Thirty-five years after Round The Twist first aired on Australian television, the series remains one of the most recognisable and frequently revisited children’s programs in the country’s broadcasting history. What began in 1990 as a strange, funny and sometimes unsettling adaptation of Paul Jennings’ short stories grew into a cultural touchstone that shaped childhoods across two generations.
Produced by the Australian Children’s Television Foundation, Round The Twist followed widowed sculptor Tony Twist and his three children Pete, Linda and Bronson as they moved into a lighthouse in the fictional coastal town of Port Miranda. Living alongside them were the scheming Gribbles, whose constant attempts to reclaim the lighthouse provided everyday conflict alongside the show’s supernatural chaos.
Across four seasons, viewers encountered ghosts, cursed objects, time travel, mythical creatures and anxieties rooted in real childhood fears. While the stories were bizarre, the performances grounded them and the cast’s lives after the show have proven just as unexpected.
A Series Spanning 1990 to 2001
Round The Twist aired across two main periods: from 1990 to 1992, then again from 2000 to 2001. The long gap between production runs meant that many of the original child actors aged out of their roles, resulting in recasting that was openly acknowledged by the producers.
Despite this, the show maintained strong popularity, winning a Logie Award for Most Outstanding Children’s Program and earning international recognition, including BAFTA nominations. Decades later, academic research into Australian television has repeatedly ranked Round The Twist as one of the most remembered and revisited children’s shows among adults who grew up watching local programming.
Richard Moir: Tony Twist (Seasons One and Two)
Richard Moir played the original Tony Twist, anchoring the early seasons as the calm, practical father navigating parenthood amid constant absurdity. His performance gave emotional weight to the show’s more surreal storylines.
Before and during Round The Twist, Moir enjoyed a successful Australian acting career, appearing in productions such as Welcome to Woop Woop, Jilted and Dolphin Cove. During the first season of the show, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease — a diagnosis he initially kept private.
As the condition progressed, it affected his speech and gradually brought his acting career to an early end. In 2022, Moir returned to the screen in Not Dark Yet, a short film directed by his daughter Bonnie, in which he portrayed a man living with Parkinson’s. The performance was widely praised. Now 74, Moir remains a respected figure in Australian screen history.
Andrew S. Gilbert: Tony Twist (Later Seasons)
Andrew S. Gilbert took over the role of Tony Twist during the show’s later run. His portrayal maintained the character’s role as the family’s emotional centre while reflecting the passage of time within the series.
Gilbert is a veteran Australian actor with extensive credits across television, film and theatre. His role as the Twist family’s father is formally listed in Australian Children’s Television Foundation records and defines the show’s final era.
Mark Mitchell: Harold Gribble (Seasons Two to Four)
Harold Gribble, the greedy real estate agent obsessed with reclaiming the lighthouse, became one of the most memorable villains in Australian children’s television. Mark Mitchell assumed the role from season two onwards and remained a constant for the rest of the series.
Already well known for his work on The Comedy Company particularly as Con the Fruiterer Mitchell went on to appear in SeaChange, The Genie From Down Under and, more recently, The Newsreader in 2025.
In 2015, Mitchell drew headlines after recounting a personal experience in which he claimed he saw the spirit of his late Aunty Mary in his kitchen. He described the figure as smiling and healthy, and said she spoke to his mother, who could not see her. Mitchell has consistently presented the experience as his own account rather than an attempt to convince others. Now in his seventies, he continues to act.
Sam Vandenberg: Pete Twist (Season One)
Sam Vandenberg portrayed the original Pete Twist in the first season, playing the thoughtful and gentle eldest sibling. His performance helped establish the emotional tone of the early episodes.
After leaving the series, Vandenberg appeared in an episode of Blue Heelers and later on Spicks and Specks. He then stepped away from acting and pursued a career in music, managing and coordinating bands in Melbourne. Now 51, he largely avoids the public spotlight, with Round The Twist remaining his most recognised role.
Ben Thomas and Rian McLean: Pete Twist (Later Seasons)
The role of Pete Twist was recast multiple times. Ben Thomas played Pete in season two, while Rian McLean took on the role in the later seasons.
Both actors are officially listed in Australian production records. McLean later appeared in Australian television before stepping back from acting. Together, their performances ensured continuity for audiences as the series evolved.
Rodney McLennan: Bronson Twist (Season One)
Rodney McLennan played the original Bronson Twist, first appearing on the show at just 10 years old. Despite early success, his transition out of acting proved difficult.
In a later ABC interview, McLennan explained that filming disrupted his schooling, leaving gaps that followed him into high school. As he grew older, acting opportunities declined and eventually stopped.
McLennan later joined the Australian Army as a rifleman and served on deployment in East Timor. After leaving the military, he worked as a triple zero call taker and police dispatcher. Now in his forties, he continues to receive fan mail from around the world, encouraged by his wife Corrine to keep reminders of the show’s impact.
