Jason Donovan has shared his thoughts on Amazon reviving Neighbours just months after the Australian soap was axed.
Last year, the soap’s biggest stars, including Donovan, Kylie Minogue, Guy Pearce and Margot Robbie, flocked to Ramsay Street one last time to film a special finale, which aired in October.
However, a month after the last-ever episode aired, it was revealed that the streaming service would revive the series, much to viewers’ surprise.
In response to the news, Donovan, 54, said he was stunned it was picked up again so quickly, but he is happy for the crew who got to keep their jobs.
Speaking on Nova’s Fitzy & Wippa with Katie Richie, he shared: “I’ll be honest with you; it was a surprise.
“But I think anything that provides opportunity to keep people working and actors and producers and all those sorts of things.”
The actor played Scott Robinson on the soap and famously married Minogue’s character Charlene Mitchell during their tenure.
When the star-studded finale was announced, many Neighbours fans shared their delight online about seeing the two reunite on-screen.
Asked what it was like working with the singer again, Donovan said: “It’s beautiful. It is amazing. Obviously, Kylie and I were a big part of that story.
“But a lot has gone on since. What I will say is nostalgia is massive at the moment.
“I think what was happening and the group of people there was a chemistry. There was some magic going on.”
Last week, it was revealed that the cast of Neighbours will start filming the new series next month.
Alan Fletcher, Jackie Woodburne, Stefan Dennis, Ryan Moloney, Annie Jones, and April Rose Pengilly told the audience of Neighbours – The Celebration Tour at the London Palladium that production will start in April.
The six actors including Fletcher, 65, who played Karl Kennedy, and his on-screen wife Susan, portrayed by Woodburne, 67, were also confirmed for a new chapter of the long-running soap.
Executive producer of Neighbours, since 2013, Jason Herbison, said: “It feels very real now. It’s a hive of activity at the studio.
“We’re busy writing the next chapter of Neighbours, bringing to life again the show’s much-loved characters as well as new residents.
“It’s exciting to see the sets being prepped, ready to start filming on April 17 which will be a huge day for everyone involved.”
Since first airing in 1985, the soap has followed the lives of those living and working in the fictional Melbourne suburb of Erinsborough.
The series was initially dropped by Channel 5 following failure to secure new funding and the broadcaster aired a finale in July before it was revived.
The series, produced by Fremantle, will premiere for free on the streaming service Amazon Freevee in the UK and US in Autumn 2023.
The series will also stream on Prime Video in Canada, Ireland, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
