After four decades of captivating audiences worldwide, the iconic Australian soap opera ‘Neighbours’ prepares for its definitive conclusion this Thursday. The series, which premiered in 1985 and briefly resurrected in 2022 after Amazon MGM Studios intervened, now faces permanent cancellation despite its historic revival.
The show’s executive producer Jason Herbison acknowledges the peculiar sense of déjà vu surrounding this second cancellation, noting how the series previously received an emotional send-off in 2022 when UK’s Channel 5 dropped it. That initial farewell featured appearances by Hollywood stars Margot Robbie and Guy Pearce, alongside original cast members Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan, creating a cultural moment that drew hundreds of fans to Melbourne’s Federation Square for a live screening.
Jackie Woodburne, who portrayed the beloved character Susan Kennedy since 1994, describes the current finale as feeling more definitive. ‘There was very much a sense of No, this time we’re done,’ she reflects emotionally, acknowledging her character’s role as the heart and moral compass of the fictional Erinsborough community.
Beyond its entertainment value, Neighbours served as a crucial training ground for Australian acting talent, launching careers of international stars including Russell Crowe, Natalie Imbruglia, and Liam Hemsworth. The series also pioneered representation in Australian television, featuring the country’s first same-sex marriage storyline and evolving to reflect modern diversity standards.
The cancellation raises concerns about the television industry’s changing landscape. Herbison notes the disappearance of 200 production jobs in an already strained sector, while Woodburne questions whether such authentically Australian content could even originate in today’s market. Despite dwindling viewership and shrinking budgets, the producer maintains that extending the show’s legacy for additional years proved worthwhile.
While the final episode leaves narrative doors slightly ajar, Herbison acknowledges the impossibility of matching the spectacle of the 2022 finale. The series concludes not with dramatic fireworks but with subtle uncertainty about the future of Ramsay Street’s residents—a fittingly understated ending for a show that championed everyday human connections.
As international fans like British expat Gemma Clement express devastation over the loss, the industry contemplates the void left by Neighbours’ departure—both as cultural touchstone and vocational pipeline for Australian creative talent.