List of Neighbours characters (2018)


Neighbours[] is an Australian television soap opera. It was first broadcast on 18 March 1985 and currently airs on digital channel 10 Peach. The following is a list of characters that appeared in the show in 2018, by order of first appearance. All characters are introduced by the shows executive producer Jason Herbison. The 34th season of Neighbours began airing from 8 January 2018. Mick Allsop was introduced during the same month, while Rafael Humphreys made his debut in February. March saw the arrival of [|Chloe Brennan]. Bea Nilsson made her first appearance in May. Jemima Davies-Smythe began appearing from September, while Nance Sluggett, Pierce Greyson and Heather Schilling made their first appearances in October. Valerie Grundy, Delaney Renshaw, Regina Grundy, and Shaun Watkins appeared in December.

Mick Allsop

Mick Allsop, played by comedian Joel Creasey, made his first appearance on 30 January 2018. Creasey's casting was confirmed by Anna Byrne of the Herald Sun in October 2017. Of appearing in the show, Creasey commented, "That was fun because it was a soap opera. It was very over the top, and they were like 'Yes! More!' They're all so nice out at Neighbours. I had a blast doing it." Creasey described Mick as "a new gay in town with a backstory", and "a bit of a misunderstood stalker". Executive producer Jason Herbison praised Creasey's "hilarious" performance and added that his character could return in a recurring capacity in the future. Creasey reprised the role for scenes filmed at Sydney Mardi Gras in 2019. His appearance aired on 28 February 2020.
Mick comes to Harold's Cafe for a coffee, where Aaron Brennan recognises him as his stalker from his time in dance troupe Rough Trade. Rory Zemiro later claims that Mick has trashed his motel room, before approaching him at the Erinsbrough Backpackers' for a talk. Mick overhears Elly Conway and Paige Smith discussing Rough Trade and he introduces himself. He tells them that he is a big fan of Rory and not Aaron, as they were led to believe. He also tells them that he and Rory used to have sex, while Rory was dating Aaron.

Rafael Humphreys

Rafael Humphreys, played by Ryan Thomas, made his first appearance on 12 February 2018. The character and Thomas's casting details were announced on 12 October 2017. Unconfirmed reports of his casting were previously published in early September 2017. Thomas explained that he was on holiday when his agent contacted him about the role. After speaking with a producer, he accepted the part as the character was different to those he had played before. He added "I grew up watching the show so to get the chance to join the cast is amazing". Johnathon Hughes of Radio Times observed that Thomas's casting was "a canny coup" for the show, as a well known soap actor would please British viewers. Thomas finished filming his guest stint during the week commencing 20 November 2017.
Rafael was initially billed as being "a mysterious loner with dark secrets", who comes to Erinsborough to confront an incident from his past. Greg Barnett, the commissioning editor at Channel 5, described Thomas as "the perfect handsome devil", whose arrival would bring "darker times" to an established character. Thomas was photographed with actors Olympia Valance and Andrew Morley on set, leading Hughes to speculate that Rafael may be involved with their characters Paige Smith and Jack Callahan. He was also pictured filming scenes with Matt Wilson, who plays Aaron Brennan. Publicity photos later showed Rafael with scars covering his back and it was revealed that he is set to target Paul Robinson in a revenge storyline.
Rafael visits the Lassiters Complex amid a 90s fancy dress party. He goes to The Waterhole and watches Paul Robinson from afar. After noticing that Paul has left his penthouse key card behind, Rafael takes it and lets himself into the penthouse. He watches on while Paul sleeps. Rafael checks into the Erinsborough Backpackers, and later enquires about a staff wanted poster in the pub. Sheila Canning gives him a trial shift. He befriends David Tanaka after helping out with his mixed up meal order, and Sheila is impressed enough to hire him. Rafael asks Sheila about Paul and learns he owns a new housing development called Robinson Heights. David tries to flirt with Rafael and later asks him out for a drink. Rafael tells David that he was born in the UK, but spent a lot of time in South America as that is where his mother was born. Sheila lets Rafael know that David is Paul's son, so he cuts the date short and leaves. Rafael reports Robinson Heights for unsafe work practices. Mishti Sharma catches Rafael breaking into the building site and he asks her to charge Paul with murder. He explains that his mother died during a fire in a factory owned by Paul. He gleaned from his mother's diary that the factory was unsafe, so he blames Paul for her death. Mishti later tells Rafael that she has been unable to find anything to support his claim, and there is nothing she can do.
Rafael apologises to David and asks him out on another date. David invites Rafael to spend the evening with him at Paul's penthouse, where he is babysitting Gabriel Smith. When David goes to check on Gabe, Rafael finds a folder on Robinson Heights and photographs the documentation, including a page about a reimbursement scheme for the former residents, which he then sends to the West Waratah Star newspaper. The paper runs a story about the housing development ripping off pensioners, and Rafael assures David that he did not say anything. Rafael tries to talk to Jayden Warley about the safety at Robinson Heights and is overheard by Jayden's mother Sue Parker, who wants to know why Rafael is asking questions about Paul's interests. They plot to cause an accident at the site. Paul invites Rafael to a family celebration. When he is alone with David, Rafael shows him his scars and they have sex. Jayden reveals to Rafael that he has been sabotaging the Robinson Heights site for weeks on his mother's orders. Rafael contacts Sue to call off their arrangement, but as he reaches the site, he finds David's brother Leo Tanaka trapped under a fallen concrete slab. Rafael starts to call an ambulance, but leaves when Mark Brennan comes across the scene.
Aaron Brennan questions Rafael about Jayden, but Rafael says he does not know him and accuses Aaron of being jealous of his relationship with David. Rafael later catches Aaron going through his belongings and Aaron asks him why he has Sue Parker's business card. Aaron knows that Sue hates Paul and believes Rafael is dating David to get to Paul. Aaron follows Rafael outside and grabs his shirt, which rips and exposes Rafael's scars. Rafael, Sue and Jayden are questioned by the police and Rafael admits to his involvement in the accident at the building site. Paul bails Rafael out and tells him that he does not recall Rafael's mother or the fire, but vows to find out what happened. Rafael assures David that his feelings for him are real despite what has happened. Leo meets with Paul's old business partner Dakota Davies in London and she later sends him a USB stick containing a document in which she admits to start the factory fire to claim the insurance. Rafael apologises to Paul, who offers to pay his $10,000 fine. Rafael decides to return to the UK to find Dakota. Before he leaves, he tells David to consider giving Aaron another chance.

