List of Neighbours characters introduced in 2008
The following is a list of characters that first appeared in the Network Ten soap opera Neighbours in 2008, by order of first appearance. In December 2007, it was announced that Susan Bower would be taking over the role of executive producer from Ric Pellizzeri, who had been with the show for five years. The 24th season of Neighbours began airing on 14 January 2008 and Bower started on set on 21 January 2008. On 26 May, Bower's name was added to the credits alongside Pellizzeri's. January saw the birth of [|Chloe] Cammeniti, the first child of the established Carmella Cammeniti and Oliver Barnes. Singer Dean Geyer was cast in the full-time role of [|Ty Harper] and models Erin McNaught and Imogen Bailey were cast in the roles of [|Sienna Cammeniti] and Nicola West respectively. Scott Major, who previously played Darren Stark in 1993, rejoined Neighbours as Daniel Fitzgerald's brother. Kyle Canning arrived in November. Mauricio Merino, Jr. and Chelsea Jones joined the cast in December as established character Donna Freedman's siblings [|Simon] and [|Tegan].
Chloe Cammeniti
Chloe Cammeniti, played by Sarah May, is the daughter of Carmella Cammeniti and Oliver Barnes. She was born on-screen on 21 January 2008. Chloe is born premature and she initially suffers from breathing difficulties, but she eventually recovers. Following her birth, Oliver decides to fight for custody of his daughter. Chloe and her mother depart on 3 December 2008 to meet up with Oliver in Portugal. In September 2010, it was announced that Hoflin and Blair would be returning as Oliver and Carmella in March 2011. Chloe also returned with them, now played by Daisy Zanveld.Chloe is born six weeks prematurely. On the circumstances of her birth, Blair said "Carmella needs an emergency caesarean and her baby daughter's having trouble breathing. The baby is whisked to intensive care before Carmella even has the chance to hold her." Blair added that Carmella is heartbroken and that she feels "desolate". Carmella blames herself for Chloe being born early and she decides to put her baby first before everything else.
Carmella discovers she is pregnant following the end of her relationship with Oliver. She worries that her addiction to prescribed anti-depressants has affected her baby, but she is told that the baby is fine. Carmella later begins a relationship with her business partner, Marco Silvani. Oliver worries that he is going to be cut out of his child's life. Carmella goes into premature labour and she agrees to have an epidural, despite attempting to have a drug-free birth. However, the baby becomes distressed and has to be delivered by cesarean section. Carmella gives birth to a daughter, but she is distressed to find out that the baby cannot breathe alone. She is then rushed to the neonatal unit. Carmella and Oliver decide to name their daughter, Chloe. Chloe spends a few days in the neonatal unit and she starts breathing on her own. Carmella is discharged, but Chloe has to stay in the hospital for a while longer. Carmella and Marco decide to move into Ramsay Street and Oliver grows concerned about Marco's place in his daughter's life. Oliver starts a fight with Marco during Chloe's Christening. Oliver then begins to fight for custody of Chloe. Marco dies after suffering injuries in a bushfire and Oliver drops the custody case. Oliver decides to leave for a new job and Carmella and Chloe join him a few months later. Chloe returns with her parents when they come back to Erinsborough to get her grandmother, Rebecca Napier.
