Neighbours star Charlotte Chimes speaks on end of iconic TV show

Toowoomba’s very own Neighbours star is one of hundreds of cast and crew members mourning the loss of the iconic program, but also sharing her gratitude for the show that catapulted her to stardom.

As production on the iconic Neighbours set comes to a sad close after 37 years, Toowoomba actor Charlotte Chimes is one of hundreds of cast and crew members mourning the loss, but appreciating the great times shared on Ramsay Street.

The show revealed on Thursday evening that it will “cease production” this year after many weeks of speculation that Channel Five in the United Kingdom would not be renewing their contract with the show.

END OF AN ERA: Neighbours star and Toowoomba native Charlotte Chimes speaks on production of the show ceasing this year.

Chimes said the cast and crew had experienced a few weeks of “mixed emotions” between the speculation and confirmation of the show’s end.

“We’re all very sad that it’s over but I think we’re so immensely grateful that we’re part of such an iconic show,” she said.

Chimes joined the Neighbours cast in 2020 playing Nicolette Stone, who is one of many queer characters on the show.

Chimes said the role and her groundbreaking storylines were crucial in enhancing visibility on Australian television.

We are so sorry to say that after nearly 37 years and almost 9000 episodes broadcast we have to confirm that Neighbours...

Posted by Neighbours on Wednesday, March 2, 2022

“I just feel so lucky,” she said.

“I think visibility is so important.

“Neighbours is really groundbreaking for visibility – we have Georgie (Stone) who is a trans actor, we had the first gay couple marriage on the show.”

Neighbours has famously launched the careers of many global stars and household names.

The likes of Margot Robbie, Chris Hemsworth, Kylie Minogue, and Natalie Imbruglia all had Neighbours as a launching pad to their illustrious careers.

Neighbours stars Stefan Dennis and Charlotte Chimes when the show took to Canberra for filming.

Chimes said losing the show was a particularly significant loss for today’s budding actors.

“It’s an incredible training ground for the Australian film and TV industry,” she said.

“It sets you up to work around the world so it’s very sad for this generation.”

Chimes has plans herself to live and work overseas, with a few projects in the works in Sydney and Melbourne.

She said after Neighbours she would be embracing the “nomadic lifestyle”, moving wherever the work is.

As for her character Nicolette’s final months on Neighbours, Chimes teased that audiences would get to meet some new family members, and that Nicolette would finally have her “happy ending”.

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