Neighbours cast 2023 – who's returning to the show?
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Neighbours spoilers follow.
Neighbours' next chapter is getting closer, with filming well under way on the show's new season ahead of a premiere date in September.
Fans thought that the sun had set on Ramsay Street for good in July 2022 when the historic finale episode aired, but free streaming service Amazon Freevee later stepped in to commission new episodes.
Neighbours is still keeping many details of its revival under wraps, but the show has announced the return of several cast members.
Here's our guide to the returning cast confirmations we've had so far.
Stefan Dennis (Paul Robinson)
When Neighbours' new season was confirmed, it was no surprise that the producers approached original cast member Stefan Dennis to reprise his role as Paul Robinson.
Stefan received a personal visit at home from Neighbours' executive producer Jason Herbison, who broke the news that the much-loved soap would be back.
Speaking on Loose Women in November 2022, Stefan admitted: "I'd pretty much moved on. People were treating it like somebody had died. People were asking if I was going to be alright."
Paul got his happy ending in the finale episode when he reunited with his estranged wife Terese Willis, who agreed to accept his many faults.
Asked whether Paul will be up to no good (again!) in the new season, Stefan replied: "I certainly hope so. There was a very well-known period in Paul's life where he had a brain tumour. He came back and he was Mr Squeaky Clean and lovely. And the audience hated it."
Alan Fletcher (Karl Kennedy)
Ramsay Street's residents can rest assured that they'll be in safe hands with any soapy injuries and ailments when the show returns – Dr Karl Kennedy will be back in business.
Alan Fletcher, who also received a personal visit from the show's boss, agreed to reprise the role of Karl shortly before the show's revival was announced to the public in November.
Reflecting on the news in a chat with Good Morning Britain in January, Alan joked: "I had nothing to do with it. I can't claim any credit.
"But you know, more than five million people watched the last episode in the UK and it was the highest rating programme here in Australia.
"I think that people just recognise that and realise this show is too popular to let slip, so we're very, very pleased that Amazon has picked up the show."
Jackie Woodburne (Susan Kennedy)
It was the end of an era last year when Susan Kennedy closed off the Neighbours finale with a moving monologue, reflecting on Ramsay Street and its history.
Show bosses chose Jackie Woodburne to give "one more performance of a lifetime" in the emotional scenes, but we're now looking forward to plenty more of those when the soap returns.
Speaking on the Nova morning radio show in November, Jackie admitted: "Hand on heart, I thought [Neighbours was] done and dusted.
"Obviously, behind the scenes, they were looking for another broadcaster or another platform for us to be on, but it didn't happen. And that was it, end of story… We just had to accept that that was the case and give it a red hot go and you know, say goodbye and walk out the door.
"[Jason] came to the house because he lives close to me and he said, 'I'm going somewhere, I just need to drop in' and so he dropped in and he told me. I think I might have kind of grabbed him around the throat and said, 'say that again, say that slowly so I understand'.
"I couldn't be more thrilled. This is the most wonderful, wonderful news. Just think all those jobs back for all those people, and all those fans and viewers who write to us still every day, telling us how much they missed the show and how much they wish it was back."
Ryan Moloney (Toadie Rebecchi)
Toadie Rebecchi had a central role in the Neighbours finale last year, as he tied the knot with his partner Melanie Pearson in an emotional ceremony which brought some familiar faces back to Ramsay Street.
As the final member of the "core four" long-serving stars, actor Ryan Moloney was also let in on the secret of Neighbours' return shortly before it was announced to the world.
Like with Stefan, Alan and Jackie, popular star Ryan received a visit from Neighbours boss Jason Herbison to discuss the new season.
Speaking to TV Week in November 2022, Ryan enthused: ''It's crazy! It's like you've risen from the dead and here we are. This is the last thing I expected to be doing.''
Rebekah Elmaloglou (Terese Willis)
Neighbours fans won't have to cope without a new chapter of drama for Terese and Paul, as Rebekah Elmaloglou has signed up to reprise her role in the new season.
Writing on Instagram in February 2023, Rebekah said: "I am soo excited to FINALLY announce that I am officially part of the @neighbours reboot! What a crazy ride!
"Thank you to all our incredibly loyal fans who have played a massive part in making this happen! I can't wait to step back into my gal Terese's shoes again."
Annie Jones (Jane Harris)
Jane Harris enjoyed a happy ending in the Neighbours finale as she reunited with Mike Young, but unless Guy Pearce fancies signing a two-year contract, it's looking like their happiness might not last for long.
Neighbours recently confirmed that Annie Jones will be back as Jane in the new season, leaving fans to speculate over how the writers will approach the tricky topic of Jane and Mike in the new episodes. More on that later...
Georgie Stone (Mackenzie Hargreaves)
When we last saw Mackenzie Hargreaves, she was still grieving following the recent death of her beloved husband Hendrix Greyson.
Some planned storylines for Mackenzie's future had to be cancelled when Neighbours was axed in 2022, but fans needn't worry as Georgie Stone has now agreed to play the role as a permanent cast member again.
Georgie recently told her Instagram followers: "Ramsay Street here we come… (again!) So excited to be coming back to Neighbours alongside these legends. Stay tuned!!!"
Tim Kano (Leo Tanaka)
Tim Kano returned to Neighbours as Leo Tanaka in 2021, originally as a recurring guest character. He was later reintroduced to the show's opening titles as a show regular.
The actor will once again be a permanent cast member when Neighbours returns later in the year.
Writing on Instagram, Tim said: "It's out. Leo's back off the streets and onto Ramsay. Looking forward to the new chapter. Couldn't have done it without all your love, thank you."
