Aflevering 5897

Nog bitter over zijn vernedering is Andrew trots over wat hij heeft gedaan en trekt hij zich niks aan van Rebacca's pogingen om een ouder voor hem te zijn. Harry keurt zijn houding af. Andrew krijg een uitbrander van Rebecca maar hij toont weinig wroeging.

Aflevering 5896

Summer is ervan overtuigd dat Andrew een opkikker nodig heeft van de druk bij hem thuis en organiseert een party bij haar thuis. Zij is ervan overtuigd dat ze het allemaal onder controle kan houden maar een opstandige Andrew heeft er een evenement op Facebook van gemaakt om de party te bevorderen.

Aflevering 5895

Summer helpt Andrew om zijn positie in de straat te houden maar zal hun plan werken? Kate is bezorgd dat het misverstand tussen haar en Declan het einde zal betekenen van hun relatie.

Aflevering 5894

Kan de relatie van Declan en Kate stand houden? Het is 1 april, en dat betekent dat iedereen een doelwit is.

Aflevering 5893

Het geheim van Toadie en Steph wordt bedreigd. Karl en Susan gaan steeds verder met hun golf oorlog.

Aflevering 5892

Toadie is verscheurd tussen de twee vrouwen in zijn leven. Andrew maakt een verrassend besluit. De golf oorlog van Karl en Susan bereikt een hoogtepunt.

Aflevering 5891

Donna's zoektocht naar haar vader onthult een nare waarheid. Steph's plannen voor de toekomst krijgen een onverwachte hindernis.

Aflevering 5890

Donna leest het dagboek van haar moeder op zoek naar aanwijzigingen over haar vader. Susan ontdekt waarom Lyn een doorn aan Karl's kant is. Toadie wordt geteisterd door een verdenking dat hij teveel verteld heeft aan Lucas.

Aflevering 5889

Lucas denkt terug aan zijn vriendschap met Todie. Lyn vindt een nieuw gevoel van doelgerichtheid in het ziekenhuis. Donna en Zeke vinden een afgesloten dagboek in een doos van Cassandra's oude spullen, maar zal dit Donna helpen om haar vader te vinden?

Aflevering 5888

Als de gemeenschap burendag viert, probeert Andrew wanhopig een stapje voor te blijven op Paul. Lucas probeert een nieuwe tactiek uit om te bewijzen dat er iets niet klopt met de relatie van Steph en Todie. 

Terese Willis

Rebekah Elmaloglou As Terese Willis

Terese Willis Terese is a woman who manages to do it all – she’s a devoted wife, loving mother and hard working career woman.

She has always been ambitious. But unlike many others, Terese didn’t see marriage or motherhood as an obstacle to her dreams. But the rewards haven’t come easy for her – she’s had to put in the hours, and the elbow grease to get to where she is today. 

The family’s decision to move to Erinsborough coincides with Terese being offered a job at Lassiters and Brad putting his teaching career on hold to become a full time swim coach to Joshua. By her own admission, Terese isn’t quite as in touch with the kids as Brad is… the cost of being the parent who works the longer hours in the family. 

Terese met and married Brad when she was 21. Twins Joshua and Imogen, now 17 soon followed. A third child, Piper, 14, is currently overseas, completed the family. Terese likes to instill confidence – and a strong work ethic – in her kids. One might even observe that Terese runs her house the same way she runs Lassisters – with regular quality controls and maximum efficiently.

Rebekah Elmaloglou

Rebekah Elmaloglou was just eight years old when her mother persuaded her to audition for the role of the tiniest member of the Von Trapp family in The Sound of Music and so began a career, which has spanned twenty years.
 
As one of the country’s most respected actors, Rebekah is best known for her role as the angst-ridden Sophie Simpson in Home and Away, a part she played on and off for 15 years.  Rebekah has also had roles in All Saints, Back of Beyond, Water Rats and A Country Practice.
 
Her film credits include The Sum of Us, Wog Boys, In Too Deep and U Turn, and she featured in the praised stage production of The Vagina Monologues in Sydney.
 
With parents who are both professional musicians and her cousin, Dame Judi Dench, acclaimed Oscar award winning actress, performing was some thing which happened naturally.
 
“My parents were very supportive, however definitely not pushy, they let me find my own path,” said Rebekah who was offered the regular role as Terese Willis on Neighbours at the end of 2012, the wife of a returning character, Brad Willis now played by Kip Gamblin.
 
“Terese is great character because there are two very distinctive sides to her, the ambitious career woman and the caring and nurturing mother and wife, and she’s trying to juggle everything,” said Rebekah.
 
Born in Sydney, Rebekah has relocated to Melbourne with her husband Kane and four-year-old son Kai.  She is interested in health and fitness, the arts and is an ambassador for Ever After Widowed, a support group a relative began for young widows and widowers with young children.

