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Neighbours finale week: all the stars & synopses!

Here's the finale guest list and what to expect on final storylines -minor spoilers, don't read if you don't wanna know!

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Neighbours enters its finale week on Monday 25th, with extended episodes across 4 nights.

Returning favourites will appear from next week.

Channel 5 commissioning editor Greg Barnett has also told Digital Spy, “(Exec Producer) Jason Herbison kept saying on our Monday catch-ups that he was trying to pull it off, then one day he rang me and said that (Kylie & Jason) both returned to Pin Oak Court (the real location of Ramsay Street) the day before, and their scenes were in the can. Then he rang me to confirm Guy Pearce was returning for three episodes.

“What I think it is important to say of these returnees is that they were adamant that the final episode of Neighbours should not be centred around them. They were extremely recognising of the fact that there is a cast of characters that have been in Erinsborough for much longer than they were and this should be reflected in terms of their contributions.”

The drama exec has now also spoken publicly from Channel 5’s pserspective about the decision to end.

“As was reported in the press, the show had been losing considerable amounts of money for Channel 5 every year since the broadcaster acquired it and it became a real problem. The business couldn’t continue to lose money,” he said.

Here are all the guest stars for Finale Week in Australia and the synopses as released by 10.

Minor spoilers!

Monday July 25
Episodes 8892, 8893 & 8894
6:30pm – 8pm 10 Peach
Guest Stars: Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Peter O’Brien, Melissa Bell, Olympia Valance, Pippa Black, Jordan Patrick Smith, Zoe Cramond, Benjamin McNair.
Karl’s about to face another huge, Izzy-sized dilemma, as she reveals to Karl that she wants to make a dream of Mal’s come true but requires his help. Having realised a partnership is off the table, a forlorn Paul wrestles with the possibility of having to sell his hotel to Shane entirely. Pushed to breaking point with the stress of Byron’s employment on her mind, Jane tells Clive she’s not sure they can repair their relationship. Is this the end of the road for Clive and Jane? Returning from her trip away, Chloe apologises to her housemates but confirms she has decided to sell Number 24 and move on. Meanwhile, Nicolette and Kiri can’t hide their feelings for each other.

Tuesday July 26
Episodes 8895, 8896 & 8897
6:30pm – 8pm 10 Peach
Guest Stars: Peter O’Brien, Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Ian Smith, Olympia Valance, Jodi Gordon, Melissa Bell, Olivia Junkeer, Benjamin McNair.
Faced with the impossible position of having to make Melanie’s wedding dress, will Amy be able to keep her feelings in check? As Paul and Terese each wrestle with some big decisions for their lives, their choices have a ripple effect on those closest to them. With the clock counting down, what will they decide? Number 24 is officially on the market, however, it seems more than one former Ramsay Street resident has their eye on the prize. Izzy and Mal reveal the latest in their moving plans, leaving Susan blindsided yet again.

Wednesday July 27
Episodes 8898, 8899 & 8900
6:30pm – 8pm 10 Peach
Guest Stars: Peter O’Brien, Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Olympia Valance, Daniel MacPherson, Melissa Bell, Benjamin McNair, Olivia Junkeer, Chris Milligan, Zima Anderson, James Mason.
Susan insists Malcolm makes a choice between her and Izzy. Has Susan made a terrible error in judgement with her ultimatum? Nicolette and Jane fall back into old habits and Nicolette considers a move. Jane fears she has driven her daughter away by acting like Mrs Mangel. Melanie and Toadie are excited for their upcoming nuptials, but it brings up moments from their past which they must reconcile. Toadie is visited by an old friend who wants to wish him luck for the wedding.

Series Finale 
Episodes 8901, 8902 & 8903
7.30pm – 9pm Thursday 28 July on 10 and 10 Peach
Guest Stars: Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Guy Pearce, Peter O’Brien, Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Olympia Valance, Ian Smith, Daniel MacPherson, Melissa Bell, Paul Keane, Bonnie Anderson, Jodi Gordon, Kate Kendall, Scott Major, Ben Hall, Lesley Baker, Nathan Borg, Sally Ann Upton, Morgan Baker, Benjamin McNair, Olivia Junkeer, Chris Milligan, Zima Anderson, James Mason.
After 37 years, 8903 episodes, countless marriages, deaths, births and disasters. it’s time to say goodbye to Neighbours. In the history making final episode of Australia’s longest running drama, favourites from the past return to Ramsay Street to celebrate with our Erinsborough locals. In an unexpected twist, beloved Mike Young returns after all these years to reunite with old friends. Jane and Mike embark on a sentimental journey as old feelings stir. Harold asks Karl and Susan to be the custodians of the history book. Faced with her beloved friends leaving Ramsay Street, Susan struggles with her feelings. As friends and family gather for Toadie and Melanie’s wedding, Ramsay Street has some magic in store. In a massive homecoming there will be something for everyone, spanning all generations of viewers from the opening scene in 1985 until now.

