Neighbours legend Rebekah Elmaloglou has said she doubts the cult Australian soap will be revived again after being axed for a third time.
The long-running show, which celebrates its 40th anniversary next week, will come to a conclusion in December after producers Amazon MGM pulled the plug last month.
Producer Jason Herbison said: ‘Audiences all around the world have loved and embraced Neighbours for four decades and we are very proud of the huge success over the last two years, including often appearing as one of the top 10 titles in the UK and the show’s first ever Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Daytime Series in 2024.
‘As this chapter closes, we appreciate and thank Amazon MGM Studios for all that they have done for Neighbours – bringing this iconic and much-loved series to new audiences globally.’
Streaming giant Amazon Prime Video have breathed new life into Ramsay Street since 2023 when they picked it up following a fourteen month production break, sparked by then-British broadcasters Channel 5 scrapping the show the year before.
The show has now bounced back several times, as the axe originally fell in late 1985, with creators Seven Network dropping it after just eight months due to poor ratings.
Neighbours defied the odds when rival channel Network 10 picked it up, with a stellar publicity campaign and introduction of Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan and Guy Pearce as new teenage characters Charlene, Scott and Mike.
Unfortunately, on this occasion – and despite a campaign garnering 17,145 signatures at the time of writing – it seems that this may be the end of the road for Melbourne’s most famous cul de sac.
‘The fact we were given those extra two years is amazing and I’m grateful for that,’ said Rebekah, 51, who has played Terese Willis since 2013.
‘There is another side of me thinking we’ll definitely never get picked up again now.
‘Last time, there were whispers going around about the Amazon deal. This time round it feels a little bit more real.’
As one of the longest serving members of cast, her character has had a number of high profile storylines – recently reuniting with ex-husband Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis).
She’s also battled a relapse of her alcoholism, that was sparked by the breakdown of her marriage to Toadie Rebecchi (Ryan Moloney).
Rebekah was also one of the line-up on the recent 40th anniversary tour of the UK, where she was joined by familiar faces from Erinsborough’s history to discuss their memories.
She told RadioTimes that she had just landed back in her home country when she heard the sad news that Neighbours would wrap filming in July.
‘I’d landed at about two in the morning, had a couple of hours sleep then woke up to lots of text messages and phone calls from the team wanting to speak to me ASAP, as the story had been leaked to the press,’ she said.
‘The producers were actually waiting to meet with the cast and crew once we got back from the UK to tell us all.
‘Unfortunately, the news got out and they had to gather everyone in the studio as soon as they arrived at 7.30am before they heard it through the grapevine.
‘That happened last time, which is pretty poor form and disappointing. But it’s not so much about how we found out, it’s just a shame Neighbours has been cancelled again.’
Rebekah continued: ‘I had my feelings and my doubts but honestly thought we might get a little longer.’
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‘Maybe another year would have been nice. I was of the understanding the show had been doing well but I don’t really know the ins and outs.
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‘They’ve made their decision, it’s business, but it’s really disappointing, especially for our UK fans. After the success of the anniversary tour, it doesn’t make sense.
‘I’ve seen a lot of support, I know the fans are doing petitions, which is so appreciated. It worked last time, maybe it will again?’
Neighbours streams – for free – Monday to Thursday from 7am on Amazon Prime Video.
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