Last modified on Sat 17 Apr 2021 16.01 EDT
When the Australian soap opera Neighbours introduced its first non-white family in 1993 – the Lims from Hong Kong – their first major storyline was to be accused of eating another neighbour’s dog.
Admittedly, the person doing the accusing was Julie Martin, a character known for being obnoxious, and described by the official Neighbours book as “unbearable”. Eventually, in a triumph for race relations, they were vindicated. After six weeks, they were written out. The dog, Holly, stayed around for five more years.
Members of the Lim family, the first non-white characters on Neighbours. Photograph: Network 10
Cochlear implant wearer Nathan Borg hopes Neighbours role will lead to more diversity on screen
WedWednesday 24
updated
ThuThursday 25
FebFebruary 2021 at 12:05am
Nathan Borg landed the job on Neighbours after speaking to an executive about the need for more on-screen diversity.
(
Print text only
Cancel
It s been a big step to the small screen for actor Nathan Borg, making his debut on the iconic Australian soap-opera Neighbours earlier this year.
Key points:
Nathan Borg wants to use his role on TV to make it easier for people with a disability to get into the industry
It s been 40 years since the first implant, now used by over 600,000 worldwide
Nathan Borg is set to make his first
Neighbours appearance as Curtis Perkins in upcoming scenes, as Hendrix Greyson struggles at school following his return to repeat the year.
In scenes set to air in the UK next week, Borg – who is the first actor with a cochlear implant to star on Australian television – will be seen in his history-making debut when his character is recruited by Susan Kennedy to keep an eye on an anxious Hendrix.
Feeling lost and lacking direction following recent dramas, Hendrix decides to return to school to repeat the year. Unusually low, Hendrix dreads his first day back at Erinsborough High, feeling like a joke to his peers.