Attention British fans: TV Tonight will be filing a finale story following the Australian broadcast.

34 Responses

  1. Hi Neighbours fans. I haven’t watched for a few years but that doesn’t mean I’m not sad it’s finishing. I will definitely watch the last few eps. What is it that’s bringing all the old characters back. Is it just a wedding? I’ve been wondering how the writers will explain so many old neighbours being in the storyline.

  2. Before I saw that bottom pic and tonight’s episode I thought for sure Toadie would end up with Amy and Melanie might get back with the returning Joe. If you ever interview Jason Herbison, David, I’d be interested in wether he had an inkling the end was near when he brought back former characters, Jane, Melanie, Amy and Glen as regulars. Their presence in part has made the return of other legendary characters quite natural.

    1. He definitely knew that there was a chance that they wouldn’t be able to continue beyond 2022 a year ago when Fremantle was only able to negotiate a one-year extension to their contract, so I’d say he might have had an inkling up to a couple of years ago that the show was approaching its final years. Glen is likely to have been reintroduced after he suspected the show’s days were seriously numbered but Melanie, Amy and especially Jane have been back for quite a while (four years for Jane), so their returns probably weren’t related to the end. Jason Herbison loves bringing back past characters, so I suspect he was just continuing his practice of choosing old characters who would fit in well with the current characters when bringing back the people you’ve mentioned.

  5. I will be bawling this week, and all of next week when finale screens. I also cried when Hendrix died. Exceptionally well acted by Ben, Georgie, Tim, Alan, Jackie, Jane Allsop, April Rose. Hope they all get snapped up for more future roles. Esp Georgie, and Ryan, Jackie and Alan whove been employee for over 25 years.

    I also hope for a scene where Lucy tells Paul off for his behaviour over the years. She’s either blind or in denial. Or indifferent??

  7. There are a number of returning guest stars not listed here as Neighbours is keeping them a surprise for viewers. This has been confirmed by both Jason Herbison and the head of Channel 5 in the UK.

    So there will be some surprise appearances in the finale.

    1. The actress next to Ben Hall (Ned) in the photo above could be Natalie Imbruglia (who played his mother, Beth). Then again, it could be Yashvi (Olivia Junkeer, who will definitely be back for the wedding). Given that everyone in the “Who will return?” promo except for Natalie Imbruglia and Margot Robbie is confirmed, I wouldn’t be surprised to see both of them pop up (although I have no idea whether either of them have been in the country recently).

      I can’t believe we’re just days away from the final episodes. The wedding between Toadie and Melanie is a wonderful way to connect the “early days” with the “middle” days in “the present”. Melanie has links with both the Ramsays and the Robinsons (having dated Henry Ramsay and Paul Robinson), and Toadie is “Neighbours” royalty. Well done, Jason Herbison!

    2. Wow I can’t believe it’s nearly time to say fair well and goodbye to Ramsay street and it’s occupants. I still remember rushing home from secondary school to watch the very first episode way back in 1985 when I was 11years old and have watched every single episode since. The wedding of Scott and Charlene (aka Kylie & Jason) was and still is the most watched soap wedding here in the UK. Thanks for keeping us all entertained all these years. I would also like to wish all the cast and crew good luck for the future. As it says in the theme song, “That’s when good neighbors become good friends” and it has been like watching good friends. Sending lots of hugs 🤗 to all the cast past and present from Bolton in the UK. It’s sad to see you go 😭

    4. I doubt it’s practical with how far ahead Home and Away seems to be filmed but it would be nice if they threw a little nod to Neighbours in the episode airing the night of it’s finale.

      No doubt though Seven will just focus on trying to ensure H&A comes out on top in the ratings that night. Class isn’t really there thing.

        1. Thanks for sharing that link, David, it was heartwarming to read Ray’s comments.

          I also vaguely remember hearing somewhere, maybe here, that the Home and Away cast were ready to give Neighbours a standing ovation at the Logies, had the organisers done their job properly. And Ryan Moloney indicated some of them came up after to show their support.