She plays Terese Willis in the Neighbours series.

Brad Willis

Kip Gamblin As Brad Willis

Brad Willis is a heritage Neighbours character.  

Established in the early 1990s, he is remembered as a good looking, laid back surfer dude with a heart of gold.

When Brad returns to Ramsay Street, he’s now a family man – married to his second wife, Terese, and father to three kids, twins Joshua and Imogen (17) and Piper (14 ) who lives overseas. A grown-up version of his former self, the main attributes Brad retains from his younger years are his friendly nature, sense of humour and relaxed attitude to life.

Brad has never been overly ambitious, so when it came to choosing a career, he looked for a profession that would allow him to spend time in the great outdoors and became a PE teacher.  

The family decision to move to Erinsborough coincides with Terese being offered a job at Lassiters and Brad putting his teaching career on hold to become a full time swim coach to Joshua. While he doesn’t dwell on the past, he finds it difficult to escape at times.

Kip Gamblin

Kip Gamblin has many strings to his bow – he is an accomplished actor, dancer and choreographer.

As one of Neighbours newest cast members, Kip took over the role of established character Brad Willis and debuted on the long running series in May this year along with his on-air family.

Sydney born, Kip is best known to Australian audiences for playing Scott Hunter in Home And Away, for which he won a TV Week Logie for Best New Talent and Dr Adam Rossi on All Saints. Other credits include roles in Tricky Business and Dance Academy, as well international acclaim for his performance in the BBC drama Casualty.

He commenced his training in dance, theatre and drama at the McDonald College of Performing Arts in Sydney, and later at the Australian Ballet School. His theatre credits include principal dance roles with Australian Ballet, Western Australian Ballet, Sydney Dance Company and Royal Opera Covent Garden, along with solo performances with Barbara Streisand on her Australian tour of Timeless. His dance career has seen him travel extensively throughout the world with highly successful tours to Europe, UK, Asia, and the United States.

Kip’s film credits include Baz Lurhman’s Moulin Rouge and Bruce Beresford’s Maos Last Dancer. In recent years has enjoyed guest teaching and coaching dance and drama for students at NIDA and company members for Bangarra Dance Theatre and Sydney Dance Company.

Joshua Willis

Harley Bonner As Joshua Willis

A highly self-motivated young man, everything in Joshua’s life is geared around his promising swimming career which has him poised to compete at the next Commonwealth Games.

With training sessions beginning at 5am, and school studies to fit in, every day is scheduled right down to the minute. Josh pulls it all off without complaint. 

A natural born competitor, he’s always striving to achieve his personal best, in and out of the pool.
Josh has a great relationship with his parents, Brad and Terese, and his twin sister, Imogen.  A mix of both parents, Josh gets his charisma from Brad and his drive from Terese. 

Like most twins, Josh shares a special connection with Imogen, though the bond has weakened slightly in recent times. As Josh becomes increasingly focused on his training, he is less in tune with his sister’s life.  But he’d do anything for her which is evident when she catches the eye of one of the Ramsay Street local boys.

Harley Bonner

At the end of Year 6, Harley Bonner wrote in his school year book that he wanted to be a tennis player or an actor, the latter won out over a sports career. Following high school, Harley was accepted into the prestigious 16th Street Actors Studio in Melbourne for the full-time one-year course and last year featured in a guest role on House Husbands.

The energetic 22-year-old was ecstatic when he was invited in late 2012 to join the Neighbours cast in the on-going role as Joshua Willis.

Harley’s mother, Carla Bonner who starred in Neighbours for eleven years as the much loved Steph Scully, was on-set for an upcoming guest role on the series when her son started filming.

“I guess I’ve always been around it (acting) and the lifestyle that comes with it in terms of the preparation, early starts and long days, I thought everyone’s parents had jobs like this,” said Harley.

Unlike his character who is a champion swimmer, Harley is more of a land-lover and enjoys running and working out at the gym. However the Melbourne born actor is embracing the challenge of perfecting his swim strokes and tumble turns.

“For someone who was actually scared of water as a kid, it’s quite funny I’m playing a swimmer,” joked Harley.

Imogen Willis

Ariel Kaplan As Imogen Willis

17, beautiful, intelligent and creative, Imogen is the kind of girl that makes it all look easy. She’s got the looks, the personality and an IQ that enables her to sail through high school with ease. It’s no surprise, given that she hails from a family of over-achievers. But beneath it all, Imogen has insecurities that she manages to hide well.

She has a great relationship with her parents, Brad and Terese, and her twin brother, Joshua.  Imogen has inherited Brad’s sensitivity and Terese’s warmth, though she isn’t as driven as they believe her to be.

Deep down, she’s starting to resent the fact that so much of the family is structured around Joshua’s promising swimming career. She feels that her needs have been sidelined and her attention diverted toward a hot new neighbour.

