Neighbours cast ‘weren’t told’ about revival before huge announcement

Fans are overjoyed by Neighbours’ return after a tear-filled global farewell, but some stars of the show aren’t happy.

The news of Neighbours making a triumphant return to TV has been met with an enormous response from the Aussie soap’s loyal fanbase.

But it appears a number of cast members were not aware of the monumental pivot to save the show.

According to actor Takaya Honda, who played David Tanaka in the show, the news came as a surprise to the cast not featured in the announcement clip.

In fact, he claimed Ryan Moloney, Jackie Woodburne, Alan Fletcher and Stefan Dennis were the only four who knew.

Posting to Instagram after the news broke overnight, Honda wrote: “Apart from these three and Stefan the rest of the cast are finding out with you.

“Please give us time to process. We don’t know anything more.”

Takaya Honda asked fans to 'give them time to process' the surprise news.

He later posted the Amazon Freevee promo himself, seemingly confirming he will be returning to the cast. With Honda’s revelation, it is unclear exactly who is reprising their former roles.

It comes after diehard Ramsay Street lovers around the world fiercely rallied to save the series from being axed, sending petitions viral and the theme song soaring to number one on the top of iTunes and Amazon music charts.

Neighbours aired its “final” episode in July after a whopping 37-year run, prompting an emotional wave of tributes across social media.

The fan campaigning failed to keep the show up and running before the finale aired, but on Thursday night, to much surprise, it was announced the long-running soap has been resurrected.

Neighbours will air on Channel 10 – its old home – and will be available to stream for free on Amazon Freevee in the UK and US. It will also be available on Amazon Prime Video in Australia and New Zealand seven days after episodes are broadcast.

Surprise! @neighbours has a new home on Amazon Freevee! Re-explore the lives, loves and challenges of your favourite residents from Ramsey Street. Thousands of iconic episodes and a brand-new series coming 2023! pic.twitter.com/Uya6Z02G8O

— Amazon Freevee (@AmazonFreevee) November 17, 2022

Fans were overjoyed by the turnaround, taking to Twitter to celebrate and making note of the hole Neighbours has left since it left screens.

One said: “Just heard the news about #Neighbours and I am honestly just SO EXCITED I CAN’T. Even all these months later I still find myself feeling like there’s a void in my afternoon where Neighbours used to be (might sound sad, but it’s true!) so so so happy, hopefully it’s back for good!”

Another wrote that it “feels like a right has been wronged”.

“It’s so funny, I hadn’t been missing #Neighbours as much as I thought I would but in the last few weeks I started thinking how much it was missed and how it felt so cruel that the world of Erinsborough had ceased to exist … It really feels like a right has been wronged.”

TV critic Scott Bryan credited the fans for their push, writing: “This Neighbours revival is clearly down to the sheer efforts of the soap‘s fanbase. They’ve been very vocal since rumours of its cancellation came about, and clearly this convinced Amazon it was worth a go.”

Meanwhile Fremantle Australia chief executive Greg Woods said the love for the show was undeniable.

“We are beyond thrilled to have secured this landmark deal,” he said, as reported by ABC News.

Jackie Woodburne also told the publication she was still getting “mail and letters” from fans declaring how much they missed the show.

This Neighbours revival is clearly down to the sheer efforts of the soap's fanbase. They've been very vocal since rumours of its cancellation came about, and clearly this convinced Amazon it was worth a go.

— Scott Bryan (@scottygb) November 17, 2022

Oh my actual god!!! Crack open the fizz. This is the happiest day ever!! The mourning is over. It’s coming baaaaaaaack!!!!!!! Yessssssssss #Neighbourshttps://t.co/tJfR6F9nft

— NeighBens (@NeighBens) November 17, 2022

We did it!!!!!!! We brought back neighbours!!!!!! Well done everyone #bringbackneighbours#Neighbours in your face cash in the attic!

— Hibe (@hibeve) November 17, 2022

Surely this is the biggest plot twist #Neighbours has ever pulled off… See what happens when you enjoy something spoiler-free? 😉

— Shane Isheev (@ShaneIsheev) November 17, 2022

I know it’s great for us fans of #Neighbours but the real winner here is the Australian TV and acting industry. The loss of Neighbours put so many people out of work and today’s news is a great day for Aussie actors, crew members, script writers, editors. The list goes on. ❤️

— David Trotter 🇪🇺 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ (@trotteruk) November 17, 2022

Just heard the news about #Neighbours and I am honestly just SO EXCITED I CAN'T. Even all these months later I still find myself feeling like there's a void in my afternoon where Neighbours used to be (might sound sad, but it's true!) so so so happy, hopefully it's back for good!

— hi my name is stacey (@Indigo263) November 17, 2022

actually sobbing rn 🥹🥹🥹
IT’S COMING BACK!!! #Neighbourspic.twitter.com/N1EGUeahtx

— victoria. ✌🏼 (@NeighboursNerd) November 17, 2022

It’s so funny, I hadn’t been missing #Neighbours as much as I thought I would but in the last few weeks I started thinking how much it was missed and how it felt so cruel that the world of Erinsborough had ceased to exist… It really feels like a right has been wronged. 🧡 https://t.co/T82vNtmjEu

— Mark (@mkenn80) November 17, 2022

#Neighbours meant the world to me. I am beyond delighted its back. Heart is so full right now, man. ♥️

— Stephen Patterson (@mr_sjpatterson) November 17, 2022

SCREAMING. CRYING. SHAKING.
this is the actual best news!! 😭🙌#Neighbourshttps://t.co/KDnlcYh07a

— NeighboursStan (@NeighboursStan) November 17, 2022

I know fans did a lot to help bring the show back but a MASSIVE thank you and shout-out has to go to whoever it was behind-the-scenes at Freemantle that still tried to find #Neighbours a new home and has succeeded! 🥂

— Iain 🧡🏘 (@ANeighboursFan) November 17, 2022

The erstwhile final episode of Neighbours aired in July and featured guest appearances from former stars Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Margot Robbie, Natalie Imbruglia and Guy Pearce.

Hundreds of thousands tuned in around the world to bid farewell to Ramsay Street.

Announcing the show’s return, Neighbours tweeted a clip of Susan Kennedy (Woodburne) running up to her husband Dr Karl (Fletcher) and Toadfish Rebecchi (Moloney) to reveal the big news.

Paul Robinson (Dennis), sporting a beard, then video calls in to tell the crew that his diary is clear for the soap to return in the second half of next year.

“We’re coming back,” the stars then announce.

“Thanks you for all the love and loyalty you’ve shown us here at Neighbours,” Dr Karl said.

Toadie, Karl and Susan star in the announcement clip, with a video appearance from Paul Robinson. Picture: Twitter.

“We miss you and we can’t wait to see you again,” says Susan.

“We can’t wait to begin this exciting new adventure with you.”

In a statement, Amazon Studios’ Lauren Anderson said “Neighbours has captivated its audience for nearly 40 years, building a dedicated and loyal following for the lives and stories of the characters on Ramsay Street.

“With the power of streaming, we’re able to offer a catalogue of thousands of Neighbours episodes for new audiences to discover this legendary series and current fans to relive their favorite moments.

“We look forward to immersing the audience in new Ramsay Street experiences when we relaunch the show next year for Amazon Freevee and Prime Video customers.”