          I think people often confuse the cast and the show with network politics. If there’s anyone who understands the grind and effort Neighbours puts in on a daily basis, it’s Home and Away, so it must be sad for them too seeing Neighbours go – like losing comrades in the trenches.

          2. Yes, no doubt the cast and crew themselves would be much more supportive than the network chiefs, just like how the breakfast show and news teams are as much colleagues as they are rivals.

  9. It would be nice to see Paul and Terese get back together.

    It’s going to feel so strange to see the finale but it’s great to see a lot of former co stars return.

    1. Rubbish to Therese and Paul reuniting!!! He’s a nasty, ruthless psycho, who uses people, including her. Therese and Glen are brilliant. I prefer them to stay together. Glen is a very caring person.

      i do agree that it will good to see former cast back. Pity it had to come to this for it to happen.

  10. There are some pretty disappointing omissions in the finale. Where is David Clencie as Danny Ramsay? In fairness, he’s almost unrecognisable from the fresh-faced young man who was on the show 36 years ago (Peter O’Brien has hardly changed a bit in the same period of time), but I think Clencie would have been keen on returning alongside O’Brien. Tom Oliver (Lou) wasn’t keen? I think the death of his character would have been fitting for finale week.

    This also seems to be the first time that Paul’s children (minus Robert) will be together on screen.

    It would have also made sense for Steph, Lance, Stuart, and the Timmins clan to return for Toadie’s wedding. Some of them returned for trivial affairs but not a wedding?

    But I suspect that short-notice availability and/or a certain mandate may have been a hindrance to executing an authentic send-off.

    I’m curious, but I probably won’t watch it live so I can skip most of the current cast’s vapid storylines.

    1. Tom Oliver has retired from acting. But he could very well be one of the surprise appearances the show is keeping up their sleeve.

      It was never going to be possible to get everyone back.

  11. Rumour has it that it’s not just Number 24 on the Market, it will turn out they have all sold up to Developers in the court/cul-de-sac and the Developers are going to be levelling the blocks and putting up 3-5 Townhouses on each one. All the residents are moving to Queensland and in a final surprise it turns out they have all inadvertently bought properties in the same Street in Browns Plains, living out what will be a kind of perpetual purgatory together.

    1. Definitely untrue. Jackie Woodburne has already said the ending is joyous and Jason Herbison has already indicated life continues to go on on Ramsay Street, and there was no interest in getting rid of the houses or the street.

      1. Yeah it was just a joke set around how the trope has been seen as when they leave they go to Queensland. Perhaps I should have put in that I heard that Nine was going to pick-up the Show, however as the 2023 The Block series, like I was thinking of at the time rather than Developers. Thought the part about how they all end up still together in the same Street in Browns Plains would be the give away, ah well best not leave my day job hey.

        Lucky I rejected saying it ends with a still young Toadie being seen in a run down apartment staring into a Snow Globe of a scene that looks like Ramsay Street, because he started in 1995 10 years after the beginning of the show. Was thinking Paul Robinson in an Asylum doing the same but of course there’s the 11 years he wasn’t in the show (1993-2004).

  12. Is ‘Plain Jane’ (Annie Jones) returning. Jane is mentioned in the final episode but not the actress who played her?
    Haven’t watched since 1989 (except the odd episode when I lived with an avid fan in the early 2000s), but feel compelled to tune in. Thanks for the run down David.

  13. I had hoped Jesse Spencer might make an appearance since he’s finished with Chicago Fire & I read somewhere that he was filming an Australian show for Disney+ especially since his brother Mal came back. If David is still in bloody jail I will be very angry. They need to sort that story out before it finishes. No one wants it ending with poor sweet David in jail.

    1. I had hoped Jesse would return too, but I guess another storyline for the Kennedy’s would have to have been done and also kinda feels incomplete if Libby was missing.

      The big coup was obviously getting Kylie and Jason together again (pardon the pun); had she not moved back to Melbourne last year, it probably would have been a bridge too far.

      I was glued to Neighbours last year but fell away after it’s yearly break over Christmas and couldn’t get back into it as new characters were brought in. But I’ll be recording these episodes.

    3. Zoom in on the photo above – you can see David’s profile between Toadie and Melanie (and that’s clearly Aaron to his left). A positive sign!!

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