Zima was initially introduced to Neighbours viewers as Roxy, the firecracker niece of established character Terese Willis (played by Rebekah Elmaloglou) and the daughter of former Ramsay Street residents Gemma Willis (Beth Buchanan) and Adam Willis, back in 2019. (Don Battye). The young woman has matured over the last three years, transitioning from a party animal to ultimately settling down with Kyle Canning, her true love (Chris Milligan). The couple decided to leave Erinsborough to start a new chapter in their lives on Tuesday’s episode of the Channel 5 soap, bringing Zima’s time on the programme to an end.
Why did Zima Anderson reprise her role as Roxy Willis in Neighbours?
When it was announced that Zima and her co-star Chris, who plays Kyle, were quitting the show, it was assumed that this was due to the fact that they were the first characters to leave before the show’s end.
Their departures, on the other hand, had been planned for some time, with some loose ends in their narratives being tied up in the last few weeks.
It was actually due to the actress’s contract that she departed the show, a situation that has previously occurred with other stars of the show.
When a new regular character is introduced to Ramsay Street, they are given a three-year contract, with the possibility of renewal at the end of that time.
While other characters are expanded, the actress and the filmmakers agreed that her character would be written out.
“You grow so comfy,” Zima explained. The best acting school you could ever attend is Neighbours. You’ll never have another experience like it.
“I’d learned a lot, laughed a lot, and developed a lot as a person, so I felt like I needed to push myself in a different direction.” It seemed like the timing was just right.
“Leaving a place like that was really difficult since Neighbours is so beautiful and fantastic.” Roxy is one of my favourite people, and she will always be there for me.
In an interview with Digital Spy, she said, “But it was a decision to go and learn somewhere else because I’d learned so much previously.”
As a result, the soap star opted to leave the job, however the door was always open for her to return if the show had been on the air for a few more years.
What happened to Roxy Willis after she left Neighbours?
Roxy and Kyle had been debating whether to stay on Ramsay Street or move to Darwin, where the former’s family was based, since they were planned to establish a family a few weeks earlier.
Roxy and her husband decided it was time to start over after discovering she was pregnant in last week’s episodes of the weekday serial drama.
She was going to need all the help she could get from her own mother, Gemma, because she was going to be a first-time mother.
They tied up many loose ends once again, and their friends and loved ones gathered to give them a proper send-off in Tuesday’s episode.
The couple was moved by the effort made to bid them farewell on Ramsay Street, and they drove out into the sunset.
Zima expressed her satisfaction with the culmination of her character’s journey on the show, saying she was glad Roxy got a happy ending.
The performers had no idea what the producers had in store for them at first, or if they would even be able to depart together.
When they received the scripts, however, both of the show’s stars were ecstatic with their ending.
“I felt they couldn’t put Roxy and Kyle through so much and not let them stay together, since they’re quite great together,” Zima explained.
“After everything Kyle has been through, he, like Roxy, deserves happiness.” We were both relieved that they were able to leave together.”
This double departure comes only weeks after Colette Mann, who played Sheila Canning on the show for ten years, announced her departure.
The character’s departure was understated, and there was no official on-screen farewell as she went away to live in Los Angeles.
A new family will be moving into the Canning household in the coming weeks, with Levi Canning (Ritchie Morris) looking for a new place to reside.
Roxy isn’t the only member of the Willis family who will be departing Ramsay Street in the coming weeks, according to reports.
After six years in Erinsborough, her cousin, Ned Willis (Ben Hall), will also decide it’s time to go farewell.
Viewers responded to the couple’s departure on Twitter following Tuesday’s broadcast, with Aillee writing: “Yes, Roxy has definitely become one of our favourites.”
“She’s just such a nice and caring person.” When Neighbours ends, we’ll miss her and Neighbours.”
“Sad to see her depart,” Shadow wrote on the social networking platform. One of the most exciting new additions in recent years.”
Viewers responded to the couple’s departure on Twitter following Tuesday’s broadcast, with Aillee writing: “Yes, Roxy has definitely become one of our favourites.”
“She’s just such a nice and caring person.” When Neighbours ends, we’ll miss her and Neighbours.”
“Sad to see her depart,” Shadow wrote on the social networking platform. One of the most exciting new additions in recent years.”
“Goodbye Kyle and Roxy,” Catrin Ann said. I’ve adored these two since the beginning, both as individuals and as a couple.
“They will be sorely missed.” Today’s episode was fantastic, a great #Neighbours send-off that they deserved.”