Chloe Brennan

Chloe Brennan, played by April Rose Pengilly, made her first appearance on 27 March 2018. Pengilly's casting and character details were confirmed on 1 March 2018. She secured the role shortly before moving to Los Angeles, stating "I think it's a goal for most Aussie actors to be on one of these iconic Aussie shows that is beloved world wide, but I'd kind of given up on it, my goal was America." Chloe is the sister of the established Brennan brothers; Mark, Aaron, and Tyler. She has been mentioned on-screen by her family several times, and Wilson teased her introduction in July 2017. Chloe comes to Erinsborough to see her brothers, after spending years travelling overseas. Of her character, Pengilly said "Chloe Brennan is one of the most fun, interesting roles I've ever been offered and I'm already having a ball playing her." For her portrayal of Chloe, Pengilly was nominated for Best Soap Newcomer at the 2018 Digital Spy Reader Awards; she came in sixth place with 5.9% of the total votes.

Bea Nilsson

Beatrix "Bea" Nilsson, played by Bonnie Anderson, made her first appearance on 18 May 2018. Anderson's casting details were announced on 5 May. She was initially contracted for two years and the show marks her first major acting role. Of her casting, Anderson commented, "I do pinch myself, this is an amazing job to have, even though I started filming in February, it still feels surreal being on set, seeing how it all happens and being a part of it." The show's executive producer Jason Herbison revealed that they created the character of Beatrix for Anderson after meeting with her. Beatrix is the estranged half-sister of Elly Conway and Susan Kennedy's niece. Megan Davies of Digital Spy stated that Beatrix and Elly have "a tempestuous history", and Elly worries that her sister will turn her life upside down, especially as Beatrix has "a dark past".
Bea's sister Elly Conway spots her in the Lassiter's Complex, but Elly soon loses sight of her. Bea's aunt Susan Kennedy notices her in the complex the following day and follows her until she stops. Bea admits that she was unsure whether to say hello or not. Susan persuades Bea to come home with her and see Elly. Susan suggests that the sisters get to know each other properly, and Elly apologises to Bea for her behaviour the last time they were together. Elly invites Bea to stay with them, but Bea has already booked an apartment. She agrees to go out for dinner with Elly, who introduces her to Mark Brennan. Elly later takes Bea on a tour of the area. When Bea returns to her apartment, she rants to her boyfriend Patrick about Elly's perfect life, while she has nothing. He convinces her to resolve things with Elly. After learning that Bea knows her way around cars, Mark offers her an apprenticeship at the local garage but she is reluctant to accept as she learned her skills at a former boyfriend's chop shop. Patrick can see that she wants the job and tells her to contact Mark and accept it. Bea admits that she feels guilty that Patrick is in a wheelchair after he was assaulted by a group of men, who were harassing her. After learning that Bea has met Xanthe Canning, Patrick encourages Bea to befriend her. Mark tells Bea about Elly's former boyfriend Finn Kelly, who tried to ruin her life and put Susan in hospital.
Mark accuses Bea of inputting the wrong numbers for the invoices, but Elly comes to her defence and Bea agrees to join her on a girls' night out. Patrick berates Bea when she suggests that his rehab should take place at a hospital. Yashvi Rebecchi advises Bea to give her boyfriend space and Patrick buys her a dress as an apology. Bea later confides in Yashvi that she was homeless for a while. When she comes home to find Patrick's wheelchair empty, Bea calls him and he explains that he has been regaining movement in his legs and fell when he went out to test them. Bea brings him home and he proposes. Bea accepts on the condition that he meets her family, but he cancels at the last minute. He later suggests they invite Elly to see them elope. On the day of their elopement, Patrick and Bea take part in the local scavenger hunt until Patrick complains of pain in his legs and they return home. Patrick later goes out to write his vows, and upon his return he tells Bea that he spoke with Elly and she refuses to attend their wedding. On the way to Maryborough, Bea becomes suspicious of Patrick and leaves the car. He chases after her, revealing that he was never paralysed. He knocks Bea out and puts her in a shipping container, where she is later joined by Elly and Susan, who explain that Patrick is actually Finn Kelly. Bea accuses Elly of ruining her life. They are later found by Mark and Karl. After she is checked over, Bea says she will find a hotel, but she begins sleeping in the garage work van, until Elly asks her to move into Number 28.
