Australian television soap Neighbours will be making a comeback, months after fans farewelled the residents of Ramsay Street, production studios have confirmed.
Just four months after the series concluded its 37-year run, its production house, Fremantle Australia confirmed a partnership with Amazon, streaming the series on Prime Video in Australia as well as on Amazon Freevee in the United States and United Kingdom.
The agreement includes a new season to air in 2023.
Show stalwarts delivered the news to fans via a video posted to social media.
"Thank you for all the love and loyalty you've shown us here at Neighbours," Alan Fletcher, who plays Karl Kennedy, said in the video.
"We miss you and we can't wait to see you again," Jackie Woodburne, who plays Susan Kennedy, said.
Almost 1.5 million viewers tuned in to the final episode of Neighbours screened in July, with guest stars including Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan and Guy Pearce returning to Ramsay Street for a last goodbye.
Production on the new series is slated for early next year, with the world premiere to follow in the second half of the year.
"While we loved the season finale earlier this year and appreciated the incredible support from the cast, crew and fans, we continued to hold a small glimmer of hope that one day it would be possible to resume the series," Beverley McGarvey, from Paramount Australia and New Zealand, said.
"We are grateful for the tenacity and determination displayed by Fremantle in securing a new production partner so our association could continue."
Fremantle Australia chief executive Greg Woods said the love for the show was undeniable.
"We are beyond thrilled to have secured this landmark deal," he said.
Ms Woodburne will return to play Susan Kennedy and said the revival of the show came as a surprise.
"[I'm] completely stunned but so so happy for so many people," she told ABC Radio Melbourne.
"Just think of all those jobs available to people again.
"And every day we're still getting mail and letters from people wishing the show was back on air and saying how much they miss it.
"So it's just a win-win for everyone."
'Delighted' fans visit filming location
Former UK resident Catherine Taylor said she was "really excited" about the show being revived, not just because she was a fan, but because it might enable her to live out a long-held dream.
"Especially being from the UK, Neighbours has got a huge following over there," she said.
"When I moved to Melbourne it was actually a bit of a life goal of mine to get an extra part on Neighbours so now I might be able to make that dream a reality."
She has fond memories of watching the soap each night after school in her youth.
"When I was growing up Neighbours was always on the telly," Ms Taylor said.
Ms Taylor visited Pin Oak Court in Vermont South her mum, Maureen Murray, on Friday morning to see where the show was filmed.
Ms Murray said she was "delighted" to hear the show was coming back.
"With the announcement yesterday … we thought we'd pop along and take a few photographs to show friends at home," she said.
