Neighbours producer teases “optimistic” finale and reflects on soap’s legacy after 40 years

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After more than 40 years on air, the time has come to bid farewell to Neighbours – again.

The popular Australian soap opera faced cancellation by Channel 5 in 2022, but Amazon saved it a year later. Unfortunately, Amazon decided to cancel the revived series again in February.

As a long-time viewer, it’s honestly a bit sad to see Neighbours wrapping up! But I’m also really excited – and a little nervous – to watch the final episode when it comes out on December 11th. It’s the end of an era, and I want to be there for it.

Did you approach the 2025 finale differently from the 2022 one?

This time, I decided to handle the conclusion in a completely new way. I realized I couldn’t just repeat what I did in 2022 or try to top it – I needed a fresh approach.

What can you tell us about the final scene?

This scene feels like a nod to the emotional finale from 2022, but with fewer characters. Jackie Woodburne, who plays Susan Kennedy, really moved me with her performance back in 2022, and she did it again this year! I was actually there on set when we filmed it.

How would you describe the atmosphere on the final day of filming?

There were lots of hugs and tears – it was a really emotional moment. After filming the last scene, we all met up in Studio A, just like we did back in 2022. For those of us who were there both times, it felt strangely unreal.

I don’t think you can ever experience something exactly the same way twice. This time around, though, we mostly felt thankful. We’d all assumed the show was over in 2022, so getting to continue with Amazon has been a fantastic surprise.

Paul and Terese are at the centre of the final week, what makes this couple work so well?

Some couples just click – they have incredible chemistry! We’ve seen that when they’re paired with others, they always gravitate back to each other. It’s almost like the challenges they face actually strengthen their connection.

A perfect relationship would be dull, and Stefan Dennis and Rebekah Elmaloglou deserve praise for adding genuine personality and a playful edge to their characters – and they really do bring a mischievous quality to their performances!

Stefan Dennis gets the last line in the finale – was it hard to choose which actor had that honour?

Stefan requested the final line of the episode well before I’d finished writing it. It was an easy decision, though – he’s incredibly talented and truly deserves the recognition.

How important was it to return to the Ramsay/Robinson feud for the finale?

I really wanted to respect the show’s past. The long-running rivalry between Ramsay and Robinson has always created great drama, so it felt right to revisit it. I originally hoped to include all of Paul’s children in the final episode, but when that wasn’t possible, I thought it would be entertaining to show Jimmy and Max as young competitors – carrying on the family tradition.

Just like the nostalgic fight scene between Mike and Clive in the final episode of Neighbours 2022, the playful antics in this scene are a deliberate nod to the comedy style of the 1980s.

Without spoiling too much, what can you tease about how the show ends?

Everyone’s feeling positive about how things turned out. We filmed the last episode way back in July, so naturally, people have guessed some things that happen. Luckily, the exact lines the characters say haven’t gotten out, so hopefully that will still be a surprise for the audience.

I deliberately played with the feeling that we’d experienced this before – that sense of déjà vu. The danger facing the street mirrored what was happening with the show itself. This time, though, we were already in the process of closing down our studios in Nunawading as we filmed the final episodes. It was a very emotional experience for me, and I wanted to capture that feeling in the finale.

Which storyline from the Amazon era are you proudest of?

I was really happy to see Darcy Tyler back, and how her return connected with what was happening with Jane and Amanda. It was also fun to give Karl a significant and dramatic storyline.

I especially enjoyed how Holly and Andrew’s relationship connected with the story of Cara and Greg. I always aim to weave in all the characters and make sure big events have lasting consequences for everyone involved.

Were you worried about the reaction to the Holly/Andrew affair?

I wouldn’t be any more concerned about this storyline than any other potentially divisive one. Soap operas aren’t about constantly pleasing everyone; they need to take chances. Characters should have imperfections, and there needs to be conflict, drama, and unexpected twists. Otherwise, viewers will rightfully complain if the show becomes dull and predictable.

We’re sorry Natalie Bassingthwaighte couldn’t return as Izzy. We had hoped to bring her back, but the storyline worked even without her appearance.

Holly became a major star during this time. What made audiences connect with her so powerfully?

Lucinda Armstrong-Hall perfectly recaptured Holly’s personality in the reboot, flaws and all. I especially enjoyed seeing how much she resembled Izzy, while still struggling with her own impulsive tendencies.

We’d planned the storyline involving Andrew for some time and gradually worked to make Holly feel insecure, preparing her for the emotional impact. We originally intended to begin the story during the week of our 40th anniversary, but we had to postpone it. Holly is a compelling character – she always seems to find trouble, and Lucinda portrayed her with a lot of depth and realism.

The Varga-Murphys were breakout stars of the Amazon era, what made them so popular?

We’re thrilled to have Sara West and Naomi Rukavina playing Cara and Remi, and we’re excited to introduce Marley Williams as Dex and Riley Bryant as JJ, who will play the boys.

Everyone put a lot of effort into making the family’s story feel real, and it really worked. While some viewers didn’t love Remi’s recent memory loss plotline – and that’s understandable, as it wasn’t the actors’ fault – we originally had a much larger story planned, but we simply ran out of time to tell it all. Thankfully, the family gets a satisfying conclusion, and I think they’ll stay with viewers for a long time.

Across the 40 years, is there a single character that defines Neighbours for you?

The street is what truly brings the community together; it’s the central connection for everyone.

A few months on, how do you feel about Neighbours ending in this way?

I’m feeling much more at peace now, though finishing things was difficult. I hope fans understand my decisions. My only wish is that we’d had one more week to properly wrap up all the storylines – it felt rushed, just like last time.

Now that Neighbours has finished and you’ve already teamed up with Jackie Woodburne on ‘The Imposter,’ are there any other actors from the show you’d like to work with again?

That’s quite a few projects! It’s exciting that Jackie is playing a character so different from her usual role as Susan. It would be fantastic to see Stefan or Alan Fletcher (who plays Karl) try something completely new as well.

I particularly enjoyed working with Morgana O’Reilly, who many know as Naomi Canning and recently appeared in The White Lotus. I’d be thrilled to collaborate with her again in the future.

Which UK soap would you like to work on and why?

I’d love to be on EastEnders – it would give me a reason to move to London! My parents are British, so I have a passport, but I’ve never actually used it.

Finally, how would you sum up the legacy of Neighbours?

Neighbours truly revolutionized soap operas in both Australia and the UK. While Australia had shown serialized dramas before, Neighbours was unique in its perfect mix of humor, love stories, and compelling drama.

The show struck a chord with viewers, and programs like Home and Away and British soap operas quickly adopted a similar schedule of releasing new episodes every week.

People often say that Neighbours has managed to stay true to what made it popular in the first place, and I agree. We’ve kept the core of the show intact while also updating it for modern audiences.

I’m really pleased with how inclusive the show has become. We believe everyone should feel welcome on Ramsay Street, and I’ve worked hard to make that happen. I’m grateful to our viewers for their continued support – we’ll always cherish the memories we’ve made together.

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2025-12-07 12:36