Neighbours is set to return to screens in 2023 following its axe from Channel 5 last year and the soap has confirmed some big-name comebacks too.
The Australian soap aired its final episode in July 2022 after 37 years on air.
But in a shock twist, Neighbours is returning for a new series next year.
Amazon had already announced some huge faces to return including Stefan Dennis as Paul Robinson.
And now show stalwart Dr Karl Kennedy actor, Alan Fletcher, has revealed secrets of the first storyline.
What do we know about the Neighbours return?
Neighbours fans were left devastated when the soap was cancelled.
Following its finale, streaming service Amazon Freevee started conversations with Fremantle.
Now Amazon Freevee will be the new home of the Ramsay Street soap.
It will air exclusively on Amazon Freevee in the UK and USA, as well as hold streaming rights to thousands of episodes from the previous seasons.
The series is also due to stream on Prime Video in Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
Australia’s Network 10 will retain first-run rights in Australia for the new episodes.
When is Neighbours coming back?
Amazon Freevee dropped loads of classic episodes of the Aussie soap in February.
A wide selection of episodes from Neighbours’ 37-year-old history is available on Freevee.
This includes an entire season of the show from 2012.
Eagle-eyed fans will spot future stars Guy Pearce, Margot Robbie, Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan in their earliest roles.
Neow, Stefan Dennis, who plays Paul Robinson, has revealed during a recent press junket: “It should be back on screens in Autumn.”
He then clarified: “Autumn over here in the UK.”
Annie Jones, who plays Jane Harris, also teased the first episode: “Our executive producer did share the cover of the first script with us, which was a big tease!”
She added: “We’re all so excited and can’t wait to read and see what’s in store.”
Filming is expected to start this spring and the premiere of the new series scheduled for autumn.
Fremantle’s new partnership
Global CEO of Fremantle Jennifer Mullin added: “Neighbours is a unique series with a powerful connection with its fans across the world.
“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 with Amazon Freevee.
“Thanks to the innovative Amazon Freevee Platform, many classic episodes will be available to fans, and Neighbours will go back into full production in Australia early next year, providing fans with new episodes.”
She continued: “This partnership with Amazon Freevee marks an exciting new chapter, and we look forward to collaborating with them, along with our long-term and valued partner in Australia, Network 10.”
What is Amazon Freevee and how can I watch it?
Amazon Freevee, which was previously known as IMDb TV, is a free, ad-supported streaming video (AVOD) platform with a library of TV shows and films available to watch.
Amazon Freevee will be the new home for Neighbours.
The streaming service is owned by Amazon.
Amazon Freevee is billing itself as a premium free streaming service that offers original programming with TV shows and films of different genres constantly being added to its library.
As an AVOD platform it requires no subscription.
It is available as a Prime Video channel or as a standalone app. But ads will play throughout a programme, like it would with normal TV.
Who is returning to Neighbours in 2023?
Neighbours stars Stefan Davies, who played Paul Robinson, Alan Fletcher, who played Karl Kennedy, Jackie Woodburn, who played Susan Kennedy and Ryan Moloney, who played Toadie Rebecchi have already been announced to be reprising their roles.
Meanwhile Jason Herbison is set to return as executive producer.
And new names announced today (Tuesday, February 28) have made the line-up even more exciting.
Rebekah Elmaloglou will be back as Terese Willis.
Meanwhile, Annie Jones also returns to her role as Jane Harris. Long-time viewers will remember Jane rekindled her romance with first love Mike Young in the final ever episode.
The news Jane is returning will add fuel to the theory that Hollywood heavyweight Guy Pearce, who played Mike, will also make a comeback.
Actress Annie Jones has kept tight-lipped on that rumour during recent press interviews.
“I just love being Jane and working on the show. I love having the opportunity to grow as an actor, with every new storyline and episode,” she said.
“I’m thrilled. I couldn’t be happier to be back.”
As well as Terese and Jane, Mackenzie Hargreaves (Georgie Stone) and Leo Tanaka (Tim Kano) are set to be series regulars.
Meanwhile, Harold Bishop (Ian Smith), Chloe Brennan (April Rose Pengilly) and Lucy Robinson (Melissa Bell) will return in guest roles.
Neighbours comeback script ‘revealed’
Speaking to The Sun this week, Alan Fletcher, who plays Dr Karl Kennedy, teased what’s to come.
“They are keeping it completely under wraps. We’ve been told one thing and that’s when we come back it’s going to be huge,” he said.
“It’s a big story and will involve a lot of people but we don’t know anything about it.
“There will come a day when your inbox goes ‘ping’ and it will say first script. Everyone will read it and the WhatsApp group will go mad.”
Ryan Maloney, who plays Toadie, added that even the cast didn’t know who else is returning. He joked they’d find out in a Zoom meeting ahead of filming beginning!
“We don’t know who they’ve got. Nobody knows. It’s all very exciting,” he said.
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