Jeffrey Walker and Mathew Waters: Bronson Twist (Later Seasons)
Jeffrey Walker played Bronson Twist in season two before transitioning away from acting. He later built a successful international career as a television director, working on major productions overseas.
Mathew Waters portrayed Bronson during the later seasons and remained involved in creative work before stepping away from regular acting. Both are officially credited as part of the show’s later run.
Tamsin West: Linda Twist (Season One)
Tamsin West played Linda Twist in the first season and became closely linked to the series’ identity. She also performed the lead vocals for the Round The Twist theme song, which was used across all four seasons.
West later spoke about being disappointed at aging out of the role alongside Sam Vandenberg. Her career continued in music and theatre, including the Australian arena production of Jesus Christ Superstar. After appearing in the legal drama Janus, she stepped back from acting. Now 51, she lives in Melbourne and continues to perform music.
Joelene Crnogorac and Ebonnie Masini: Linda Twist (Later Seasons)
Joelene Crnogorac portrayed Linda Twist in season two and went on to appear in Ocean Girl, Snowy River and Blue Heelers. After her final on-screen role in 2019, she stepped away from acting to focus on motherhood.
Ebonnie Masini played Linda Twist in the later seasons and is formally listed in Australian Children’s Television Foundation records. Her performance defined the show’s final era.
Supporting Cast and Notable Characters
Robyn Gibbes played Fay James, Bronson’s teacher and Tony Twist’s love interest in seasons one and two, adding emotional depth to the early series.
The Gribble boys James, Tiger and Rabbit were played by actors including Richie Young, Cameron Nugent and Nick Mitchell across different seasons, embodying everyday bullying alongside the show’s supernatural threats.
Eamonn Kelly appeared in a memorable one-episode arc as Andrew the merman in season two, a storyline that remains one of the most discussed guest appearances.
Reunions and the Stage Musical
In 2024, several cast members reunited for the world premiere of the Round The Twist stage musical at Brisbane’s Queensland Performing Arts Centre. Attendees included Tamsin West, Ben Thomas, Jeffrey Walker, Richie Young, Cameron Nugent, Nick Mitchell, Robyn Gibbes and Eamonn Kelly.
The musical was directed by Simon Phillips and produced by Garry McQuinn, marking a new chapter for the series and reinforcing its lasting appeal.
Conclusion
More than three decades after it first aired, Round The Twist still holds a special place in Australian television history. What began as a quirky children’s series built on strange ideas and everyday fears grew into a cultural marker for a generation of viewers. The lighthouse at Port Niranda became a symbol of imagination, curiosity and the freedom to explore stories that didn’t fit neat rules.
The lives of the cast after the show reflect that same unpredictability. Some stayed in the entertainment industry, others moved into music, directing, military service, emergency response work or quiet family life. Their paths show that childhood fame does not lead to a single outcome, but rather opens doors to many different futures.
What endures is the impact of the series itself. Through awards, reunions, academic recognition and a new stage musical, Round The Twist continues to find new audiences while remaining deeply meaningful to those who grew up with it. Long after the final episode aired, the show and the people behind it remain part of Australia’s shared cultural memory.
FAQs
Why did they change actors in Round The Twist?
Actors were changed mainly because of long gaps between production periods. Child actors aged out of their roles, so new performers were brought in to keep the characters at roughly the same age.
What happened to Tamsin West?
Tamsin West, who played Linda Twist in season one and sang the theme song, stepped back from acting after the mid-1990s. She focused on music and theatre and now lives in Melbourne, where she continues to perform.
What is Round The Twist based on?
Round The Twist is based on short stories by Australian children’s author Paul Jennings, adapted for television by the Australian Children’s Television Foundation.
Where is Bronson from Round The Twist now?
Rodney McLennan, the original Bronson Twist, left acting as a teenager. He later served in the Australian Army, including deployment to East Timor, and went on to work as a triple zero call taker and police dispatcher.
Why is Emma not a Wiggle anymore?
Emma Watkins left The Wiggles in 2021 due to ongoing health issues, including endometriosis, and a desire to pursue other creative and academic projects. She later rejoined the group in a limited touring capacity.
What is the most memorable Round The Twist episode?
One of the most frequently cited episodes is “Without My Pants”, which featured the mysterious disappearance of clothes. It remains one of the show’s most talked-about and recognisable episodes.
Why was Devin replaced in Diary of a Wimpy Kid?
Devon Bostick, who played Rodrick Heffley in the original Diary of a Wimpy Kid films, was replaced when the franchise was rebooted. The later film used a new cast to reflect a different creative direction.
Who is the new actor for Jason DiLaurentis?
In Pretty Little Liars, Jason DiLaurentis was primarily portrayed by Drew Van Acker. No new permanent actor replaced him in the original series; later spin-offs referenced the character rather than recasting him.
