AI Micro-Drama Edit of Neighbours Sparks Actor Outcry

AI will scan over 9,300 Neighbours episodes to create bite-size vertical clips for phones. Fremantle teamed with US-based RoseBerry Media to re-edit the archive into mini-dramas. The first batch will spotlight Margot Robbie's Donna Freedman scenes from 2008-2011. Actors say they never gave consent for their image, voice or work to be reused. Matt Werkmeister, former Zeke Kinski, says no one approached him and he worries about rights. Sam Clark, Ringo Brown from 2006-2010, only learned of it from a friend and wants contract clarity. Sound recordist Bruce Findlay called the AI cut-up "like cutting up a Picasso" and said it cheapens the craft. Fremantle says the clips use only original footage, no synthetic voices, and a human editor will approve each step. The MEAA is negotiating with Fremantle over the dispute. Actors and writers will receive residuals, but crew like Findlay are excluded. Adam Portelli said, "Workers should be consulted before their likeness is used in ways they never imagined."