If you choose a storyline to bring past characters back what would it be and which characters?

[adam436]

If the show celebrated Alf's 80th onscreen, the most returnees we would get would be Ryder. Likewise, for Irene. We might see Bella or Olivia if we are lucky, or maybe Heath or Bianca because they are Braxtons, but certainly not anyone earlier. 

I honestly wouldn't want to see any classic characters return at the moment. The show made a mess of classic characters in recent return stints - Will, Gypsy, Celia, Sally. Iconic 90s and 2000s characters are best left in the past as far as I'm concerned so we have fond memories of them. 

[cymbaline]

I think some people forget that actors age just like the rest of us and that some of the ones mentioned are very old now. Norman Coburn and Sheila Kennelly are in their late eighties, while many of the younger cast members are now middle-aged. I'd love to know who is watching Home and Away in 2025. Is it even worth bringing back anyone who hasn't been seen for 5 years or more for the nostalgia?

Having said that, I think there is value in bringing back Irene's older kids. Finlay, especially, could be an interesting addition. Her children would now be their late twenties and wouldn't look out of place alongside the other cast members. 

[adam436]

  On 16/02/2025 at 23:29, cymbaline said:

Is it even worth bringing back anyone who hasn't been seen for 5 years or more for the nostalgia?

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I do think it depends what purpose the returning characters serves though - characters like Gypsy, Sally and Don are the best examples recent years of why past characters should never return. If we exclude cameos for weddings, funerals and character exits, I'm struggling to think of a character who returned in a guest capacity that actually benefited from their return. 

Lance returned sporadically during Colleen's regular stint, but it was largely due to nostalgia. Chloe was brought back to be killed off. Will was thrown under the bus for the Penn murder storyline. Gypsy, Sally and Donald had awful stories in their returns. Even Golden Boy Heath's latest return in which he helped characters he'd never shared a scene with prior served no purpose whatsoever and was clearly just a nostalgia thing. 
Neighbours generally only bring back characters for nostalgia reasons only and then shoehorn them into a cast they are out of place in, or come up with a contrived story as to why they've returned. H&A did that with Heath's latest return, but I really wouldn't want to see that happen to H&A and would rather just leave iconic characters in the past where they belong so they can retain their iconic status. 

 

  On 16/02/2025 at 23:29, cymbaline said:

Having said that, I think there is value in bringing back Irene's older kids. Finlay, especially, could be an interesting addition. Her children would now be their late twenties and wouldn't look out of place alongside the other cast members. 

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Nathan also hasn't been seen in nearly 23 years, so he could have children in their early twenties. Both characters would likely be recast if they returned though, so would pretty much be entirely new characters at this point anyway like Roo is. 

[j.laur5]

I like them to bring back Martha Roo daughter and it’s strange  when Rosetta return couple years ago nether Alf or Roo questioned Rosetta if he heard from Martha or Hugo but guest Roo had already said she was in touch with them and that’s other Colby and Dean thing could try holding against Rosetta letting criminal Hugo person  smuggling go on run . 

Alf and Roo had final screen with Rosetta and when I watch it I was like this is man that let you daughter/granddaughter go on run with criminal and all you can say he is goodbye without at least mentioning Martha . 

I get they had keep Martha and Hugo out off storyline as otherwise would far too hypothetical if Rosetta was helping Martha and Hugo while investigating who killed Nixion. 

Although did Alf and Roo know it was Rosetta who let Hugo go on run ?. 

How he ever got back on police force and little on detective it’s mystery. 
 

It shows that producers would make any storytelling happen I wouldn’t be at all surprised if in other ten years Colby returns as detective and investigation murder and no mention of his past . 

Edited February 19 by j.laur5

[Homeandawayfan.]

  On 16/02/2025 at 23:29, cymbaline said:

I think some people forget that actors age just like the rest of us and that some of the ones mentioned are very old now. Norman Coburn and Sheila Kennelly are in their late eighties, while many of the younger cast members are now middle-aged. I'd love to know who is watching Home and Away in 2025. Is it even worth bringing back anyone who hasn't been seen for 5 years or more for the nostalgia?

Having said that, I think there is value in bringing back Irene's older kids. Finlay, especially, could be an interesting addition. Her children would now be their late twenties and wouldn't look out of place alongside the other cast members. 

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Frank Lloyd died many years ago but he would be about 100 now, hence why Neville was said to have died by 2000 when Floss returned. Even the original H&A younger characters would be pushing 60 now. Lance and Martin would be about 58 or 59 now as they were said to be 21 or 22 in 1988. Floss would be about 95 now, I think the character was older than the actress. Don Fisher would be about 80 now with Norman Coburn being 88 next month.

I feel soaps do need to keep past characters in the past more often. EastEnders and Neighbours are always bringing back characters from decades ago.

[adam436]

  On 19/02/2025 at 18:14, Homeandawayfan. said:

EastEnders and Neighbours are always bringing back characters from decades ago.

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Hollyoaks do it too, but at least for the most part, they seem to slot back in seamlessly. I can't say the same for many of Neighbours returning characters, and I've never watched Eastenders so I can't comment there. 

Bringing back former characters is certainly something that should be done sparingly for it to be impactful. Marilyn and Steven were the first big characters to return full-time and look at the impact that had. 

[James Martin]

I feel they've got to bring someone  from the early years back for Irene's departure.

Is it too late now for Kirsty and Kane to do a turn?  Tasha and Robbie?  They went full send when Sally left and I'd argue this is a bigger deal.

[hapitoby]

  On 26/03/2025 at 13:50, James Martin said:

I feel they've got to bring someone  from the early years back for Irene's departure.

Is it too late now for Kirsty and Kane to do a turn?  Tasha and Robbie?  They went full send when Sally left and I'd argue this is a bigger deal.

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Unfortunately, I doubt they would. I don't expect them to bring anyone back but if they did, I doubt it'll be the early years.

Arguably, this is bigger but it's a very different show. 2008 still felt like 'classic' Home and Away. We still had regular returnees and acknowledge of history as well as it's characters. I'd be delighted if they brought some early characters back. There's easily 2 dozen they could pick from. Even if it was one of two that would be good. I think it'll be a big event with only the current characters and a montage of Irene through the years.. probably a mention of her kids and a few other characters.

Edited March 26 by hapitoby

[Sunny Girl]

I think the change in Producer has a fair bit to do with our loss of any throwback characters and such. 

Lucy Addario has no interest or intention to bring back oldschool Summer Bay, whereas Bevan Lee was a master at it and Coral Drouyn at least showed some respect to it. 

[hapitoby]

  On 28/03/2025 at 00:39, Sunny Girl said:

I think the change in Producer has a fair bit to do with our loss of any throwback characters and such. 

Lucy Addario has no interest or intention to bring back oldschool Summer Bay, whereas Bevan Lee was a master at it and Coral Drouyn at least showed some respect to it. 

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Exactly. It is very unfortunate that the early years are basically forgotten.