Neighbours final scenes filmed after 37-year Australian drama record

The final scenes of Australia’s longest running drama have been an emotional rollercoaster for the cast and crew as filming wraps.

Neighbours, the longest running drama in Australian history, is ending its 37 year run with the final scenes being filmed on Friday.

There were tears on the Nunawading set after cast and crew called time and wrapped an emotion-charged day.

Jason Herbison, Neighbours’ executive producer, said it was full of emotion.

“We all knew this day was coming but until we were here in this moment when the very last scene was filmed, it was hard to express how we would all feel,’’ he told the Herald Sun.

“Of course, it is sad and tears were shed, but we’re also enormously proud. 37 years is an incredible achievement and that should be celebrated.

And … that’s a wrap. The cast and crew on set of the final episode of Neighbours.

“We’ve also been incredibly touched by the response from our viewers all over the world. Neighbours is more than a TV show to many people. They see us as part of the family and we feel privileged to have been invited into their homes, and I know the legacy of Neighbours will live on for many years.”

Herbison said the finale, believed to feature Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan, who returned to the show in late April, remained a tightly held secret before it is revealed on August 1.

More than 30,000 cast and crew have gone through Ramsay St with over 8,900 episodes going to air.

Ian Smith, 83, who played Harold Bishop, was overwhelmed with nostalgia when he returned.

“I feel sad and I didn’t think I would,’’ he said.

“Because even though I had retired, Neighbours was still there. It’s (finishing is) like when you found out there was no ­Father Christmas.”

Ian Smith was overwhelmed with nostalgia when he return to Ramsay St with Guy Pearce.

Takaya Honda, who is part of the last day of filming, has also featured in historic storylines with a same-sex marriage alongside Matty Wilson.

“What a privilege it is as an actor to represent a community that way and I can’t put into words how proud I am to be part of that,’’ Honda said.

“By the end of the day I’m going to be a mess to be honest.

“It means a lot to everyone out there and it means a lot to people who have been here from the start. There are crew who haven’t missed an episode.”

Guy Pearce, another famous actor who got his start on Neighbours, returned to the set last week and lapped up the reunion with former castmates including Smith, Peter O’Brien, Annie Jones, Stefan Dennis and Henrietta Graham.

The final shows have been an opportunity for a mini cast reunion.

Pearce and Peter O’Brien on set for a last goodbye.

“I’ve been asked to come back on occasions over the years and wondered if it was the right thing to do, but once I knew the show was finishing, I knew I had to do it,’’ said Pearce who played Mike Young.

“While I’ve caught up with many of the cast I worked with on the show over the years, there is nothing like being here all together again.”

Here are some stats featured on the final call sheet: Over the past 37 years and 8903 episodes there have been approximately 180,000 scenes filmed, over 100 kidnapping and hostage situations, no less than 35 natural disasters, 115 car crashes or vehicle related accidents, 64 deaths, 39 weddings, 17 births, 487 mullets and no less than 10-15 risen from the dead situations.

Alan Fletcher, who is one of the soap’s longest serving cast members as Karl Kennedy, said it was tough filming final scenes with the Kennedy clan on Wednesday.

“Jackie Woodburne and I have stood under this arch outside 28 Ramsay Street many times over the last 28 years,’’ he said.

“Emotions starting to well up as we finalise filming all ­together on Friday.

“Stay tuned. The last episodes are amazing.”

Melissa Bell who played Lucy Robinson was also part of the final scenes.

“It’s going to be magical, very heartfelt and it’s a beautiful send off,’’ she said. “It’s setting in now and feels very real.”

O’Brien, who plays Shane Ramsay, said: “It was great to see some of the people again.

“You’ll always reflect fondly on some of the early days.”

Herbison said the sow leaves an enormous legacy.

“How do you end a show after 37 years? It’s not an easy question. I had an idea, a little bit of a vision, quite a while ago, and I’ve stuck to that vision. I felt in my heart how I wanted to end it which is very warm and very celebratory.”