Neighbours spoilers follow.
Neighbours newcomer Ben Jackson gets his biggest soap cliffhanger yet this week as the show airs its 2024 finale episode.
Fans can expect a high-stakes situation for the actor’s character Max Ramsay, who jumps in to rescue Sadie Rodwell amid a terrifying situation on Power Road.
Max is alarmed to witness a car driving straight towards Sadie and Sebastian Metcalfe outside Grease Monkeys. The incident appears to be linked to Sebastian’s recent claims of loan sharks who are out to get him.
When Max rushes in to push Sadie to safety, they both end up getting knocked over alongside Sebastian. Will everyone be okay?
Digital Spy recently caught up with Ben for an exclusive chat about the finale and what’s to come.
How does it feel to get this big end-of-year cliffhanger?
“It’s so exciting. I’ve been really lucky with my storylines since starting on the show. There’s been so much for me to work with as an actor – particularly being part of the Ramsay family tree.
“To now finish the year with the cliffhanger for the finale is such a cherry on top after an exciting six months for me.”
Were you aware this episode was the finale when you filmed it?
“I think that had all been decided, but we move so quickly that you just rock up to work every day and you’re focusing on the material and the lines, making sure that everything goes smoothly.
“Beyond that, I didn’t necessarily clock that it was going to be this big finale moment. When I eventually found out, I was super excited and so grateful to be part of this cliffhanger moment for the fans.”
What was it like to film that big scene?
“It was so exciting, but a little bit stressful as well. There were so many elements to the scene, so I had to get the timing right. It was a bit of a jigsaw puzzle in that regard.
“They called ‘action’ and I was told that I had to wait for 14 seconds before I started running. Then that changed to 12 seconds, and 10 seconds, then back to 14! So there were a lot of logistics to it and I had to be quite switched-on.
“I remember the stunt coordinator kept reminding me: ‘You have to really just go for it and really sprint’. But I think I had this in-built mechanism where I didn’t want to take out Emerald, who plays Sadie!
“The stunt coordinator had to keep reminding me: ‘She’s okay, she’s trained, everything’s going to be fine, just go for it’.
“So it was quite logistically stressful but also so much fun. I love doing the stunt stuff and hopefully it’s turned out okay!”
What is going through Max’s mind at that moment? We know he has feelings for Sadie, but is that his motivation here?
“By that point, Max’s feelings have faded and what’s settled in more is his guilt. Max can be a bit thick and stubborn sometimes! He didn’t necessarily realise that he was coming across as such a sleazebag with Sadie.
“He genuinely, truly believed that Sadie was into him, so now that he knows he got it wrong, he’s dealing with a lot of guilt and shame. He also feels a bit embarrassed to be around Byron and Sadie.
“So in this moment, it’s less about Max wanting to save Sadie as a grand, romantic gesture. I think it would be something he’d do for anyone, but at the same time, because those feelings have changed, he feels he has to go above and beyond with people like Sadie and Byron to show how sorry he is for the mistake he made.”
Could this be a redeeming moment for Max?
“We’ll have to wait and see, but I’d like to think so! I think that moment in particular definitely marks a turning point for Max. He’s learned so much from that situation with Byron and Sadie and this moment really marks a clear line in the sand.”
The show films several months in advance. How does it feel to finally be on air after such a long wait?
“I studied acting at university for three years, so when I started shooting and wasn’t able to see anything, it just felt like I was back at uni! It almost felt like I was doing work experience and none of it was going to air! (Laughs.)
“When I did start airing, I know it sounds so cliché but it was the most bizarre and surreal experience. I struggled a little bit at first to watch it, but I’ve been so fortunate.
“My family have been in my corner and so encouraging since day one. One of the nicer outcomes of this is being able to see their reaction. They’re back in Sydney and I’m now based in Melbourne, so my dad was sending me videos of my mum and sister jumping up and down, watching my debut on the TV.
“Obviously my family look at everything through rose-tinted glasses, so I’m taking everything that they’re saying with a pinch of salt! But I’m so grateful to have been so embraced by the audience and everyone watching has been really lovely.”
Were you worried about Max coming in and upsetting the Byron/Sadie dynamic?
“Initially I was a little bit worried, but the mindset that I adopted was that I expected the worst because of Max’s behaviour. I thought: ‘If this lands and the audience are initially against him, as an actor hopefully that means I’ve done my job well’.
“I disagree with Max’s actions and agree with the audience, so it’s been satisfying to see that they are so against him for what he’s doing – as they should be.
“As an audience, you always have the characters that you’re rooting for. But for a satisfying viewing experience, ironically it’s also good to have someone to hate and not necessarily be supporting.
“I haven’t had an experience where I’ve played a character like that before, so it’s been quite fun, but I’m also very much looking forward to Max hopefully redeeming himself.”
How is it working with Xavier Molyneux (Byron) and Emerald Chan (Sadie) in real life?
“The young share house crew all started at the same time a year ago when the show got rebooted. So for me coming in, I was quite aware that I was stepping into a pre-established rapport.
“Xavier, Emerald and everyone else that I’ve been lucky enough to work with have really embraced me in the loveliest way. Everyone’s been so warm, inviting and welcoming, particularly those two.
“So it was a really nice counter-balance to those tense scenes, because in-between takes, we could have a laugh about them. We get on really well and they were lovely in terms of showing me the ropes, helping me find my feet and giving me advice. Even showing me things like how they break down their scripts and offering support when I needed it.”
We’ve heard that you didn’t know you were playing a Ramsay until you signed the contract…
“Yes! Like with most Aussies growing up, Neighbours was a show that was always on in the background. Then as I got older I was seeing less and less of it, but I was obviously aware of the name ‘Ramsay Street’.
“So obviously signing the contract and seeing the name ‘Max Ramsay’, I was so confused but also quite excited because I knew it must mean something special.
“Once I did my research, I couldn’t believe it. I was super overwhelmed but it elevated something that was already so exciting and special. It took it to another level and I was super excited to explore it.”
You’re in the opening titles with Harold. We know Ian Smith has sadly left the show, but will the Max/Harold friendship develop further in the scenes you’ve already filmed?
“Absolutely. Being able to shoot with Ian has been one of the greatest joys, not only of my experience on Neighbours so far, but my life and career as well. So yes, absolutely, we’ll get to see more of Max and Harold.
“I really do mean it when I say that Ian is the most warm, wonderful man. He just makes you feel so seen, heard and supported. My experience working with Ian is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I’m very, very happy to say that we will see a bit more Max and Harold in the future.”
How was it working with Peter O’Brien (Shane Ramsay) in your first few weeks?
“Working with Peter was a dream. I was a little bit intimidated going into it and wasn’t sure what to expect, but as soon as I started chatting to him it was great. He is just the most easygoing but also very passionate actor. I feel like I learned so much from him.
“We had great chats and we spoke in-between takes about acting but also surfing and the ocean. We both love the ocean and the beach so I picked his brain about big wave surfing and that sort of thing!
“We had a great rapport with each other. If he pokes his head back into the show in the future, I’m so looking forward to that as well.”
What are your plans for Christmas?
“I moved down to Melbourne to do the show, so I’m really looking forward to reconnecting with my family in Sydney, getting to the beach and spending as much time in the water as I can, as I get that less and less in Melbourne.
“I’ll be reconnecting with friends and family back home, decompressing and then gearing up for another year ahead hopefully.”
