Despite the big finale that aired three months ago, Neighbours is set to return in 2023.
In a surprise move, Fremantle Australia has secured Amazon Freevee and Prime Video as the show’s international partner, while maintaining Network Ten as a free-to-air outlet in Australia.
The return of the series is welcome news to the show’s passionate fan base that has campaigned for the show to be saved since the axe was announced back in March.
Production of the revived series will commence early next year, with Jackie Woodburne, Alan Fletcher, Stefan Dennis and Ryan Moloney all set to reprise their long-running characters from the Forest Hill (Nunawading) studios that have been home to the series since 1986.
Further casting announcements are to come.
The new deal will see Neighbours streamed on Amazon Freevee in the US and UK, with Ten retaining first-run broadcast rights in Australia ahead of streaming on Prime Video in Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
Neighbours first began in 1985 on the Seven Network before being picked up by Ten in 1986. Ten shifted the series to its secondary channel Eleven (now 10 Peach) in 2011.
The 8903rd episode, which was to farewell the show after 37 years, was watched by over a million Australians when it aired in July this year. Former cast members including Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Guy Pearce, Peter O’Brien and Natalie Bassingthwaighte came back to send off the show that made them international stars.
Jason Herbison, Neighbours’ Executive Producer since 2013, and Rick Maier, Head of Drama and Executive Production, Paramount ANZ (Network Ten) will maintain their positions with the revived production, with Andrew Thompson returning as Producer.
Neighbours will make its return in the second half of 2023.
