List of Neighbours characters (2022)

Zara Selwyn, played by Freya Van Dyke, made her first appearance on 3 January 2022.[6] Van Dyke confirmed her casting via her social media, where she also expressed her excitement at joining the cast.[7] Zara is the teenage daughter of established character Amy Greenwood (Jacinta Stapleton), who has been referred to on-screen since Amy's reintroduction in 2020, along with her two brothers. Zara's introduction was revealed in the trailer that followed the 2021 season finale in December, which shows Zara's arrival disrupting Amy's polyamorous relationship with Ned Willis (Ben Hall) and Levi Canning (Richie Morris).[7] Amy is also heard saying that her daughter needs to be her main priority ahead of the relationship.[7]

Zara walks in on her mother in bed with Ned Willis and Levi Canning, after they have just had a threesome. Amy explains that Ned and Levi slept over after an impromptu party, and Zara demands that she takes her out for breakfast. At The Flamingo Bar, Zara explains that she snuck away from home to hang out with Amy because her family does not understand what it is like to be a girl. Zara meets Amy's friend Toadie Rebecchi (Ryan Moloney) and gives her mother a Christmas present, which she hopes Amy will hand down to her. Toadie tells Zara to put Amy's alcoholic drink down after she begins drinking it. Later, Amy informs Zara that she is in a polyamorous relationship with Ned and Levi. Zara reacts badly to the news, and the following day treats Amy, Ned and Levi with increased hostility. After Amy gives her an ultimatum to get a part-time job while staying in Erinsborough, Zara reluctantly takes up Ned's offer to work at Harold's Cafe, where she meets Hendrix Greyson (Benny Turland) and learns of his past difficulties in bonding with his father and step-mother. Inspired by Hendrix's story, Zara begins to pursue Levi in an attempt to end her mother's relationships. Zara asks Amy to break up with her boyfriends, so they can enjoy time together, but believes Amy has lied to her when she witnesses her hugging Ned and Levi goodbye. Zara then invites herself into Levi's spa, and accuses him of sexual assault in front of Amy. However, when Amy insists on going to the police if her accusation is genuine, Zara admits it is untrue. Zara apologises to Amy and Levi in a bid to avoid repercussions. While Amy is willing to move on, Levi is unable to and breaks up with Amy.

Meanwhile, Zara is angered by Toadie objecting to her self-entitled behaviour at his house, and spikes the non-alcoholic jelly shots intended for Roxy Willis' (Zima Anderson) hen's party with vodka, one of which is eaten by Toadie's daughter, Nell (Scarlett Anderson). Zara again evades any meaningful punishment by asking to move in with Amy permanently. Zara attends her first day at Erinsborough High, where principal Susan Kennedy (Jackie Woodburne) and teacher Jane Harris (Annie Jones) tell Zara not to alter her uniform in future. Jane introduces Zara to fellow students Sadie Rodwell (Emerald Chan) and Aubrey Lang (Etoile Little), who soon ditch her. Zara is later disappointed to learn that her mother has purchased a food truck and, in anger, Zara sets off the school's fire alarms in front of Jane. Hendrix tells her to pull her head in, before she returns and floods the school toilets. Zara admits to Amy that she tried to get kicked out of school to spend more time with her, so Amy offers her a job at her food truck. However, the two argue again when Susan phones Amy and tells her about the flooding incident, resulting in Zara pushing Amy and walking off, unaware that Amy's broken ribs have punctured her lung.

Freya Wozniak, played by Phoebe Roberts, made her first appearance on 25 January 2022 in Australia and on 20 January in the UK.[8] The character and Roberts' casting was announced via the show's social media accounts on 30 October 2021.[9] She began filming her first scenes the previous week, and is the first new addition to the serial's regular cast since Nicolette Stone (Charlotte Chimes) in July 2020.[10] Roberts expressed her delight about joining the cast, saying "Neighbours is such a huge part of the Australian film and TV industry, it's very exciting to be involved in something so iconic that is also so loved in the UK. As a kid, I tuned in to watch all the drama of Erinsborough unfold, it's surreal to now be a part of that drama!"[10] Roberts' casting occurred shortly after she appeared in Lie With Me, created by Neighbours executive producer Jason Herbison. He stated that the scriptwriters had "created a fascinating character for her that is complex, mysterious and a risk taker, she's going to be a lot of fun and Phoebe has already nailed the role."[10] Her character was also billed as "the ultimate mystery girl" and someone who will "bend the rules" if necessary.[10] Susannah Alexander of Digital Spy observed that while Freya does not share a surname with any of the current characters, there was still a possibility that she has a connection to them or a past character.[10] In a promotional trailer for the show's 2022 episodes, Freya is shown to be a potential love interest for Levi Canning (Richie Morris).[11] Levi first encounters Freya in the aftermath of a fatal weather event at The Flamingo Bar.[8]

