. I've got to keep quiet about them for the moment, so can't spill! But all will be revealed soon enough. Would be lovely to be offered some acting work in the UK, though, as despite being British I have never worked there!"