Jodie Smith
Jodie Smith, played by Mary Annegeline, made her first screen appearance on 23 January 2008. Annegeline went up for role of Jodie shortly after she had relocated to Melbourne, she said that she "nailed the audition". A few days later her agent called to tell her that she had won the part. Annegeline described Jodie as "quite the ball buster" who is very dedicated to her work. She is a strong woman and is not afraid to stand up for what she believes in.When Karl Kennedy returns to work at Erinsborough Hospital, he is welcomed to the department by Jodie. As Karl gets to know his patients, Jodie warns him that the head of department is on the warpath. That same day, Jodie tells Carmella Cammeniti that her newborn daughter, Chloe, is breathing on her own and that Carmella can go and hold her. Jodie and Karl work together to treat Richard Aaronow, who is in the final stages of renal failure. A few months later, Ringo Brown was brought in after passing out and falling unconscious during a swim. Jodie helps work on him and gives his friends and family the news that he is going to be fine. Weeks later, [|Chris Knight] is brought in, critically ill with a head injury. Bridget Parker lies to Jodie that she is Chris' cousin, so she can visit him. Jodie explains to her new colleague, Nicola West about Jay Duncan. Jodie is pleased to hear that Kirsten Gannon is being transferred to a burns unit in Perth and brings her the papers to sign. Jodie struggles to get on with Nicola as Nicola was the subject of hospital gossip. Nicola is confronted by Bridget who tells everyone that Nicola slept with her adoptive nephew and was in love with her brother-in-law. Jodie is amused and later refuses to share the staff's donuts with her. Jodie then began constantly piling work on Nicola. Karl give Jodie a warning when she comments that Nicola is flirting instead of working. As Karl continues to help Nicola, Jodie makes digs about their relationship.
Jodie attends a football game between the Eastside Dingoes and the Anson's Corner Bull Ants and clashes with Rebecca Napier. As the game continues, Matt Freedman has to step in and separate them. Cassandra Freedman is given a job at the hospital and Jodie shows her the filing system and reminds her about patient confidentiality. Jodie tells Karl that she will have to report him after he resuscitates Harold Bishop, after he finds out about the "Not For Resuscitation" order on Harold's file. When the Parker family are involved in a car accident in the bush and brought in, Jodie takes Bridget's daughter, India away to be examined. Libby runs into Doug Harris and Jodie in the park and believes that they are out on a date together. Jodie helps treat Kate Ramsay for minor injuries after she is involved in a road accident with Stephanie Scully and Ringo Brown. Lyn Scully asks her what is happening with Steph, but Jodie does not know. Following a fire at Number 26, Andrew Robinson and Natasha Williams are taken to the hospital, where Doug tells Jodie to take them to emergency. Jodie tries to get Summer Hoyland back into bed and she offers to stay with Natasha as Karl tells her that she will be anxious when she wakes up. Jodie later takes Michael to see his daughter. A few months later, Jodie helps out with Jim Dolan's treatment for cancer.
Heather Pryor
Heather Pryor, played by Georgina Andrews, made her first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 19 February 2008. Andrews successfully auditioned for the role of Heather and she said that she liked the character straight away. Andrews describes Heather as "feisty" and says that her job and career are important to her. She said that Heather was not mean, but as a journalist she had to push to get her stories. Heather was dedicated to her job, but "surfing was her outlet". Andrews enjoyed playing Heather because she was unpredictable.Shortly after arriving in Erinsborough, Heather's bags are stolen. She and her taxi driver, Frazer Yeats give chase and Frazer manages to get her laptop back. Heather begins her new job and forms a friendship with Riley Parker. When Elle Robinson has to take time off of work, Heather and Riley grow even closer. Riley asks Heather to spend the night with him at his home. When they arrive they find that Riley's parents have made a bed up for Heather on the couch. Riley and Heather agreed to use her apartment in the future. Heather argues with Elle about a story on Stephanie Scully and she tells Elle not to let her feeling about Riley get in the way. When Heather goes to interview Lou Carpenter about a protest he was holding, she runs into Riley, who was becoming distant towards her. A week later, Heather and Riley take a trip to the beach and they find an abandoned bag. They realise that it belongs to Ringo Brown who had gone missing.
Heather asks Riley to move in with her and he accepts, but Heather is unaware that he wants to escape his adoptive aunt Nicola West. Nicola meets up with the couple at Charlie's and she starts making suggestive comments to Riley. He goes home to pack, but Nicola walks in and they begin kissing. Heather arrives and catches them. She runs off and Riley chases after her. Heather slaps him and then tells him never to come near her again. Heather is sent to investigate the arsonist who set fire to the forest. Heather's boss Paul Robinson sends her to talk to Callum Jones in a bid to flush out the real arsonist. Heather and her photographer are later sent to Erinsborough High to catch Rachel Kinski and Angus Henderson attending a parent-teacher evening.