List of Neighbours characters introduced in 2024
Neighbours is an Australian television soap opera. It was first broadcast on 18 March 1985 and airs on Amazon Prime Video in the U.K. and U.S.A., RTÉ in the Republic of Ireland and Network 10 in Australia. The following is a list of characters that first appear in the show in 2024, by order of first appearance. All characters are introduced by the show's executive producer Jason Herbison. Veronica McLain, Alyssa Gavalas, Slade Westall, [|Chelsea Murphy] and Sasha McLain made their debuts in January. Felix Rodwell was introduced in February. [|Victor Stone] and Amira Devkar arrived in May. Logan Shembri debuted in June, Quinn Lao, Rhett Norman and Heath Royce were introduced in July. [|Max Ramsay], Sebastian Metcalfe and [|Yasmine Sheilds] arrived in November.
Veronica McLain
Veronica McLain, played by Ellen Grimshaw, made her first appearance on 4 January 2024. Grimshaw confirmed her casting via her Instagram account. She wrote that Veronica would be a "mysterious woman who seems more than just a little bit annoyed" by the established character Nicolette Stone. Writers introduced Veronica during a storyline in which Nicolette is taunted by a mystery person who leaves random keys around the entrance to her home. On 28 December 2023, Iona Rowan from Digital Spy previewed a spoiler photograph showing Grimshaw and Monson in character. Her colleague Daniel Kilkelly confirmed that Veronica would arrive in Erinsborough seeking revenge against Nicolette after she is confirmed to be the culprit leaving the keys for Nicolette to find. He added that Veronica blames Nicolette for ruining her marriage to Sasha McLain and his later disappearance. Kilkelly added that Veronica is "ruthless" and threatens Nicolette into helping her find Sasha. In her debut scenes it is revealed that Veronica's husband knew Nicolette's ex-girlfriend, Kiri Durant from a church group. Nicolette suspected that Sasha was untrustworthy and seduced him to expose his true intentions to Kiri. However, Nicolette's behaviour caused the break-up of both her own and Sasha's relationships.Veronica was revealed to be the main suspect in a storyline centric to the disappearance of Isla Tanaka-Brennan, who is Nicolette's young daughter. Isla disappears while attending a local jumble sale and her disappearance is initially unexplained. A Neighbours publicist told Sarah Ellis from Inside Soap that "there's every chance she could have snatched Isla" because she has been blackmailing Nicolette. She does not believe Veronica would kidnap a child, but Nicolette's brother Byron Stone convinces her to call the police. The publicist added that Nicolette "may have underestimated her opponent on this occasion."
Kilkelly revealed that Veronica would continue her revenge campaign. This time Veronica threatens Nicolette and Isla's fathers, David Tanaka and Aaron Brennan. Veronica is included in location filmed episodes featuring an undisclosed character death. Kilkelly added that Veronica follows Nicolette, David and Aaron to a holiday home. Veronica confronts Nicolette and accuses her of holidaying with Sasha. Nicolette is then tasked with convincing Veronica otherwise again. Kilkelly branded Veronica a "new villain" and noted she "turns even nastier" as the story progresses.
Veronica leaves a series of keys around Nicolette's home. She incorrectly presumes the keys are from Sasha and goes to a hotel room to confront him. Inside she finds and empty room with lingerie left as a gift. Nicolette begins to suspect that Sasha is following her until she witnesses Veronica waiting in a car outside her home. Nicolette confronts Veronica who tells Nicolette she wants revenge for her breaking-up her marriage. She threatens to tell Nicolette's family she has tried to seduce her church attending husband, if she does not cooperate in finding Sasha. Nicolette explains to Veronica that she ceased contact with Sasha. When Veronica spends time with Nicolette's family, she decides to apologise fully for ruining the McLain's marriage. Nicolette explains that Sasha was flirting with her girlfriend, Kiri during Bible class. Nicolette claims that Sasha flirted with her too and decided to seduce him and expose him as a liar. When Nicolette is distracted, Veronica takes her daughter Isla and leaves her alone outside of a police station. Nicolette accuses Veronica of abducting her child, but there is insufficient evidence for police to apprehend her. Jane Harris confronts Veronica but this causes her to become more hostile. Veronica tries to turn Isla's father, David against Nicolette. Veronica witnesses Nicolette and Sasha talking and presumes they are dating. Veronica follows Nicolette and her friends to a country side holiday resort. She breaks into their accommodation and confronts Nicolette. She convinces Veronica that she never had an affair with Sasha. Veronica is present when David is killed on the holiday trip. She later messages Nicolette offering her emotional support.