Susan invites Elly and Bea's mother, Liz Conway to Erinsborough. Liz confirms Bea's beliefs that Elly asked their mother to kick her out when she was fifteen. However, Elly reveals that Liz told her and Susan that it was not her fault. The sisters realise that Liz has been lying to them both, and when Bea finds a photo in Liz's wallet that she is folded out of, Liz admits that she wanted Bea gone as she reminded her too much of Bea's father, Lars. Elly and Bea ask Liz to leave, but she attempts to make amends by inviting them to lunch, where she gets drunk and talks about herself. Liz later claims she has been mugged by Finn, which causes Bea and Elly to soften towards her until they learn from Mark that she made it all up.
Finn later confronts Bea, Susan, Elly and Xanthe resulting in him being pushed off a cliff by Susan. The incident is ruled as self-defence, and Finn later wakes up from his coma. Finn's brother Shaun Watkins, who had arrived in town a few months previously, returns to help him despite Ned warning him to stay away. Ned becomes overprotective of Bea and at one point assists Harry Sinclair in his attempt to set up Finn. After this results in Bea's hospitalisation, she breaks up with Ned. She later recommences a relationship with Finn, which Karl, Susan and Elly are initially against. However, in time, Finn comes to be accepted by the Kennedys, especially after they discover Shaun is the father of Elly's baby, and how he blackmailed Elly into letting Finn stay with them. Finn and Bea's relationship appears to be going well until Elly is held hostage by Robert Robinson and he helps Elly give birth to her daughter Aster Conway. Unknown to Bea, this reignites Finn and Elly's feelings towards each other.
Bea later contacts Finn's father Trent Kelly in an attempt to reunite them. However, this angers Finn, especially after he discovers she did this without telling him and that his father had intended to save him when he was held hostage in Colombia, but gambled the ransom money. Finn's memories also return and he plans to kill Bea. When they head to Pierce Greyson's island to celebrate Elly's 35th birthday, Finn pushes Bea down an old mineshaft and leaves her to die. He then lies to the others that she has gone back to Sydney. Harlow Robinson finds her and attempts to rescue her but is also trapped. Elly eventually discovers that Finn has been deceiving her and he pushes her into the mineshaft as well. The three are later rescued when Paul Robinson informs the other islanders of Bea's whereabouts. Upon returning to Erinsborough, Bea is horrified to discover that Finn has also murdered Prue Wallace and Gary Canning, the latter of whom tried to save her and Harlow. Upon discovering that Elly had feeling for Finn, she is angry, but convinces her to return home. Bea learns that Finn is dead and Elly is accused for murdering him. When Claudia returns to Erinsborough, Bea became suspicious of Claudia. When Elly is sentence to prison for Finn's murder, Claudia won custody over Aster. With the help from Aaron and Chloe, Bea realises that Claudia is planning to leave Melbourne with Aster, and she and Susan rushes to the airport to stop her. As they arrive, they are shock to find Shaun, alive, confronting Claudia's actions. Elly is bailed from prison and Claudia is charged, after turning herself in.
Bea meets and befriend Levi Canning and they both volunteer to clear up Pierce's island, with Roxy and Levi's cousin Kyle Canning. While clearing up, Levi began to a seizure. Levi admits that he hit his head as a child and as a result for him to develop epilepsy. He tells Bea not to tell anyone, but Bea is concern about him keeping it quiet from his family and colleagues. Bea learn that Elly is planning to move to Switzerland with Shaun and Aster, Bea is angry at her for not telling her. Bea begs Elly to stay as she needs her, but Elly tells Bea that she needs a fresh start, so Bea lets her go, but prefers not to accompany her at the airport, and they say goodbye outside the house, as Elly leaves with Shaun and Aster. Bea is then harassed #Tucker Brunnings, while setting up for her performance at the Waterhole. Bea tells him to back off, but he continues to provoke her and when he mentions about Elly, Bea snaps and punches him, which Levi witness. Levi supports Bea as she trying to move on without Elly. Bea supports Levi when he has a fall out with his grandmother Sheila Canning, and when she learns from him that he moved out and staying at Lassiter's, Bea offers him to stay at her place. Bea asked Susan for permission, but she refuses. Bea then tells Levi the bad news.

