Jason Donovan says daughter Jemma is ‘smashing it’ in Neighbours role

November 11, 2019

Jemma Donovan followed in her father Jason and grandfather Terence’s footsteps walking onto Ramsay Street.

Jemma Donovan as Harlow Robinson in Neighbours.

“It’s a wonderful business to be in.” – Jason Donovan

Jason Donovan of course is still fondly remembered for his Neighbours role of Scott Robinson, and his union with Charlene Ramsay played by pop star Kylie Minogue in the cul-de-sac based serial, while grandad Terence is best known to recent audiences as Doug Willis.

Jason spoke to Graham Norton on BBC Radio 2 on Saturday (November 9th) about his daughter’s role in the Reg Watson created saga, offering up some proud father moments.

“As long as she’s passionate, as long as she works hard, which she’s doing. She’s really smashing it, and I hope she gets a lot out of the process,” – Jason Donovan

Jemma features in Neighbours, screened on 10 Peach in Australia and Channel 5 here in the UK, as Harlow Robinson making her debut earlier this year. In July she spoke to ITV’s Lorraine Kelly about appearing in the much loved daily serial, noting how it ‘was surreal’ on entering the soap’s studios for the first time and how initially it ‘was the most terrifying thing ever’ but she soon settled into the company, ‘it was great, everyone is so lovely. They are kind of relaxed and they were really welcoming’.

“It’s crazy. It’s such an experience. I’m loving it. I’m loving it. It’s weird moving to another country and kind of leaving my family, that was one step of it any way, I’m having the best time. You learn so much, it’s intense, it’s quick… It’s so cool, it’s so much fun… It’s a great training ground… I feel so lucky.” – Jemma Donovan speaking on Lorraine in July

Terence Donovan as Doug Willis in Neighbours.

On her father’s reaction to her casting she added how ‘he started crying when he found out’, continuing, ‘He was just so happy for me. He is a great supporter.’

Last month Jason reflected on his time with Neighbours when we shared the sad news its creator Reg Watson had passed away. Sharing our ATV Today report with his followers on Facebook and Twitter he noted that ‘Many Australian Entertainment careers have a lot to thank for this man’ adding that Reg was ‘A legend.’ Reg died on October 8th aged 93.

Last week the London Palladium announced that Jason is to return to one of his most famous theatre productions, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Donovan, having took the pop charts by storm in the late 80s and early 90s, moved onto playing the title role in the musical. This year he joined the cast as Pharaoh and its a part he’ll be reprising in 2020.

“Following on from the success of this year’s awesome, reimagined version of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, I’m delighted to be returning in the summer of 2020 to reprise my role as the Pharaoh. This year was an absolute joy. Joseph has such a special connection with its audience and it has a huge emotional connection for me. Quite simply the show is pure musical magic.” – Jason Donovan

Neighbours made its television debut in 1985, airing in the UK the following year on BBC One. The serial now airs Monday to Friday on Channel 5.

Jason (right) starred as Scott Robinson in Neighbours from 1986 to 1989. He will re-join Jac Yarrow (left) in Joseph at the London Palladium next year.