It’s the end of the road (again) for Neighbours as the Aussie soap has officially wrapped filming on its final episodes.
The cast and crew have reflected on saying goodbye to Ramsay Street for the second, and final time, with the farewell made bittersweet by the double cancellation.
Producer Jason Herbison said Neighbours is “a special show” and teased plans to continue the series in the future.
“It’s been a privilege to make the recent seasons for our loyal viewers around the world,” he added.
“We have added 460 episodes to our legacy of over 9,000 episodes, something we all feel proud of. Once again, we will be resting the residents of Ramsay Street on a hopeful note, with some tantalising possibilities for a future chapter.”
Actors have been getting emotional over filming their very last scenes as residents of Erinsborough, with legends Stefan Dennis and Alan Fletcher leading the ensemble in celebrating the series.
“I never thought a single show would give me the greatest adventures of my career, spanning 40 years,” said Paul Robinson star Dennis.
“Without Neighbours I would not have meet the people, been to the places and lived the experiences of a lifetime. Thank you all.”
Karl Kennedy actor Fletcher, the longest-serving actor on the show having played the role since 1994, said: “Neighbours has been my happy place for over 30 years. I will always treasure the creative freedom and enthusiasm amongst the whole team that has allowed us to produce a brilliant show for so long.”
Fletcher’s onscreen wife Jackie Woodburne, who plays Susan Kennedy, echoed his feelings.
“It’s impossible to measure the gratitude I feel for the gift of 30 years on Neighbours.
“To do so I would have to calculate the number of extraordinary cast and crew I have been privileged to work with, count the number of laughs I have shared with them, measure the pride I feel for the diverse, dramatic (and sometimes outrageous!) storytelling we have all been a part of.
“We are the best version of ‘family’. It has been a wild ride into a happy life. Wouldn’t change it for quids!”
“Neighbours has been a part of my life for most of it, and I’m grateful that it has been,” Jane Harris star Annie Jones said, while Rebekah Elmaloglou weighed in on the “craziness” of playing Terese Willis.
“Neighbours is a fine example of commitment. I’ve had to pinch myself every day. I’ve loved every minute of it,” she said.
“The friendships, the laughter, the tears and the early mornings and the craziness of playing a character that never tires me…”
Aaron Brennan star Matt Wilson deemed the show “a real beacon of hope” for those who work in entertainment, while Majella Davies, who plays Krista Tanaka deemed the soap “an integral part of the industry”.
Leo Tanaka star Tim Kano said the soap has become his “adult family’, with the sentiment echoed by Nicolette Stone’s Hannah Monson, who praised the “connection” and “growth” she experienced while being on the show.
“There’s too many things to miss about this show, but what I’ll miss most – more than getting to live out a childhood dream every day and more than even the catering – are the beautiful people I’ve met along the way,” Max Ramsay star Ben Jackson added.
Sadie Rodwell star Emerald Chan credited the show for giving her some of her “best friends” while Byron Stone’s Xavier Molyneux called Neighbours “life-changing”.
“It’s been such a pleasure to work on Australia’s most iconic television show, with the most wonderful cast and crew,” said Lloyd Will, who portrays Andrew Rodwell.
As for his onscreen wife Candice Leask, who plays Wendy, she opened up on going through five different auditions to get the role.
“It took me 10 years and five auditions to land the role of Wendy Rodwell,” she said.
“The three years playing Wendy and being on Neighbours has changed my life, not only as an actor but also as a person. The people that I have gotten to know so closely from production to crew to cast have allowed me to see how amazing this industry can be.”
Cara Varga-Murphy star Sara West called the show “a constant”, while Remi Varga-Murphy star Naomi Rukavina acknowledged the iconic status the show has reached.
“It’s a special thing to be part of a national icon,” Rukavina said.
“Neighbours is nothing like I had imagined; it has been blessing on blessing for me. Fulfilling, stabilising, and heart-filling. Long live the Icon.”
Neighbours‘ grand finale is set to air on 11 December in Australia and the UK.
