It was one of Australia’s biggest media exports, having been sold in over 60 countries worldwide – and now Neighbours has found a new home on British screens.
The soap, which made household names of the likes of Kylie Minogue, Guy Pearce and Margot Robbie, aired between 1985 and December last year. During that time it was axed by two networks in its home country, and enjoyed a final run in a partnership with Amazon Prime Video.
It first aired on BBC One in the UK in 1986, before transferring to Channel 5 in 2008. Now, the residents of Ramsay Street are on the move again – with classic episodes airing on U&Drama.
While fans are eagerly waiting for a broadcaster to potentially pick up a fourth revival (this writer included), the gap will hopefully be bridged by watching the first 420 episodes from the very beginning when they’re repeated this summer.
Although no new instalments have been commissioned, this is a good sign that producers Fremantle Media haven’t given up on their intellectual property just yet.
Described as a “landmark deal” between UKTV and Fremantle, the entire first two years of Erinsborough goodness will air weekly on U&Drama, as well as being able to watch on streaming service U.
Originally focussing on two families; the Ramsays and the Robinsons, as well as their bachelor neighbour Des Clarke (Paul Keane) and his new love interest, stripper Daphne Lawrence (Elaine Smith), this is the first time that the episodes have aired chronologically on British and Irish screens in decades.
Emma Tibbetts, UKTV’s Director of Programming for scripted content said: “Neighbours is one of television’s most iconic and enduring dramas, and we’re thrilled to bring the back-catalogue to U.
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“This acquisition further expands the breadth of scripted entertainment available on our free streaming service, strengthening our growing slate of global IP.
“We can’t wait for both long‑time fans and new audiences to rediscover the series in its entirety.”
Louise Toner, VP Distribution UK and Ireland, International, for Fremantle, added: “Neighbours is a truly iconic series, loved across generations. We’re thrilled to partner with UKTV to bring its classic episodes and unforgettable characters back to audiences old and new.”
The show’s origins start with a difficult time for Jim Robinson (Alan Dale), as he tries to juggle family life amid concerns for unruly son Scott (first played by Darius Perkins), plus there’s unsettlement next-door when Danny Ramsay (David Clencie) learns the truth about his paternity.
Expect plenty of fan-favourites kicking around too – from one of the serial’s longest serving characters Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis), to pocket rocket Charlene Mitchell (Minogue), who joins in episode 234.
The early days of her legendary relationship with Scott (by this point portrayed by Jason Donovan) will also play out.
Viewers will also be introduced to harridan Mrs Mangel (Vivean Gray), whose portrait sold at auction this week for almost $20,000, and her granddaughter Jane Harris (Annie Jones), who soon falls for school mate Mike Young (Pearce).
Fortunately, there’s not long until the eps drop on U. The first 115 episodes will launch in July, with 5 more episodes added every week until the full early catalogue is available to stream.
The series will also air on U&Drama, likely alongside their afternoon instalments of Classic EastEnders.
Neighbours will air on U&Drama and stream on U from July. Selected iconic episodes and the entirety of 2012-2015 can be watched on Amazon Prime Video now.
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