Ariel Kaplan

With two older sisters forging acting careers, a father who is a musician, a grandfather who is an actor and to cap it off, a grandmother who was a professional ballerina, performing is in Ariel Kaplan’s blood.

She was just three years old when she started dancing and singing classes, which led onto musical theatre including a lead role in the acclaimed Lion King in Melbourne and Shanghai seasons in 2005 and 2006 when she was in primary school.

Ariel was cast in a regular role in The Saddle Club in 2008 where she mastered horse riding which is still a passion today.

She completed Year 12 in 2011 and was studying full-time at the 16th Street Actors Studio in Melbourne late last year when she was offered the on-going role as Imogen Willis on Neighbours.

“I love the character, she is outwardly confident and very comfortable in her own skin, and doesn’t feel she has to impress anyone by doing things she might regret. I think she is a great role model for young girls,” said Imogen who lives with her family in Melbourne.

When she isn’t filming on Neighbours, the talented 18-year-old still attends dancing and singing classes, and when at home, she is passionate about cooking.

Karl Kennedy

Alan Fletcher As Karl Kennedy

Karl is husband to Susan and father to adult children Libby, Mal and Billy, and 8 year old Holly. Holly is the result of an affair with Izzy Hoyland during one of the several hiatuses from his marriage to Susan. Karl works hard to be a good father: he’s fair but firm, approachable and wise. A good relationship with his children probably keeps Karl’s demons at bay… most of the time.

Karl’s weakness is his vanity. He needs to be respected by men and admired by women. He has a very healthy ego and can be quite stubborn and hold grudges. 

He doesn’t like to lose an argument and can be explosive if pushed too far. Susan likes an argument as much as he does, and both will stand their ground. Even though Karl believes he’s rarely wrong, he will usually give in to Susan just to keep the peace. Susan rules the roost – much as he’d hate to admit this.

Karl fancies himself an older statesmen type: the man people go to in a time of need. He likes to seem approachable, and is proud of the fact he’s progressive, though sometimes there’s the sense he is trying too hard.

Sentimental for his youth, he pines for the glory days when he was an ambitious up-and-comer with the world at his feet. He likes to keep the spirit of his youth alive by keeping up with young people; their trends, their passions, their whims…

Karl hopes for a second lease on life now his children have all left home. He has a passion for music and finds an avenue for this with his band ‘The Right Prescription’. He also fancies himself a bit of a culinary sensation and enjoys whipping up a feast. Karl’s currently investing a lot of time and energy into reaffirming his relationship with Susan after their recent reconciliation.
 

Alan Fletcher

For eighteen years, Alan Fletcher has played the loveable and at times controversial Karl Kennedy. "I love playing Karl now more than ever."

Although well known for his role in Neighbours, Alan has appeared in countless theatrical productions and several television shows including Embassy, for which he was nominated for an AFI award for best actor, Sword of Honour, The Flying Doctors, The Love Boat, The Young Doctors and feature films such as Mercy Mission and Crime Time.

Nowadays, when Alan isn't busy on the Neighbours set you’ll find him performing to sell out crowds in Melbourne with his local band Waiting Room and new covers ensemble UBERsavvy.

Born in Perth, Alan lives in Melbourne with his wife Jennifer Hansen and their two children, Veronica and Tom. He is an avid Carlton Football Club supporter and donates his time to a number of charity organisations including Variety, Blue September and the Penguin Foundation.

Lou Carpenter

Tom Oliver As Lou Carpenter

Larrikin Lou Carpenter is a maverick and an incorrigible old codger. But beneath his rough exterior lies a genuine heart of gold.

Lou “Casanova” Carpenter had been quite the heartthrob in high school, so he never quite got over losing the battle for Madge’s affections. He went on to marry Kathy, have two children and become a wealthy entrepreneur, but he was never entirely happy and his marriage ended in divorce.
He headed to Erinsborough when news arrived that Madge was about to marry his high school rival Harold Bishop. Determined not to lose out to the nerdy vegetarian he liked to call “Jelly Belly”, he put up a valiant fight. However, Harold was the successful suitor and Lou beat a hasty retreat. Although he became very close to Madge in the days after Harold’s disappearance at sea, he realised that he would always be her second choice and never seriously pursued their relationship again. 

Despite the fact that maverick Lou isn’t often seen as responsible enough to look after himself, never mind children, he’s hugely proud of his son Guy and daughter Lauren. He was also delighted, if somewhat astonished, to meet Ling Mai, a daughter he had conceived during the Korean War but whose existence he had been entirely unaware of for many years. In addition to his biological children, Lou has been a surrogate father for other Ramsay Street residents such as Beth Brennan and Rick Alessi, not to mention Brett, Danni and Darren Stark, the children of his long-term partner Cheryl. 

