There are troubles already for Karl and Susan (Picture: Amazon Freevee)
‘What happened is, when I went back to Neighbours after being away from it, I found the whole environment had been reinvigorated by the presence of the new cast and a new crew.
‘It’s a blend of old and new, we’ve got this sense of having a chance to make this show the best it could ever be. That’s what we’re doing, and people are throwing themselves into that wholeheartedly.’
He went on to promise: ‘The Neighbours that comes back in the latter part of this year will be the Neighbours everyone knows and loves. There is no doubt about that. But we have the opportunity here to take it to another place – where people will be able to look at it and go: “We’re not just watching a soap opera here, we’re also watching a high quality drama.”
It’s almost time! (Picture: Amazon Freevee)
‘In my eyes, it was always a high-quality drama, but it carries that badge of being a soap opera. I think people are going to take a really good look at this new Neighbours and go: “Do you know what? This show is remarkable! It’s high quality television!”‘
The continuation of the long-running series will pick up two years after the finale in 2022, which was watched by millions of adoring fans.
Previous seasons of Neighbours, as well as over 100 iconic episodes, are currently available to stream on Amazon Freevee.
At the time of Channel 5 ditching the soap, fans, baffled by the decision, swooped into action to save their beloved show, launching fan campaigns and getting the signature theme tune to Number 1 in the UK iTunes Charts, which ultimately led to Freevee taking notice, as they swooped in to save the day.
New episodes of Neighbours will be released daily, Monday to Thursday, starting September 18 on Amazon Freevee.
MORE : ‘Miffed’ Kylie Minogue isn’t happy about the return of Neighbours
Back with a bang! Neighbours launches an all new trailer packed with juicy previews. ‘ preload=”none” playsinline>
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That date is getting closer, we are pretty much just a single month away – who would have thought when we lost Neighbours last year (the decision remains a travesty!), this day would come?
Amazon Freevee, which rescued the axed soap following Channel 5’s dropping of it, has unveiled an exciting new trailer packed with returning legends, fun, laughter and teases of big drama to come.
Old favourites – not least of all Alan Fletcher and Jackie Woodburne as Karl and Susan Kennedy, and Stefan Dennis as Paul Robinson – are back with a vengeance, as all roads lead to Ramsay Street.
Straight off, the Kennedys find themselves in a mixture of joy and strife, with Susan having a dilemma that is bringing her strain, but Karl lightening the mood by presenting himself naked, covering his modesty with an impressive-sized box.
Meanwhile, Mike Young (Guy Ritchie) and Jane Harris (Annie Jones) pick up where we left them in the finale.
But with film director Guy only back temporarily, it seems like things aren’t going to last.
What next for Mike and Jane? (Picture: Amazon Freevee)
Karl is in high spirits at a mystery wedding (Picture: Amazon Freevee)
We also see a re-appearance for show legend Harold Bishop (Ian Smith) as he gazes poignantly around his beloved home, while Toadie Rebecchi (Ryan Moloney) doesn’t get the excited reception that he hoped for when he bursts back on the scene.
It’s not just the familiar faces heading back either, a host of new names will be joining the cast.
The preview sees the arrival of a new family, as well as the first clips of intriguing newcomer Reece Sinclair, played by The OC’s Mischa Barton.
A minute and a half long, the trailer promises new scandals, new betrayals and a wedding to remember.
The big day will be the dramatic set-piece to launch the show back into action, as viewers will be consuming four dramatic episodes per week.
Discussing the return, Executive Producer Jason Herbison revealed: ‘The cast and crew are incredibly excited that Ramsay Street will officially welcome viewers again to the neighbourhood on 18 September in the UK and Australia.’
Speaking exclusively to Metro.co.uk, Neighbours stalwart Alan Fletcher enthused: ‘The fans are gagging for Neighbours to come back! They can’t wait. I’ve been filming new episodes and the scripts that I’ve read are some of the best I’ve ever read on my time on Neighbours.
‘It’s so clever what they’re doing. We’ve got an incredible blend of old cast, many of whom are fan favourites. They’re regulars. Then we’ve got wonderful guest cast coming back – people like April Rose Pengilly and Ian Smith as Harold.
‘We’ve got really interesting people like Mischa Barton in the cast. She is fantastic! There are so many people out there who loved The OC, so hopefully They’ll be like: “If she’s in Neighbours, let’s take a look at the show!” We’ve also got a bunch of new cast that haven’t been announced yet.
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