First look: Neighbours 2023

With Neighbours returning to screens September of 2023, Amazon Freevee and producer Fremantle have released a first look at the new Varga-Murphy family moving on to Ramsay Street.

The Varga-Murphys feature mums, Remi and Cara, and teenage sons, JJ and Dex.

Neighbours is produced by Fremantle. Jason Herbison, Neighbours’ executive producer since 2013, will maintain his position on the new chapter of Neighbours, with Andrew Thompson returning as producer.

Jason Herbison said: “We are delighted to welcome the Varga-Murphy family to Ramsay Street and the amazing cast portraying them. It feels fitting that the new season will herald the arrival of a new household, with many new stories to tell. They have fitted into Erinsborough beautifully, they are warm, fun and also very unpredictable.”

Sara West, who plays Cara Varga-Murphy, said: “I’m so honoured to be a part of the new Neighbours legacy and really looking forward to bringing the Varga-Murphy family to Australian and international screens. Cara has a bold, impassioned love for her family and I love that her intentions have, so far, always been good. I hope having the Varga-Murphys on telly will help better reflect the beautiful LGBTQIA+ community that I’m proud to be a part of and I can’t wait to share the family with you!”

Naomi Rukavina, who plays Remi Varga-Murphy, said “I am thrilled to be joining the new Neighbours legacy. As a stalwart of Australian drama television, the show is on the front foot of showcasing diverse and real representations of Australian families, not in a tokenistic way. The joys, sadness and madness of Neighbours has been a great adventure thus far and the Varga-Murphy family have already formed a special bond off screen and on. I can’t wait to share it with the world.”

The continuation of the long-running soap series—about the lives, loves, and challenges of the residents on Ramsay Street in Erinsborough, Australia, a fictional suburb of Melbourne—follows the finale in 2022, which was watched by millions

The series will premiere for free, exclusively on Amazon Freevee in the UK and U.S. The series will also stream on Prime Video in Canada, Ireland, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

Australia’s Network 10 will retain first-run rights in Australia for the new chapter of the series.Previous seasons of Neighbours, as well as many iconic episodes, are currently available to stream on Amazon Freevee. Additionally, the free streaming service will feature two series-themed FAST Channels on the service, Neighbours – Looking Back,” and Best of Neighbours.

The new season will star series regulars Stefan Dennis (as Paul Robinson), Alan Fletcher (as Karl Kennedy), Ryan Moloney (as Toadie Rebecchi), Jackie Woodburne (as Susan Kennedy), Annie Jones (as Jane Harris), Rebekah Elmaloglou (as Terese Willis), Georgie Stone (as Mackenzie Hargreaves), Tim Kano (as Leo Tanaka), and Lucinda Cowden (as Melanie Pearson), Candice Leask (as Wendy Rodwell), Lloyd Will (as Andrew Rodwell), Emerald Chan (as Sadie Rodwell), Shiv Palekar (as Haz), Naomi Rukavina (as Remi Varga-Murphy), Sara West (as Cara Varga-Murphy), Riley Bryant (as JJ Varga-Murphy), and Marley Williams (as Dex Varga-Murphy). Returning in guest roles are Ian Smith (as Harold Bishop), April Rose Pengilly (as Chloe Brennan), and Melissa Bell (as Lucy Robinson), with Mischa Barton joining as new character Reece.

ABOUT THE VARGA-MURPHY FAMILY

Character Descriptions
The Varga-Murphys are Ramsay Street’s newest addition. Despite their different outlooks on life, mothers Cara and Remi are a united front when parenting their teenage sons, JJ and Dex. The household is full of love and playful energy, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t expect fireworks. Someone in the family has an ulterior motive for being in Erinsborough… And it’ll have explosive ramifications for their neighbours.

Remi Varga-Murphy (played by Naomi Rukavina)
A serious and studious doctor, Remi is often the calming presence during a storm. She’s passionate about her family, career and helping others. When she believes strongly in something, her attitude can be uncompromising. But it’s her wife and kids that help her see life isn’t always clear-cut and sometimes rules need to be broken.

Naomi Rukavina’s recent credits include Run Rabbit Run, Wentworth Prison, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

Cara Varga-Murphy (played by Sara West)
Cara’s a down-to-earth, fun-loving ‘tradie’. Not only is she handy with a hammer and drill, she’s also fierce, loyal and protective when it comes to her family. Cara’s the cheese to Remi’s chalk, but it’s their differences that make their marriage work. She’s someone who acts on instinct and isn’t afraid to charge into the fray when needed.

Sara West’s recent credits include Don’t Tell, Bad Girl, Peter Allen: Not the Boy Next Door, Dead Lucky.

JJ Varga-Murphy (played by Riley Bryant)
JJ’s a kind, confident, self-assured teenager who tends to lead with his heart and not his head. But like many kids his age, he also battles bouts of insecurity and self-doubt. It’s this combo that can often bring trouble to JJ’s world as he’s known to act before thinking through the consequences. One thing’s for sure… It never takes much for him to win you over.

Dex Varga-Murphy (played by Marley Williams)
If you asked Dex who was the smarter sibling, he would declare himself the victor. But this doesn’t stop him from looking up to JJ. He’s a deep thinker who always has his brother’s back. A happy and relaxed teenager, Dex is often the one trying to keep the peace. Which means he’ll have his work cut out for him on Ramsay Street.

Pictured: From L-R: Marley Williams (‘Dex Varga-Murphy’), Sara West (‘Cara Varga-Murphy’),Riley Bryant (JJ Varga-Murphy’), Naomi Rukavina (‘Remi Varga-Murphy’)