Ian Smith (Harold Bishop)
Neighbours' nostalgic final episodes in July were made even more special by the return of fan favourite Harold Bishop, who paid a visit to the Kennedys and supported Mackenzie through her grief for Hendrix.
Ian Smith will once again reprise his role as Harold as a guest star in the new season.
April Rose Pengilly (Chloe Brennan)
Fan favourite April Rose Pengilly is also on the Neighbours returnees list, but much to the surprise of some fans, only as a guest star so far.
The show has confirmed that Chloe Brennan will reappear again in the new season. Chloe was last seen in the Neighbours finale, when she was planning a move to Sydney with Elly Conway following their romantic reunion.
Melissa Bell (Lucy Robinson)
Lucy Robinson has popped in and out of Neighbours over the years and we last saw her in the final weeks of the show.
Neighbours bosses recently named Melissa Bell as a guest star for the next season, so we can thankfully look forward to seeing Lucy again soon.
Guy Pearce (Mike Young)
In May 2023, Guy Pearce shared the surprising news that he was interested in returning to Neighbours once again to give closure on the Mike and Jane relationship after the heartwarming events of the 2022 finale.
Discussing the unexpected reaction to those scenes, Guy told the Sydney Morning Herald's Good Weekend Talks podcast: "I was a little thrown by that.
"Annie and I called each other [and said] 'What do we do now, because we’re living in the street?' And she said, 'Well, I'm all right because I'm on the show anyway, but what are you going to do?'
"I said, 'I don't know'. So we're in the process of working it out."
Within hours, Neighbours' executive producer Jason Herbison confirmed the news that Guy's return was 100% happening, albeit only for a guest stint.
Herbison said: "We are delighted that Guy is returning to continue Mike and Jane's reunion. It was a highlight of last year's finale and (there is) definitely more story to tell for these much-loved characters."
Lucinda Cowden (Melanie Pearson)
In April 2023, Neighbours confirmed Lucinda Cowden's return as Melanie Pearson, just before filming was about to start.
The show tweeted: "We're so excited to announce that Lucinda Cowden will be reprising her role as Melanie Pearson in new episodes of Neighbours later this year. We can't wait to welcome her back (and maybe her pig collection too). Even Madame Zolga couldn't have predicted this one!"
Lucinda later appeared on the Neighbens YouTube channel and confirmed that she's a show regular on the new season.
She said: "I am back now and I can say that I'm back full-time and I'm main cast. I will be in the opening titles – I will be in all of those sorts of things. I've got a nice big contract."
Jodi Gordon (Elly Conway)
In May 2023, April Rose Pengilly shared the news that former co-star Jodi Gordon would be joining her as a guest star in Neighbours' new season. This means that popular couple Chloe Brennan and Elly Conway will be back on screen together.
April tweeted: "We are excited to announce that CHELLY ARE BACK! @jodigordon and I will both be appearing in the new @neighbours.
"Thank you all so much for your support. We can't wait to share Chloe and Elly's next chapter with you!"
Jodi told the Herald Sun: "I don't think that part of Neighbours has ever left me.
"The fans are very vocal, and when I found it was being picked up again, I thought there might be a possibility of bringing the characters back together in some way, so it's great to see."
Emerald Chan (Sadie Rodwell)
Emerald Chan's return as schoolgirl Sadie Rodwell was revealed in April 2023 when she was spotted alongside her on-screen family in some paparazzi photographs on Pin Oak Court, the real-life location of Ramsay Street.
The show officially confirmed the news a few days later, tweeting: "We're very excited to announce that Emerald Chan will be reprising her role as Sadie Rodwell in all new episodes of #Neighbours later this year.
"What kind of trouble will Sadie be causing in Erinsborough next? We can't wait to find out!"
Lloyd Will (Andrew Rodwell)
Neighbours bosses officially confirmed Lloyd Will's return as Andrew Rodwell at the end of April 2023.
A social-media post from the show teased: "We're very happy to announce that Lloyd Will is also reprising his role as Sergeant Andrew Rodwell in the new season of Neighbours.
"Who else was going to keep those Erinsborough residents in check?"
Candice Leask (Wendy Rodwell)
The Rodwell revival was complete in early May, with the announcement that Candice Leask is reprising her role as Wendy Rodwell in the new season.
A Neighbours statement revealed: "And Wendy makes three! We're delighted that Candice Leask will be returning with the rest of the Rodwell clan in all new episodes of #Neighbours. We look forward to Wendy saying ''Yoo-hoo'' again later in the year."
Candice replied on Instagram, saying: "Well YOO-HOOOOO indeed!!! I AM soooo thrilled to be joining the amazing and immensely hardworking show – that is Neighbours!!!!
"And SO happy that the fans are getting their Neighbours back... ( I wonder what events the street will bring this year... any guesses???)"
Lucinda Armstrong Hall (Holly Hoyland)
In May 2023, Neighbours revealed that Karl Kennedy and Izzy Hoyland's daughter Holly will be returning to Ramsay Street, with Lucinda Armstrong Hall reprising the role.
The show posted on Twitter: "We're happy to officially announce that Lucinda Armstrong-Hall will be reprising her role as Holly Hoyland in new episodes of #Neighbours later this year.
"Is Holly still the sweet girl that we remember? Or is she now more of her mother's daughter? You'll have to wait and see..."
Neighbours returns in the second half of 2023 with new episodes streaming free on Amazon Freevee in the UK and US. Network 10 will retain first-run rights in Australia for the new series.
Read more Neighbours coverage on our dedicated homepage
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