Amazon to revive Neighbours, Australia's longest-running soap

The show that launched the careers of Margot Robbie and Kylie Minogue ended in July

'Neighbours' aired for 37 years and had more than 9,000 episodes. All photos: EPA

The finale of TV show 'Neighbours' was screened at Federation Square in Melbourne, Australia, on July 28, 2022.

After 37 years, the final episode of Australia's longest-running TV soap opera aired in June.

Fans gathered to watch the screening at Federation Square.

People wrapped up in blankets as temperatures in Melbourne dipped.

The show is responsible for launching the careers of stars including Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan and Margot Robbie.

Emotional fans took photos in front on a Ramsay Street sign, the fictional road where the characters live.

Australian soap opera Neighbours is set to return to the screen next year after striking a deal with Amazon.

The tech platform will revive the beloved show, which launched the career of stars such as Margot Robbie, Kylie Minogue and all three Hemsworth brothers.

Four decades after its premiere, filming on Australia's longest-running television drama stopped in July when the main financial backer, British free-to-air broadcaster Channel 5, cut the series after years of declining ratings.

But a new deal with Amazon announced on Friday will see the show return to the small screen in the second half of 2023.

Early cast picture of Neighbours with Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue in 1987. Photo: Grundy TV / Rex Features

US and British fans will find the show on Amazon Freevee, the streaming platform's advertisement-supported service. In Australia, New Zealand and Canada, the show will be on Amazon Prime, which requires a subscription. Australia's Channel 10, which was home to the show for three years, will broadcast episodes before they land on Amazon Prime.

"Neighbours is a unique series with a powerful connection with its fans across the world," said Jennifer Mullin, chief executive at Fremantle Australia, the show's production company.

"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."

The soap provided an early training ground for several actors who have since achieved international fame.

Russell Crowe appeared in four episodes in 1987, five years before his role in the skinhead drama Romper Stomper made him a sensation in Australia and caught the attention of Hollywood.

Neighbours' final episode was watched by millions and featured guest appearances from former cast members Minogue, Guy Pearce and Robbie.

Kylie Minogue's style evolution in 62 photos: Neighbours regular to red carpet royalty

Kylie Minogue, in a black blazer, walks through Heathrow Airport ahead of the Royal Variety Show in London, England, on November 21, 1988. All photos: Getty Images

Kylie Minogue, in a gold-embroidered satin jacket, attends the Aria Awards in Sydney, Australia, on March 6, 1989.

Kylie Minogue, in a gingham mini dress, attends a photography exhibition in Sydney, Australia, on February 1, 1995.

Kylie Minogue, in a brown-toned mini dress, attends the opening of Fox Studio in Sydney, Australia on November 1, 1999.

Kylie Minogue, in a one-shouldered top, attends a party on January 21, 2000 at Raleigh Studios' Stage 5 in Los Angeles, California.

Kylie Minogue, in a tiered white dress, arrives at a charity gala in Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire, England, on June 11, 2001.

Kylie Minogue, in a sequinned midi, arrives at the premiere of 'Moulin Rouge' on September 3, 2001 in London, England.

Kylie Minogue, in jeans and a jersey top, promotes her album 'Fever' on November 26, 2001 in Madrid, Spain.

Kylie Minogue, in a black dress coat, attends the Brit Awards on February 20, 2002 at Earls Court in London, England.

Kylie Minogue, in leather trousers and a metallic vest, attends the MTV Europe Music Awards on November 14, 2002 in Barcelona, Spain.

Kylie Minogue, in a red halterneck dress, and Olivier Martinez attend the Laureus World Sports Awards on May 20, 2003 at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco.

Kylie Minogue, in an embellished green mini dress, attends the MTV Europe Music Awards on November 6, 2003 in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Kylie Minogue, in a feather-trimmed LBD, attends the MTV Europe Music Awards on November 18, 2004 in Rome, Italy.

Kylie Minogue, in a tiered black dress, attends the Elle Style Awards at Spitalfields Market on February 15, 2005 in London, England.

Kylie Minogue, in a sequin-trimmed shift dress, attends an event for her book 'The Showgirl Princess' on September 30, 2006 in London, England.

Kylie Minogue, in a purple maxi dress, attends a retrospective exhibition at the V&M Museum to celebrate her career on February 6, 2007 in London, England.

Kylie Minogue, in Dolce & Gabbana, attends the Baftas at the Royal Opera House on February 11, 2007 in London, England.

Kylie Minogue , in a strapless LBD, attends amFAR's Cinema Against Aids gala at Le Moulin de Mougins on May 23, 2007 in Cannes, France

Kylie Minogue, in Dolce & Gabbana, attends a Dolce & Gabbana party at the Cannes Film Festival on May 25, 2007.

Kylie Minogue, in a floral strapless dress, attends the NRJ Music Awards at the Palais des Festivals on January 26, 2008 in Cannes, France.

Kylie Minogue, in a black halterneck dress, attends the Goldene Kamera Awards at the Ullsteinhalle on February 6, 2008 in Berlin, Germany.

Kylie Minogue, in Dolce & Gabbana, arrives at the Elle Style Awards at The Westway on February 12, 2008 in London, England.

Kylie Minogue, in Chanel, attends the Baftas at the Royal Opera House on February 8, 2009 in London, England.

Kylie Minogue, in black sequins, arrives at the Brit Awards at Earls Court on February 18, 2009 in London, England.

