Neighbours Star Janet Andrewartha Passes Away at 72
Janet Andrewartha, beloved for her portrayal of Lyn Scully in the iconic Australian soap opera Neighbours, has died at the age of 72. Andrewartha joined the show in 1999, taking on the role of the Scully family matriarch, and remained a cherished part of the series for many years. She left the show in 2006 but made several returns, with her final appearance in 2019.
The official Neighbours Instagram account paid homage to Andrewartha, stating, “Everyone at Neighbours is deeply saddened by the passing of Janet Andrewartha. Beloved by viewers for her role as Ramsay Street’s Lyn Scully, Janet will be remembered for her wide body of work, which includes her memorable turn as Reb Keane in Prisoner.”
Jackie Woodburne, who played Susan Kennedy on the show, described Andrewartha as “One of the finest actors of her generation and an extraordinary woman. Passionate, political, curious, delightfully eccentric, generous, and fun. To me, she was a steadfast friend for over 45 years. I will miss her every day.”
Stefan Dennis, known for his role as Paul Robinson, expressed his sorrow, saying, “So very upset to lose the lovely Janet. She truly was an exceptional actress who was a pleasure to work with and to be around. We will all miss you, dear girl.”
In addition to her role on Neighbours, Andrewartha was celebrated for her performances in other Australian television hits, including A Country Practice and Blue Heelers. She also had a successful stage career, starring in productions such as Othello, Jerusalem, and All My Sons.
Neighbours, which launched in 1985, was initially cancelled in 2022 after UK broadcaster Channel 5 dropped the show. This left producers unable to secure alternative funding, leading to the end of the series after 37 years and over 9,000 episodes. However, just four months after its finale, Amazon announced the revival of the show on its streaming service Freevee, with the relaunch occurring in September 2023.
The soap reached a peak during the 1980s and 1990s, gaining a cult following, particularly among students, due to its twice-daily broadcasts on BBC One. Neighbours served as a launching pad for many stars, including Margot Robbie, Russell Crowe, Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Guy Pearce, Natalie Imbruglia, and Holly Vallance.
Janet Andrewartha’s passing marks the end of an era for Neighbours fans, who will remember her fondly for her significant contributions to the show and her outstanding talent.
