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Carla Bonner quits Neighbours

Carla Bonner is leaving Neighbours to pursue new acting opportunities, but the character won't be killed off by Producers.

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Actress Carla Bonner is quitting Neighbours after 11 years playing fan favourite “Steph.”

Upon conclusion of her contract Bonner will depart for LA for a series of meetings and to take part in workshops with drama coach Irene Chubbyk. She will continue to be based in Melbourne with her two sons and partner.

But she won’t be killed off by Producers in case all the parties are keen for ‘Steph’ to make a soapie comeback.

Executive Producer, Susan Bower said, “I’m very sad that Carla is leaving us and she knows the door is always open for Steph to return to Ramsay Street.

“The storylines on-air and coming up showcase what an exceptional talent Carla is and while fans will be disappointed, I promise Steph’s farewell will be long remembered and will do the character proud.”

Erinsborough, of course, is famous for old faces returning including ‘Harold Bishop’, ‘Paul Robinson’ and her on-screen mum ‘Lyn Scully’ -to name a few.

Manager Jacinta Waters said, “Carla has had an amazing time on Neighbours, but after eleven incredible years has decided the time for a change has come. She will miss her all her colleagues in Erinsborough dearly.”

Last year Bonner told TV Tonight she was keen to explore possible film roles saying of her demanding schedule, “They’ve agreed to 8 weeks out to do something. You’ve got to have the right people supporting you I think. I love my job here don’t get me wrong, but I would love to be able to sink my teeth into something else as well.”

“Stephanie,” who has been pivotal to a key storyline this year, will remain on screen until the end of the year.

36 Responses

  1. As much as Steph will be missed and a great character.
    I can’t see any way for her “secret” storyline to be resolved.
    When the truth gets out, it will surely end her friendship
    with Libby. She may return, eventually.

  2. Although Carla has the odds stacked against her succeeding in the US, look at Alan Dale – he was well into his 40s when he left “Neighbours” and achieved success in the US. If she is in the right place at the right time, she’ll be fine. As it is, she’s very cleverly ensured that she has a job waiting for her if she ever decides to return.

  4. From the writing under the headline I feared that they might be re-casting her. I’m glad they aren’t and the door is being left open. They have to have learnt after recasting Declan that you don’t recast a character that has been popular and pivotal for so many years, at least not straight away. I agree that the current Steph/Toadie story is painful to watch and has gone on far too long. I wish they’d bring back whoever was producing the show from 2003-2005, because that was the last time the show was really good.

  5. This is just awful news, Over the past 11 years Carla has been a pleasure to watch, her character Steph has been iconic to the Neighbours story and I really hope this isn’t the last we see of her!

    Jack, England

  6. See you on underbelly where the rest of neighbours and channel 10 outcasts ended up, every time i see Ian whatshisface on underbelly i got “look! Harold!”.

  12. I’m pleased she’s leaving as her character has become very dull and the storylines completely ridiculous.
    The bad thing would be if Summer leaves.She has quickly become a pivotal character and Neighbours cannot afford to lose any more young talent.
    It is amazing how they have turned Declan from a man into this awful effeminate nothing.
    Good luck to Carla in LA but she is too old to now make it there.I expect her to return to Ramsey Street next year.

  13. Noooooooooooo. I love Steph. I hate that she’s leaving. But what a way to go with this horrible fake marriage/slept with best friend’s husband having a baby with him storyline. She deserves much better then that ending, much better. What will become of Lyn & Summer? I wonder if there days are numbered too….. So sad to see this. I guess even though its not mentioned that Charlie’s going as well. One of my faves. Not good.

  16. Thank god they’re not recasting the character. I love Steph, but it’d be even worse suffering through someone else playing the part as we are with Declan. Any word on fake Declan being written out of the show? He’s Awful!

  17. @alex, if you’ve ever watched the 7Pm Project (got interviewed at the desk), Celebrity Big Brother (stayed as a guest), or Masterchef (was one of those at the table for George’s restaurant the other week) you may have seen her. She’s also been on the Logies numerous times. Not sure what else.

    Anyway.. wow.. I was beginning to think Neighbours was where she would stay pretty much forever as the last Scully. Lyn came back because of her pretty much I thought. I wonder if Lyn will stick around, as then she’ll be the last Scully since Joe (Shane Connor), Jack (jay Bunyan), Flick (holly valance) and Michelle (Kate Keltie) and now Steph have all gone.

  18. All that time on the air 11 years and I don’t even know who she is, never even heard of her. Just shows what a joke Neighbours has become.

  19. This is really annoying because it means we have suffered through this idiotic lieing baby mama story for nothing!! Why oh why couldn’t she have quit earlier!

  24. Thank bloody god! she is the most boring character, and this storyline about dans baby is dragging out way too long! they keep making us think its gonna come out then we wait another month. If they actually made steph look like what u have in that photo i would love for her to stay but she is a borin tomboy in the show. Lets just hope that means lyn will leave aswell!!

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