Neighbours fans should expect some exciting changes on the world’s most famous cul de sac when the transmission gap between Australia and the UK begins to shrink. The sprint to the end of the year appears to be bringing riveting drama, with new arrivals, returning characters, and a few bombshells to be dropped.
Major spoilers for Australia and the United Kingdom
The programme films around three months ahead of schedule at this time of year, so these storylines should be available from October onwards. However, due to Australia’s present 4-day schedule, some estimates may be inaccurate.
Channel 5 recently aired a tantalising teaser titled Then and Now. Scott (Jason Donovan) and Charlene’s (Kylie Minogue) wedding, as well as Susan’s (Jackie Woodburne) infamous slap, were among the highlights of the 102-second film.
In addition to the old video, the teaser includes four new ones that offer viewers a fantastic, although brief, taste of what’s to come. You can see the commercial below, which has the line “you won’t believe what they’re up to today.”
Glen Donnelly and Lucy Robinson make a comeback
Glen Donnelly (Richard Huggett), Paul Robinson’s (Stefan Dennis) half-brother, is poised to return to Erinsborough after 30 years, according to some of the greatest news from Neighbours this year.
Glen vanished under a cloud in 1992, when he was last seen. Glen was paralysed from the waist down after an accident at Lassiters when he fell from the roof. Glen was outraged when he learned that Paul had attempted to mislead him into giving away his right to sue The Robinson Corporation. He was shunned by his family when he chose to sue in retaliation. His father Jim was the one who pained him the most, pleading with him not to destroy Paul’s kingdom.
Glen then left town with Karen (Fiona Jarvis) and her daughter Rose, a past fiancée.
When asked why Glen wanted to come back, Richard said it was because of one person.
He told Radio Times, “In the end, I come back to reconcile with Lucy.”
“Paul and I didn’t get along, so I went back to visit Lucy, and it all went worse from there, with all kinds of twists and turns and cliffhangers – but no jumping off hotel roofs this time.”
Melissa Bell will reprise her role as Lucy Robinson as a result of this. Lucy resides in the United States with her daughter Annie and co-parent Chris as the head of Lassiters Worldwide Development (James Mason).
Hopefully, there won’t be any naughty shenanigans this time…
Despite the fact that they were half-siblings, Glen and Lucy had a brief relationship, as fans of the programme will recall.
Glen and Lucy’s homecoming is heavily highlighted at the end of the promo.
Paul explains that whatever they’re talking about isn’t “part of some evil plan” as he walks along a pier with his sister.
Lucy jokes back, letting out a doubtful grunt.
“Paul, your entire existence is a devious scheme!”
It’s unclear what the talk is about, but one thing is certain: it’s not about you! It’s not the most pleasant of encounters when Paul finally bumps across his estranged half-brother.
A disheveled Paul appears to be so taken aback by what is directly in front of his eyes that he can only mutter a name.
“Glen?”
Mr. Donnelly, who happens to be standing on his own two feet, stands opposite him (near a lighthouse that looks very similar to Split Point Lighthouse, made famous by Round the Twist).
He informs Paul, “It’s been a long time.”
What will happen between the two is anyone’s guess, but we’re sure there will be some major drama for the three Robinson brothers in the near future!
These sequences are expected to appear in November.
The problems in Terese and Paul’s marriage
It appears that Glen’s presence in Paul’s life isn’t the only thing the cutthroat businessman must be concerned about.
A clip of a furious Teresa (Rebekah Elmaloglou) demanding Paul to leave is also included in the trailer.
She screams at her husband’s face, “Pack your bags and get out of my house!”
This is a significant change for the pair. They met in 2016 and had a rough path to the altar, with conflicts ranging from her associations with larrikin Gary Canning (Damien Richardson) to Paul’s own son Leo Tanaka (Tim Kano). They ultimately married in Queensland after their toughest fight — the return of Paul’s four ex-wives, skillfully orchestrated by his daughter Elle (Pippa Black).
…at a ceremony presided over by Elvis Presley!
They’ve always been a pretty stale pair, despite the regular workplace squabbles, so what could be so significant that it could break the soap super-couple apart?
We believe it has something to do with Paul’s recent shady activities with Nicolette Stone (Charlotte Chimes)! Nicolette was serving as a surrogate for Paul’s son David (Takaya Honda) and his husband Aaron, as viewers would know (Matt Wilson). Nic departed town severely pregnant after a major blow-up with them and her lover, Aaron’s sister Chloe (April Rose Pengilly).
