How good neighbours became good friends

After 37 years, Australia’s longest running drama, Neighbours, has come to an end. Along the way, the TV soap launched the careers of the likes of Kylie Minogue, Margot Robbie and Guy Pearce and has taken many zany plot twists – including numerous untimely deaths, one disappearance at sea and a few secret families. But for much of its history, the show didn’t reflect the diverse population of Australia, and has also recently faced allegations of racism on set. Writer Anna Spargo-Ryan explores why audiences kept coming back for more, and the complex legacy of Neighbours