Neighbours will return in 2023, Amazon and Fremantle have confirmed, just months after the last episodes of the show aired in Australia and the UK.
A new season of Neighbours will begin production early in the following year thanks to a production agreement between the two production companies.
The series’ return was confirmed in a statement by Lauren Anderson, the chief of programming at Amazon.
She noted that for nearly 40 years, “Neighbours has grabbed its viewers, creating a committed and loyal following for the lives and stories of the characters on Ramsay Street.”
“Through the power of streaming, we’re able to provide a library of thousands of Neighbours episodes for both current fans to relive their favourite moments and new audiences to discover this classic series.
The viewers will be immersed in fresh Ramsay Street adventures when the show is relaunched for Amazon FreeVee and Prime Video subscribers the following year.
The “core four” actors, Jackie Woodburne, Alan Fletcher, Stefan Dennis, and Ryan Moloney, were also confirmed to resume their roles along with the news of the series’ return. On a video shared by the official Neighbours account on Twitter, they revealed the comeback of the programme.
As executive producer, Jason Herbison will be back.
Jennifer Mullin, the global CEO of Fremantle, said in a statement that Neighbours had a special bond with its millions of viewers worldwide.
We treasure the programme and everyone who has contributed to its amazing tale throughout the years, therefore we are overjoyed that we have found a new home with Amazon Freevee.
“Many iconic episodes will be made available to fans thanks to the cutting-edge Amazon Freevee platform, and Neighbours will resume full production in Australia early next year, giving our fans access to fresh episodes.
“This collaboration with Amazon Freevee ushers in an exciting new chapter, and we look forward to working with them, as well as our long-standing and cherished partner in Australia, Network 10,” said the company.
Whether the show will resume its five nights per week schedule or whether the revived series will have a shorter run is still unknown.
In the second half of 2023, viewers of the soap opera will be able to watch the show on Amazon FreeVee in the UK and the US, while Prime Video will carry it in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.
First-run rights for free-to-air television in Australia are still held by Network 10, which will broadcast the episodes before they are made available on Prime.
Everyone does need good neighbors, as the saying goes.
In 2023, Neighbours will return.
