23/01/2025
Neighbours is officially finished for the year. The long-running soap released its final episode of 2024 on Thursday, December 19 and is now taking a short break from our screens.
It's the first time that Neighbours has gone off air since being revived by Amazon in September 2023, but the good news is that Ramsay Street will re-open its doors on Monday, January 6.
So, what's ahead in 2025? Fortunately, we already know some sneaky details thanks to an exciting end-of-year trailer, recent cast announcements and interviews from some fan favourite stars.
Read on for every major 2025 spoiler which has been revealed so far…
Taye arrives on Ramsay Street
Neighbours bosses have announced the casting of Lakota Johnson as Taye, a new regular character for the soap.
In a statement released in October, the show teased: "Taye is coming to town! We're excited to announce that Lakota Johnson will soon join the full-time cast.
"Connected to the Varga-Murphy family, Taye is sure to break some rules (and some hearts) on Ramsay Street."
Since this initial announcement, it's been revealed that Taye is the brother of established character Remi Varga-Murphy.
In Neighbours' 2025 trailer, Taye is seen confiding in his family as he admits: "I wouldn't be here if I wasn't in serious trouble." Sounds ominous…
Fallon pays a visit
US star Kate Connick has filmed a guest role as Fallon Morell, who's the sister of Krista Sinclair.
Announcing the news in October, Neighbours revealed: "Another new arrival on Ramsay Street! US star Kate Connick will soon join the cast in the guest role of Fallon Morell.
"Fallon's time in Erinsborough spells trouble for many an Erinsborough resident... particularly her sister."
Melanie returns
Neighbours aired Lucinda Cowden's final scenes as Melanie Pearson in November, but it's not the last that we've seen of the popular character.
In her exit interviews, Lucinda revealed that she'd already been back on set to film a guest return for some very special episodes.
She told Digital Spy last month: "Mel's in a very good frame of mind and very happy when she comes back.
"It's the episodes that coincide with the show's 40-year anniversary, that's what I will tease! A huge thing happens that brings Mel back, but it's just a momentary thing."
The 40th anniversary
Although Neighbours' 40th anniversary episodes have already been filmed, there have been few clues or leaks from the set so far.
Executive producer Jason Herbison previously told Australian Life magazine: "Recent milestones have tipped into nostalgia, however the 40th will be a bit different.
"There are nods to the past but it's very forward-looking too. The stories will set us up for weeks and months to come."
Neighbours reaches its 40th anniversary on Tuesday, March 18.
Harold leaves Erinsborough
Neighbours recently shared the sad news that legendary cast member Ian Smith had finished filming with the show after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.
The actor's iconic character Harold Bishop will get an emotional on-screen send-off in 2025 as he leaves Erinsborough for the final time.
These scenes will feature an unexpected return from Anne Charleston, who previously played Harold's beloved wife Madge. She'll now be playing a new character, but further details are being kept under wraps for now.
Speaking as he filmed his final scenes, Ian commented: "It isn't just my last day in Neighbours, it's my last day of work.
"I've had the most privileged life. We didn't just make soap, we made the best bloody soap there was to make. And I've met the most beautiful people."
Toadie returns again
Neighbours star Ryan Moloney has now bowed out as a permanent cast member, but he will return for further guest appearances in 2025.
Ryan's character Toadie Rebecchi has already come back for one visit and will pop up again next year.
Rhett returns
Fans haven't seen the last of estate agent Rhett Norman, who was introduced as a love interest for Aaron Brennan this year.
The 2025 promo shown at the end of the finale episode featured a kiss between Rhett and Aaron at The Waterhole. Is Aaron now ready to start dating again after the sad loss of his husband David this year?
Liam Maguire, who plays Rhett, recently told Hospital Radio Reading: "I think there is probably more that they need to know about each other, to figure out if that stuff is going to work.
