The return of Neighbours! Who’s going up the aisle? What’s Reece up to? Did everyone else get trapped in the well? NO SPOILERS

[MiddleClassProblem]

Welcome back to our wondrous show!

I’ve already watched it and ready to discuss!

As ever no spoilers here.

For spoiler sharing and discussion please head to the spoiler page: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/telly_addicts/4789274-neighbours-spoilers-a-new-beginning?page=4&reply=129266259

The aging thing is confusing the hell out of me! When is it now?!?!

Nell was born in January 2013 so she was 9.5 years old when the show finished in July 2022 and 10 year and 8 months now.

So is she now 11.5 years (ie 2 years from the end) or 12 years 8 months (ie 2 years older)?

Because she looks at least 14!

Re:- Melanie - I am wondering if she was diagnosed with some terminal disease so selflessly disappeared to prevent Toadie etc having to go through the death of another wife / mum. But she’s coming back so maybe a miracle cure……

yeah i think 2 years from when it ended, so 11.5 but by Xmas they''' catch up. But yeah, with Toadie at 5ft 9 and THerese at 5 ft 0, they really needed to not cast someone tall and older looking. But proper Nell was tall too tbf

I'm sooooo so happy Neighbours is back!

Did not like the ending with T&T married though. Somewhere they made reference to Paul leaving her at the altar. I think that would have been a good enough cliff hanger for a first episode - the episode could have been their re-wedding with that happening. And then a more slowly burning romance between Toadie and Therese. It's just not realistic that they can both split with other partners, get together and have a strong enough relationship to marry all within two years (yes, I know it's Soap, but even so...)

Also don't like the ageing of the kids! They've moved forward two years. Nell was born in 2023 so she should be 10 aged to 12. New Nell looks 14/15 ish. Also I know it's silly but previous Nell had a strong cute Aussie accent and New Nell sounds so posh.

I like the new family. I'm guessing the son with the interest in the street might have a missing father that he wants to reconnect with?

The Rodwells are back but seemed a bit invisible. They didn't get chance to do much before. Now their child is older I wonder if they will get some decent storylines themselves, seems pointless to have them there unless there is going to be drama.

I'm worried about Harold's health, and the Kennedy's marriage.

Pleased to see original actors of former characters still popping back. I love that Neighbours has always done this.

Lots of drama already brewing. I'm so happy to have it back!

Yes like Len Mangle

Leeeen

So we now know who Reece is and I worked it out 5 seconds before we were told.

And holly May get her comeuppance. She is annoying!!

I reckon Susan is writing mucky novels so feels guilty spending her earnings on bracelets. Maybe!

Hang on, did I miss something? Who is Reece??

Glad it's not just me and I only watched the episode 30 minutes ago!!!

I’ve not read the thread properly yet as only just watched first two episodes tonight. Watched with my dd. She wasn’t keen but I loved it. It was different in the filming style but also reassuringly familiar.

terese and toadie? No not buying it! Especially the note Mel left toadie saying she couldn’t be a stepmom. She was great with the kids!

Nell and Hugo got big! Too big for the time elapsed.

Took me awhile to notice the Kennedy’s kitchen had changed to an island! But some things the same.

Love that guy Pierce is doing scenes still for the new series. Are they writing jane out?
They didn’t mention David?

I’m sure Paul mentioned something about David and Aaron not speaking to him because of what he did to Terese

Ahh yes that makes sense. Hadn’t noticed Aaron wasn’t there either!

Holly is certainly being annoying. But I imagine she'll be one that Karl and Susan bring back under control.

Therese and Toady don't seem well suited already. Toady wanting her to switch off, but she enjoys working - that IS her downtime (just like Paul).

Has anyone else noticed the lighting when filming in the Kennedy's house. It's quite a warm bright dreamy colour. It seems most prominent when Harold is in the scene. I wonder if it is all a dream or Harold's imagination.

Or I am just reading too much into it!

Reece is misha Barton's character isn't it? Reece sinclaire, daughter of new Lassiter investors from the USA?

Ah I didn't know her name. Thanks

No, she needs to relax and not define herself by her work outputs. I think that was the problem with Paul, it was always so competitive and that's what made them spark but I don't think it made her really happy. No one needs to do work on a weekend honeymoon.

I agree @SleepingStandingUp

Maybe she's writing a series of books called Secrets of the Blue Box.

Didn't karl try writing mucky novels once? I think around the time 50 shades was huge as he thought he could make some money from it.

Oh my goodness, I feel exactly the same about Toadie and Therese as I did when Rachel and Joey got together in friends. It’s just not right at all and actually gives me the ick seeing them together. I stopped watching after Sonia died as I was so upset but that storyline. I then watched “the last ever” episode and didn’t think Mel and Toadie worked at all but might have just been because I missed the build up of their relationship. I thought I’d give this new incarnation a go but I’m very disappointed by the Toadie and Therese marriage that I don’t think I’ll bother watching anymore. I expect there are reasons behind the scenes why they’ve gone for this storyline (actress who played Mel didn’t want to be in it anymore? Therese and Toadie actors wanted to explore if they have chemistry, they don’t!) but even in soap world it’s a stretch too far.

I expect there are reasons behind the scenes why they’ve gone for this storyline (actress who played Mel didn’t want to be in it anymore?

I wondered that so did a search and there was an announcement on the Neighbours social media earlier in the year saying that Mel was going to be one of the returning characters.

Wow so really what was the point of that twist? Grrrr it’s so rubbish.

Mel & Toadie didn't work at all @TeamSleep - no chemistry whatsoever!

Clearly the producers thought the chemistry was off too for their relationship to not be continued into the new series. But Therese as the replacement love interest, really?? It just doesn’t work, I feel like she’s far too grown up for him, I don’t know what their age gap is and maybe it’s not much but she seems more grown up than him by a country mile.

There was some mention of Glen and Kiri sending a card from somewhere so I guess they are getting to know each other and she's not with Nicolette.

Can't remember anyone saying anything about Freya or Levi.

Is that everyone who's left or have I missed anyone?

Why did Susan give up her job for Karl?

I would have thought Susan would be retired anyway by now