Kylie Minogue, in Emanuel Ungaro and Dolce & Gabbana, arrives at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards at Berkeley Square Gardens on June 2, 2009 in London, England.

Kylie Minogue, in Dior, attends the Christian Dior show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 25, 2010.

Kylie Minogue, in Hasan Hejazi, attends the Jingle Bell Ball at the O2 Arena on December 5, 2010 in London, England.

Kylie Minogue, in Pucci, attends the National Movie Awards at the Royal Festival Hall on May 26, 2010 in London, England.

Kylie Minogue, in Balmain, attends the 40 Principales Awards at the Palacio de los Deportes on December 10, 2010 in Madrid, Spain.

Kylie Minogue, in Richard Nicoll, and Andres Velencoso attend the Aria Awards at the Allphones Arena on November 27, 2011 in Sydney, Australia.

Kylie Minogue, in YSL, attends the Brit Awards at the O2 Arena on February 21, 2012 in London, England.

Kylie Minogue, in Pucci, attends the 'Holy Motors' photocall at the Palais des Festivals on May 23, 2012 in Cannes, France.

Kylie Minogue, in Dolce & Gabbana, attends the 'Holy Motors' premiere at Palais des Festivals on May 23, 2012 in Cannes, France.

Kylie Minogue, in Pucci, attends the amfAR Cinema Against Aids gala at Hotel Du Cap on May 24, 2012 in Cap D'Antibes, France.

Kylie Minogue, in Roberto Cavalli, attends the closing ceremony of the 65th Cannes Film Festival on May 27, 2012.

Kylie Minogue, in Jean Paul Gaultier, attends the 'Holy Motors' premiere at Cinema Gaumont Opera on June 28, 2012 in Paris, France.

Kylie Minogue, in Stella McCartney, attends the Q Awards at Grosvenor House Hotel on October 22, 2012 in London, England.

Kylie Minogue, in Stella McCartney, attends a photocall to launch her book 'Kylie/Fashion' at Harrods on November 28, 2012 in London, England.

Kylie Minogue, in Roberto Cavalli, attends the 'Les Salauds' premiere during the 66th Cannes Film Festival at Salle Debussy on May 21, 2013.

Kylie Minogue, in Moschino, attends Glamour Women of the Year Awards at Berkeley Square Gardens on June 4, 2013 in London, England.

Kylie Minogue, in William Wilde, attends the Brit Awards at the 02 Arena on February 19, 2014 in London, England.

Kylie Minogue, in Roberto Cavalli, arrives at the Logie Awards at Crown Palladium on April 27, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia.

Kylie Minogue, in Juan Carlos Obando, attends amfAR's 21st Cinema Against Aids gala at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on May 22, 2014 in Cap d'Antibes, France.

Kylie Minogue, in Stella McCartney, attends the British Fashion Awards at London Coliseum on December 1, 2014.

Kylie Minogue, in Jean Paul Gaultier, attends the amfAR Inspiration Gala on April 10, 2015 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Kylie Minogue, in a red wool cape, turns on the Oxford Street Christmas lights at the Pandora flagship store on November 1, 2015 in London, England.

Kylie Minogue, in Aton Couture, attends the Aria Awards at The Star on November 26, 2015 in Sydney, Australia.

Kylie Minogue, in Dolce & Gabbana, attends the Brit Awards at the O2 Arena on February 24, 2016 in London, England.

Kylie Minogue, in Dolce & Gabbana, arrives at Bocelli and Zanetti Night on May 25, 2016 in Rho, Italy.

Joshua Sasse and Kylie Minogue, in Roberto Cavalli, attend the 'Absolutely Fabulous' premiere at the Odeon Leicester Square on June 29, 2016 in London, England.

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, presents Kylie Minogue, in a floral chiffon maxi, with the Britain-Australia Society Award at Windsor Castle on April 4, 2017 in London, England.

Kylie Minogue, in Alice McCall, attends an exhibition as part of Paris Fashion Week on October 1, 2017.

Kylie Minogue, in Temperley, attends the premiere of 'Swinging Safari' on December 12, 2017 in Sydney, Australia.

Kylie Minogue, in Dolce & Gabbana, attends a gala for the Santiago ePrix on February 2, 2018 in Santiago, Chile.

Kylie Minogue, in Ralph & Russo, attends the Brit Awards at the O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England.

Kylie Minogue, in Maria Lucia Hohan, arrives for the Echo Award on April 12, 2018 in Berlin, Germany.

Kylie Minogue, in Emilio de la Morena, attends a 'Vogue' party at Casa Velazquez on July 12, 2018 in Madrid, Spain.

Kylie Minogue, in a floral shirt dress, attends '9 to 5 The Musical' at The Savoy Theatre on February 17, 2019 in London, England.

Kylie Minogue, in Ralph & Russo, attends the summer exhibition preview at the Royal Academy of Arts on June 4, 2019 in London, England.

Kylie Minogue, in Ralph & Russo, attends the GQ Men of the Year Awards at the Tate Modern on September 3, 2019 in London, England.

Kylie Minogue, in Erdem, attends the 'Last Christmas' premiere at BFI Southbank on November 11, 2019 in London, England.

Kylie Minogue, in Chanel, attends the BFI Fellowship at Rosewood London on March 2, 2020 in London, England.