As four decades of Neighbours came to an end on Friday veteran stars Annie Jones and Stefan Dennis supported for their fellow cast at an emotional final day on set.
The actress, 55, first appeared on the beloved soap in 1986 as Jane Harris AKA Plain Jane Superbrain and was on hand this week to offer a supportive shoulder.
She was seen wrapping her arm around her fellow stars as they came together to mark the end of an era at Melbourne‘s Nunawading studios.
Annie chose to step away from the spotlight in 1989 to look after her late mother, Elizabeth, who battled Alzheimer’s disease and passed away in 2016.
She later reprised her role in 2018 and has been a regular fixture on the show ever since.
Soap veteran Stefan, 66, who has played the character of Paul Robinson on the series for four decades, was also seen on the set for the final scenes of the concluding episode.
As four decades of Neighbours came to an end on Friday veteran stars Annie Jones (pictured) and Stefan Dennis supported for their fellow cast at an emotional final day on set
Soap veteran Stefan, 66, who has played the character of Paul Robinson on the series for four decades, was also seen on the set for the final scenes of the concluding episode
The actor, who was part of the original Neighbours cast when it debuted in 1985, left the show in 1992, but returned 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 seen quietly packing up and taking in the familiar set one last time.
The final episode of Neighbours is set to air on December 11, after fans have witnessed the drama be axed three times.
Just two years ago, fans were gearing up for what was then billed as the ‘finale’ before Amazon swooped in with a lifeline.
Neighbours’ impact is immeasurable and has produced household names like Kylie Minogue and Margot Robbie, to gain an unlikely cultural significance in Britain.
As this chapter of the Ramsay Street story comes to a close, executive producer Jason Herbison described the soap as ‘special’, adding that it has been a ‘privilege’ to oversee the recent seasons.
Actress Annie, 55, played Jane Harris – who was nicknamed Plain Jane Superbrain – and first appeared on the beloved soap in 1986
Annie played Jane between 1986 and 1989, before leaving the series for nearly three decades. She reprised her role in 2018 and has been a regular fixture on the show ever since
Annie chose to step away from the spotlight in 1989 to look after her late mother, Elizabeth, who battled Alzheimer’s disease and passed away in 2016
Pictured on set (R) with Kylie Minogue (L)
Stefan, who was part of the original Neighbours cast when it debuted in 1985, left the show in 1992, but returned in 2004
Pictured alongside Fiona Corke as Gail Robinson
Other members of the crew put on an emotional display as they were seen consoling one another in a group hug
The final episode of Neighbours is set to air on December 11, after fans have witnessed the continuing drama be axed three times
Just two years ago, fans were gearing up for what was then billed as the ‘finale’ before Amazon swooped in with a lifeline
According to Metro, sets have already begun to be dismantled at the production base on the outskirts of Melbourne
The studio site, which was sold to property redevelopers several years ago but is on a long lease to programme-makers Fremantle Media, is hoped to be reused for other productions in the future
Beloved TV show Neighbours has wrapped production after 40 years on our screens
The producer has been with the show intermittently since 1990 when he landed a storyliner position.
He told the Metro: ‘We have added 460 episodes to our legacy of over 9000 episodes, something we all feel proud of,
‘Once again, we will be resting the residents of Ramsay Street on a hopeful note, with some tantalising possibilities for a future chapter.’
Original cast member Stefan also expressed his gratitude.
He reflected: ‘I never thought a single show would give me the greatest adventures of my career, spanning 40 years.’
He added that without Neighbours, he wouldn’t have met the people and lived experiences of a lifetime.
As this chapter of the Amazon Prime show’s story comes to a close, the cast and crew have reflected on four decades of producing the perfect blend of drama and heart-warming community spirit (Alan Fletcher and Jackie Woodburne pictured)
Alan Fletcher and Jackie Woodburne called the Nunawading Studios their home for over three decades
Meanwhile, 80’s cast members Stefan and Annie shared their memories of the show and how it changed their lives
Following the news, fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their sadness on the show leaving their TV screens once again
His sentiments were also shared by Alan Fletcher and Jackie Woodburne, who have played beloved couple Karl and Susan Kennedy since 1994.
Alan described the show as his ‘happy place for over 30 years’ while Jackie added that it is impossible to measure the gratitude she feels.
Annie first filmed at the Nunawading Studios in 1986, shortly after it was revived for the first time on Channel 10. After several guest stints, she returned five years ago full-time.
She claimed it has been a ‘pleasure and delight to work with such a talented group of people’ before adding she will miss being a part of the show.
According to Metro, sets have already begun to be dismantled at the production base on the outskirts of Melbourne.
The final episode of Neighbours is set to air on December 11 (L-R back row Darius Perkins, Francis Bell, Elaine Smith, Alan Dale, Vikki Blanche, Paul Keane) (L-R middle row David Clencie, Anne Haddy, Kylie Flinker, Dasha Blahova, Peter O’Brien, and Stefan Dennis pictured in 2008)
The studio site, which was sold to property redevelopers several years ago but is on a long lease to programme-makers Fremantle Media, is hoped to be reused for other productions in the future.
Following the news, fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their sadness on the show leaving their TV screens once again.
One fan wrote: ‘Love this show been watching all of it from the beginning now on Amazon Prime I’m from Corona, California USA but I lived in Australia Brisbane Queensland for three years in the late 60s and I really am going to miss this show,’;
‘To the cast & crew of Neighbours as you finish filming, thank you for what has been and for what is to come…’; ‘Just so incredibly sad and unnecessary. #SAVENEIGHBOURS.’
