Neighbours, Australia’s landmark soap opera and one of the longest-running dramas in TV history, is saying goodbye once more. On Thursday, the show’s final episode aired in both the UK and Australia, marking what appears to be a definitive end for the beloved series—three years after its first emotional farewell.
Though officially described as “resting,” the sets have been dismantled, cast members have moved on, and production has wrapped. For millions of fans, this feels like a true farewell to Ramsay Street.
A Familiar Ending—This Time for Real
The déjà vu is impossible to ignore. In 2022, the show was cancelled after UK broadcaster Channel 5 withdrew support. That finale brought back stars such as Margot Robbie, Guy Pearce, Kylie Minogue, and Jason Donovan, turning the event into a nostalgic cultural celebration watched by crowds at Melbourne’s Federation Square.
But weeks later, Amazon MGM Studios revived the series in a surprise announcement. The rapid turnaround was so unexpected that Pearce joked about retrieving the farewell champagne Robbie had gifted the producers.
This revival, however, has proven short-lived. Earlier this year, Amazon confirmed the show would end permanently in 2025, concluding a remarkable 40-year run and more than 9,000 episodes.
Cast Reflects on Emotional Goodbye
For longtime cast members, this farewell feels final. Jackie Woodburne, who has played Susan Kennedy since 1994, said the experience felt like “death in stages.” She described her character as “the heart” of the show—an inherently good but deeply human figure whose mistakes made her relatable to audiences across generations.
Woodburne admitted that saying goodbye has been emotional. “She was the mother, and then the grandmother… People connected with her so deeply,” she said.
A Cultural Touchstone for Australia and Beyond
First airing in 1985, Neighbours became a launchpad for emerging Australian talent. Stars such as Russell Crowe, Natalie Imbruglia, Liam Hemsworth, and Holly Valance all began their careers in the fictional suburb of Erinsborough.
For viewers, the soap mirrored life’s milestones—first loves, heartbreaks, births, and losses—all delivered with a blend of lighthearted humour and dramatic twists. In recent years, the show embraced more diverse storylines, including Australian TV’s first same-sex marriage.
The series also shaped cultural identity abroad. In the UK especially, it became a daily ritual, with young fans and families tuning in for decades.
Fans Mourn a Final Goodbye
For many, this ending feels heavier than the one in 2022. “I’m devastated,” said Gemma Clement, a UK fan who moved to Melbourne inspired by the show’s idyllic portrayal of Australian life. Like thousands of devoted viewers, she fears there is “no coming back” this time.
Herbison, the showrunner, acknowledged that budgets, shifting viewing habits, and industry pressures played a role in the cancellation. With approximately 200 jobs tied to the production, the loss highlights wider challenges within Australian television.
Still, the final episode maintains the essence of Neighbours: warmth, community, and familiar faces in moments of crisis. The finale leaves Ramsay Street under threat—and the fate of its residents uncertain.
Could Neighbours Return Again?
Herbison won’t completely rule out another revival. “The door is open,” he teased. But for now, Ramsay Street fades to black, taking with it decades of storytelling, cultural impact, and cherished memories.
A$AP Rocky Appears to Confirm Marriage to Rihanna, Calls Himself a ‘Loving Husband’