List of Neighbours characters introduced in 2023
Neighbours is an Australian television soap opera. It was first broadcast on 18 March 1985 and airs on streaming service Amazon Freevee, and Network 10 in Australia. The following is a list of characters that first appear in the show in 2023, by order of first appearance. All characters are introduced by the show's executive producer Jason Herbison. The 39th season of Neighbours commenced with Episode 8904 on 18 September 2023, following a 14-month hiatus prompted by the withdrawal of the show's previous UK broadcaster, Channel 5. The Varga-Murphy family, comprising JJ, Cara, Remi and Dex Varga-Murphy, along with Reece Sinclair and Haz Devkar, were introduced during the same episode. Haz's dog, Trevor, was introduced two episodes later. Eden Shaw arrived in October and Reece's younger half-sister, Krista Sinclair, in November.
JJ Varga-Murphy
JJ Varga-Murphy, played by Riley Bryant, made his first appearance on 18 September 2023. JJ is part of a new family that were introduced called the Varga-Murphys. He was joined by his parents Cara and Remi, with the addition of his brother, Dex. Rukavina revealed that the Varga-Murphys had formed a "special bond" both on and off screen, while West was happy the family would represent the "beautiful LGBTQIA+ community". The show's executive producer, Jason Herbison, expressed his delight about the introduction of the Varga-Murphy's, which would generate "many new stories to tell". It was later revealed in an interview to Digital Spy that JJ would be searching for his biological father. West explained, "JJ has found out some information. They've all come to Ramsay Street for a holiday, but JJ wants to know more about his biological dad. That leads the family to Ramsay Street, because JJ thinks he lives there."JJ drives into Ramsay Street with his family after recommending renting 24 Ramsay Street. He meets Nell Rebecchi and Sadie Rodwell, as well as the latter's father, Andrew Rodwell. JJ later reveals to Dex that he recommended Ramsay Street as he believes that Andrew is his biological father, rather than an American donor as his mum, Cara, claims.
Cara Varga-Murphy
Cara Varga-Murphy, played by Sara West, made her first appearance on 18 September 2023. West's character and casting details were announced on 22 June 2023. Cara is part of a new family that was introduced called the Varga-Murphy's. Cara was introduced alongside her wife Remi and their children JJ and Dex. West stated that she was "honoured" to join the cast and "looking forward" to introducing the Varga-Murphy family. She also hoped the inclusion of the family, fronted by a lesbian couple would "help better reflect the beautiful LGBTQIA+ community" that she proudly comes from. Describing her character, West revealed "Cara has a bold, impassioned love for her family and I love that her intentions have, so far, always been good." The show's executive producer, Jason Herbison revealed that he thought it was appropriate that a new chapter of Neighbours included the arrival of a new family.Laura Jane Turner and Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy selected the Varga-Murphys' arrival as one of the 16 best LGBTQ+ television moments of the year. They praised how the characters had highlighted shifting attitudes towards rainbow families, and stated that Cara and Remi had "the potential to become all-time Ramsay Street greats".
Remi Varga-Murphy
Remi Varga-Murphy, played by Naomi Rukavina, made her first appearance on 18 September 2023. Rukavina's character and casting details were announced on 22 June 2023. Remi is part of a new family that was introduced called the Varga-Murphy's. Remi was introduced with her wife Cara and their two children JJ and Dex. Rukavina stated that she was "thrilled" to join the cast and praised Neighbours for being willing to portray diverse families without a "tokenistic" approach. She added that her prior filming in the role had "been a great adventure" and the Varga-Murphy's have a "special bond". The show's executive producer, Jason Herbison revealed that he thought it was appropriate that a new chapter of Neighbours included the arrival of a new family. In an introductory video posted via the official Neighbours Instagram page, Rukavina revealed that Remi works as a doctor.Remi and her family drive into Ramsay Street. She meets the neighbours and then helps [|Mary Ryan] when she chokes, which allows Remi to introduce herself to Karl Kennedy as a doctor. When Remi realises that Cara Varga-Murphy is struggling to find employment, she approaches Paul Robinson and convinces him to give Cara a job at Lassiters Hotel.
