Home and Away star Sarah Roberts has spoken about her long-lasting Summer Bay friendships, four years after she left the Australian soap

The actor played Willow Harris between 2017 and 2021 before departing for pastures new, but still keeps in close contact with her former co-stars.

Speaking to the Aussie Daily Mail, Roberts said: “One of my best friends was one of my cast mates on Neighbours. That goes way back. Another one of my best friends, Emily Weir, she’s from Home and Away.

“I’ve also made friends with a lot of the new cast from Home and Away because Emily is friends with them and we all hang out together.

“I just had my 40th birthday party at the end of last year and I had a party on a boat on the Sydney Harbour. It was full of a lot of the Home and Away cast. I get really close to people and really value my friendships.”

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She also explained that soap stars often form such powerful bonds because they have to be so emotionally vulnerable with each other.

“You share so many deep dark secrets about yourself and you have to develop a lot of trust between each other,” she said. “That lends itself to strong friendships.”

Related: Home and Away legend confirms future plans after filming final scenes

Roberts has landed herself a role in the series Scrubland, and has her eyes on a long-running American show like Game of Thrones or Breaking Bad, but hasn’t ruled out a return to the Summer Bay.

“I’d love to. You know I would go back and do longer stints on both Home and Away and Neighbours,” she said.

“I mean, sadly I don’t think Neighbours is running anymore, is it?”

Sarah Roberts, who played the beloved Willow Harris on Home and Away from 2017 to 2021, has opened up about the deep friendships she formed during her time on Australian soaps — and revealed she hasn’t ruled out a return to Summer Bay.

In a candid interview with the Daily Mail Australia, Roberts shared how close she remains with several of her former co-stars, not only from Home and Away but also Neighbours.

“One of my best friends was one of my castmates on Neighbours — that goes way back,” Roberts revealed. “Another one of my best friends is Emily Weir from Home and Away. I’ve also made friends with a lot of the new cast because Emily is friends with them and we all hang out together.”

To celebrate her 40th birthday at the end of last year, Roberts hosted a party on a boat in Sydney Harbour, surrounded by many familiar faces from the Home and Away cast.

“I get really close to people and really value my friendships,” she said.

Roberts went on to explain why bonds formed between soap actors tend to last, pointing to the emotional depth and trust required to deliver powerful performances.

“You share so many deep dark secrets about yourself, and you have to develop a lot of trust between each other,” she explained. “That lends itself to strong friendships.”

While she’s moved on to new projects — including a role in the crime drama Scrubland — Roberts isn’t closing the door on a soap opera return. In fact, she still dreams of landing a part on a major international show like Game of Thrones or Breaking Bad, but remains open to stepping back into the world of Australian TV.

“I’d love to. You know I would go back and do longer stints on both Home and Away and Neighbours,” she said enthusiastically, before pausing to reflect on the latter. “I mean, sadly I don’t think Neighbours is running anymore, is it?”

Though Neighbours has had a turbulent broadcast history, including a cancellation and a later revival, Roberts’ affection for both long-running series is clear — and fans will be hopeful her words signal more than just nostalgia.

The actor played Willow Harris between 2017 and 2021 before departing for pastures new, but still keeps in close contact with her former co-stars. Speaking to the Aussie Daily Mail, Roberts said: “One of my best friends was one of my cast mates on Neighbours. That goes way back. Another one of my best friends, Emily Weir,…