Neighbours returning to TV after Amazon steps in
Neighbours will return to our television screens next year after Fremantle, the Australian production company responsible for the long-running show, struck a deal with Amazon.
Production is slated to begin in early 2023 with a global premiere in the second half of the year.
Ryan Moloney, Jackie Woodburne and Alan Fletcher are returning for Neighbours 2023.
Cast members Jackie Woodburne (who plays Susan Kennedy), Alan Fletcher (Karl Kennedy), Stefan Dennis (Paul Robinson) and Ryan Moloney (Jarrod “Toadfish” Rebecchi) have committed to the new series.
“It’s just the best news, I was stunned to tell you the truth, I was just speechless. It didn’t sink into my brain because it was the last thing I was expecting, I truly was in shock,” Woodburne told 10Play.
“It was such a great training ground for so many people and we’re back to offer that to people in all aspects of the industry.”
The show ran for 37 years, almost reaching 9000 episodes since its debut in 1985. It launched the careers of some global stars: Kylie Minogue, Margot Robbie and Liam Hemsworth have all featured, to name a few.
Network 10 will have the first-run rights to broadcast the reboot – if we can call it that after such a short break – and episodes will be on Amazon Prime Video for a week after showing on free-to-air TV.
Fremantle Australia CEO Greg Woods said the company explored every possible way to revive the show after its then-final episode in July – which drew an audience of 1.48 million people – after Britain’s Channel 5 pulled its financial support.
“We will be going back into the writing room immediately and production for this wonderful series will begin next year,” he said.
“Neighbours has been so important for the Victorian production community, and along with our partners, will provide new opportunities on both sides of the camera. We cannot wait to get started.”
Paramount ANZ chief content officer Beverley McGarvey said she was delighted to bring Neighbours back to Network 10.
“While we loved the finale earlier this year and appreciated the incredible support from the cast, crew and fans, we continued to hold a small glimmer of hope that one day it would be possible to resume the series,” she said.
“We are grateful for the tenacity and determination displayed by Fremantle in securing a new production partner so our association could continue.”
Jason Herbison, the show’s executive producer at Paramount since 2013, and Rick Maier, head of drama and executive production at Paramount ANZ, will stay in their roles. Andrew Thompson will return as producer.
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