However, it is his relationship with the Starks’ sister Louise (Lolly) that it the most complicated. Lou believed that he was Lolly’s father for many years, even offering Cheryl all of his assets in return for custody when they separated. Although they eventually agreed that Lolly would be better off with her mother, when Cheryl was killed, Lou was left custody of the little girl in her will. It was years later that DNA tests proved Lolly was not Lou’s daughter at all and she was taken away to live with her real father.

Not that the rest of Lou’s life has run much more smoothly. In business he has turned his hand to everything from selling used cars, to radio presenting, to running a pub, to property investment and has veered between being a self-made millionaire and being bankrupt. In love he faced old foe Harold again for the fair hand of Reverend Rosie Hoyland. He married Nina Tucker’s mother Trixie and invested heavily in her production of Hello Dolly. When the show flopped he lost his money and his wife.

Indeed, for all their rivalry, it is Lou’s relationship with Harold that endures. Amid the bickering they’ve shared a great deal and still remain good friends. Lou’s life has turned out very differently from what he expected; broke and living with his daughter Lauren and her family. Thankfully it hasn’t affected his cheery disposition. Now in his winter years, Lou is realizing the importance of family. Semi-retired, he earns a few bob as a male escort for lonely ladies. Lou uses his earnings to take off and visit his other far-flung children.

Tom Oliver

Tom Oliver has been involved in the entertainment industry for over 44 years, making him known not only to Australian viewers but audiences worldwide for his extensive body of work.

After traveling the world in the navy, Tom migrated to Australia from England in 1963 and two months later he was in New Guinea playing the lead in a television drama. And from there, Tom’s career took off.

Best known for his roles in the ground-breaking and much-loved serials, Number 96 and Bellbird, Tom has had roles in eight films, including Adams Woman, Colour Me Dead and High Country, and guest roles in literally dozens of television series including You Can’t See Around Corners, Dynasty, Prisoner and The Dismissal.

In 1990 Tom joined the cast of Neighbours as the lovable and mischievous Lou Carpenter and is among the most popular characters on the show. “It’s been fun watching the show evolve over the years and all the twists and turns the show has taken Lou on,” says Tom. “I still have the same dirty laugh though!”

Tom lives in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs and among his many interests, he is passionate about gardening and has an impressive collection of elephant ornaments and memorbilia.

“Elephants are meant to be bring you luck and I’ve certainly had a very fortunate life and career so there must be some truth in the myth,” said Tom.

Chris Pappas

James Mason As Chris Pappas

Chris is the ultimate mate – loyal, caring and compassionate. He’s non-judgmental by nature, and this trait was solidified after he endured many negative reactions to his coming out. Having grown more comfortable with his sexuality and adopting a newfound confidence, he’s not afraid to go for what he wants and stand up for himself when he needs to.  Chris is a great friend and confidante, especially for Kyle and Amber.

A talented athlete, Chris excels at football but has moved from sport to sport, always looking for a challenge. While he enjoys competition, it’s more about being part of a team – a sense of belonging he doesn’t always feel in his everyday life.

Like it or not, Chris (or Christos as his dad calls him) is defined by his up-bringing.  His dad is a “man’s man” and a third generation immigrant. While his grandfather worked with his hands, his dad saw it as lowly blue collar work and Chris always felt the pressure to follow in the family tradition - his ancestors didn’t work this hard to see him ‘settle’ for a career in manual labour. Unlike his academically-talented friends, he’s never been keen on the books but has a real passion for mechanics.

It’s been a long journey to convince his dad to accept this career choice. 

James Mason

It was James Mason’s Year 12 drama teacher who inspired him to pursue an acting career.

The 22-year-old excelled in his final year theatre studies and upon completing his VCE, worked as an extra on dramas and in small parts in independent films, anything to be a part of the industry.

"I was very lucky to have incredibly supportive parents who encouraged to me follow my passion and do my best," said James.

In early 2010 James got his big break when he was cast in a recurring guest role as Chris Pappas, a student at Erinsborough High struggling with his sexuality and his family’s expectations.

A year later Chris became the first regular gay character on the long-running series and to date has been the centre of some major storylines.

"I really liked the character from the beginning and could see there was huge potential for him," said James. "I have a friend who went through what Chris did when he came out so it’s really important to me that there is a realism to the stories,"

James was born and raised in Melbourne with his three siblings. A die-hard Collingwood football club supporter, sport and music are his other passions when he isn’t filming. Travel is another pursuit, which he enjoys with his girlfriend during production breaks.

Sheila Canning

Colette Mann As Sheila Canning

Sheila Canning  is Kyle’s grandmother and a force to be reckoned with.

Born and raised near Horsham in Victoria, Sheila was proud to help her family run their farm. But at the age of seventeen she headed off on her own in search of a more independent life, and was a bit of a wild-child for several years, before eventually settling down in Frankston.