Jemima Davies-Smythe

Jemima Davies-Smythe, played by Magda Szubanski, made her first appearance on 3 September 2018. The character and Szubanski's casting details were announced on 30 May 2018, along with details of the show's first same-sex wedding. Of her guest role, Szubanski said, "I thought it was just one of the best offers I've had for a long time. I thought it was both hilarious and historic so when they asked me I just jumped at it. I think it's gold." Szubanski, who led the "yes" campaign for marriage equality law in Australia, plays marriage celebrant Jemima, who marries David Tanaka and Aaron Brennan. Jemima is also revealed to have a connection to "Ramsay Street royalty". It was later confirmed that she is Karl Kennedy's half-sister.
Jemima is contacted by her half-brother Karl Kennedy, but she tells him she does not want to meet him. However, she later travels to his home town of Erinsborough, where she overhears that Aaron Brennan and David Tanaka need a celebrant. Jemima steps in for Susan Kennedy and uses her speech. After the wedding, Jemima finds that the front grill of her car fell off when Susan leant against it. Karl offers to cover the cost and gives Jemima a business card, leading her to realise that he is her half-brother. Karl explains that he and Susan went to Echuca to find her, but Jemima says that she was not sure if she wanted to meet another half-sibling. Karl invites Jemima to stay with him and Susan, and they bond over their shared love of music. Susan starts to suspect that Jemima is a freeloader when she forgets her purse while out to lunch more than once, and allows Karl to pay for further repairs to her car.
Jemima befriends Sheila Canning when she offers to teach her how to speed read. They also bond over the fact that Susan appears to look down on them. Paul Robinson recognises Jemima and tells her that he knows her secret. They have lunch together, and Jemima overhears Susan telling Paul that she is a gold digger. Jemima redecorates Number 28 in the Danish Hygge style. She later encourages Karl to knock down some shelving units at the house. However, Susan is not pleased and asks Jemima to leave. When Karl refuses to throw his sister out, Jemima realises she can trust him and reveals that she is a multi-millionaire. Jemima explains that she earns money from a song she wrote about riding the tram, which was something she used to do with her father. Jemima plans to stay in Erinsborough, which prompts Susan to tell Jemima that she was hurt when Jemima changed the words to her speech at Aaron and David's wedding. Susan also apologises for calling her a gold digger and they make up. Jemima then announces that she wants to take care of Karl and Susan financially. After receiving a call from her daughter, Trudy, Jemima explains to Susan that Trudy and her grandson are just after her money. Karl and Susan turn down Jemima's offer, as Karl believes her money has poisoned her relationships. Susan encourages Jemima to reconcile with her daughter, and Jemima decides to visit her in Boston. Karl and Susan wave Jemima off from the hotel and discover she has gifted them a toy tram.

Nance Sluggett

Nance Sluggett, played by Denise Drysdale, made her first appearance on 3 October 2018. Drysdale's casting details were announced on 27 June 2018. She began filming her first scenes that same week. Of joining the cast, Drysdale said "I am very, very excited about it! I have been around as long as the show so to be finally doing a role on it is quite an honour and everyone has been so welcoming."
The identity of Drysdale's character was not immediately released. But Sophie Dainty of Digital Spy reported that she would "make life very difficult for a particular local resident." The serial's executive producer Jason Herbison said the character would be "eccentric" and will perplex viewers "with her antics." On 24 September, it was announced that Drysdale would be playing Nance Sluggett, the mother of criminal Jeremy Sluggett. She comes to the Flametree Retreat to collect $100,000 that Jeremy left with Gary Canning. But when Gary admits that he has spent the money, Nance asks for free treatments in return for keeping her son off Gary's back. Dainty's colleague Daniel Kilkelly wondered if Nance and Gary's arrangement would become something more, saying, "With a flirtatious look in her eye, could Nance also have more than just treatments on her mind?"
Nance comes to The Flametree Retreat to collect her son, Jeremy's money from Gary Canning. He attempts to put her off, but Nance realises that he has spent the money. Gary explains that he paid for his daughter's university fees. Nance asks Gary to give her a foot rub, while she thinks about what to do. Nance invites Susan Kennedy to join her. Nance continues to receive free treatments from Gary. A few weeks later, Nance returns to collect the money, as Jeremy is up for parole. But she then informs Gary that she can stop Jeremy from getting parole if Gary gives her a job as assistant manager at the retreat. Nance clashes with Gary's mother Sheila Canning, leading her to cancel the deal with Gary.

