Neighbours to return to TV screens, months after it was axed

Four months after the final episode of popular TV show Neighbours went to air, the long-running soapie has been thrown a lifeline. SEE WHICH STARS ARE RETURNING.

Neighbours has been thrown an unexpected lifeline.

Less than four months after the final episode of the popular TV soap went to air, producers Fremantle have secured Amazon Freevee and Prime Video as international partners.

The move will see the show brought back to life, with Channel 10 to broadcast in Australia.

It is major news considering the global headlines when news broke the show had been shelved after a 37 year run.

Fremantle Australia CEO Greg Woods said: “The love for Neighbours is undeniable and we have been determined to explore every possible avenue to bring it back for loyal fans across the world.

Ryan Moloney, Jackie Woodburne and Alan Fletcher are set to return to the new Neighbours. Picture: Supplied

“We are beyond thrilled to have secured this landmark deal with Amazon Freevee, along with Network 10 in Australia, long-term and passionate supporters of the show,” he said.

“We will be going back into the writing room immediately, and production for this wonderful series will begin next year. Neighbours has been so important for the Victorian production community, and along with our partners, will provide new opportunities on both sides of the camera. We cannot wait to get started.”

Global superstars Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan returned for the Neighbours finale.

Actors Jackie Woodburne, Alan Fletcher, Stefan Dennis and Ryan Moloney will return to the show with more cast to be announced.

Woodburne said of the news: “I was stunned, to tell you the truth, I was just speechless. It didn’t sink into my brain because it was the last thing I was expecting, I truly was in shock.”

She added: “It’s the best job ever. I get to work with my beautiful faux-husband Alan Fletcher again, which will be such a joy.”

Moloney said it was an easy decision to return.

“Why wouldn’t you? This is going to be the relaunch of an absolute Australian icon, you’d be mad to miss it.”

Ian Smith and Stefan Dennis hammed it up on the set of the final episode. Picture: Alex Coppel

Executive producer Jason Herbison returns to the production at Fremantle and Rick Maier as EP at Ten.

Production is slated to commence early next year, with a world premiere scheduled for mid-2023.

The show will continue to be filmed at the Nunawading, Melbourne, studios at which it has been based since its launch nearly four decades ago.

Cast members past and present celebrated the final show. Picture: Getty

Melbourne’s Pin Oak Court is the location for the outside scenes of fictional Ramsay Street, Erinsborough.

“We are absolutely delighted to welcome Neighbours back home to Network 10, and while we loved the finale earlier this year and appreciated the incredible support from the cast, crew and fans, we continued to hold a small glimmer of hope that one day it would be possible to resume the series,” Network Ten boss Beverley McGarvey said.

“We are grateful for the tenacity and determination displayed by Fremantle in securing a new production partner so our association could continue.

“A much-loved stalwart of our program schedule for over 35 years, we can’t wait to bring back the perfect blend of soap and sunshine to Australian audiences which will also add a fantastic boost to the Victorian and wider production community.”

The finale episode of Neighbours drew a national audience of more than 1.48 million viewers when it aired in July.

It saw the return of much-loved former cast members, including Guy Pearce, Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Margot Robbie and Natalie Imbruglia.

The show was axed when Channel 5 in the UK did not renew its production deal with Fremantle.

It had previously aired for decades on the BBC.

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Originally published as Neighbours to return to TV screens, months after it was axed