“It’s all about “new beginnings” this year.
Who could forget about the tense moments in Home And Away’s 2020 season finale?
As retired cop Colby confronted jail inmates baying for his blood, fans gulped. Elsewhere, love was set to flourish again after heartbreak.
Colby is left fighting for his life in our special preview. We can also reveal a host of new characters that will bring waves of drama to Summer Bay with the return of some famous ones.
Series producer Lucy Addario exclusively tells TV WEEK, “new beginnings” are all about 2021.
She says, “This show is about love at its heart.”You have to see a marriage; there are going to be births and fresh faces. And events are going to throw the Bay into disarray.”
End of the row
Since his abusive stepfather, Ross Nixon, was found guilty of murdering him, stuff looked grim for Colby (Tim Franklin, below) (Justin Rosniak). The retired cop was in apparent peril when the men he helped bring in custody marched on him.
This season, when we pick up the fight, it’s to save him before it’s too late.
“Lucy continues, “The last shot came from the inmates coming for Colby.
We will see whether or not he’s going to succeed in jail.
“One of the great concerns, particularly of Dean [Patrick O’Connor], who has been in jail for some time, is that he’s goner when they discover Colby’s a cop.”
Significant decision for Willow
Without doubt, one of the big surprises of 2020 was Willow’s unmasking as Witness X. As Witness X, Willow gave testimony at the trial of Colby, eventually sealing his fate and sending him to prison.
You may think she was gone for good after Willow (Sarah Roberts) fled the bay after that. But not like that…
“While she thought she was doing the right thing, she would return and try to make things right when Dean doesn’t fall for Colby’s mistake,” Lucy says.
“She was doing it for Dean [at the trial at Colby] and she would insure that he’s all right.” ” ”
Hot love triangle
Now here’s a pair of Bunnings sausage barbecues with more sizzle than that!
In the final season of the season, Ziggy (Sophie Dillman) and Tane were tempted to dance. While she’s drawn to Tane, Dean, she still loves her ex, and in 2021 her great dilemma is here.
“Ziggy has everything behind her – and Tane loves her so much – but Dean loves her,” says Lucy.
Group Tane or Team Dean are you?
Call the nurse
Sparks soared in the final season when Jasmin bumped into an old friend and sister Lewis. This is the time for Jaz to change to a new groove after dropping Robbo (Jake Ryan).
Lucy says, “They date back to uni. “I hope that Lewis [Luke Arnold] is the one to make the wedding ring of Jasmin [Sam Frost] carry away, but Lewis has history and we also hear that he has lost his wife in an accident.
But Lewis is on a collision course with the man he claims is responsible for the death of his wife, Dr Christian (Ditch Davey).
“Lucy warns, “There’s some bad blood there.
A River Boy comes back
Long-time fans will be treated to the reappearance of their favourite River Boy in the first week.
“He’s in a cameo only,” says Lucy. “We’ve been delighted to have him, though.”
What contributed to the return of the River Boy? We will demonstrate that Tane (Ethan Browne) and Ari (Rob Kipa–Williams) are choked into theft, as part of the plot.
As for exactly which River Boy it is, we’re just going to have to wait a little longer to find out…
Ticking Bomb Time
Stalwart Alf and his daughter Roo were gobsmacked last year to discover that Martha had a son, Kieran.
Lucy says of Alf (Ray Meagher), and Roo, ‘Although it was a shock, they got over it’ (Georgie Parker).
“They’re really trying to defend Martha — and Kieran [Rick Donald] doesn’t believe them.”
And with Kieran’s dark history of substance abuse and aggression soon revealed, they had a reason not to. We watched an angry Kieran punch a tree in the finale, and it was clear his problems were far from resolved.
As Kieran’s battle with the booze emerges, things are spiralling out of control this year. But could it jeopardise the young marriage of Alf and Martha?
“Kieran is really volatile, shares Lucy. “They’re on a ride here, Alf and Roo.’
The next step
The romance between doctors Christian and Tori (Penny McNamee) is pounding, against all hopes, like the heart of a racehorse. Last year, when Christian told her he wanted to move to the Bay permanently to be with her, Tori rocked on her feet.
“He works right now and he thinks it’s right,” says Lucy. “Tori hit him.”
Having agreed to make Summer Bay his home, Lucy says that the whirlwind romance of Christian and Tori goes up a notch. But are both of them prepared to take their partnership to a new level?
Looking for love
Former McLeod’s Daughters star Bridie Carter, this time as attractive real estate agent Susie McAllister, returns to the show for her third appearance. And she sets at least one beating heart.
Susie comes in and she catches John’s [Shane Withington] eye and they hit it off instantly,” says Lucy.”
But buckle up, she adds, as wily Susie is a bigger-than-life character.
“Susie has more than meets the eye,” Lucy suggests.
