TALKING POINTS | Harry Potter, Neighbours and Emmerdale
- Elliot Gonzalez
- Jun 1
- 6 min read
Here's what's got me talking this week...
It's that time of the week again where I take a look back at the last 7 days to see what has got me talking the most.
From HBO's Harry Potter series finding its three leads to an old EastEnders favourite joining Emmerdale and more, here are my 4 telly talking points of the week...
1
HBO'S HARRY POTTER SERIES
finds its Harry, Ron & Hermione
There was excitement amongst Harry Potter fans on Tuesday evening as after much speculation and anticipation, HBO Max revealed the young cast of screen newcomers who'll be playing the iconic roles of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley in the upcoming seven-series television adaptation.
Dominic McLaughlin will play Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton will play Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout will play Ron Weasley and their lives are about to change forever!
The series promises to be a faithful adaptation of the beloved Harry Potter books by author and executive producer J.K. Rowling. Each season will bring Harry Potter to new and existing audiences, streaming exclusively on HBO Max where it’s available, including in upcoming launch markets Germany, Italy and the UK.
The news follows the recent casting of John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid. As well as guest and recurring cast members Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell and Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch.
2
HAROLD BISHOP'S
final scene airs in Neighbours
In November 2024, 86-year-old Ian Smith adored by millions of Neighbours fans for playing Harold Bishop, announced the very sad news of his terminal cancer diagnosis - pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma, a rare form of lung cancer.
At the time he said "I have a very aggressive non-fixable cancer and they expect me to die," and in April this year, revealed he was feeling "better than ever", despite doctors initially predicting that he wouldn't live past March.
When his cancer dignosis became public, so too came the sad announcement that Ian would understandably, be stepping away from the beloved role of Harold Bishop. And it was also revealed that as part of the show's 40th anniversary, Anne Charleston, who portrayed the iconic character Madge Bishop, would be returning to share the screen with Ian Smith once more.
Anne returned to Neighbours on screen in March, this time playing Agnes Adair, whose resemblence to Madge got everyone, including Harold, talking and speculating as to why. It soon turned out that she is in fact related to Madge, via her great-grandmother, something she wasn't aware of before arriving in Erinsborough.
In April, Neighbours aired what we believed to be Harold's final scenes, as he prepared to move back to Queensland permanently to live with his granddaughter Sky Mangel. But it was later revealed by the show's executive producer Jason Herbison that one final scene was yet to air.
And that scene aired this week, on Tuesday as Agnes went to pay Harold a visit in Port Douglas, to meet with the publishers of her book. The moment the door opened and Harold appeared, I couldn't help but feel incredibly emotional. Their interaction, with decades of friendship behind the eyes, was beautiful to watch. And how fitting that the two should share both their final scenes on the soap together. Harold and Madge, sort of, reunited and we'd like to believe living happily ever after.
In a nod to the show's iconic theme tune, Harold invited Agnes in, telling her "I'll make you a pot of tea. The perfect blend." before breaking the fourth wall to look directly down the lens of the camera and closing the door on his time on Neighbours forever.
That being said, Ian is clearly a fighter and with production ongoing until July, who knows if he'll be making another surprise appearance further down the line. That would be lovely.
I posted a comment under a beautiful video from the Neighbours account on Instagram, which seems to have resonated, with almost 200 likes. I wrote "The term “soap icon” is said so frequently these days, but never has that been truer than for Ian Smith. That’s exactly what he is. An ICON. Thanks for all the many great moments you’ve brought us over the years as Harold."
3
ROBERT SUGDEN'S
surprise return to Emmerdale
Ever since Ryan Hawley left Emmerdale in 2019, Robron fans have been crying out for his return and to see his character Robert Sugden reunited with Aaron Dingle, played by Danny Miller. And on Wednesday night, as the episode came to an end, their prayers were answered.
Last time we saw Robert on screen, he had been sentenced to life in prison, minimum of 14 years, after being charged with the murder of the man who raped Victoria. Now fast-forward six years and as Aaron and Robert's half-brother John prepare to marry, there really was no better time for him to make his surprise return.
It was during that ever awkward moment, especially in soapland, when those gathered are asked if they know of any lawful impedement to stop the wedding, that in throught the door comes Robert Sugden saying "Hello Aaron. Miss me?"
But with john having had visions of the day going wrong, was this just another one of those? Or was Robert really? And as Thursday's episode began, with Aaron happily leaving John at the alter to leave with Robert, we were seeming none the wiser.
Until it became clear that Robert was indeed out of prison, telling Aaron "I'm saving you from making the biggest mistake of your life", before Aaron punches his former lover to the ground. Adamant that a Robron reunion wasn't on the cards and he wasn't going to spoil his big day.
Heading outside for a chat, Robert confirms to Aaron that he's had his sentence reduced on appeal and is still on probation, and is even missing a key meeting to interrupt the wedding. After begging him to take him back, Robert leans in for a kiss, and Aaron eventually gives in and kisses him back. Not knowing that Chas has seen it all.
Following a physical altercation between John and Robert, John heads back into the wedding venue, leaving Aaron with a big decision to make. Him or Robert. And atthe start of Friday's episode, Aaron rejects Robert, choosing to marry John.
And as they seal their marriage with a kiss, Robert is arrested for breaking the terms of his licence, before making a phonecall to Victoria who suggests he admit he's lost and moves on from Aaron. But as he simply replies "For now, maybe", it begs the question. Will we be seeing Robert again?
Turns out, the answer is yes. In interviews, Ryan Hawley has made it clear that this is just the beginning of Robert's return, with an "explosive" return full-time, coming later in the summer. What will that mean for John and Aaron? Could a Robron reunion be on the cards after all? Only time will tell... but it'd be good, wouldn't it?
4
JOE ABSOLOM
joining Emmerdale
If like me, you've been glued to ITV1's brilliant new drama, Code of Silence, then you'll be pleased to hear that Joe Absolom, fondly remembered by fans of EastEnders and Doc Martin, will be returning to soapland, playing Emmerdale's new villain this summer.
Joe will play Ray, an old contact of Mackenzie who arrives at the farm claiming to be selling farm machinery. However, it’s not long before his true drug dealing ways become clear. Despite Ray’s calm and collected exterior, it’s clear a menacing streak hides just below the surface.
On joining Emmerdale, Joe Absolom said "Well what an honour to join such a talented team at Emmerdale! It’s an iconic show and I’m grateful to be part of it. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Ray!"
To which the show's producer Laura Shaw added "We are thrilled to welcome Joe Absolom to the cast. It's fantastic to have such a high calibre and immensely talented actor join our wonderful team to play the role of Ray."
"Charming, charismatic and effortlessly likeable, Ray is an extremely complex character who very quickly shows his dark and villainous side to some of our most loved villagers, leaving them in no doubt as to what he’s capable of."
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