Guy Pearce will return to his acting roots as he joins the cast for the finale of Australian soap opera Neighbours.
The Australian actor will return alongside a whole host of famous faces who began their acting careers in the show, including Kyle Minogue and Jason Donovan.
Pearce was first cast as Mike Young back in 1986 and has expressed his excitement to resume the role in a statement to the Metro: “It is very exciting and surreal at the same time being back on set again, however it feels like coming home.”
“It’s where it all started for me professionally. I’ve been asked to come back on occasions over the years and wondered if it was the right thing to do, but once I knew the show was finishing, I knew I had to do it,” he continued.
Mike’s character was often the centre of Neighbours’ most memorable storylines. After fleeing an abusive household, he moved in with Des and Daphne Clarke on Ramsay Street where he subsequently began a relationship with Jane Harris. Their blossoming romance led to arguably one of the soap’s most notable moments when Jane underwent a radical Grease style makeover for the school dance.
While he captivated the hearts of the 80s’ teenage viewers, becoming part of the show’s “dream team quartet”, Pearce was also handed some hard-hitting and controversial plots. In 1988, he struggled to cope in the wake of his adoptive mother’s death, feeling guilty for being absent in the final weeks of her life. Upon starting his teaching job at Erinsborough High, he developed a close relationship with one of his students, eventually leading to his suspension after they shared a kiss.
His eventful journey on the soap drew to a close when his character was written out in 1989, with Mike deciding to leave Ramsay Street to help his biological mother after she had been hurt in a plane crash.
Since his departure, Pearce has led a stellar acting career, landing major roles in films such as LA Confidential, Memento and The King’s Speech.
Although details surrounding the character’s upcoming story arc remain unknown, Jason Herbison, Neighbours’ Executive Producer promises something “very special” for the viewers.
He said: “Having him back on set has been poignant for him and for us. He’s been very involved in the storyline, and I can’t wait to finally answer the question for viewers – who is Mike Young today?”
Words by Katie Heyes
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