Pierce Greyson

Pierce Greyson, played by Tim Robards, made his first appearance on 5 October 2018. The character and casting details were announced on 19 July 2018. The show's executive producer Jason Herbison stated that Robards went through "a full audition process" and worked with several of the show's actors, before he was cast. Robards commented, "I've been putting in the work behind closed doors with different coaches – pushing myself out my comfort zone and then this role came up so I'm super excited. I watched Neighbours as a kid so to be on the set with such iconic characters like Paul Robinson, Toadie and Susan is an amazing experience – the entire cast and crew have been so welcoming." Pierce is a rich investor, who is billed as being a mix of Harvey Specter, Christian Grey and Robert Redford. Mat Whitehead of Ten Daily commented, "Pierce Greyson – which is exactly the sort of name you'd expect for someone who is as handsome as he may be mysterious – Robards is set to 'arrive in style'." Pierce also finds romance during his time in Erinsborough. The character departed on 19 November 2018, but on 14 February 2019, Robards announced that he would be reprising the role and joining the full-time cast. Pierce returns during the episode broadcast on 21 May 2019.
Pierce watches on as Chloe Brennan repairs her dress with safety pins, before she greets him and explains that she will be looking after him during his stay at Lassiters Hotel. After a tour of the hotel, Pierce asks Chloe about a Cash4Company business card he found, but she changes the subject. While they are in The Waterhole, Pierce rings the number on the card, having worked out that Chloe is behind the business. Chloe tells him that it is nothing to do with the hotel and offers to resign, but Pierce wants to hire her services. Pierce hires out the Back Lane Bar and then books Chloe's services using a pseudonym, so does not refuse to go on a date with him. Pierce meets with Lassiters Head of Business Affairs Leo Tanaka and asks him if Chloe can accompany him on a tour of the Melbourne graffiti laneways. After their night out, Pierce asks Chloe back to his room for sex in return for payment, but Chloe does not go. She reconsiders Pierce's proposal, but after he presents her with a necklace, she leaves without having sex with him. Hotel manager Terese Willis assigns Chloe to assist Pierce with plans for a wine tasting event. Pierce is initially cold towards Chloe, telling her that when it comes to business, he is detached.
After learning that her brother Tyler Brennan has been released from prison, Chloe hugs and kisses Pierce, as she changes her mind about having sex with him. Pierce later sends an expensive bottle of wine and the necklace to Chloe's house as payment, despite Chloe having had sex with Pierce based on genuine feelings. Paul Robinson convinces Pierce to join him in buying out the minority shareholders in Lassiters. But after Chloe explains that Paul has a grudge against Terese, he listens to Terese's pitch and agrees to partner with her instead. Pierce continues to date Chloe and falls in love with her. He takes her to a ski resort, where she tells him that she has Huntington's disease. The following morning, he finds Chloe has run away and learns that she does not have romantic feelings for him. Paul blackmails Pierce into dropping out of the Lassiters deal with Terese by threatening to reveal his relationship with Chloe to his business partners. Pierce apologises to Chloe for pressuring her, while she apologises for running off. Pierce pays Chloe's debts to her mother and offers to fund her future medical treatment. Later that night, Terese comes to Pierce's room to asks if there is anything she can do to change his mind, but he turns her down and leaves Erinsborough.
Pierce returns the following year. He and Chloe have a brief catch up, and he offers his support when she struggles to deal with the fact that she cannot comfort her brother Mark Brennan and Elly Conway through their break-up because of the part she played in it. Chloe later asks Pierce for some advice for Kyle Canning, who is preparing a business pitch. Sheila Canning notices Pierce with a ring and Leo Tanaka tells Chloe that Pierce has hired out the Back Lane Bar, which makes her think that he is going to propose to her. At the bar, she tries to let him down gently and kisses him goodbye just as his fiancée Ebony Buttrose walks in. Pierce convinces Ebony that nothing is going on with him and Chloe. Pierce and Ebony establish their respective businesses at Lassiters, and Ebony encourages Pierce to buy a racehorse, which he later learns is stolen. Pierce also buys a house, but Ebony tells him they cannot move in until the decorators have finished. However, when he stops by unexpectedly, he finds Chloe there. He asks Mark to talk to Chloe, as he thinks she is obsessed with his relationship, but Mark tells him to talk to Ebony, who explains that her sister was living in the house, as she had no where else to go. Ebony also admits that she was giving her sister money that Pierce gave her for the perfume business. Pierce asks Ebony to sign an agreement in which she agrees to commit to their relationship, without profiting from it, or he will give her $250,000 to walk away. Ebony signs the agreement and Pierce thanks Chloe for her help.

