Home and Away star Georgie Parker has opened up about why the show has cut back on storylines heavily centred on crime in recent months.
The actor, who plays Roo Stewart on the long-running Australian series, explained that soap writers and networks – which, in this case, is Seven – pay close attention to what audiences respond to and juggle character arcs accordingly.
And that sometimes means taking things back to the "smaller story content" the soap is traditionally known for.
Related: Home and Away star Lynne McGranger updates fans on filming as Neighbours returns to work
"When they brought the River Boys in, which was a really good concept, it rated very well," she told TV Tonight, referring to the violent gang that were introduced back in 2011, before making a comeback in 2018.
"Then you get conflicting ideas and reports about what the audience wants to tune into. So then, I think, they try to have a foot in both camps. We'll do a bit of fostering with Marilyn (Emily Symons) and John's (Shane Withington) characters, or occasionally, the Stewart household takes someone in."
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Georgie continued: "It's a much smaller story content for the show, and it did become about drug dealers and people on the wrong side of the law.
"But I think there is room, and I think they're fully aware of this, because we did discuss it all the time – 'How do we bring back the good ol' Summer Bay scenes?'"
Production on Home and Away is currently on hold at the moment, as people all around the world continue to self-isolate amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Fellow Aussie soap Neighbours has resumed filming, but bosses have ensured that cast and crew will maintain social-distancing and follow strict guidelines to make things on set as safe as possible.
Home and Away airs on Channel 5 in the UK and Channel 7 in Australia.
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