Her husband Reg died young, leaving Sheila to raise their 3 sons and 2 daughters. Sheila had to work hard to provide for her family. She did odd jobs, including many years as a barmaid, and went without luxuries herself, to make sure her kids never wanted for anything. 

She’s a proud blue-collar woman of simple tastes, who believes strongly in family values. Though her kids have all moved on and had families of their own, she prides herself on being the Canning matriarch. Two of Sheila’s sons are what would be described as ‘wayward’, and ran out on their respective partners Shazza (mum to Kyle and his brothers) and Jackie (Mum to Harley and Dane). This is a great disappointment to Sheila and she feels a personal debt to her grandkids; to offer a consolation of sorts for their fathers’ poor behaviour.

Sheila likes to know the affairs of everyone around her, and is always willing to offer advice if it’s asked for, but doesn’t meddle in other peoples’ business – except when it comes to her beloved family. If she knows what’s best for her kids and grandkids – and she always does - she’ll do whatever it takes to achieve it, even if that means being underhanded.

Sheila has finely honed instincts, a sharp sense of humour and no time for political correctness but she respects honest, hard work. She makes quick judgments about people, and if you get on her bad side, there’s no going back. 
In her down time, she enjoys reading trashy novels and can’t resist reality TV.

Colette Mann

Colette Mann’s enduring career has spanned nearly four decades.

In May 2012, Colette debuted on Neighbours as Sheila, the matriarch of the wayward Canning clan which includes her grandson, Ramsay Street’s lovable handyman Kyle played by Christopher Milligan.

“Like my own two sons, Chris is still wondering what has hit him,” joked Colette.

The Melbourne born actress is no stranger to the studio where the nightly soap is filmed. In 1995 she was an emergency fill-in for the show’s regular and good friend Caroline Gillmer when she became suddenly ill.

“I was hired on the Friday and started on the Monday, I had 42 scenes in the first week,” explains Colette. “They would word me up while the other cast were wheeled in and say, ‘this is your son and you don’t get along’, and roll tape.”

Colette spent three years from 1979 to 1982 filming the iconic Prisoner series in the same studios. Thirty years later, Prisoner has a cult following and her character, Doreen Anderson is still revered by fans worldwide.

She has featured in many other television dramas including The Flying Doctors, MDA, The Man From Snowy River, Stark and Sleuth 101.

Colette has a long history with light entertainment and Lifestyle programs such as The Don Lane Show, Good Morning Australia, What’s Cooking and more recently as a regular guest host on TEN’s The Circle.

Theatre is also a passion and her credits include HMS Pinafore, Mum’s The Word II Teenagers, The Vagina Monologues, Priscilla – Queen of the Desert and the lead role in I Do I Do.

The author of two books and a weekly columnist, Colette lives in Melbourne’s inner city with her two sons.

Georgia Brooks

Saskia Hampele as Georgia Brooks

Georgia Brooks, 22, is a freshly graduated nursing student from Birregurra. Optimistic bordering on naive, bubbly Georgia always looks for the best in every situation and every person.

Her positive way of viewing the world is infectious and people enjoy being around her, even when they’re not always in the mood for her brightness. 

Georgia’s nurturing nature can allow others to take advantage of her but when she encounters adversity she neither fires up nor crumbles – she looks to make the situation better for everyone. 

Unable to get a job in her local town, she’s come to Erinsborough for a placement and hopes to stay with her cousin Toadie (Ryan Moloney) and partner Sonya (Eve Morey). Despite her love for her country life, she’s excited about the big move, and sees every experience as something to be embraced.

Saskia Hampele

Saskia Hampele was nearly 4,000 kilometres away from Ramsay Street in the wilds of Kakadu in the Northern Territory when her agent needed her to test for a regular role on Neighbours.

The Perth born actress’s outback audition wowed the producers of the nightly soap and the role of Georgia Brooks was hers. Saskia filmed her first scene alongside her on-screen cousin Ryan Moloney in July (2012) debuted on air in October. 

Saskia confesses to enjoying the limelight from a young age and studied drama and performed in theatre productions as a teenager. However, when she left high school she chose to study social work at university before reigniting her love of acting. 

“I wasn’t sure if acting was something I wanted to do as career when I left school and it was actually taking a completely different direction which made me realise how much I missed and needed it,” said Saskia.

Saskia completed her degree, moved to Melbourne and worked as a counselor for the Reach Foundation and the Melbourne Royal Children's Hospital cancer ward between acting commitments. She has starred in four feature films as well as TV series including City Homicide, Twentysomethings and Mark Loves Sharon.

A professional singer, Saskia has performed as a solo artist and in bands. While Melbourne has been her adopted home for five years, she is still a staunch Eagles AFL supporter.

She plays Georgia Brooks in the Neighbours series.

