The residents of Summer Bay are facing their most perilous hour yet as the long-running Australian soap opera Home and Away makes its explosive return to television screens. The new season picks up directly from last year's heart-stopping cliffhanger, which saw a party train derail inside a tunnel, leaving multiple lives hanging in the balance.
Race Against Time in the Tunnel
Viewers will finally discover the fate of those on board when the show resumes at 7pm on Monday on Channel 7 and 7plus. The finale for 2025, one of the most dramatic in the show's 38-year history, ended with the train wreck en route to a music festival in Broken Hill.
Trapped inside the mangled wreckage are Justin (James Stewart), Mackenzie (Emily Weir), Remi (Adam Rowland), and several others including Bree's sister Abigail. With the damaged train threatening to collapse completely, rescue crews are in a desperate race against time.
As the situation rapidly deteriorates, Tane (Ethan Browne) defies direct police orders and charges into the tunnel in a daring attempt to save lives, putting everything on the line for those he loves. He is joined by David, Cash, and Levi in the high-stakes rescue mission.
Emotional Fallout and Secretive Cast
Appearing on The Morning Show, stars Ada Nicodemou, Stephanie Panozzo, and Jessica Redmayne teased the intense drama ahead but firmly refused to reveal which characters survive the disaster. "We're not going to say anything to spoil it," they confirmed, noting their own characters were not on the ill-fated train.
For Nicodemou's character, Leah, the emotional impact is immediate and devastating. She receives a phone call informing her that her husband, Justin, is in a critical condition. "Leah doesn't know whether Justin's going to make it," Nicodemou revealed, highlighting that this crisis hits as the couple are already struggling with communication issues in their relationship.
Meanwhile, Jessica Redmayne's character, Harper, will face major personal turmoil this season centred on her fractured relationship with her mother. Sara Wiseman joins the cast as Harper's mum, causing instant trouble in the Bay with her arrival.
Fan Favourites Return and Cast Adventures
Adding to the excitement for 2026, the show will welcome back beloved characters Brax (Stephen Peacocke) and Ricky (Bonnie Sveen). The fan favourites are set to reunite for a special Western Australia event, in a partnership with Tourism Western Australia.
Away from the Summer Bay drama, the cast enjoyed their summer breaks. Ada Nicodemou travelled through the UK and Europe with partner James Stewart, while Jessica Redmayne embarked on a scenic road trip through New Zealand's South Island with her father.
Stephanie Panozzo admitted that keeping the storyline secrets over Christmas was challenging, with family and even strangers on the street pressing for answers. With high-stakes rescues, deep emotional fallout, and major returns, Home and Away is promising one of its biggest seasons ever.