Levi Canning encounters Freya breaching the security tape around the wreckage of The Flamingo Bar, which is the site of a police investigation following the storm that resulted in the death of Britney Barnes (Montana Cox). Freya removes a scarf from the bar, and Levi pursues her and demands its return. Freya insists the scarf is hers, but refuses to provide her details for it to be returned. Later, she asks Nicolette Stone about Britney before Sheila Canning (Colette Mann) tells her more about Levi. After leaving Sheila and Levi, she looks at a picture of an unknown man on her phone. Sheila sets Freya and Levi up on a date and they go Baker's Hill Winery. During their date, Freya asks to see photos from Levi's cousin's wedding and she notices Ned Willis (Ben Hall) wearing the scarf she picked up. Freya asks Ned if the scarf is his and he explains he picked it up while drunk. Freya then proceeds to ask Ned if he knows the unknown man in the photo, who she says is her cousin.

Kiri Durant, played by Gemma Bird Matheson, will make her first appearance on 24 March 2022 in Australia and on 9 March 2022 in the UK.[13] The character and Matheson's introduction to the regular cast were announced on 7 February 2022.[13] Matheson previously appeared in the show in 2016 as Carla Watson.[14] She stated that she was "honoured" to join the show, adding that she was "excited by what this representation would mean for a lot of people, especially on such a mainstream show. I'm a big advocate for queer people playing queer roles. I'm excited about this representation for several reasons – I get to play myself, a queer Papua New Guinean Christian. That's pretty monumental."[13] Kiri was billed as being "mysterious and flirty", "very morally-driven", but also "a good girl at heart".[13] Matheson stated that her character would end up "in the middle of a lot of drama."[13] Kiri is a love interest for Nicolette Stone (Charlotte Chimes), who meets her during a holiday to River Bend. Nicolette is "enamoured with the charming Kiri" and the pair share a kiss as they get to know one another.[15] It was later confirmed that Kiri is Glen Donnelly's (Richard Huggett) long-lost daughter.[16]

Kiri welcomes competition winner Glen Donnelly and his group of friends to the River Bend Getaway. She shows them their accommodation and invites them to give up their phones. Kiri flirts with Nicolette Stone, who reciprocates. She tells her that her parents own River Bend, but they moved up the coast and left her in charge. The following day, Kiri and Nicolette share a kiss which is interrupted by Glen. Kiri asks Glen if he has been to River Bend before as he looks familiar, and he tells her that he has been in the area before. Kiri overhears Harlow Robinson (Jemma Donovan) talking about someone named Isla and Nicolette admits that she has a daughter. She later visits Kiri's room to explain that she just wanted to be someone else for a few days. Kiri accepts her explanation and tells Nicolette that she has been thinking about her all afternoon. They spend the night together. In the morning, Kiri arranges a hike with Nicolette and Glen, but Ned Willis (Ben Hall) and Harlow return to tell them they heard gun shots nearby. Kiri presumes it is rabbit hunters, so she tells her employee Bobby Long (Ben Crundwell) to go with Nicolette to get the minibus and call the police from the office, while she and Glen look for Freya Wozniak (Phoebe Roberts) and Levi Canning (Richie Morris). They come across a motorbike in the bush and return to the base, where Nicolette tells them the minibus was gone and Bobby has gone to call the police. All members of the group are eventually found and return home. Kiri later turns up on Glen's doorstep.

