Beloved Australian soap opera Neighbours is set to end again, just two years after Amazon MGM Studios revived it. The show, cherished by fans around the world, will conclude in December 2025, marking an impressive run of over 40 years and 9,000 episodes since its debut.
Amazon announced the cancellation without providing specific details. The show originally ended in 2022 when Channel 5 dropped it. However, it returned shortly after, thanks to Amazon. Neighbours has a rich history, launching the careers of stars like Kylie Minogue and Margot Robbie, and even received its first Emmy nomination last year.
A statement from the show’s team revealed that while the show would be “resting,” they were proud of its success and hinted at the possibility of future stories from Ramsay Street. New episodes will continue airing on Amazon Prime Video and Australia’s Channel Ten until the end of 2025.
Fans expressed their heartbreak over the cancellation on social media. Some said it helped them escape daily stress, while others noted the show frequently topped viewing charts on streaming platforms. One person wrote, “It’s been a joy and comfort for 40 years.” This beloved series, set in Melbourne, first aired in Australia in 1985, later reaching the UK in 1986.
Over the years, Neighbours has adapted to modern issues, featuring diverse characters and groundbreaking storylines, like Australia’s first same-sex marriage on television. However, the show has also faced challenges, including serious allegations of racism among its cast, prompting a review by production company Fremantle Media.
The news comes shortly after actor Ian Smith, known for his role as Harold Bishop, announced his departure from the show due to terminal cancer, adding to the emotional weight of the show’s future. The end of Neighbours reflects a broader trend in television, where other long-running soaps like Coronation Street, Emmerdale, and Hollyoaks have also seen cutbacks and changes.
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