The shell-shocked team behind Neighbours have returned to work after finding out on Friday that the long-running soap had been axed for a second time in less than two years.
Cast and crew were spotted on their way into the serials Melbourne studio, with many of them wearing long faces.
A series of photos have emerged from the Neighbours set that captured the gloomy atmosphere.
In one image, a member of the Ramsay Street ‘family’ can be seen holding his hands in his face while deep in conversation with a colleague.
One of the snaps captured a weary member of the crew sitting in on their own, and looking sorrowful while holding a coffee cup.
Another image showed a blonde member of the Neighbours team looking unhappy as they strolled into the studio.
The shell-shocked team behind Neighbours have returned to work after finding out on Friday that the long-running soap had been axed for a second time in less than two years. Pictured: A member of the Neighbours cast and crew heads into the show’s Melbourne studio on Monday
A member of the Ramsay Street ‘family’ was seen holding his hands in his face while deep in conversation with a colleague ahead of filming Monday
A weary member of the crew was spotted sitting on their own and looking sorrowfulÂ
It comes after the show’s learned of their fate online.
Early on Friday morning, news broke that streaming giant Amazon would not be renewing the Neighbours’ production deal.
By the time the Neighbours cast and crew had gathered in Melbourne to hear the fate of their jobs, news had already spread globally that the long-running soap would be canned for a second time, reports the Herald Sun.
In response to the shock announcement, an Amazon spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘Neighbours has brought so much joy over the last 40 years to its fanbase globally and in the UK.
‘Forty years is an incredible milestone and we are proud that Amazon MGM Studios was able to have a small part of bringing further episodes to Freevee and Prime Video customers over the last two years, spanning over 400 episodes.’
In a heartwarming post on Instagram and Facebook, the crew assured fans that new episodes from the 40th anniversary season would continue to be broadcasted on Prime Video and Ten, with ‘all the big soapie twists and turns that our viewers love.’
The show’s Executive Producer Jason Herbison went on to celebrate the many years of Neighbours and the success it had experienced since its inception.
‘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,’ he said.
Early on Friday morning, news broke that streaming giant Amazon would not be renewing the Neighbours’ production deal. Pictured: A group from the Neighbours team head into work
By the time the Neighbours cast and crew had gathered in Melbourne to hear the fate of their jobs last week, news had already spread globally that the long-running soap would be canned for a second time
Neighbours cast and crew look downcast as they begin their work day on Monday
‘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.’
He ended off the post, saying: ‘We value how much the fans love Neighbours and we believe there are more stories of the residents of Ramsay Street to tell in the future.’
Neighbours will reportedly end production in July after production company Fremantle failed to agree on a new deal with Amazon.
The final ever episodes will air at the end of 2025 with fans forced to say goodbye to Ramsay Street for a second time.
‘This really is the end of Neighbours just as it’s celebrated it’s 40th birthday.’
Longtime fans of the soap opera were quick to take to X to share their devastation over the show’s second axing.
‘Just heard that #Neighbours is being axed again. I am beyond gutted,’ wrote one fan.
‘Not sure I can go through this again,’ said one more.
Neighbours nearly ended forever two years ago when Channel 5, who part funded the soap for UK viewers, pulled out of their deal. Pictured: A Neighbours team member
Neighbours will reportedly end production in July after production company Fremantle failed to agree on a new deal with Amazon. Pictured: Crew members seen at the Neighbours studio
The beloved Australian soap opera first aired in 1985 and has been on screens for a staggering 40 years and has launched the careers of many Aussie megastars
‘I’ll never get how Home and Away is still vibing along when they’ve axed Neighbours twice. It’s always been the superior Australian soap,’ wrote a third.
‘After a hellish personal 14 months I refuse point blank to accept that they will try to take from me AGAIN!!! It’s sometimes the only 20 minutes in the day I can escape. Absolutely blooming well not!!’ another said.
Other fans also shared their concern that they won’t be able to get the ‘perfect’ ending which the show was given last time.
‘We got the most perfect ending to the show last time they won’t be able to top it this time. I’m very happy we got the extra 2 years with so many old faces back though,’ they wrote.
Neighbours nearly ended forever two years ago when Channel 5, who part funded the soap for UK viewers, pulled out of their deal.
The final episode aired on July 29, 2022, and saw very famous faces return including Margot Robbie, Jason Donovan, Kylie Minogue and Guy Pearce.
There were also epic cameos made by Holly Valance (Flick Scully), Natalie Imbruglia (Beth Brennan), and Ian Smith (Harold Bishop) as they reprised their roles.
It is not known whether the second final episode will attract the same star talent after viewers were overjoyed when many Neighbours icons returned for the first finale.
Neighbours was aired on Freevee worldwide, but Amazon axed the free, ad-supported streaming service late last year, folding it under its Prime Video banner
The 2022 finale proved to be a huge hit as a peak of almost 3million UK viewers tuned in to watch lovebirds Scott (Jason) and Charlene (Kylie) back in Erinsborough.
In Australia, the episode, which was aired on Channel 10 and 10 Peach, drew 873,000 metro viewers across both stations, largely thanks to the cast of returning favourites.
And mere months after its success, it was confirmed that Amazon Freevee had given the show another lease of life and brought it back under revamped production.
The newly-rebooted Neighbours premiered on Amazon in September 2023, but just less than two years on, it will be leaving screens for good.
Neighbours was aired on Freevee worldwide, but Amazon axed the free, ad-supported streaming service late last year, folding it under its Prime Video banner.
Fans were concerned about the soap opera’s future when Amazon confirmed it was scrapping Freevee, and when a legendary character recently quit.
Actor Ryan Moloney broke viewers’ hearts when he left Neighbours in September, bringing to an end his journey with Jarrod ‘Toadfish’ Rebecchi.
‘After 30 years playing Toadie, I will be leaving Ramsay Street. I can’t tell you what is happening to the character — maybe I could be the next Jim Robinson,’ he wrote at the time of his exit.
‘Or maybe I’ll be the next Harold Bishop and keep popping back over the years.’
Ryan, 44, has since returned to the soap opera for a cameo, but has not reprised his role on a permanent basis. It is not known if he will return for the finale.
Ryan has become one of the most recognisable faces on Neighbours since first appearing on Ramsay Street as Toadie back in 1995.
The beloved Australian soap opera first aired in 1985 and has been on screens for a staggering 40 years and has launched the careers of many Aussie megastars.