Dex Varga-Murphy
Dexter "Dex" Varga-Murphy, played by Marley Williams, made his first appearance on 18 September 2023. Williams' character and casting details were announced alongside the other Varga-Murphys on 22 June 2023. Dex is Williams' first television role. Dex is part of a new family being introduced called the Varga-Murphys. The character was introduced with his parents Cara and Remi, with the addition of his brother JJ. West was empowered by the Varga-Murphys representing the "beautiful LGBTQIA+ community" and Rukavina added that the family had formed a "special bond". The show's executive producer, Jason Herbison expressed his delight about the Varga-Murphy's arrivals, which would create "many new stories to tell".Reece Sinclair
Reece Sinclair, played by Mischa Barton, made her first appearance on 18 September 2023. The character and Barton's casting details were announced on 17 April 2023. Reece is the first new character to be announced following the revival of the serial. Reece is American and her arrival in town is "far from what it appears to be". Of her casting, Barton stated: "I'm excited to be part of this iconic show's next chapter, and I'm really looking forward to being back in Australia, a place I know and love! I think the character of Reece is going to be a great role for me to explore and play with." Executive producer Jason Herbison described Reece as "dynamic and unpredictable" and believed the show's viewers in Australia and around the world would love her. Barton later admitted that she had never watched the show, but she was familiar with it thanks to Kylie Minogue. She also revealed that producers approached her about the role of Reece, and she thought the character was "a very good fit". Reece appeared for a ten-week guest stint, which concluded on 23 November. Posts from the Neighbours social media accounts suggested that she could return in the future.Haz Devkar
Hari "Haz" Devkar, played by Shiv Palekar, made his first appearance on 18 September 2023. Palekar's character and casting details were announced on 7 June 2023 via the serial's social media accounts. Haz was introduced as the new manager of Harold's Café, and has a dog called Trevor. When Haz is introduced into the series, he lives on Ramsay Street at Number 32. Producers included him in a house share concept alongside the established characters Mackenzie Hargreaves and Byron Stone. When the show resumed broadcasting, the housemates are depicted as having been living together for only three months. Haz moved to Erinsborough from Geelong, Palekar told Sarah Ellis from Inside Soap that Haz arrived looking for a house share. He added that the cast were unsure how Haz, Mackenzie and Byron originally became friends. Molyneux added that the three characters lead "very different work lives" and Stone concluded that "they're all getting along really well."Writers quickly positioned Haz as a potential love interest for Mackenzie. She is a widow, following the death of her husband, Hendrix Greyson. This occurred two years prior to meeting Haz but writers portrayed her as willing to move on. Stone told Asyia Iftikhar from PinkNews that "the budding relationship between Mackenzie and Haz, that is gonna be really cool." She added that some of her "favourite moments" occurred whilst filming with Palekar.
In the backstage video series Ramsay Street Revelations, Stone revealed that it was an "incredibly big deal" for Mackenzie to be exploring romance again. She believed Mackenzie was reaching a point where she feels ready to move on. She described Haz and Mackenzie as "really good friends" and their early dynamic as a "will they? won't they?" style scenario. Stone stated that Mackenzie "loves" Haz's characteristics which are being "kind", "genuine", "funny", "playful" and "really down to earth". She added Mackenzie is a "really drawn to" Haz's "lightness" because of her past trauma. In the video, Palekar stated that Haz has "ultimate respect and admiration" for Mackenzie. He revealed that Haz values "honesty and justice and truth and just doing good in the world." He believed that Haz likes Mackenzie because upheld these morals. Palekar added that Haz "just admires the hell out of Mackenzie" and to Haz's "detriment" he "puts her on a pedestal." Writers created a series of relationship hurdles between Mackenzie and Haz. First she develops a connection with Eden Shaw. [|Billie Alessio], which is halted by Haz favouring his pet dog, Trevor over Billie.
Trevor
Trevor, played by Bodhi, made his first appearance on 20 September 2023. Trevor is introduced into the series as Haz Devkar's pet dog. The character was announced via the Neighbours official X account on 3 August 2023, prior to the series return. The dog appeared in promotional cast pictures prior to announcement. The inclusion of a dog in the show had long been a traditional aspect in the soap opera, which Trevor continues. Bodhi's breed is a Groodle, a cross breed between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. Bodhi is supplied to Neighbours from the animal talent agency, "Paws on Film". Bodhi was trained by Luke Hura, who previously trained numerous other on-screen pets in Neighbours, including Bouncer. Hura described Bodhi as a "very intelligent dog" but sometimes becomes distracted during filming. Lauren Sellwood has also been credited as the animal wrangler during Trevor's episodes. Paleker revealed that Trevor would be a chaotic character. He told Sarah Ellis from Inside Soap that "Trevor's gorgeous, and is going to steal every scene. He's an agent of chaos - but beautiful chaos!"In 2024, writers created a new storyline for Trevor in which his original owner, Alyssa Gavalas is introduced. She recognises Trevor whilst he is being taken for a walk by Byron Stone. The scenes also reveal that Trevor's original name was Bodie. She wants to contact Haz and reconnect with her lost dog. Haz fears he will lose Trevor and seeks legal advice.
Trevor is a rescue dog owned by Haz. He brings Trevor into work at Harold's Café, despite health and safety regulations. Trevor chews on and destroys Mackenzie Hargreaves pillows, which were bought for her by Sadie Rodwell. Trevor's presence at the café causes problems for Haz when dog hairs are found in food and drinks purchased onsite. Haz reveals that Trevor suffers from anxiety and cannot stay at home. Mackenzie agrees to look after Trevor at home. He continues to struggle when left alone and chews up a jumper belonging to Haz's girlfriend, Billie Alessio. When Trevor annoys Billie, she locks him out of the house over night. Haz is shocked to find Trevor outside the following morning and breaks-up with Billie for her attitude towards Trevor. Haz's next girlfriend, Holly Hoyland destroys a scarf gifted to him by Mackenzie because she is jealous. She lets Trevor take the blame for the damage but Haz soon discovers she has lied. Byron takes Trevor for a walk where he meets Trevor's original owner, Alyssa. She reveals that she had been looking for Trevor, originally named Bodie since he went missing. She requests that Byron give her Haz's details so she can reconnect with her former pet. Haz is reluctant to speak to her and forbids his housemates to let Trevor go outside. However, after Alyssa introduces her son to Haz, he agrees to give Trevor back. Haz and Mackenzie watch Trevor drive away in Alyssa's car. Trevor runs off from the Gavalas family home and returns to Haz, who returns him back to Alyssa. The Gavalases decide to return Trevor back to Haz after they realise he is homesick.