Alan Fletcher - 'Neighbours' Karl Kennedy

Neighbours favourites Karl and Susan Kennedy have turbulent times ahead in the coming months as their marriage comes under intense strain once again. Viewers have recently seen Susan start to spend time with seriously-ill Jim Dolan and the situation spirals out of control in forthcoming episodes as her new companion becomes the focus of all her attention, leaving Karl out in the cold and questioning the future of their marriage. The worsening problems between the couple lead to the Kennedys' eldest son Malcolm making a return to the Street, but can he help to save their relationship? Digital Spy recently chatted to Alan Fletcher, who plays Karl, to hear more about the storyline.

You've been filming some intense scenes recently showing Karl and Susan's marriage running into trouble again…
"Yes, Karl and Susan are at a point in their lives where their children are grown up and they are floundering a bit because they are trying to work out what the next phase of their life will be. Karl is very frustrated that Susan's attention is diverting away from him at this crucial point and this will become a matter of great tension as things progress."

Often we've seen Karl's behaviour tearing the Kennedys apart, but this time Susan is at the centre of the problem. Is it refreshing to explore this new dynamic?
"Yes it is, because so often it is easy to fall into cliché when it comes to relationships, and this story is very exciting because it's not something that has been touched on before - in that it's not a story about infidelity, it goes much deeper and is much more about what happens to people in mid-life."

Here in the UK, we've just seen Karl give Susan his blessing over spending some time with Jim. Do you think he had any doubts at that point?
"He is fine with her seeing Jim because he appreciates he is a man without family and he deserves support, but for Karl he also worries that Susan might embrace this opportunity too strongly and get it out of proportion. He feels that supporting Jim should not become the sole occupation of Susan's life and she should be more balanced about the way she is behaving."

As the story progresses, what's the main point of dispute? And who do you think is more to blame - Susan or Karl?
"The main point of dispute is in terms of focus. Karl is very excited about new things with Susan now the children have moved on and they're free to do what they like. However, he sees his wife filling her life up with distractions - caring for Summer, caring for Jim Dolan and he is concerned that she is not prepared to give him the focus that he feels he deserves or their marriage deserves. Who is to blame? I'll let the viewers decide that because like every great story, there is no black and white."

As a doctor, Karl has perhaps been involved in similar sad situations with ill patients. Do you think he can relate to what Susan's going through in some ways?
"He can very much, but it's not just the fact that he himself has had to witness patients who are terminally ill pass away. It's more to do with there being traces of Alex Kinski's death, and that Susan feels that she didn't necessarily support Alex sufficiently in his last days. I think it's Karl knowing that she has unresolved issues here."

Jackie Woodburne said recently that she feared the writers would split up Karl and Susan with this storyline. Did you share the same worries?
"From a professional point of view of course - I've worked with Jackie now for 17 years, we have a wonderful working relationship and I know the audience enjoys our on-screen relationship very much. But in reality, a show like Neighbours will always need to push the boundaries and move in different directions. I think even if Susan and Karl were not together as a married couple, that wouldn't mean that our working relationship would cease and maybe it would lead to some very interesting storylines in the future."

Karl and Susan have become known for great comedy but also great drama. Do you have a preference between the two?
"I do have a preference for the comedy, I have to say. I think Neighbours is a very successful programme because we have a light touch and while we do some wonderful heavy drama, for many fans the hallmark feature of the programme is the comedy. I like the fact that as Karl has grown older, he has become a bit of a duffer and gets up to some silliness and I very much enjoy exploring that."

What's it been like to have Benjie McNair, who plays Malcolm, back on set over the past few weeks?
"It's been absolutely super. One of the other great things about Neighbours is its historical context, particularly for audiences who have watched the show for many years as devoted viewers. They talk to me all the time about the past and their affection for past characters and I know that Benjie is extremely popular with the audience here and in the UK. He is lovely to work with and gives us wonderful fuel for the fire."

We know that Malcolm plays quite a significant role in the storyline, so how does he react to the situation involving his parents?
"Malcolm is deeply concerned, as are Libby and Billy, about the state of his parents' marriage. He is there out of this concern, prompted by Libby. He doesn't react well to the possibility that his parents will split up and does whatever he can to salvage the situation…"

> Head over to Soap Scoop for more Neighbours chat from Alan Fletcher in the second part of this interview.

Neighbours airs weekdays at 1.45pm and 5.30pm on Channel 5 in the UK and weekdays at 6.30pm on Eleven in Australia.