Heather Schilling

Heather Schilling, played by Kerry Armstrong, made her first appearance on 25 October 2018. Armstrong's casting and character details were announced on 27 August. Of joining the cast, the actress stated "It is not often you get to be so creative in your own backyard so when the producers asked me to play the role of Alice Wells in Neighbours it was simply irresistible." Alice was billed as a "demure and kind-hearted shortbread baking" grandmother, who shows a darker side when she comes up with "a shocking plan" for one the show's families. Armstrong said Alice would push boundaries, and the actress was encouraged by the producers to see how far she could go with her character. In the November 2018 issue of Soap World, it was revealed that Alice is Andrea Somers' mother. After she helps with their children, Sonya Rebecchi and Toadfish Rebecchi hire Alice as a live-in nanny. Armstrong reprised the role on 17 June 2019. The following month it was confirmed that Heather is also the biological mother of Dee Bliss, who was adopted by the Bliss family. Armstrong reprised the role the following year, and Heather returns on 21 May 2020.
Heather notices Sonya Rebecchi struggling with her children Nell and Hugo in Harold's Store, and helps her out by taking Nell to the toilet. She introduces herself as Alice Wells and offers to watch the children as Sonya works from home. Sonya and Toadie take Alice out to The Waterhole for a drink to say thank you. Alice explains that she came to pack up her daughter's belongings, after she went overseas, and Alice plans to reunite with her grandchildren, who she has not seen in a long time. Sonya and Toadie ask Alice if she would consider babysitting their children again, and she suggests that she could be a live-in nanny and they hire her. It emerges that Alice is Hugo's grandmother and Andrea Somers' mother, the woman who conned the Rebecchis. Alice begins manipulating the Rebecchis, convincing Toadie to pay for expensive treatment for Andrea and to keep it from Sonya, which causes an argument. She later convinces Nell to hide during a Halloween event, and pretends that she does not know where she is, sparking a search. Alice then calls the DHS, who question Toadie and Sonya. When Toadie tells Alice that her services are no longer needed, as Nell and Hugo have daycare places, Alice gives Nell food poisoning to keep her job. Alice manipulates Nell into saying that she wants to stay with her, instead of going to daycare.
Alice listens in on Sonya's AA meeting and learns that she is scared to take medication for a tension headache, so Alice crushes up some painkillers into a drink for her. Alice later visits Andrea to tell her about her plan to split Toadie and Sonya up, while Toadie learns from Andrea's daughter Willow Somers, that her grandmother is also a scam artist called Heather Schilling. Alice fakes a hand injury to get Codeine, which she secretly feeds to Sonya so she will develop a dependency on it. Alice deliberately hits her hand with a rolling pin to gain more painkillers, and suggests to Sonya's sister-in-law that Sonya is drinking again. She also learns that Toadie and Sonya are searching for Andrea's mother, and are expecting some information from a private detective. Alice strikes Toadie's assistant Piper Willis over the head with a crowbar and steals the envelope containing Andrea's file. Alice amends the file to say that Andrea's mother is dead. She then stops giving Sonya the painkillers so that she develops withdrawal symptoms. Sonya becomes sick and is hospitalised after becoming dehydrated.
After Alice overhears Toadie declaring his love for Sonya, she decides to kill Sonya so Toadie will be free for Andrea. Alice soaks Sonya's gardening gloves in pesticide and then encourages her to work at the nursery, so she has to wear them. During a food break, Sonya licks her fingers and ingests the pesticide. She becomes seriously ill and asks Alice to pull over. Alice refuses to call an ambulance and watches as Sonya passes out. When she comes to, Alice explains that she had to poison her, as she wanted herself, Toadie, Hugo and Andrea to be a family. Alice apologises and then leaves Sonya to die. Willow comes to visit Toadie and Sonya, and finds her grandmother Heather posing as their nanny. Heather tells her about her plan and when she catches Willow texting Toadie, she locks Willow in the shed at the nursery. Heather flees Erinsborough and learns from Willow that Sonya has been found alive. She visits Andrea to tell her that her plan has gone wrong. When Andrea becomes upset, Heather tells her that when the time is right, she must tell Toadie about the person at the Salamanca Markets.
Months later, Heather surprises Andrea at her apartment in Geelong, having been kicked out of her friend's home. Andrea urges her to hide in the bathroom to avoid being seen by Willow. Heather overhears Willow mentioning that she used to lock Andrea up, and confronts Andrea about her lies when they are alone. Andrea allows Heather to stay at her apartment, while she moves into Lassiters, and urges her to lay low. However, Heather comes to Erinsborough and sees Andrea arguing with Ian Packer. Andrea later tells her mother that the police are ramping up their search for her, before learning she has been visiting Erinsborough. Heather copies down Ian's number from Andrea's phone, and later seduces him for information about Karen, the woman that Andrea looks like. Andrea catches them together and berates her mother, telling her that Karen is not a threat. She also asks Heather about a red-headed woman she recalled during her hypnotherapy session. Ian later returns and Heather asks him to keep their relationship a secret from Andrea. She then convinces Ian to tell her where Karen is, as she wants to make sure she will not return and ruin Andrea's life.
Heather travels to Byron Bay with Andrea following, and sets up a meeting with 'Karen' who is revealed to be Dee, resulting in Andrea pushing her off a cliff. Dee poses as Andrea so she can convince Heather to return to Erinsborough and Heather and Andrea are arrested. It is later learned that Heather is Andrea and Dee's mum, she recalls having given birth to two babies in which one was unknowingly taken from her by a nun and given to the Bliss family. Although Heather is remorseful for her actions, Dee decides to cut all ties with Heather and Andrea, and they are left in prison.
A year later, while visiting Andrea, Dee notices Heather walking through the prison and decides to organise a visit. Although Heather continues to show remorse for her past, Dee's decision to continually visit her angers Toadie. When he tries to prevent them from seeing each other, Dee becomes annoyed and after a series of issues, they break up. Meanwhile, Andrea vents her anger about not being able to see Hugo to Heather, who refuses to help her in any scheme. Dee asks Heather about her and Andrea's biological father, but Heather claims not to remember him. She later tells Karl Kennedy that his name is Peter Wilson. On another of Dee's visits, prison guard Owen Campbell helps Andrea to escape by drugging Dee, so Andrea can change into her clothes. When Dee wakes up, Heather realises she is not Andrea. She and Toadie eventually convince the prison staff that Andrea has escaped. After learning that Andrea has taken Hugo, Heather works with the police to get him back. She contacts Andrea and tells her she is also on the run. They arrange to meet at Erinsborough High School, where Andrea is arrested and Hugo returned to Toadie. Although Toadie thanks her, he later visits Heather and says that he blames Dee's decision to reconnect with her for Andrea's actions. Heather later arranges a prison transfer due to this, and Dee leaves to meet her father Peter in Alaska.

Valerie Grundy

Valerie Grundy, played by Patti Newton, appeared on 21 December 2018. Newton's casting was announced on 10 December, while Valerie's appearance had previously been teased in spoilers for the show's 8000th episode. The character's surname is a tribute to Reg Grundy, who produced Neighbours in the 1980s. Valerie is a "shy and reclusive" woman, who has lived in the corner house of Ramsay Street for 34 years. Her death brings the local community together, while Toadfish Rebecchi goes inside her house and discovers she was a hoarder, who has acquired a variety of items from the residents of the street over the years.
Val greets Aaron Brennan and David Tanaka as she passes through the Lassiters Complex, before Yashvi Rebecchi apologises to her for kicking a football over her fence. As Val returns to her home on the corner of Ramsay Street, she waves hello to Toadfish Rebecchi and Piper Willis, who wonders whether to interview Val for her vlog. Later that day, Piper tells Toadie that she has tried knocking on Val's door, but there was no answer and Val's dog Regina is continuously barking. Piper and Toadie go inside and find that Val has died of a heart attack.

