Having spent nearly 37 years on our screens, Australian soap Neighbours saw plenty of stars become familiar faces on Ramsay Street. From Margot Robbie to Liam Hemsworth, plenty of celebs kickstarted their acting career with a stint in Erinsborough.

And among those to launch their careers on Neighbours is Annie Jones. While she initially auditioned for a place on the show as Charlene Mitchell, who ended up being played by none other than Kylie Minogue, Annie eventually secured a place on Neighbours in 1986.

56 year old Annie played the character Jane Harris, who was also known as ‘Plain Jane Superbrain’, who underwent a dramatic transformation on the soap. After three years on Ramsay Street, Annie stepped back from her role in 1989.

Annie Jones played Jane Harris from 1986 to 1989
Annie Jones played Jane Harris from 1986 to 1989

Speaking to the Mirror in 2020, the former soap star revealed that just five years after leaving the show her mother Elizabeth was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. As a result, Annie spent two decades turning down job offers in favour of caring for her mum.

“I left just after Kylie and Jason, it was my decision. I just wanted to do other things, join other shows and do other jobs. A great number of actors had gone on to do amazing things after Neighbours,” she told the publication.

Annie revealed that after leaving Neighbours she spent her time looking after her mum who'd been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease
Annie revealed that after leaving Neighbours she spent her time looking after her mum who'd been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease

Annie also added that looking after mother, who sadly passed away in 2016, had an impact on her abilities as an actress. “It’s made me a different actress too, empathy is the number one most important thing for any actor,” she explained.

Over the years, Annie has returned to her Neighbours roots and in 2015 appeared in the documentary Neighbours 30th: The Stars Reunite.

Annie's character was also known as 'Plain Jane Superbrain'
Annie's character was also known as 'Plain Jane Superbrain'

Then, in 2018, Annie began making guest appearances on the soap before her permanent comeback was announced in 2020. “It's like being in a little timewarp for me,” she told Radio Times. “I'm back in the 80s, I'm 19 years old, going to work at Nunawading studios in Melbourne every day - and loving it. I'm really thankful to be back.”

And with filming for a new series of Neighbours underway, despite the show previously coming to an end last year, Annie has been spotted filming for the reboot.

In 2020, Annie became a regular face on Ramsay Street when she reprised her role
In 2020, Annie became a regular face on Ramsay Street when she reprised her role

Elsewhere, Annie has worked on other TV shows including the Australian sitcom Newlyweds and the soap Sons and Daughters.

Meanwhile, away from our TV screens Annie has been married to director Paul Moloney since 1989.