Beloved Australian drama Neighbours has been cancelled for a second time following a short-lived reboot that began airing in September 2023.
In a statement shared by Channel 10 on February 21st, the network wrote that after 40 years the soap drama was finally (and permanently) coming to an end.
“Unfortunately after four decades of events on Ramsay Street, production of Neighbours will cease this year. We’d like to thank everyone who has contributed to this remarkable Australian story over the years.”
The official Neighbours social media accounts then shared a statement of their own.
“We are sad to announce that Neighbours will be resting from December 2025. News episodes from the 40th anniversary season will continue to air on Prime Video and Ten four times a week until the end of the year, with all the big soapie twists and turns that our viewers love.”
Jason Herbison, Neighbours Executive Producer added: “Audiences all around the world have loved and embraced Neighbours for four decades and we are very proud of the huge success over the last two years including often appearing as one of the Top 10 titles in the UK and the show’s first-ever Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Daytime Series in 2024.”
” As this chapter closes, we appreciate and thank Amazon MGM Studios for all that they have done for Neighbours – bringing this iconic and much-loved series to new audiences globally. We value how much the fans love Neighbours and we believe there are more stories of the residents of Ramsay Street to tell in the future.”
These updates came mere hours after The Sun revealed that production would conclude in mid-2025, with the final ever episode airing before the end of the year.
What have the Neighbours cast said about the cancellation?
Since the news of Neighbours being cancelled for a second time was made public several former and current cast members have taken to social media to pay tribute to the show.
“This show has changed my life and the lives of literally thousands of Aussie cast and crew. How cool is that? We are still filming and have plenty of mind-blowing storylines coming up that we can’t wait for you all to see! Time to celebrate this beautiful thing called @neighbours,” shared Matt Wilson (Aaron Brennan).
While Riley Bryant (JJ Varga-Murphy) said the news was “absolutely devastating”, he added that being part of the show was “the biggest honour and privilege” of his life.
“I will forever feel so grateful for this wonderful show,” Ben Jackson (Max Ramsay) also shared, with Lucinda Armstrong Hall (Holly Hoyland) echoing these sentiments: “I feel so lucky to have worked with this cast/crew for the past two years. Family.”
Sara West (Cara Varga-Murphy) has also described the shock axing as “a loss for the Australian film industry”, writing: “The opportunity for emerging creatives to learn their craft and work among some of the best in the business is second to none. I’m incredibly grateful to of been a Ramsay resident.”
“This show has been my life for 3 years now and I couldn’t be more grateful for it. All the moments and memories we have created will be something I miss and cherish. To my whole family of cast and crew, I love ya,” Emerald Chan (Sadie Rodwell) also shared on social media.
Speaking with the ABC, long-running Neighbours star Alan Fletcher described the cancellation as a “tragedy.”
“This television program means so much to so many people around the world, and they’re gutted again. [Neighbours] is more than a TV show. It’s part of people’s lives.”
When was Neighbours first cancelled?
Neighbours was originally axed in June 2022 by Channel 10 after Australian production company Fremantle Media was unable to find a new broadcasting partner following UK network Channel 5’s controversial decision to withdraw from their long-running partnership.
Given that Channel 5 footed the majority of the production bill for the show and was unable to find a new broadcasting partner, Freemantle Media and Channel 10 had no choice but to end the show after 37 years on the air.
“Following the loss of our key broadcast partner in the UK and despite an extensive search for alternative funding, we simply have no option but to rest the show,” a statement shared to the official Neighbours social media accounts said at the time.
“To our amazing, loyal fans, we know this is a huge disappointment, as it is to all of us on the team. We thank you for all your messages and support and promise to end the show on an incredible high. From here on, we are celebrating Neighbours,” the statement concluded.
Who returned for the Neighbours finale?
This “high” included the return of many familiar faces including Margot Robbie, Guy Pearce and even Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan who starred on the show from the mid to late 80s as Charlene and Scott Robinson.
But only a few months later and after 60,000 fans signed a petition to save the show following its axing, Amazon Freevee came on board as a financial partner in November 2022 to reboot the series.
“Neighbours is a unique series with a powerful connection with its fans across the world,” Fremantle’s CEO Jennifer Mullin said at the time.
“We cherish the show and all those who have been part of its incredible story over many decades, so we are thrilled that we have found a new home.”
When did the Neighbours reboot begin airing?
New episodes then began to air in September 2023 with beloved characters returning. A new batch of famous faces also came to Ramsay Street including the likes of The O.C actress Mischa Barton and Selling Sunset star Chrishell Stause.
In 2024, Amazon axed Amazon Freevee and folded the streaming service into Prime Video.
Amazon has not yet publicly commented on the reports.