Delaney Renshaw

Delaney Renshaw, played by Ella Newton, made her first appearance on 21 December 2018. Newton's casting and character details were announced on 6 December. Delaney is the daughter of a "notorious" Sydney crime family, who have been mentioned on-screen several times since the arrival of Leo Tanaka in 2016. Delaney comes to Erinsborough to see Leo after informing him that her father and uncle are up for parole. She also makes it clear that she wants a romantic relationship with him now that she is an adult. Kilkelly branded Delaney "troublesome". Bridget McManus and Melinda Houston of The Sydney Morning Herald called the character a "femme fatale" and said "Delaney continues to wreak thrilling havoc behind the scenes."
Delaney contacts Leo Tanaka to inform him that her father and uncle will be released from prison soon. Delaney comes to Erinsborough to see Leo and declares her love for him, but Leo tells her that he is in a relationship and nothing is going to happen between them. Delaney stays at Lassiters Hotel and discovers Leo is dating manager Terese Willis. She propositions him in the hotel sauna, and threatens to tell her father and uncle that he was the person who informed on them if he does not enter into a relationship with her. Leo and his father Paul Robinson give Delaney a number of free items from the hotel to keep her happy. She later comes to Paul to ask for his help with Leo, and tells him that Mannix Foster died as a result of Paul leaving him in the middle of nowhere while injured. She uses the information and a recording made just before Mannix died to blackmail Paul. Leo breaks up with Terese, but is reluctant to be intimate with Delaney. When Terese comes face to face with Leo and Delaney in the elevator, he kisses Delaney to show that he has moved on. Delaney receives a phone call and tells the person on the other end that Leo has no idea what is going on. She later catches Terese with her phone, but Terese tells her that she was just putting it back, after it fell out of her bag.
Delaney tells Leo that her father and uncle got parole, and reveals that she is fearful of seeing her father. Leo spends the night with Delaney, but they do not have sex. He later tells Delaney that he cannot pretend to love her anymore and ends their relationship, as he is in love with Terese. Paul advises Delaney that she cannot make someone love her, and offers her a job with a Lassiters hotel abroad. After seeing Leo beg Terese for a second chance, Delaney returns to her hotel room to find her father Raymond Renshaw and uncle Ivan Renshaw waiting for her. Raymond learns that Delaney came to Erinsborough to see Leo, as she fell in love with him while he was working at the club. She then tells him that Leo was the one who went to the police about the money laundering, not Mannix. Ivan goes off to find Leo and Delaney worries that Ivan will hurt him and refuses to leave with Raymond. Delaney learns that Ivan shot at Leo, but Terese jumped in front of him and took the bullet. Delaney assures Leo that she did not talk to her father or uncle about him. Leo calls Delaney's mystery contact and discovers that it is Mannix, who explains that after Paul dumped him in the bush, he called Delaney, who took him to a motel where he recovered. Delaney also tells Paul that the body he dug up was an associate of Raymond's. Delaney attempts to apologise, but Paul and Leo order her to go. Leo later tells her she is safe from Raymond and Ivan, who are going back to prison. He suggests that she goes and finds her mother to make a fresh start. They hug and Delaney leaves.

Regina Grundy

Regina "Reggie" Grundy, played by Timba, is a French Bulldog, who made her first appearance on 21 December 2018. Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy announced on 17 December that a new dog was being introduced to the show during the 8000th episode. Reg initially belongs to Valerie Grundy, who dies in the episode. After Reg fails to get along with the Rebecchi's dog Clancy, she is adopted by David Tanaka and Aaron Brennan. Valerie and Reg were created as a tribute to Reg Grundy, who produced Neighbours in the 1980s. Timba is owned by Wilson. Reggie departed with Valerie's sister on 23 January 2019.
Reggie continuously barks after her owner Valerie Grundy dies, alerting Toadfish Rebecchi and Piper Willis, who enter the house and find Val. After Val's body is removed, Yashvi Rebecchi convinces her parents to look after Reggie. Aaron Brennan and David Tanaka take Reggie out for a walk, as she is not getting along with the Rebecchi's dog. Piper tells them that she and Toadie have yet to find any of Val's relations, and it is not guaranteed that they would want Reggie. After speaking with Aaron's brother, David adopts Reggie for himself and Aaron, and brings her home to Number 24. While she is left alone, Reggie ransacks various rooms, leading Aaron to find a Christmas card from his sister Chloe Brennan to Elly Conway amongst the rubbish. Reggie is taken from the Lassiters complex, while David is in the cafe. He and Aaron later spot her with Vera Punt, who explains that she is Val's sister. David and Aaron are reluctant to let Reggie go, as they have fallen in love with her, but eventually decide to let her leave with Vera.

