Neighbours is heading back to screens once again, but this time the long-running soap is being given a modern makeover designed for social media audiences. Ramsay Street looks set for another unexpected comeback, despite Neighbours having already faced the axe three times during its remarkable television history.
A History of Survival and Revival
The Australian soap first arrived on screens in 1985, although its original run was almost over before it had properly begun. After being dropped just months after its launch, the programme was picked up by another broadcaster and went on to become a huge success, particularly with viewers in the UK.
Over the decades, Neighbours helped launch the careers of some major stars. Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan and Guy Pearce became household names after appearing in the soap, while Natalie Imbruglia, Delta Goodrem and Margot Robbie were among the future stars who later called Ramsay Street home.
The show's future became uncertain again when British funding was withdrawn in 2022, bringing its lengthy television run to an end. That cancellation did not last long, however, as Amazon Prime Video stepped in and revived the soap for the streaming generation. Neighbours went on to celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2025, but the comeback ultimately proved short-lived. The deal came to an end and the final episode aired in December, leaving the residents of Erinsborough facing an uncertain future as plans to demolish their homes threatened to break up the Ramsay Street community.
A New AI-Driven Format
Fans have still been able to get their Neighbours fix thanks to UKTV, which subsequently reached a deal with production company Fremantle to show classic episodes on weekday lunchtimes. Now another version of the soap is on the way, and this one will make use of artificial intelligence to transform archive episodes for a new generation.
Fremantle has partnered with television company RoseBerry, which specialises in creating programmes in a vertical format for its Epis app. According to Variety, episodes featuring Margot Robbie as Donna Freedman will be reworked using AI-assisted technology. Robbie appeared in Neighbours between 2008 and 2011, years before becoming one of Hollywood's biggest stars. Instead of following numerous Ramsay Street residents and their interconnected storylines, the new edits will concentrate specifically on Donna and her experiences.
Around 150 minutes of content is expected to be created after the Neighbours archive is scanned using RoseBerry's RedSnapper AI-assisted platform.
Industry Reactions and Fan Concerns
RoseBerry co-founder and CEO Guy Hameiri said: 'Neighbours is an iconic piece of television history and exactly the kind of premium entertainment IP we believe can thrive in the vertical format.' He added: 'This is the first time we've had the opportunity to apply RedSnapper to a long-running soap with such a rich library of characters, storylines and cultural moments, and Fremantle has been a fantastic partner in helping bring that vision to life.'
Fremantle commercial and international CEO Jens Richter said: 'Neighbours has an extraordinary legacy, with decades of memorable characters, stories and talent.' He continued: 'Working with RoseBerry allows us to explore incredible archive in an entirely new way, bringing much-loved IP to new audiences while demonstrating how established television libraries can continue to evolve, find new relevance and, importantly, create new commercial opportunities. It's an exciting example of how technology and creative thinking can unlock new value from our diverse catalogue and content library.'
RoseBerry has previously worked with Hollyoaks producer Lime Pictures on an original vertical series filmed on the soap's Chester set and featuring former cast member Tamara Wall.
But not all fans are thrilled with their favourite soap returning in a new format. 'I think I would prefer the proper series to just come back! I look forward to visiting the street in Dec!! I know it's not the same, but I loved that show!! Watched since I was 7 and never missed an episode… now rewatching on YouTube! This wouldn't be the same,' one viewer wrote, with others agreeing, 'Sometimes we just need to let go and focus on reruns'.
An early glimpse of the reworked Neighbours content suggests Donna's storyline will begin by focusing on her relationship with Ringo Brown, played by Sam Clark. After surviving cancellation after cancellation, it appears Ramsay Street still isn't quite ready to disappear.