Rani Kapoor

Coco Cherian As Rani Kapoor

Rani loves her doting father Ajay but has a complicated relationship with her mother. She feels stifled by Priya’s high expectations of her. While Priya believes women can, and should, have it all, Rani is less academic and far less ambitious.

The 15-year-old is a “girly girl” and dreams of getting married and having babies. She’s a nurturer, as evidenced in her loyalty and compassion as a friend but also in her love of children and animals. 

Rani has a very active imaginative world. She’s a romantic, who loves Bollywood movies and is waiting for her handsome knight in shining armour to come along. With the right amount of attention, she is easily led which is apparent when wild boy Harley Canning comes on the scene.

Coco Cherian

Coco Cherian was with her mother in a local café when the call came through from her agent that she had landed a role on Neighbours. All eyes were on the stunning teenager when she started squealing about the news of her first television role.

The bubbly 15-year-old has been a fan of the popular series since she was in primary school so to be cast as Rani Kapoor, the offspring of the show’s first Indian/Sri Lankan family was beyond all expectations.

“I’m still excited about being on Neighbours after nearly a year of working on the show,” joked Coco who was born in Perth and moved to Melbourne when she started school. Her father’s parents were born in India and her mother is Australian.

Coco started performing in school productions when she was just eight-years-old and joined the Children’s Performing Company of Australia when she was twelve to hone her skills. She is still attends dance classes regularly.

The youngest of four children, her father has a strong musical and creative background, as does her mother. Both have been extremely supportive in helping the Year 9 student juggle her new on-screen life and the demands of high school.

Paul Robinson

Stefan Dennis As Paul Robinson

Paul Robinson has made and lost a fortune several times over. Intelligent and manipulative, he is a shrewd judge of character, finely tuned to an individual’s weaknesses and motivations. Possibly the most self aware of all the characters, he spends a lot of time observing others. In business, he is ruthless and his manner can swing from charming to vicious in the blink of an eye. Paul takes just as many risks in his personal life.

It’s a mess because his love of money and power, coupled with the need for control, ultimately drives his family members away. He is fiercely protective of his loved ones however, and if you cross them you’d better watch your back.

Paul maintains a defiant belief that power generated from wealth and status can compensate for all pain – despite the fact experience has proved otherwise. He loves women. He can be very romantic but true intimacy makes him uneasy. While he craves to love and be loved, he fears the power that person holds over him… Subsequently he risks it, to test it, so that he can then shore himself up against it. 

Paul would claim he is still on the street because of his various local business concerns. In fact, it’s more because, in the absence of his beloved grandmother Helen, the street itself is the closest thing Paul has to a moral compass. It may infuriate and antagonize him but he knows deep within himself that it’s the one thing stopping him from going completely over the edge one day. 

The more vulnerable Paul feels the more dogged, cruel and unsentimental his drive becomes. He wants to be untouchable but he knows he is not. He needs to be loved but at the same time, fears he is un-loveable.

Stefan Dennis

Australian audiences fell in love with Stefan Dennis many years ago when he first graced the screens of Neighbours. After a long absence Stefan is back… and more popular then ever. Stefan says even he is shocked by his popularity after such a long time off-screen. 

“I am surprised by how popular the character is. There was a real buzz when I came back which was nice. And I came back with such a bang, shaking things up, which was good!” 

While Stefan’s character may have been legendary with audiences, he wasn’t feeling too confident coming back after such a long break. 

“I was the new kid on the block again which felt strange! But it didn’t take me long to settle back in.” 

Stefan may have had a break from Neighbours but he has certainly been busy pursuing his love of acting and producing. 

During his absence from Neighbours the Melbourne born and based star has appeared in many TV series’ including; River City, Dream Team, Blue Heelers and The Office. And in 2004 Stefan produced the highly acclaimed movie, The Truth About Love. 

Many of Stefan’s fans may also remember him from his earlier work which includes roles on of The Henderson Kids, the Flying Doctors and Prisoner Cell Block H.

Vanessa Villante

Alin Sumarwata As Vanessa Villante

Proud Vanessa was born to traditional Italian Catholic parents and is one of five children.

She loves her family but often feels lost amongst her siblings. Vanessa despaerately wants to believe she is special but doesn't always feel that way. 

A professional pastry chef and a party girl from way back, she wants more than anything to feel deeply understood by and connected to another person. 

Unfortunately, up until this point, she's been casting her net too wide and looking for love in all the wrong places. 

Arriving on Ramsay Steet results in a major shift in the direction of her life, which ultimately will have huge and permanent consequences for her.

Alin Sumarwata

Alin was just thirteen-years-old when she was introduced to the world of drama and won a scholarship at the Australian Theatre of Young People in Sydney.

Throughout her teen years she continued to study acting and joined the Newton Performing Arts Centre. However, she decided to move away from the arts when she left school and completed a commerce and law degree over five years.

