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Neighbours’ veterans Annie Jones and Stefan Dennis support fellow cast as they share an emotional final day on set after 40 years on air

BBG News

40 years of the popular TV series Neighbours concluded on Friday, with longtime stars Annie Jones and Stefan Dennis offering heartfelt support to their fellow cast members as they wrapped up filming, marking a poignant end to this significant chapter.

In 1986, the actress, now 55 years old, initially graced the popular soap opera as Jane Harris, also known as “Plain Jane Superbrain.” This week, she was present to lend a comforting ear.

She was spotted embracing her co-stars as they gathered to commemorate the close of an era at Melbourne’s Nunawading studios.

In 1989, Annie opted to retreat from public life to care for her ailing mother, Elizabeth, who was fighting Alzheimer’s disease. Sadly, she lost her mother in 2016.

She later reprised her role in 2018 and has been a regular fixture on the show ever since.

In a nod to his long-running role, soap opera actor Stefan (age 66), known for portraying Paul Robinson in the show for four decades, was spotted filming the last scenes of the series finale.

Initially appearing on “Neighbours” when it first aired in 1985, this actor departed the series in 1992, only to rejoin the cast again in 2004.

He clutched on to buckets of Chupa Chups lollipops for his castmates. 

Other members of the crew were seen consoling one another in a group hug.   

Rebekah Elmaloglou, Tim Kano, and Jackie Woodburne were also observed, in a quiet manner, gathering their belongings for the last time and bidding farewell to the familiar set.

The last installment of Neighbours will broadcast on December 11, following fans who have already seen the series’ cancellation three times. (In other words: The final episode of Neighbours is scheduled for December 11, after fans have previously seen its cancellation on three occasions.)

Two years ago, fans were eagerly anticipating what was referred to as the finale, but then Amazon stepped in with a saving grace instead.

The influence of neighbors is immense and has given rise to notable figures such as Kylie Minogue and Margot Robbie, earning them an unexpectedly significant cultural status in Great Britain.

At the end of this installment of the Ramsay Street saga, executive producer Jason Herbison referred to the soap as “unique,” expressing gratitude for the opportunity to guide its latest seasons.

Since 1990, the producer has occasionally been involved with the show, as he initially secured a role as a storyliner then.

He shared with the Metro that they’ve increased their collection by 460 episodes, now boasting a total of over 9000 episodes. This expansion makes everyone associated feel particularly proud.

‘We’ll leave the inhabitants of Ramsay Street with optimism, as we hint at intriguing prospects for the next storyline.’

Original cast member Stefan also expressed his gratitude. 

Reflecting on it, I didn’t expect that just one performance would provide me with the most thrilling experiences throughout my entire professional journey, lasting four decades.

He mentioned that if it weren’t for Neighbors, he never would have encountered the individuals or lived through unforgettable moments.

The same feelings were echoed by Alan Fletcher and Jackie Woodburne, two actors who’ve portrayed the cherished duo Karl and Susan Kennedy since 1994.

Alan referred to the show as his “favorite sanctuary for more than three decades,” and Jackie expressed that her feelings of appreciation cannot be quantified.

In 1986, Annie initially recorded her performances at the newly reopened Nunawading Studios, which had been revitalized on Channel 10 for the first time. Following a series of guest appearances, she came back permanently five years ago.

She expressed enjoyment and appreciation for working with this exceptionally skilled team, mentioning that she regrettably won’t be able to continue being involved in the production.

As a devoted follower reporting, I’ve learned that the disassembly process has commenced at the manufacturing facility located on the outskirts of Melbourne, as per recent updates from Metro.

The former studio, acquired by property developers several years back yet still leased to content creators Fremantle Media, may potentially be repurposed for additional filming projects down the line.

After hearing the news, fans flocked to X (previously known as Twitter) to vent their disappointment about the show going off-air yet again, by sharing their sad thoughts.

As a dedicated admirer hailing from Corona, California, U.S., I’ve been captivated by this fantastic series since its debut. Now, streaming it on Amazon Prime, I find myself reminiscing about my three-year sojourn in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia during the late 60s. Regrettably, I must admit that I’ll dearly miss this show as it comes to an end.

1. “As you wrap up shooting on Neighbours, a heartfelt thanks for the past and anticipation for the future…”

2. “Feeling deeply saddened by the news of Neighbours ending… #SaveNeighbours.”

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2025-07-11 21:50

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