Exclusive: Neighbours star felt "self-conscious" filming new Netflix show
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Neighbours star Olivia Junkeer has opened up about her role in the new Netflix series Why Are You Like This, admitting that she initially felt "really self-conscious" about her character Mia.
In an exclusive chat with Digital Spy, Olivia – who Neighbours fans will recognise as Yashvi Rebecchi – revealed what was so "nerve-wracking" about portraying Mia, as well as the differences between working on a comedy and the iconic Aussie soap.
In Why Are You Like This, Olivia plays Mia, a bisexual South Asian woman who does a lot of unlikeable things – and it was that controversial side of Mia's personality that Olivia originally worried about.
Related: Why Are You Like This star Olivia Junkeer on playing the brilliantly "unlikeable" Mia
"I was actually really self-conscious about it going in," she explained. "Obviously because I'm playing a diverse character and talking about religion, that was kind of nerve-wracking for me.
"I'm personally not Muslim, and I play a Muslim character, and I know it's really important to represent that correctly and show respect."
Conceding that her Netflix venture isn't necessarily "a respectful show", Olivia continued: "I was concerned about that. But I haven't seen any kind of issues that have come up yet."
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While Why Are You Like This may be considered "edgy", the same can't always be said for Olivia's other role in Neighbours.
Revealing the differences between the two shows, Olivia told DS that the shift to a comedy genre was "very new" for her as an actress.
"I've always been used to going into a studio and filming, and filming there at a very, very fast pace," she said. "On Neighbours… the studio scenes we would do about… I want to say 15 scenes a day.
"And on set with Why Are You Like This, we would be in a different location every day."
Sharing her love for Ramsay Street, she added: "At Neighbours, it's like I'm going home, and then on Why Are You Like This, it's like I'm going on a fun excursion."
Why Are You Like This season one is now available to watch on Netflix.
Neighbours airs weekdays at 1.45pm and 5.30pm on Channel 5 (UK) and 6.30pm on 10 Peach (Australia).
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