Alyssa Gavalas
Alyssa Gavalas, played by Imogen Sage, made her first appearance on 10 January 2024. Details of the character were revealed in advance spoilers issued on 4 January 2024. Daniel Kilkelly from Digital Spy reported that Alyssa is the original owner of Haz Devkar's rescue dog, Trevor. Alyssa meets Byron Stone walking Trevor in the park and immediately recognises her lost dog, whose name is actually Bodie. He added that Alyssa would seek contact with Haz to reconnect with her former pet. Haz is upset at the prospect of losing Trevor and seeks legal advice. Alyssa appears again on 22 January. A Neighbours publicist told Sarah Ellis from Inside Soap that Alyssa would continue to seek out Haz. They added that "Alyssa really tugs on Haz's heartstrings" as she explains what Trevor meant to her family. When Alyssa reveals the dog was a present from her dead mother and her son [|Max Gavalas], Haz reconsiders and agrees to give Trevor back to the Gavalas family.Alyssa meets Byron walking Trevor in the park and recognises him as her lost dog Bodie. She asks for Haz's details but Byron gives her his own telephone number. She contacts Byron but Haz refuses to speak to her. He later contacts Alyssa and pretends he does not have Trevor. Haz later contacts Alyssa to apologise and she requests that they meet up. Alyssa explains to Haz what the dog meant to her family and her son Max. Haz feels guilty and agrees to let Trevor to return to his former owners. Alyssa and Max collect Trevor and take him home. Trevor runs away from Alyssa's home and finds his way back to Haz. They recollect Trevor but Mackenzie becomes concerned and contacts Alyssa's husband, [|George Gavalas]. He reveals that Trevor is not eating and is homesick and they agree to give Trevor back to Haz.
Slade Westall
Slade Westall, played by Charlie Di Stefano, made his first appearance on 17 January 2024. Slade was originally introduced when he and a group of gang friends terrorised Melanie Pearson after using a dating app to lure her into a trap. Daniel Kilkelly from Digital Spy reported that Slade would continue to appear in the series and lead a gang that cause trouble in Erinsborough. Its plot was soon confirmed to be an "ongoing gang storyline". JJ Varga-Murphy becomes embroiled in the gang storyline when he confronts Slade over his acts of vandalism. Slade then begins to threaten JJ for talking to the police. Slade is later attacked by Aaron Brennan for vandalising his dead husband's former business but Andrew Rodwell rescues Slade. Slade continues to cause trouble with a spate of vandalism and graffiti against businesses in Erinsborough. Writers continued to escalate the gang violence plot with Slade attacking JJ for reporting him to the police. Neighbours producers told Kilkelly that JJ would get into "a whole world of trouble" in Slade's gang storyline. Slade's attack causes JJ to steal a knife to defend himself with but the weapon is discovered at his school, causing a lock down and police investigation. Kilkelly branded Slade "the new villain in town".Slade contacts Melanie via a dating app to arrange a fake date. Melanie waits alone at the Tram restaurant until closing. Slade taunts Melanie from his car while she walks home. His friends record Melanie's reaction. They drive the car towards Melanie and when she shouts at them, Slade throws gunge over Melanie. Haz Devkar and Mackenzie Hargreaves arrive to assist Melanie and Haz chases the car away. Haz forces Slade and his gang to leave Harold's Café after disorderly behaviour. They vandalise the Melanie's drinks business van and JJ orders them to stop. Aaron is furious that Slade graffitied the face of his dead husband David Tanaka and attacks Slade. He then destroys other residents car tyres by scattering nails in a car park. Slade begins to threaten JJ and is ordered to leave Erinsborough High School, by principal Jane Harris for trespassing. Slade later attacks JJ and absconds, JJ responds by stealing a knife for protection but the weapon is discovered at the school. Police suspect Slade is behind the knife, but JJ later confesses and is suspended. Slade later kidnaps Hugo Rebecchi and locks him into the boot of his car and goes joyriding. After his care tire blows he abandons his car. Hugo is later found by Aaron and returned to his home. Slade is confronted by Felix Rodwell who enlists Slade to help plan a robbery at a construction site. Slade is later spotted in town by JJ's mum Cara Varga-Murphy, who performs a citizens arrest and turns him into the police.