Jackie Woodburne, Susan Kennedy on recently-cancelled soap Neighbours, will star alongside Kym Marsh who has confirmed a second big career boost in a matter of weeks

It’s another big career boost for Kym Marsh(Image: Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty I)

Kym Marsh will link up with Neighbours legend Jackie Woodburne for an exciting new Channel 5 drama.

The soap great, Susan Kennedy on the long-running Australian show, will join former Coronation Street star Kym in Imposter, which will be produced by Fremantle Australia for Channel 5. The pair will be on screen together and a preview for the new programme teased what’s ahead.

It read: “A splashy seaside hotel becomes the centre of a bitter family dispute as matriarch Helen refuses to sell, despite pressure from her three adult children. But Helen is hiding a secret: a daughter she gave up for adoption decades ago. When Amanda suddenly appears, Helen welcomes her with open arms— but is Amanda who she says she is?

“The lucrative hotel is the ultimate prize and a twisted scheme soon spirals into betrayal and ultimately, murder. The series is set to begin production in Victoria, Australia, this Summer. The series is set to begin production in Victoria, Australia this Summer.” Channel 5 have yet to confirm when the show will air.

Jackie Woodburne will star alongside her on the new programme (Image: PA)

It is a second big career boost for Kym, who was earlier this month announced in the cast of brand-new stage play, Single White Female – based on the iconic 90s psychological thriller. The world premiere stage production, written by author, journalist and broadcaster, Rebecca Reid, will embark on a major UK and Ireland theatre tour from January 2026.

Kym said: “I am so excited to be bringing this brilliant, brand new and thrilling play to theatres across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. I remember being totally gripped by the movie when I first saw it in the cinema and could never have imagined back then that I’d be starring in the world premiere of its life on stage. Get ready to be thrilled, shocked and entertained and watch out for those stiletto heels.”

Neighbours was axed for a second time earlier this year, with the news coming just two years after it had been initially cancelled on Channel 5 “Everyone’s got an idea of how they would like the show to end, but that [the previous] finale was written and everyone gave it 100% because we all thought: ‘This is it,’” Jackie told TV Tonight after the news. “This was our opportunity to honour the show and take it out with a bang.

“But I don’t think you can do that twice. It wouldn’t have the same impact. I have no doubt that [producers] will come up with a heartfelt, authentic, beautiful farewell. Everybody’s, once again, just focused on making sure that we give it our all… But it does feel different this time.

“The vibe last time, there was such an energy of, ‘Of course, they’ll keep us. Someone’s got to rescue us!’… This time, I think because we’ve been through it before, you only have one ‘first time’, don’t you? So there wasn’t the same level of anxiety, fear and heartbreak.”