8 best soap operas
Soap operas. Whether you love them or hate them, we’ve all seen at least one in our lives – and usually one is enough to know everything that’s happening in the entire series! Soapies regularly top the list of the most-watched shows around the world, and many have been around longer than most of their stars!
Here are our favourite soap operas of all time.
Days of Our Lives
With an unbelievable 12,300 episodes aired since it began in 1965, Days of Our Lives has produced some unfathomable stories (like the amnesiac war vet who started a romance with his sister) and launched the careers of countless actors.
General Hospital
Clocking in at over 13,000 episodes, General Hospital has the distinction of being the longest-running soap opera in history, first airing in 1963. The series has landed many cameos in its 50-plus year history, including Sammy Davis, Jr., Leonard Nimoy and Elizabeth Taylor.
Home and Away
It’s the Aussie show that’s inspired millions to visit our beautiful country. Since it began in 1988, Home and Away has launched the careers of some of our most successful exports, such as Melissa George, Isla Fisher, Chris Hemsworth and Heath Ledger.
The Young and the Restless
The US soap, which first aired in 1973, featured appearances by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Il Divo, Lionel Richie and Enrique Iglesias. The entire series has been aired in Australia since 1974 and has been one of the US’ most successful soap operas down under.
Coronation Street
It’s the longest-running UK soap of all time, beginning back in 1960 and still airing to this day. Aside from being the top-rated soapie in the UK, Coronation Street has also been popular in Australia and New Zealand.
Dynasty
Golden Globe-winning Dynasty was one of the hit shows of the 80s, launching the career of Heather Locklear. Running for nine seasons, the soap brought us some unbelievable storylines, including the royal wedding interrupted by terrorists in Moldavia.
Neighbours
Everybody needs good neighbours! Premiering back in 1986, Neighbours is Australia’s longest-running soap and one of our best performing international exports (particularly in the UK). It shot many actors to stardom, including Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce and Kylie Minogue.
The Bold and the Beautiful
Created as a sister show to The Young and the Restless, The Bold and the Beautiful has found success in its own right. Airing 7,000 episodes since 1987, the show has become a hit daytime program in Australia and New Zealand.
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