There was devastation a-plenty when it was announced last February that Australian soap Neighbours was coming to an end after 37 years on screen.
The show aired its emotional finale in Ireland in August, pleasing fans by tying up loose ends and celebrating its long history with cameos from its starry alumnus including Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Margot Robbie and Guy Pearce.
In an unexpected plot twist, the show was resurrected by streaming site Amazon Freevee in November.
Find out everything you need to know about Neighbours' return here.
When and where?
The new episodes of Neighbours will air weekdays from Monday 18 September, RTÉ One 2pm and RTÉ 2 6pm and RTÉ Player.
As well as airing the new series, Amazon Freevee will also stream thousands of Neighbours episodes from previous years.
🚨 Breaking News from Erinsborough! 🚨
— Neighbours (@neighbours) November 17, 2022
Neighbours will return for a brand-new series next year exclusively on @AmazonFreevee, alongside thousands of episodes from previous seasons to stream as you please. 🎉 pic.twitter.com/1Qq2fIPgog
New theme tune?
The new era of Neighbours is being shepherded in by a fresh incarnation of the iconic theme tune sung by Chris Sebastian, winner of The Voice Australia in 2020.
The singer-songwriter said he was "shocked" and "over the moon" to be chosen for the new season theme song.
"I have grown up with that soundtrack and I still can't quite believe that this is real," he said.
"Neighbours, we are all so glad you are back, it hasn’t been the same without our friends. I hope you guys love my version of the theme song as much as I loved recording it for you."
The show unveiled the latest version on social media with a video showing cast members listening to it for the first time. It undoubtedly went down a treat.
The NEW #Neighbours theme song, 🎵🤩 sung by the wonderful Chris Sebastian is officially here! 🎶 Go on, we know you want to sing along...! pic.twitter.com/2BeRblgRYX
— Neighbours (@neighbours) August 30, 2023
What happened at the end of the last series?
It's fair to say Neighbours gave fans a fittingly emotional finale. Instead of resorting to big drama or shocks, they honed in on the central message of the show: of community, of family, of neighbours becoming good friends.
The episode kicked off with a disbelieving Susan Kennedy wandering Ramsay Street, awash with "for sale" signs. It looked like the end of an era for the residents.
Toadie tied the knot with Melanie. Their nuptials opened the opportunity for former stars of the show to appear and offer their congratulations, including Kym Valentine as Libby, Jesse Spencer as Billy, Margot Robbie as Donna and Delta Goodrem as Nina.
Terese and Paul reunited in the finale after giving in to their very obvious feelings for one another.
In one of the show's most highly anticipated cameos, Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue returned as Scott and Charlene, who decided to visit the street while on a road trip.
And in a twist that delighted viewers, the residents of Ramsay Street decided to stay rather than sell up and move on.
Viewers heard Susan Kennedy reflect on what the street has meant to her in the episode's final moments.
"Everyone deserves a place in the history of Ramsay Street," the voiceover began. "Even those who watched us from afar. Together, we have been the perfect blend."
Who is returning?
The new series will see Neighbours stalwarts such as Alan Fletcher (Karl Kennedy), Jackie Woodburne (Susan Kennedy) and Ryan Moloney (Toadie Rebecchi) back at the centre of the drama. Former stars Guy Pearce (Mike Young), Annie Jones (Jane Harris), Candice Leask (Wendy Rodwell) and Emerald Chan (Sadie Rodwell) will be reprising their roles.
Lloyd Will will be back as Andrew Rodwell, Georgie Stone will return as Mackenzie Hargreaves and Lucinda Armstrong Hall will be back as Holly Hoyland.
Lucinda Cowden, Marley Williams, Rebekah Elmaloglou, Stefan Dennis and Tim Kano will also return as series regulars.
What new faces are joining?
Possibly the most hotly anticipated new cast member is The OC star Mischa Barton. She will make her soap debut as the mysterious character Reece. She arrives in Erinsborough and checks into the Lassiters Hotel owned by Paul Robinson.
It's not long before sparks fly between Reece and another new character, a hotel worker played by Xavier Molyneux.
We are so excited to share an official first look of brand new #Neighbours, with Reece's (Mischa Barton's) first appearance! 🍿 Watch this and more from 18th September on @AmazonFreevee, @Channel10AU, @TVNZ, @RTEOne and @PrimeVideo depending on where you are. pic.twitter.com/U6AYEidUtl
— Neighbours (@neighbours) September 8, 2023
The series will also welcome a new family to the street, the Varga-Murphys, featuring mums, Remi (Naomi Rukavina) and Cara (Sara West) and teenage sons, JJ (Riley Bryant) and Dex (Marley Williams),
Is it still set in Erinsborough?
The continuation of Neighbours will still follow the residents on Ramsay Street in Erinsborough, Australia, a fictional suburb of Melbourne.
What do we know about the upcoming storylines?
The new episodes will pick up two years after the events of the finale. And what better way to kick off proceedings than with a soap classic, a wedding episode. In the first instalment of the new series, the residents of Ramsay Street are in high spirits as they prepare for a wedding.
Amid the excitement, a new family arrives in town, and one member seems to be suspiciously interested in the street...
Meanwhile, Susan has made some big life changes, but her happiness is jeopardised when she is forced to hide a secret from Karl. Their relationship looks set to be tested to the max after a shock admission.
With romance in the air, an apprehensive Mackenzie flirts with idea of getting back into the game. And Byron uncovers a secret about one of the guests in the hotel that changes everything. The truth behind the identity of hotel guest, Reece, later sends ripples through the community.
Is there a trailer?
Amazon Freevee unveiled the full trailer for the upcoming season in August.