Born in Iran and settling with her family in Australia when she was seven, Alin realised in her early-twenties that performing was her passion.

She was cast in her first television role in 2005 and has since appeared in numerous commercials, short films and dramas including East West 101, Sea Patrol, Rescue, False Witness, Home And Away and Mary Bryant.

In December 2011, Alin joined the cast of Neighbours in a regular role as the vivacious Vanessa Villante, a professional chef who has more than food on her mind when she arrives in Ramsay Street.

"The fact that she is always eating mirrors my life, I adore food," joked Alin who has relocated to Melbourne from Sydney with her husband and baby daughter, Tilda.

Lucas Fitzgerald

Scott Major As Lucas Fitzgerald

He's cheeky, cocky, always the life of the party, and loves being a hero to his mates. Lucas Fitzgerald has a reputation as a bit of a bad boy but underneath is a sensitive guy out for a bit of harmless fun.

Lucas is Dan’s brother, and when Lucas winds up in Erinsborough, Dan is less than impressed. There is a troubled past between them and Dan is sure Lucas has come to make his life more difficult. When Dan realises Lucas is interested in Libby, their past rivalry comes back to haunt them and the two brothers go head to head, competing for Libby’s love. 

Lucas went through a gambling addicition which almost killed his relationship with Elle, a brief liaison with Steph Scully and many scraps with Elle before finally coming good and asking Elle to marry him. And all looked picture perfect for the loved-up couple, until Elle was offered a job as a foreign correspondent for a New York newspaper and left Erinsborough and her fiance for greener pastures. 

Damaged by Elle's departure, Lucas immersed himself in the garage and his friendship with his brother to stop him sliding down the slippery slope of his gambling addiction.  Although that was shortlived when Dan and Libby's relationship started to fall apart and Dan deserted his brother without saying goodbye, leaving the Street completely.  Upset by his brother's actions and a recent call from Elle breaking off their engagement completely, Lucas does the one thing he knows best and blows out of Erinsborough on his beloved motorbike, and in a crazed need for speed gets chased by cops and crashes into a truck, winding up in hospital with damage to his spine and a chance that he may never walk again.  

After an ill fated relationship with Steph Scully, Lucas met, married and had a baby with Vanessa Villante (but not in that order). Having battled his gambling addiction once more, Lucas and Vanessa drove off into the sunset to start a new life together in Daylesford.

But who is there to nurse him back to health but his ever-reliable mate Steph Scully, and after a brief struggle between them, the two end up confessing their love for one another and decide their fate is to be together, finally. That is until Steph's past comes back to haunt her! And then, so does Lucas'. What will happen to poor Lucas after all?

Scott Major

It’s very rare that an actor returns to a series as a different character but for Scott Major, it was like coming home when he re-joined the cast of Neighbours as Lucas Fitzgerald in July 2008.

At just 18, Scott was cast as the original Darren Stark in 1993 for a brief period, and went on to have roles in Heartbreak High, Always Greener, Blue Heelers, Home & Away and All Saints, as well as in feature films, He Died With A Felafel In His Hand and Ned Kelly.

Scott, 36, has had success overseas in the BBC’s mini-series Doctors and also wrote, produced and starred in his own play at the 2006 Edinburgh fringe festival. His passion for script writing, producing and directing has also come to fruition in recent years with the debut of several original plays in Melbourne including, The Subtle Art of Flirting, All This Intimacy and The Fellatio Monologues. 

An enthusiastic cook, Scott plays the guitar and is a die-hard Western Bulldogs supporter.

Kyle Canning

Chris Milligan As Kyle Canning

Kyle’s a ripper bloke with a big heart. An Aussie through and through, he’s the type of blue-collar guy to have the Southern Cross tattooed on his butt in an end-of-season footy trip dare. He wants the All-Australian dream: the girl, the car, and a beautiful home. Kyle recently realised his dream of owning a handyman business which he named Dial-a Kyle.

Kyle’s greatest weakness is his inferiority complex. He thinks he’s really dumb. He never ‘got’ school; while everyone else was learning, he was staring out the window, thinking about footy.

Due to his imposing physical presence as a teenager, he fell easily into the role of a group leader and bully, before realising his lack of academic intelligence made him vulnerable to those kids who were smarter than him. Since his school days, he’s grown up to become a bit of a larrikin, a good-time guy with a heart of gold and 
sense of adventure.

Kyle sees himself as an alpha male among his peers, but intelligent and suave blokes intimidate him. He’d say it’s because they’re up themselves, but deep down it’s because he feels intellectually inferior.

Kyle’s dad ran out on him and mum Shazza when he was young, but he remained in contact with that side of the family through his grandmother Sheila.

