I note in the adverts for the 2023 year they’re referring to the show as New Neighbours. This could mean that they’re not keeping a lot of the old cast and bringing in new characters. Some who moved to Melbourne to be on the show would’ve probably returned to their home state and may not wish to move again, and others may have signed on for other work. Mind you, no doubt there are some who haven’t yet found work who would be thrilled to be invited back.
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Does the new name mean they can get government funding?
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Everyone is off contract, so anything is an option.
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I’ve seen a couple of cast members mention that a lot of the cast have now moved away from Melbourne and are looking at other projects. So I think a fair chunk of the cast (especially the younger cast members) won’t be able to commit to long term stints on the new season.
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Most likely it’ll be set a year or two from where it finished off this year. A few other regulars cast members may pop up, but I think its best to get a fresh new cast in. Storylines can be completely reset.
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I would assume Alan, Jackie, Ryan and Stefan would have each signed two year contracts prior to the announcement…
I believe at least two of the cast have already moved to US to pursue work over there. Also apparently the contracts for a couple of the cast had already ended but they agreed to continue until the finale.
I think a fresh start with a lot of new characters and families is what the show needs.
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No doubt… it will also be beneficial for North American (USA/Canada) audiences taking up the show for the first time.
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Wouldn’t be surprised if a British family or something move in too.
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Easy connection to the UK audiences, and they can play with the American stereotypes of the Poms which is easy writing.
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I’m interested to know how Ch5 is going without Neighbours. It basically held up its primetime schedule from 6pm.
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They did get eggheads from BBC which does quite well. But their lineup is so odd but seems to work in the UK, anywhere else it’d die a terrible death. A weird mix of advertorial style documentaries, police and ambulance reality shows and people going on vacations or train journeys.
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It really didn’t. Most Neighbours fans likely tuned in and tuned out.
Really? I recall seeing a ratting report (from his year) where neighbours was often getting a million in the 6pm time slot. Often the highest rated show for Ch 5 in primetime.
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Yes, that wasn’t really true. Some night it might be the top rating show, but C5 has been more resilient than other broadcasters in primetime with a fairly dull line up which seems to work for them.
And since moving to 6pm thanks to the way ad limits work on the main commercial channels the evening airing was airing without ads, so even if later shows had less viewers they were considered more commercially viable. It is why moving it from 5.30pm was pretty dumb as it could get it’s full quota of ads there as they come from the daytime allocation rather than the stricter primetime allocation.
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Kate appeared on Neighbours as Michelle Scully, the sister of Holly Valance’s character (Flick), from 1999 to 2004.
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What’s the point of a tribute if it’s coming back bigger next year?