'Neighbours' star teases new Susan, Karl woes

Neighbours favourite Jackie Woodburne has praised the decision to throw Susan and Karl's marriage into fresh turmoil in a forthcoming storyline.

Bosses at the soap recently announced that the Ramsay Street couple will face new problems later this year, which spark the return of their eldest child Malcolm.

In a twist, producers have also confirmed that the dispute between the Kennedys develops when Susan develops an emotional connection to another man.

Speaking to Digital Spy about Susan and Karl's upcoming storyline, Woodburne commented: "I think it's great. Any relationship that has been going for 30 years is going have turbulent patches, and I think they are too young to settle into comfortable dotage. If you survive those difficult times, the relationship is bigger and better."

Of Susan's role in the plot, she continued: "She absolutely does develop a very strong attachment to another man, and I think the basis of it is Susan's desire to be needed.

"The children have grown up, the kids are moving away, I think she is probably trying to redefine who she is as a person without children dependent on her. She is very vulnerable to someone who has very special needs and wants to step in to help."

Woodburne added that the return of Malcolm, played by Benjie McNair, could provide Susan and Karl's best chance of getting things back on track.

"He can help them because he is coming in with fresh eyes," she said. "He hasn't been around his parents for a long time, so on top of that he has points of reference, historical moments of his parents' relationship, and knows their weaknesses, who might be at fault, who might be overreacting - so he'll be a great help."

Susan and Karl's new plotline is currently being filmed and will hit screens later this year.

> Read our full interview with Neighbours actress Jackie Woodburne