Neighbours TV show axed: What happens next and what it means

Fans across the globe are reeling after iconic TV soap Neighbours was axed. Here we explain what it means for the cast, crew, set and Ramsay St.

After almost four decades on our screens, it seems everybody doesn’t need good Neighbours with the iconic soap axed.

Fans across the globe are devastated by the announcement, but in some good news it won’t end abruptly and storylines won’t be left hanging.

Here, we answer some fans’ biggest questions about the show and what will happen now.

WHEN WILL FILMING END?

While filming will cease production at the show’s sprawling Nunawading location in June, episodes will continue to air on 10Peach until September.

Focus will now turn to giving the show – which launched the international careers of household names such as Kylie Minogue, Margot Robbie, Guy Pearce, Natalie Imbruglia, Jason Donovan, Alan Dale, Jesse Spencer, Liam Hemsworth and Delta Goodrem – the send-off it deserves.

“We are confident that the cast, crew and writers will bring their distinctive warmth, style and humour to the Neighbours set as they embark on filming the final episodes over the coming months,” Network 10 said.

Australian iconic TV soap Neighbours is stopping after decades of production. The back lot set of FremantleMedia studios. Picture: David Caird

WILL THIS SEE THE RETURN OF SCOTT AND CHARLENE?

Neighbours executive producer Jason Herbison told 10 News it was “very sad but we are also very proud”.

“Thirty-seven years is an incredible achievement,” he said.

“We are the longest running drama show ever in Australia.”

He said he hoped Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan would be part of the final storyline.

“Kylie and Jason, they personify the Neighbours of the early years so we would love to see them back in Ramsay Street,” Herbison said.

“They are busy people, as well (but) we hope that the planets will align and we can get them back on the show somehow, someway but between now and June we will be working on it.”

He said the final chapter of the show would not see Ramsay Street destroyed.

“I do see the ending as being very warm and nostalgic. I don’t think we should have an earthquake topple Ramsay Street,” he said.

Much-loved cast members Ian Smith, who played Harold Bishop, and Anne Charleston, who played Madge Bishop, will be making a guest appearance on the show as the final filming date nears.

Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan as Scott and Charlene in a scene from the TV series Neighbours. Picture: Supplied by Network Ten.

WHAT WENT WRONG?

The death knell was sounded last month when it was dropped by Channel 5. Fans had held on to desperate hope, starting petitions and looking for a white knight to ride in and rescue the beleaguered show.

The spokesperson went on to thank the cast, crew, all the production team and Fremantle for “bringing the perfect blend of soap and sunshine to audiences in Australia and around the world”.

“We thank the Australian fans and audiences for their continued support of the series,” the spokesperson said.

“Their encouragement particularly in the past few weeks has been incredible. It shows that our audience still want Australian scripted drama.

“We have listened to them and there are exciting new local projects in the pipeline, which is great for our audience and for the local industry.”

Stephanie McIntosh and Bridget Neval return to star in Neighbours 35 year anniversary. Picture: Supplied/10

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR CAST AND CREW?

It’s a huge blow to the industry already reeling from the pandemic, with hundreds of jobs in front and behind the camera to go. About 200 people are employed on the show, either as freelancers or on rolling contracts. Despite its waning popularity with audiences, it was widely considered one of the most important training grounds for talent in the country, both on screen and off.

Ryan Moloney pictured in London in a scene from the TV series Neighbours. Picture: Supplied by Channel 10.

HOW DO REAL LIFE RESIDENTS OF RAMSAY ST FEEL?

Resident of the real-life Ramsay St – a residential cul-de-sac called Pin Oak Court in Vermont, Melbourne where some exterior scenes are shot – won’t mourn its demise. Resident Rob Lewis, reckoned he and his neighbours would be “all fine with it” if the show wasn’t revived. He said before the COVID-19 pandemic, fans would often walk or drive up and down the street “randomly taking photos, which was frustrating. COVID-19 was a nice break from people gawking.”

Mr Lewis said in pre-pandemic times there would be a mini-bus tour of the street every day. “They’d only be there for five minutes but if you came back from doing the grocery shopping while they were all in the street, it was pretty frustrating.”

Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Alan Fletcher and Jackie Woodburne reunited in a movie-length special episode of the TV series Neighbours. Picture: Supplied by Channel 10.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE SET?

Interior scenes for Neighbours are filmed in Nunawading, in a huge purpose built studio and sprawling location.

Interior shots of all the houses, bars and restaurants are filmed in the studio, and there is also a purpose-built set at the studios which features all of the external buildings including Lassiters and Harold’s Cafe. Even Lassiter’s Lake which is actually a real lake, built at the studios especially for filming.

Network 10 could not speculate at this stage what would happen to the sets or studios.

However in 2017, a consulting group applied to develop the site into 700 new apartment dwellings ranging from two to six storeys. The three main buildings of the heritage protected television studio site would have remained. Council voted rejected the plan at the time.