Home and Away 2026 Spoilers: All the News and Rumors for Next Year
As Home and Away concludes another year in Australia, we delve into the spoilers for 2026 in Summer Bay. The latest episode ends dramatically, with our beloved characters fighting for their lives after an accident en route to the Off the Rails festival.
The title should have given it away.
It's believed that one character won't make it, as actress Maddison Brown confirmed to TV Week that "we know someone dies, but we don't know who."
With another season of the Summer Bay soap drawing to a close, we explore everything we know about the year ahead.
When does Home and Away return?
Home and Away returns to Seven in Australia on Monday, January 19, 2026.
Who dies when Home and Away returns?
While the accident left many Summer Bay residents unconscious, all current cast members are believed to be filming, meaning no major exits are expected in the first few months of 2026, and certainly not in the Season Return.
The finale focused on Mackenzie, Abigail, Justin, and Remi, all unconscious, but all four are believed to have been filming since the finale episodes were recorded.
We know someone doesn't survive the crash, as Maddison Brown revealed, "we know someone dies, but we don't know who."
Stephen Madsen, playing Eddie Shepherd, hasn't been spotted filming at Palm Beach recently and is listed as a guest character in the closing credits, suggesting he could be the one who dies when the show returns.
The Rescue Operation
A promo for the 2026 return episode, aired after the dramatic finale, showed David and Cash jumping into action to rescue their friends and loved ones from the train.
Back in Summer Bay, residents start hearing the news, with Tane barging past Leah before rushing to the crash site. Relatives are told it's too dangerous to help, but Levi insists he needs to get in. Cash stops him.
Inside the tunnel, someone shouts that the roof will collapse, and the police rescue team places a sheet over a body on a stretcher.
Who doesn't make it?
Sonny is in a wheelchair.
All full-time characters are expected to survive, but Sonny is expected to be badly injured, as photos show Ryan Bown filming in a wheelchair as recently as early November. If his injuries are from the late July accident, he'll be in the chair for at least three months.
Filming captured by a fan reveals Sonny will struggle with his condition and not accept help initially, before deciding to attend rehab.
Remi is diagnosed with a brain tumour.
In October, Adam Rowland (Remi) and Ryan Bown were seen filming outside the former Lyrik house. In a scene, Sonny is frustrated that Remi didn't tell him sooner. Audio reveals Remi telling Sonny, "I didn't tell you because I was trying to protect you..." Sonny snaps back, "Protect me?" Remi responds, "I could've had one operation, had this tumour cut out..."
A photo shows Remi in an operating theatre, surrounded by the surgical team, suggesting he's undergoing surgery to remove the tumour.
New Character Holden Dwyer
The final episodes introduced Holden Dwyer, played by Lach Millar. Lach previously starred as Richie Amblin in Neighbours. He was spotted filming with Sophea Pennington at Palm Beach, and a video shows him on the beach with Sonny and Justin.
Brax and Ricky Return
Brax and Ricky will return to Home and Away for a brief stint in early 2026, as the show heads to Western Australia for a week of episodes. Filming locations include Perth and its rugged coastline, as well as the red outback.
Tane Meets Brax
Tane visits Brax and Ricky in Western Australia, despite never meeting them. This decision is unusual, as Tane moved to Summer Bay in 2020, four years after Brax and Ricky left.
Summer Bay Fit is Temporarily Closed
Tane's business, Summer Bay Fit, is temporarily closed, as seen in November footage. This suggests Tane might have fled Summer Bay.
Brax and Ricky Return to Summer Bay
Brax and Ricky are set to return to Summer Bay after their Western Australia episodes. They were spotted filming at Palm Beach, suggesting they'll make a return to the show.
Crime in Summer Bay
The 2026 promo hints at crime in Summer Bay, with Cash looking at a board with out-of-focus shots of men they're looking for, one of whom resembles Tane.
