Neighbours coming back home for finale
TEN has listened to its fans and will screen Neighbours’ history-making finale on its main channel.
Australia’s longestrunning drama has been airing on the network’s offshoot channel 10Peach since 2011 and fans had been campaigning for its farewell to be given a prime time channel and spot.
Ten has also brought forward the soap’s final episode to July 28, after originally scheduling the farewell for August 1.
Neighbours was axed in March when its British broadcast partner, Channel 5, announced it would drop it from its line-up.
After 37 years, 8903 episodes, 39 weddings, 64 deaths, 17 births and countless disasters, the final four, bumper 90-minute episodes will air from Monday, July 25.
Two of the soap’s biggest names, Kylie Minogue (Charlene Robinson) and Jason Donovan (Scott Robinson), will be among many of the show’s former stars who will feature in the 90-minute finale. The pair, who went on to international success, will join others including Guy Pearce, Ian Smith, Peter O’Brien, Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Tim Robards, Olympia Valance, Daniel MacPherson and Paul Keane.
Notable absentees include Margot Robbie, Natalie Imbruglia and Delta Goodrem. Production could not confirm if Craig McLachlan – who played Minogue’s onscreen older brother, and has faced accusations of indecent assault of which he was subsequently acquitted – was considered to be part of the final filming.
Executive producer Jason Herbison said it could not include everyone in their celebration of the past and present of the show.
“There’s just too many people from the past,” Herbison said.
“Thirty seven years of actors is enormous, so we couldn’t reach out to everybody. It was a wonderful response from those we did ask.
“It’s a wonderful celebration of the past and present, and the returning characters had to work for the story.
“We’ve got upwards of 50 cast returning.”
Herbison plays a small role in the finale – he’s a nonspeaking gelato seller.
He acknowledged the challenges of writing a satisfying ending.
“We only had four weeks in the plot room when we knew the show was definitely finishing,” Herbison said.
“We knew it was a possibility for some time, so I’ve had some thoughts. I do hope what we’ve done will be a fitting end,” he said.
“You cannot please everyone and you die trying. I wanted it to be very warm and make people feel something.
“And to honour the current cast as well as the returning cast. I just hope it hits the mark.”
Despite filming wrapping weeks ago, Herbison said it still had not quite sunk in.
“It’s kind of surreal – but I feel very proud,” he said.
“It’s bittersweet for me. It’s been very, very celebratory – what an achievement – 37 years, almost 9000 episodes.
“So don’t be sad that it’s ended, be grateful that it ever was.”
There are still no firm plans as to what will happen with the sprawling Nunawading set where Neighbours has been filmed for decades.
NEIGHBOURS FINALE, JULY 28, 7.30PM, 10 AND 10PEACH.