Following the shocking revelation that the serial will be cancelled after 37 years on air, executive producer Jason Herbison has hinted at how the series will conclude.
Herbison criticised recent rumours that the show’s renowned Ramsay Street locale might be destroyed by an explosion during the finale in June, speaking to TV Tonight on Sunday.
‘I would never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever ‘The ending will be a celebration of the past and present, with the possibility of a future left open,’ he promised followers.
He went on to declare that the show would live on in fans’ ‘hearts and minds.’
‘Ramsay Street is everlasting, and I like to imagine that long after the final scene, it will live on in the hearts and imaginations of the spectators,’ he continued.
Herbison also revealed that he’s been in communication with the managers of former Neighbours star Kylie Minogue, fueling speculation that her character Charlene Robinson will return for the finale.
He also acknowledged that the finale’s finer nuances were still being worked out by the authors.
More than 60,000 Melbourne-based series watchers filed a petition to keep it on British television, but it was in vain.
In a tweet on Thursday, the series announced that production on the long-running soap will be ending.
‘After over 37 years and approximately 9,000 episodes broadcast, we regret to inform you that Neighbours will be ending production in June,’ they wrote.
‘Following the loss of our important broadcast partner in the United Kingdom, and despite a thorough search for alternative funding, we have no choice but to put the show on hold.’
‘We know this is a big disappointment to our amazing, dedicated fans, as it is to all of us on the team. We appreciate all of your messages and support, and we pledge to end the programme on a positive note. We’ll be commemorating Neighbours from now on.’
In a statement to Australian media on Thursday, Network 10 acknowledged that the series’ conclusion had been a “tough decision.”
‘Today, Fremantle revealed that Neighbours will end production in June, following over 37 years and approximately 9,000 episodes,’ a representative for the network said.
‘This tough choice was made after an unsuccessful search for an alternate UK broadcast partner.’
They went on to say that the show would ‘not air on 10 Peach after September 2022,’ thereby ending its decades-long run.
‘It has been a cornerstone of Australian television drama and Australian cultural exports for almost 35 years,’ they noted.
‘Ramsay Street, Erinsborough, is a world-famous cul-de-sac that has housed Scott and Charlene, Des and Daphne, Dr Karl and Susan, Dee and Toadie, Aaron and David, and a slew of other residents.
‘Network 10 thanks the cast, crew, production team, and Fremantle for bringing the ideal blend of soap and sunshine to audiences in Australia and throughout the world,’ said the network.
‘The Australian fans and audiences for their continuous support of the series,’ they added.
‘Their support has been wonderful, especially in the last several weeks.’ It just goes to prove that our audience still wants Australian written drama,’ the statement concluded.
