Neighbours reboot overhauls iconic part of soap – sparking fears for mass axing of characters
THE Amazon reboot of Neighbours has made some significant changes to its opening titles – and it could be a sign of things to come.
The hit Australian soap made a comeback on the streaming platform on September 18.
Neighbours has revealed its new opening titles following several cast changes, with one main character bidding farewell to Ramsey Street.
The popular former Channel 5 show, which came off air last year July but was rebooted by Amazon this year, said its goodbyes to actress Mischa Barton, who played Reece Sinclair.
Businesswoman Reece left Ramsay Street to care for her dad Conrad, an investor in Lassiters, who suffered a stroke in the US, and to reunite with her long-lost sister Krista Sinclair played by Majella Davis, who they believed was dead but is alive and well.
After last week’s plot twist, Reece’s sister Krista has joined Neighbours as a permanent character.
Following her departure, Reece’s closing section of the opening titles has been noticeably removed from the opening sequence intro.
Previously, it saw the character joining her fellow soap cast members at the pool, but she has now been replaced by Melanie Pearson, who plays Lucinda Cowden.
Lucinda Cowden is back in Erinsborough and will also become a part of the Erinsborough characters following the repercussions of Flashback Week.
One of the most significant changes which has had fans talking is the addition of David Tanaka, played by Takaya Honda, Aaron Brennan, played by Matt Wilson, Nicolette Stone, portrayed by Hannah Monson and their daughter Isla.
One fan took to X(Twitter) and expressed: “This would be gaslighting if Aaron weren’t such a moron. Do we really need these characters back on the street? We could have literally anybody else… #Neighbours.”
Another user posted multiple pictures of Aaron with the caption: “I believe this is what’s called “knowing your audience”.
A third added: “I am so happy Aaron and David are back now. I just need Ned and Kyle.
It has been announced that David and Aaron are also back on the Amazon Freevee permanently.
Matt told Metro that the pair will stay on the beloved show, he said: “In the previous Neighbours, there was about 20 main characters, and your storyline would go in ebbs and flows. But [in the upcoming episodes], it just does not stop for us – not once!
“It flows really well into the next storyline and the next, they’re all really well connected – and connected as well within the Street with all the other characters. It’s nice juicy stuff.”
David Aaron and Nicolette returned to Erinsborough with David ready to put aside his previous doubts about revisiting his previous life.
Neighbours airs on Amazon Freevee on Mondays to Thursdays.