‘Neighbours’ Return Is Almost Here: A New Era Dawns

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The ever-beloved Australian soap opera, Neighbours, is rising from the ashes and making its triumphant return to screens – and fans won’t have to wait too long for the show’s return – as we finally know the date when new episodes will start airing in the UK.

With a legacy that includes launching the careers of stars such as Margot Robbie and Kylie Minogue, Neighbours has captured hearts globally for over three decades with its heartwarming tales from Ramsay Street in the fictional suburb of Erinsborough, Melbourne.

An array of familiar faces alongside some fresh additions are set to breathe life back into Ramsay Street.

Among them are iconic actors Stefan Dennis, Alan Fletcher, Ryan Moloney, Jackie Woodburne, and a new character, Reece, portrayed by Mischa Barton from The O.C. fame.

Neighbours - Alan Fletcher, Mischa Barton & Jackie Woodburne
Alan Fletcher, Mischa Barton And Jackie Woodburne (Photo: Freevee)

Adding to the intrigue, the upcoming season introduces the vibrant Varga-Murphy family, comprising two mums and their teenage sons, who bring a breath of fresh air to the neighbourhood – and a hint of mystery (see more details about the revival’s additions below).

The buzz and anticipation surrounding the return of Neighbours have been escalating. And now, the wait is nearly over.

It has been confirmed that the show will officially return to screens in September 2023 (with the exact date yet to be announced) ready to captivate audiences with a new chapter of this beloved story.

The iconic series, which ran for more than three decades and had nearly 9,000 episodes, is being resurrected for streaming on Amazon’s Freevee service.

Amazon Freevee_Neighbours_Hero Image

The show has been broadcasted in multiple countries, including the UK and the US, and was particularly popular in the UK for many years.

However, in February 2022, Channel 5, which was the main funder of the show, announced that it would no longer air the series, leading to its cancellation.

The final episode aired in July 2022, featuring guest appearances from former series cast members Kylie Minogue, Guy Pearce, Jason Donovan, and Margot Robbie.

Despite the cancellation, fans campaigned for the show’s return, and eventually, Amazon stepped in to save the series. Production for the new season officially began on April 17, 2023, at Nunawading Studios in Melbourne, Australia.

Neighbours production start date

Neighbours’ Triumphant Return To Streaming

The new season of Neighbours will see the return of several beloved characters. Stefan Dennis, Alan Fletcher, Ryan Moloney, Jackie Woodburne, and Annie Jones are all set to reprise their roles.

In addition, Freevee announced that Annie Jones (Jane Harris), Rebekah Elmaloglou (Terese Willis), Georgie Stone (Mackenzie Hargreaves), and Tim Kano (Leo Tanaka) would return as series regulars.

Ian Smith (Harold Bishop), April Rose Pengilly (Chloe Brennan), and Melissa Bell (Lucy Robinson) will also return in guest roles.

Neighbours episode Susan, Finn, Karl
Neighbours (Photo: Amazon)

Furthermore, the upcoming season will introduce a new character, Reece, played by Mischa Barton, known for her roles in The O.C. and Invitation to a Murder.

Reece is an American new to Erinsborough who’s not quite who she appears to be.

Executive producer Jason Herbison expressed excitement about Mischa joining the cast, describing her character as dynamic, unpredictable, and someone who will have an instant presence on Ramsay Street.

Meet the Varga-Murphy Family

In the new season of Neighbours, audiences will be introduced to the dynamic Varga-Murphy family. This close-knit family is composed of two mums, Remi and Cara, and their teenage sons, JJ and Dex.

Neighbours Varga family
The Varga-Murphy family (Photo: Ray Massner / Freevee)

The family is unique and full of life, each member bringing their own distinct personality to Ramsay Street.

Remi, portrayed by Naomi Rukavina, is a serious and studious doctor who is deeply committed to her profession. Her partner, Cara, played by Sara West, contrasts Remi’s serious demeanour with her down-to-earth and fun-loving nature.

Cara, a ‘tradie’ by profession, brings a sense of groundedness and warmth to the family.

Their sons, JJ and Dex, are teenagers with a difference.

JJ is described as kind and confident, a young man who is not afraid to express himself. Dex, on the other hand, is known to be a deep thinker, always contemplating the world around him.

The Varga-Murphys are united and full of playful energy, bringing a breath of fresh air to the neighbourhood. However, not everything is as it seems.

Neighbours episode Ramsay street sign
Photo: Amazon

The family’s arrival in Erinsborough carries a hint of mystery, as one family member is revealed to have an ulterior motive for moving to Ramsay Street.

This hidden agenda promises explosive ramifications for the residents of Ramsay Street, adding an exciting twist to the new season of Neighbours.

Sara West, who plays Cara Varga-Murphy, said: “I’m so honoured to be a part of the new Neighbours legacy and really looking forward to bringing the Varga-Murphy family to Australian and international screens.

“Cara has a bold, impassioned love for her family and I love that her intentions have, so far, always been good.

“I hope having the Varga-Murphys on telly will help better reflect the beautiful LGBTQIA+ community that I’m proud to be a part of and I can’t wait to share the family with you!”

In the meantime, viewers in the UK can already watch hundreds of older episodes of Neighbours on Freevee, with additional episodes from 2019 and 2020 coming to the service on July 13, 2023.

How To Watch Neighbours On Freevee In The UK

Amazon’s Freevee, formerly known as IMDbTV, will host Neighbours exclusively for free in the UK and the US.

Freevee app bosch
Freevee

Freevee is available to watch in one of several ways:

On the Prime Video app: As a free Prime Video channel.

Prime Video channels are accessible either directly on a computer browser, or with all versions of the Prime Video app, which are available on almost every streaming device – Fire TV, Roku, Google Chromecast, most Smart TVs and Sky’s devices.

However, unlike most other Prime Video channels, Freevee doesn’t require an Amazon Prime subscription – though you do need to have a (free) Amazon account.

The Fire TV App: The app is available on Amazon’s Fire TV devices, such as the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max, as well as on Amazon’s tablets, such as the Fire HD 10. You can install it directly on your device, or via this link.

The Google TV / Android TV App: The Amazon Freevee app is available across Google TV and other Android TV OS devices including Sony, Panasonic, Hisense, Phillips, Sharp, Vestel, Nvidia, Xiaomi, TCL and more.

The Android Mobile App: Available for Android phones and tablets, on the Google Play store.

The iOS App: Available for iPhones, iPads and Apple TV 4K / Apple TV HD on Apple’s App Store.

In the US, the app is also available on Roku devices, as well as on many Smart TVs – but those versions aren’t available in the UK yet.

(Featured image credit: Freevee / Jane Zhang)

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