RoseBerry Media recuts Neighbours into AI vertical microdrama, actors object
RoseBerry Media, a specialist in “vertical television” for phones, has used an AI‑assisted tool called RedSnapper to re‑edit original episodes of the Australian soap Neighbours into a series of short, phone‑friendly micro‑episodes. The first release focuses on Margot Robbie’s former character Donna Freedman, stitching together two of her storylines into roughly 150 minutes of vertical content…
Key points
- RoseBerry Media used AI tool RedSnapper to recut Neighbours episodes into 150 minutes of vertical micro‑drama
- Actors Stefan Dennis and Matthew Werkmeister publicly criticised the project as invasive and a money grab
- Unions MEAA and Australian Writers' Guild are urging AI‑related compensation legislation in Australia
The move has sparked strong pushback from several cast members. Stefan Dennis called the project “unbelievably invasive, morally and legally wrong,” and said his agent is looking into it. Former actor Matthew Werkmeister said he learned of the deal only when approached for comment, expressed concern about his image being used without consent, and labeled the venture a “money grab for Fremantle.” Unions including the MEAA and the Australian Writers’ Guild have offered support and are urging the Australian government to legislate clearer AI‑related compensation rules.
Fremantle, which owns Neighbours, defended the effort, noting RedSnapper does not generate new scenes or synthetic voices and that a human editor reviews every edit. The micro‑drama market was estimated at up to $15bn globally last year, highlighting the commercial incentive behind repurposing legacy libraries with AI.
Neighbours is being recut into a microdrama focused on Margot Robbie – and her co-stars aren’t happy
The Guardian AI · 25 October 2026
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