Chris Milligan

As a 14-year-old, the Brisbane-born Milligan chose drama as an elective in Year 8 because it sounded easy and he had heard there was little homework attached to the subject.

“I took it (drama) as an easy option and by Year 10, I knew acting was what I wanted to do,” said Milligan. “I’m not sure what I would be doing now if I hadn’t taken that path.”

When Milligan finished high school he undertook classes at the Film & Television Studio International in Brisbane. He scored a role as a featured extra in the acclaimed HBO series The Pacific and spent ten months filming in far north Queensland and eventually in Melbourne. He had a lead role in the BBC/ABC co-production Dead Gorgeous and has featured in a number of national commercials.

The 24-year-old joined Neighbours in a recurring guest role as the lovable Kyle Canning in 2009. Viewers’ positive feedback to the character resulted in Milligan becoming a regular cast member at the start of 2011.

A fan of most sports, Christopher now calls Melbourne home and shares a house with co-star and close friend Jordan Smith.

Kate Ramsay

Ashleigh Brewer As Kate Ramsay

Due to her mother’s untimely death, Kate spent her teens playing surrogate mum to her younger siblings Harry and Sophie. With them now off her hands, Kate is starting to enjoy the freedoms of young adulthood.

Naturally conservative, Kate’s begun to explore her rebellious side and realized she can be surprisingly strong-willed and stubborn – particularly when it comes to setting her uncle Paul Robinson on the straight and narrow.

Kate puts an incredible amount of pressure on herself to be perfect. Like her uncle, she enjoys order and control.  Kate isn’t in any way a fussy girl. She’s feminine without being showy. She has a passion for dancing but this had to take a back seat to raising Sophie and Harry.

Her one secret escape that has remained constant over the years is her love of romance novels – the grander then better.

Proud, Kate rejected Elle and her money and threw her out of the house asking her never to come back again. However, Susan who had accompanied Elle, later returned with Dan to try and make an in-road as it was obvious these kids needed help. Kate is very protective of her brother Harry and sister Sophie, so getting close to them without Kate is near impossible, however Dan almost succeeded in getting Harry to open up until Kate insisted Harry stay on side and not talk to anyone associated with the Robinsons. But things quickly went from bad to worse for the Ramsays when the media started to harrass them outside their home. Elle then came up with an idea to get the media off their back, she would buy their story for $15,000 and the Erinsborough News.

They continued to struggle however, and Susan came to the rescue, telling Kate about Ramsay Street and her ancestors and their rightful link to the street. Eventually, Kate started to realise the people of Ramsay Street weren't so bad afterall and moved into number 24. However, Kate and Harry were unable to accept the kindness of everyone at first, and really struggle with living next door to Paul and Elle.

Meanwhile, Paul was under investigation as the murderer of Jill Ramsay and had skipped bail to search for the Ramsay kid's father. Then Rebecca noticed a picture Sophie had drawn showing she was at the scene when her mother was hit and was the missing link needed to prove Paul's innocence. Protective Kate however wouldn't have a bar of it and refused to allow anyone come near Sophie who was obviously suffering from the loss of her mother.

Kate puts an incredible amount of pressure on herself to be perfect – something she shares with Mark Brennan. Whenever Kate lets herself go, it makes her feel guilty. It’s like she can’t have fun – that’s for Sophie to enjoy.

Naturally conservative, Kate doesn’t have a rebellious bone in her body. She likes playing by the rules and going with the flow. However, under pressure she releases the fire and strength within her and can be surprisingly strong-willed and stubborn and certainly messes up sometimes.

Kate isn’t in any way a fussy girl. She’s feminine without being showy. She has a passion for dancing but has put aside what she considers to be a childish pursuit to concentrate on her siblings. Her one secret escape from her world of responsibility is indulging in romance novels.

Having missed out on her youth she finally wants to live for herself, and appreciate the opportunities to choose her own future. She feels she needs to let go of the pressure and act her age.

Ashleigh Brewer

Twenty-­one-­year-­old Ashleigh Brewer had her return flight to her home city, Brisbane booked when she came to Melbourne 2009 to scout around local casting agents.

She never imagined she would be offered an on-­going role on Neighbours as Kate Ramsay who has always been interested in the performing arts.

As a student, she had guest roles in H2O just add water, Sleepover Club and Blue Heelers. Ashleigh is an accomplished dancer, having trained since she was in primary school and when time permits, still attends classes.

The coveted role of Kate Ramsay marked a nostalgic return of the famous name name to Ramsay Street. Viewers sort of knew Kate because of the history which was a lovely way to join the series, Ashleigh finished her first year on Neighbours with a Logie nomination for Best New Female Talent.
A keen runner, the popular actress competes regularly in charity fun runs. She is an ambassador for the Leukaemia Foundation and as a tribute to her late grandfather who was struck down by motor neuron disease, raises awareness of this debilitating illness.