"I think they do have a chemistry. There's more facets to Rhett and I think he probably hasn't experienced very much of Aaron either. There's other facets to Aaron that Rhett hasn't necessarily seen.
"When Rhett meets Aaron, he's in a different kind of space. He's still grieving and there's quite a lot going on for him.
"So I think if they could figure it out, that would be great. It's whether or not they'd be able to get there, or if they just end up being great friends. I guess we'll see."
Nell sabotages Paul and Terese
Neighbours' 2025 promo has revealed that Nell Rebecchi will return to her old tricks by trying to sabotage her stepmum Terese Willis's reunion with Paul Robinson.
Nell starts interfering as she fears that Terese will get hurt again if she continues to pursue things with Paul.
One clip showed Paul confronting Nell over her behaviour, warning her: "This little game that you're playing? It stops right now."
Frustratingly for Paul, it seems that Terese doesn't want to hear a bad word said against Nell as she brands him "paranoid" for expressing his concerns.
Unimpressed, Paul replies: "No, you are being manipulated."
Can Paul win Nell's approval before things spiral out of control?
Jane's new love interest
Jane Harris recently vowed to make a major change when it came to her love life. Realising that reconnecting with faces from her past had failed her several times, Jane decided to get back in the dating game by meeting some entirely new people.
Neighbours' 2025 promo has revealed that Jane will sign up for a dating app and start seeing a younger man in the New Year.
This concerns her son Byron, who openly asks: "Do you really believe this guy's for real?"
Is Byron right to be concerned or has Jane's luck started to change?
Yaz's detective work continues
Selling Sunset star Chrishell Stause remains on our screens as a guest star early next year. Her character Yaz Shields has been plotting revenge against Holly Hoyland, wrongly blaming her for the death of her brother Heath Royce.
First-look clips from 2025 have shown that Yaz will confide in her girlfriend Nicolette Stone about how she believes her sibling was murdered. She also openly quizzes Holly about Heath's death, albeit hiding her true agenda.
One clip also shows Yaz heading to the Outback to see the scene of the tragedy for herself. Will she get the answers she needs? Or is Heath's crocodile feeling hungry again?
Andrew and Wendy return
Andrew and Wendy Rodwell are both currently on breaks from Erinsborough but will be back in 2025.
A brief glimpse of Andrew could be seen in the 2025 trailer, while recent social media posts from Candice Leask – who plays Wendy – have indicated that she's back filming.
Leo turns ruthless?
Neighbours has recently hinted at revisiting the more villainous side to Leo Tanaka's character, with on-screen comparisons being made between him and his scheming father Paul.
In the 2025 promo, Leo can be seen playing hardball with Nicolette Stone, telling her: "I'm willing to keep your secret, if you do something for me in exchange…"
How might this affect Leo's wedding plans, after he popped the question to Krista in the 2024 finale?
Chelsea's return
The 2024 finale featured a brief glimpse of returning character Chelsea Murphy, as her sister Cara was shocked to spot her at the airport.
Chelsea had a visible baby bump, which is sure to be concerning for her ex-fiancé Paul just as he's trying to make things work with Terese.
he Linwell brothers
Could 2025 be the year that the fearsome Linwell brothers finally make an appearance? We only ask because Cara and Remi's mysterious enemies were frequently mentioned in the early weeks of the revival season in late 2023, but disappeared from storylines without a trace.
When Digital Spy caught up with Neighbours boss Jason Herbison in May, he promised that the Linwells hadn't been forgotten about and this is the only storyline from his interview which hasn't yet come to fruition.
Herbison said at the time: "Of course the Linwell brothers are still out there. Don't you know that if a character gets a name in Neighbours, it's a safe bet you will meet them one day!"
Neighbours releases new episodes from Mondays to Thursdays for free on Amazon Freevee and Prime Video in the UK and US. In Australia, the show airs from Mondays to Thursdays at 4pm on Channel 10, with a 6.30pm repeat screening on 10 Peach Comedy.