Shaun Watkins

Shaun Watkins, played by Brad Moller, made his first appearance on 27 December 2018. Details of Moller's casting were not announced until his first appearance. Shaun was introduced as the younger half-brother of villain Finn Kelly. He comes to Erinsborough to meet Susan Kennedy, and prove to her that Finn was not always bad. Shaun was later shown in a trailer promoting 2019 storylines, and Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy questioned if he could be trusted or whether he was "just as freaky as Finn? Only time will tell." Writers also involved Shaun in Elly Conway's relationship problems. They pair have a one-night stand and Elly falls pregnant with his child, giving him an opportunity for blackmail. In May 2020, it was announced that Moller had reprised the role once again, months after Shaun was declared dead.
Shaun leaves a photo album containing childhood photos of Finn Kelly on the doorstep of Susan Kennedy home. Susan and her husband Karl Kennedy meet Shaun at the local pub The Waterhole, where he reveals that he is Finn's half-brother. Shaun explains that when he and Finn were younger, they were both kidnapped during a trip to South America. Their mother and Shaun's father paid the ransom for Shaun, but not Finn, as they blamed him for the incident. Finn was held captive for six months, until he was rescued by the military. Shaun hopes that by telling Susan the story, she will understand Finn's actions better. Despite finding no record of the incident, Susan meets with Shaun again, who says it was covered up. He gives her an unopened letter from Finn to their mother that he wrote while he was held hostage. Shaun explains that their mother has had no contact with Finn, while his father blamed Finn for his heart attack. Shaun also says that Finn's anger caused him to do terrible things. Susan's niece Bea Nilsson contacts Shaun asking to meet, but her boyfriend Ned Willis warns Shaun off and he leaves town.
Shaun returns when Finn wakes from his coma and claims to have retrograde amnesia. Shaun supports Finn when he visits Ramsay Street and meets his victims. Ned confronts Shaun and tells him to take Finn away, but Shaun refuses and Ned punches him. Mark Brennan breaks up the fight, and Shaun press charges against Ned. Shaun and Finn's mother Claudia Watkins comes to Erinsborough intending to take Shaun home with her. He tries to convince her to visit Finn. Shaun meets Elly Conway at the Back Lane Bar, and they have a one-night stand. Shaun later learns Elly is pregnant and that he is the father. He uses the information to blackmail her into changing her victim impact statement and convince the Kennedys to house Finn. He leaves for Switzerland after seeing Finn settle in. Weeks later, Finn invites Shaun back to Erinsborough, after Elly's marriage ends. He almost gets into a fight with her husband Mark, who knows he is the father of her baby. Shaun tells Elly that he wants to be a part of his baby's life, but Elly is distant. Shaun attends an art class with Elly and they bond over the baby while they draw. Elly invites him to attend the 12-week scan. Mark asks Shaun about the fire at the police forensics locker, but Shaun assures him that he was not involved as he was in Sydney. After seeing how happy Elly is upon talking to Mark, Shaun goes to see Mark and asks if there is a chance they could get back together. Mark refuses to discuss the issue with him. Shaun tells Elly that he is planning on leaving to give her and Mark space, and will return for the birth. Elly later tells him that she and Mark kissed, so she agrees with his decision to leave. After Shaun tells Finn that he is going, he says his goodbyes to everyone and returns to Switzerland.
Shaun comes to Erinsborough to pull Finn into line, after he falls out with David Tanaka and Aaron Brennan over their involvement in Elly's pregnancy. After Finn apologises to David and Aaron, the four men take a baby swaddling class together. Elly returns from Sydney when Bea is injured, and Shaun comforts her when she gets upset. He asks Elly about them starting a relationship, but she turns him down. David finds custody papers in Shaun's bag and Elly accuses Shaun of trying to take her baby. He explains that his mother had the papers drawn up, but he has no intention of filing them and they tear them up. Shaun tells Finn about a program he ran in Switzerland that pairs disadvantaged children with mentors, and they present the idea to Toadfish Rebecchi for the Sonya Foundation, however, Toadie tells them that Finn cannot be involved as he will not get police clearance to work with children. After Shaun helps Elly to clean up after the school dance, she kisses him. He returns to Switzerland to begin organising his relocation to Erinsborough. A week later, Finn, Bea and Elly learn that Shaun is missing after being caught up in an avalanche while hiking. Claudia soon informs Finn that the search has been called off following a blizzard, and it is now a retrieval mission, leading Finn to declare that Shaun is dead.
Six months later, Shaun is rescued and flies to Melbourne on Claudia's private jet after realising she was there. Upon arrival he is greeted by her and his daughter Aster Conway. He reveals that while hiking, he injured his ankle before a blizzard and was forced to stay in a log cabin but was unable to leave due to heavy snowfall posing a risk to his life. Upon inquiring why Aster is with Claudia, he discovers his mother's numerous schemes to take custody away from the Kennedys, Elly and Bea, and how she sent Elly to prison for Finn's murder. He tries to convince her to do the right thing, as Susan and Bea arrive and are shocked by his presence. After Claudia turns herself into the police and was charged, Elly was bailed out of prison. Shaun refuses to forgive Claudia. Shaun reunites with Elly and he temporarily moves in with the Kennedys. Shaun breaks down in front of David, and admits that he misses Finn and is shocked and angry at him for what he has done to the residents of Ramsay Street. Bea tells Shaun that Finn made some video diaries and gives him a copy. Shaun watches them and angrily throws his laptop at Karl's garden shed, in front of Elly. Shaun then throws the memory stick, containing the videos into the lake, before announcing to Elly that he has decided to return to Switzerland to sort himself out. He promises to return to Erinsborough for her and Aster, and they say their goodbyes. Shaun returns weeks later and comes to Elly's defence when she is hassled by a journalist. Shaun takes a job as a counsellor at Erinsborough High, and he helps Emmett Donaldson, who struggles with maths and making friends. However, Shaun is fired when he admits to leaving the school doors open, which Emmett and his friends took advantage of to vandalise a classroom. Shaun supports Elly when she is rejected by a mother's group for being a murderer, and organises their own parent's group in the garden, where he and Elly have sex. Shaun then asks her to move to Switzerland with him, which she agrees to do. Shaun departs with Elly and Aster to start a new life together in Switzerland.

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