Neighbours fans 'suffered grief like losing a loved one' when the TV soap ended, study finds

Neighbours fans suffered ‘strong grief’ and feelings similar to losing a loved one when the TV soap was cancelled, new research has revealed.

Some viewers of the long-running Aussie series were unable to accept that it was ending after 37 years, say scientists.

Their emotional grief was the equivalent of losing someone close or the break-up of a relationship, according to findings published in the journal PLoS One.

Neighbours, which returned on streaming service Freevee last September 14 months after the ‘finale’ was shown on Channel 5 in the UK, provided a launchpad to fame for stars including Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Margot Robbie and Natalie Imbruglia.

Researchers found that when the cancellation of the show was announced in March 2022, fans experienced strong grief, loss, and sometimes a lack of closure – implying that strong ‘parasocial’ relationships link TV viewers and their favourite programmes.

Neighbours fans suffered ‘strong grief’ and feelings similar to losing a loved one when the TV soap was cancelled, new research has revealed (stock image)

Neighbours, which returned on streaming service Freevee last September 14 months after the ‘finale’ was shown on Channel 5 in the UK, provided a launchpad to fame for stars including Kylie Minogue (pictured in final episode), Jason Donovan (pictured), Margot Robbie and Natalie Imbruglia

They explained that parasocial relationships are one-sided relationships, where one person extends emotional energy, interest and time, while the other party is completely unaware of the other’s existence.

More than 1,200 Neighbours fans in the UK, Ireland and Australia, over 500 of whom had been watching for the show’s entire 37-year run since it was first broadcast in 1985, completed an online survey shortly after the finale was screened in July 2022.

Study author Doctor Adam Gerace said: ‘The conclusion of Neighbours provided a rare and timely opportunity to examine fans’ grief experiences following the end of potentially very established parasocial relationships.

‘It allowed for investigation of what factors predict greater or lesser fan grief and loss reactions.

‘Greater grief and loss reactions were experienced by fans whose motives for watching involved being entertained and exposed to different lifestyles, who felt a stronger fan connection to the series, and who formed stronger parasocial empathic relationships with their favourite character.’

Dr Gerace, a senior lecturer in the College of Psychology at CQ University, Australia, said: ‘Celebration of the series and acknowledgement of its importance to fans was evident in the months leading up to the final episode.

‘The 90-minute finale of Neighbours drew large audiences. The finale was praised by fans as a fitting close to the series and a farewell to both current and retuning characters.

‘The series’ theme song for its entire run ends with the refrain ‘that’s when good neighbours become good friends’ – reflecting how understanding and being there for one another are key ingredients to fostering intimacy among those living in close suburbia.

‘Based on fans’ reactions, it seemed audiences were saying goodbye to the fictional people of Ramsay Street who had, indeed, become very good friends.

‘Fan reactions to the conclusion of Neighbours suggested that they were processing both the end of the television series and their relationships with its characters.

‘In doing so, they were demonstrating grief reactions similar to those involved in the end of real-life relationships, including negative emotions and cognitions, attempts at closure, and gratitude for what they had experienced through these relationships.

‘Grief and loss experiences were greater in viewers who used the series for entertainment, exposure to lifestyles and experiences, and community, but not to pass time; self-identified as being big fans of the series and felt a part of the fandom; and reported having stronger parasocial empathic relationships with characters.

Margot Robbie, who is now one of the highest paid actors in Hollywood, first shot to fame as Donna Freedman in Neighbours

‘Lesser closure was associated with being female, older, and using the series for entertainment to a greater extent and lesser use of it to pass the time.’

Reactions from fans involved significant emotions, feelings of disbelief and perceptions of loss, according to the findings.

Dr Gerace said: ‘Fans seemed to be experiencing quite strong grief, reflecting the importance of the series and relationships with characters to their lives and a sense of parasocial breakup or loss.

‘The strength of these reactions, such as anger and sadness, lesser acceptance and lesser closure suggest that fans were at an earlier part of processing their grief reactions which makes sense given the time the survey was distributed.

‘Despite this, fans did indicate that they were grateful that the series had been in their lives.

‘This may reflect that, while the end of the series was shocking to fans, they did have time between the announcement in March and the screening of the final episode in July 2022 to reflect on the series, celebrate and commemorate it, and take stock of what the series had given them.’

He added: ‘The study found that fans may experience significant feelings of grief at the end of a series, with fan reactions influenced by the place of the series in their lives and the relationships they have formed with characters.

‘While different to real-world social interactions, these parasocial relationships are taken seriously by fans and are important to them.

‘In this way, they should be honoured with increased research attention.

‘As a postscript, in November 2022, after data collection had ceased, it was announced that the series would be revived. The series relaunched in September 2023.

‘While fans were very satisfied with this outcome and fan reactions to the end of the series – and finale ratings – likely played a part, there was no indication at the time of the screening of the finale and data collection that this would occur.

‘Therefore, the reactions collected in this study of a once-in-a-generation end to a series were unique and not likely to be repeated in the literature for some time.

‘Future examination of fans’ reacquainting with the series, including examinations of their joy and satisfaction with the continuation of the story and their bonds with returning and new characters, is warranted.’