Paul was able to locate her in Canberra, but she had recently given birth. Paul offered her $1,000,000 to hand up baby Isla and walk out of the lives of those in Erinsborough for good, desperate to have the kid back. Nicolette accepted the money and gave the baby over. However, in one of Neighbours’ most shocking cliffhangers, it was discovered that Nicolette was still pregnant and had therefore given Paul a kid who was neither her or David’s.
While the maternity of the kid is still out in the air, it appears we won’t have to wait long to find out…
Nicolette Stone is about to make a comeback
Although there isn’t much evidence to back this up, it appears like Nicolette will be back sooner rather than later.
The first was a snapshot of a bunch of flowers that she had shared on her Instagram storey. Despite the lack of a location tag, eagle-eyed viewers noticed that the photo’s backdrop looked eerily similar to the cast green room at the soap’s Nunawading facilities.
She also spoke about filming the series with Great British Radio on July 24th, revealing that her favourite set was the new Harold’s exterior. She continued, expressing her displeasure with filming there in the dead of winter.
It’s no secret that the programme shoots well in advance of its air dates, with a normal variation of three to four months between filming and airing. So, even if Charlotte was on set in July – after her character’s onscreen exit – the sequences in question wouldn’t run until this month at the earliest.
Is it safe to assume that Nicolette will be back in the next few weeks?
Brent Colefax has returned!
On the subject of returns, Texas Watterston’s agency has confirmed that Brent will be returning to Neighbours.
‘Guess who will be returning to Neighbours? @neighbours #neighbours,’ said JM Agency on their Instagram storey on May 21st.
The message was quickly reshared by Texas.
Brent chose to join the army to avoid a prison sentence in May after taking the blame for a string of thefts, as fans will recall. He was in a relationship with Paul’s granddaughter Harlow at the time (Jemma Donovan). Following his departure, the couple maintained their long-distance romance for a while.
Brent’s comeback sequences should broadcast within the next several weeks, assuming he returned to filming in early June.
Amy, Ned, and Levi will continue to explore their connection
Amy Greenwood (Jacinta Stapleton) is in a ‘v’ shape relationship with Ned Willis (Ben Hall) and Levi Canning (Richie Morris), which means she is dating both of them but they are not romantically involved with each other.
Despite having to overcome obstacles and fight off resistance, such as Levi’s interfering grandma Sheila (Colette Mann), the trio appear pleased with the way their relationship is functioning.
However, the new trailer teases what’s to come.
Amy passionately kisses Levi in a bedroom that is currently not on-screen (more on that later!).
The camera then pans around to see that Ned is also present.
Is it possible that the pair is planning to grow their relationship? And, in order to keep the throuple exciting, would Levi and Ned explore their own sexualities?
Unfortunately, it appears that there may be more difficulty on the road…
Zara Greenwood is expected to arrive
An actress’ audition clip was discovered on Vimeo on August 12th. The tape showed that Amy’s teen daughter Zara was being cast.
In a scene between Zara and Ned, Cassie Ridout, an auditioning actor, talked about how Zara’s mother no longer had time for her, while Ned tried to persuade her to put in the time and effort, reflecting on his own conflicts with his father.
A second video appeared not long after that.
Zara is anticipated to come in Erinsborough suddenly, catching her mother off guard. She chose to flee, needing some ‘mum’ time, after becoming sick of her father and ‘step-monster,’ as she refers to her step-father, as well as those of her half-brother Jax.
Zara’s casting has yet to be confirmed, and we have no idea how long she will be on the show. But we have a feeling her arrival will ruffle a few feathers. It’s unclear whether Amy’s two kids, Jax and Elijah, will follow suit.
With the auditions taking place in August, Zara may be onscreen as early as late November!
There’s a new set out!
Furthermore, it appears like a fresh set is on the way. Amy is getting a new place to live after spending the previous few months in No. 30!
In a behind-the-scenes video released to the official Neighbours Facebook page on August 5th, the set was first seen.
While it appears to be tiny and cosy, it appears to be large enough to accommodate Amy and her lovers.
Yes, the furnishings in the backdrop of the most recent look inside the poly relationship reveals that the bedroom they’re in is from the new set.
According to our estimations, this set will premiere within the next month or two, and it will most likely be onscreen by November at the latest!
That’s all there is to it, guys! We’re looking forward to seeing how these dramatic storylines play out later this year!