Montana Marcel, played by Tammin Sursok, made her first appearance on 13 April 2022 in Australia and on 24 March 2022 in the UK.[17][18] Sursok's casting was announced on 17 January 2022, but details of her character were not immediately revealed.[19] Sursok secured the role after returning to Australia with her family.[20] She admitted that she had previously told herself that she would not return to soap operas, following her stint in Home and Away as Dani Sutherland, saying "You know, I always said I'd never come back into soaps. It's not because I don't love it or it wasn't a great experience. It's because I felt like this chapter of my life was over."[20] Sursok's guest appearance coincided with the announcement that Neighbours would be ending that year, and she praised the cast and crew for their positive attitudes on set.[20] It was later announced that Sursok would be playing Montana Marcel, a fashion designer and businesswoman, who, along with her assistant Mick Allsop (Joel Creasey), takes out a tender from Lassiters Hotel for her Fashion Week.[17] After hotel manager Terese Willis (Rebekah Elmaloglou) and Chloe Brennan (April Rose Pengilly) fail to impress Montana with their pitch, they ask Leo Tanaka (Tim Kano) to help save the Fashion Week tender and it soon becomes clear Montana "has taken a liking to him."[17]

Harriet Wallace,[21] played by Amanda Holden, made her first appearance on 18 April 2022 in Australia and on 28 March 2022 in the UK.[22] The character and Holden's casting details were announced on 7 October 2021.[23] Holden appears in scenes set in London, alongside Jemma Donovan.[23] She began filming in the city during the week commencing 11 October 2021.[24] Reacting to her casting, Holden said that she grew up watching Neighbours and stated "To now have the opportunity to be a part of such an iconic Australian show is simply fabulous. I can't wait to work with Jemma in London. This feels like a joyous occasion for everyone."[23] Holden's character is Harlow Robinson's (Donovan) aunt and Prue Wallace's (Denise van Outen) sister.[23] The show's executive producer, Jason Herbison, said Harriet and Harlow would be reunited as part of a big storyline in which they "solve a family mystery relating to Prue."[23] Donovan added that she was looking forward to creating a relationship between the two characters.[23]

Harriet meets her niece, Harlow Robinson at the South Bank and thinks she seems sad or heartbroken, but Harlow puts it down to jet lag. Harriet then tells Harlow that she has cleared her work schedule for the week, and Harlow produces her mother's diary, which she and Harriet plan to relive. After seeing some London sights, Harlow confides in Harriet about her fling with Ned Willis (Ben Hall), but quickly changes the subject back to Harriet, who apologises for not having her stay as she is renovating. They read events from Prue's diary and Harlow tells her about a stranger she met at her hotel. Harriet realises the diary is missing and they split up to try and find it. They are unsuccessful and make plans to meet up in the morning, as Harlow is tired. The following day, Harriet sees Harlow on her street and hurries away from her, but she drops her handbag as Harlow catches up to her and Prue's diary falls out. She explains that she hid the diary and then went back for it, after Harlow left. A woman from The Restoration Order, a cult Prue was involved in, offered Harriet £10,000 for the diary and she needs the money because she has lost her job and her partner has left her. She gives the diary back to Harlow, who later tells her that she has burnt the diary. Harriet cannot believe she was so desperate, but explains that when her life came crashing down, she felt that she lost herself and was unable to admit that she could no longer handle everything. Harlow then produces a bottle of wine and some cups, and Harriet ponders a move to Australia, but realises she needs to fix things at home first. Harlow offers her some money, but Harriet refuses and says she will be fine.

Sian Caton, played by Esther Anderson, will make her first appearance on 6 June 2022 in Australia and on 5 May 2022 in the UK.[25] Anderson announced her casting on 9 March 2022 with a social media post stating "Thanks for the warm welcome @neighbours. Happy I get to play a little part in this iconic show!!"[26] Details about her guest role were released on 24 April.[25] Dr Sian Caton is introduced as part of a major storyline for Hendrix Greyson (Benny Turland), who visits Erinsborough Hospital as a precaution after suffering from a coughing fit. However, Dr Caton informs him that he has a life-threatening lung condition called pulmonary fibrosis and needs to undergo a lung transplant.[25][27]

• Characters and cast at the Official Neighbours website