11 Home and Away spoilers for the 2021 season
Home and Away spoilers follow for UK and Australian viewers, including the identity of Witness X.
Home and Away may already be back on screen in the UK, but over in Australia, fans are still eagerly awaiting the launch of the show's 2021 season at the beginning of February.
The Summer Bay soap has been off air in Oz since November, when a low-key season finale episode sparked a mixed reaction from fans.
Fortunately, there'll be no shortage of drama in the new season and spoilers have been dropping left, right and centre in recent weeks, thanks to official trailers and exciting casting announcements.
Here are the biggest storylines to expect from the new season.
1. Colby's fight for life
When Home and Away finished up for the year at the end of November, Colby was facing serious danger in prison as several of his fellow inmates surrounded him menacingly.
Colby had been trying to keep quiet about his past as a police officer in order to avoid becoming a target behind bars, but once his secret was out, a number of the prisoners appeared to have an axe to grind.
As seen in a recent trailer, Colby will be left in jeopardy following the altercation and will be rushed to hospital, where he fights for his life.
Tim Franklin, who plays Colby, is rumoured to have finished filming for the show last year. It seems we're reaching the end of Colby's time in the show, but will he die?
2. Jasmine's new romance
Home and Away's 2020 season finale introduced the character of Lewis Hayes, played by Luke Arnold. Lewis crossed paths with his old flame Jasmine by chance and clearly enjoyed catching up.
In the new season, Jasmine's reunion with Lewis will take a romantic turn, giving her a chance to move on after Robbo's tragic death.
Luke recently told TV Tonight: "They had a real connection, there were flirty times but it never really turned into a relationship.
"The first part of the story is really about him working out whether he can move on from a tragedy he's gone through recently, and whether Jasmine can play a part in that."
3. Christian's past is revealed
The arrival of Lewis will also spark an intriguing new storyline for Christian. Lewis works as a nurse and when he crosses paths with Christian at the hospital, he's alarmed to recognise him from the past.
Lewis blames the surgeon for the death of his late partner and tries to warn Jasmine that Christian is a danger to his patients. Although he quickly realises it's best not to cause a scene, he vows to watch Christian like a hawk from now on.
Luke told Who magazine: "Lewis wants to get into it with Ditch Davey's character Christian Green, but when he reconnects with Jasmine, he's torn between his budding new romance and his building obsession with Christian."
4. Martha's son reveals his dark side
The final Australian episodes of 2020 also featured the arrival of another new character – Martha's secret son Kieran, played by Rick Donald. Martha had been estranged from Kieran for some time and reluctantly confided in her family about their troubled history.
Kieran is a recovering alcoholic and has already shown an aggressive side in episodes broadcast in Australia. The new season will see Alf become uneasy over his presence in the Bay, but Martha can't help defending her son. Is Alf right to be worried, and could this cause a rift between the Stewarts?
5. Ari and Tane remain in danger
The 2020 season ended with Tane and his family still in danger thanks to the gang that he owes money to. Tane and Ari had agreed to one last dodgy job to pay off the debt, but the storyline remained unresolved at the end of the year.
While there have been few spoilers revealing how the scenario plays out from here, Tane's tormentors are unlikely to disappear quietly. Will the planned job go ahead?
6. Tane and Ziggy's romance begins
Tane and Ziggy have been growing closer for months and they've been heavily tipped to become a proper couple this year. Home and Away's official trailer for 2021 shows Ziggy struggling to resist Tane, especially when he steps up his flirtatious attempts to win her over.
Dean is still heartbroken over his split from Ziggy and wants her back, but will he continue his efforts in 2021, or back down quietly and let her be happy with another man?
7. Ari's past is revealed as an old flame arrives
Home and Away bosses have confirmed that Ari will face his own blast from the past this year when his old flame Mia, played by Anna Samson, arrives in Summer Bay.
Ari and Mia were together years ago, but tragedy hit their relationship when they lost a baby boy together. Ari went on a downward spiral afterwards and ended up in prison, while Mia cut herself off from him for good.
Mia will be joining the Bay with her daughter Chloe, played by Sam Barrett. Ari was once a father figure to Chloe, so how will he react when the family he once knew turns up? Could this affect his current relationship with Mac?
8. Ryder enjoys a new romance
While Chloe knows Nikau from when they were younger, it seems that Bella has nothing to worry about as Ryder will be the newcomer's love interest.
Late last year, Lukas Radovich and Sam Barrett – who play Ryder and Chloe – were pictured filming romantic scenes together on Palm Beach. This will be Ryder's first relationship since his ill-fated fling with Jade Lennox last year.
9. Heath Braxton returns
Home and Away's 2021 promo has also confirmed the return of Dan Ewing's popular character Heath.
No official details of Heath's return storyline have been revealed just yet, but Dan was spotted filming with Rob Kipa-Williams (Ari Parata), Ethan Browne (Tane Parata) and Patrick O'Connor (Dean Thompson) a few months ago.
Heath, who's thought to be returning as a guest, was a regular on Home and Away between 2011 and 2014 before coming back for another stint in 2016 and 2017.
10. Willow returns
Willow took time out from Summer Bay at the end of last year, after betraying Colby to Angelo and giving evidence against her friend in court. However, Sarah Roberts – who plays Willow – has not left the show and will be back on screen again this year.
Little more is known about Willow's future at the moment, but fans will be keen to see whether she can ever build bridges with Bella and Dean after breaking the Mangrove River code by cooperating with the police.
11. John's new romance
John will soon be enjoying his first romance since splitting from Marilyn. Show bosses have cast former McLeod's Daughters actress Bridie Carter as newcomer Susie, a real estate agent who takes a shine to John.
Billed as charming and intelligent, Susie arrives in the Bay looking for a fresh start. Will she and John form a lasting connection?
Home and Away airs weekdays at 1.15pm and 6pm on Channel 5 (UK) and returns on Monday, February 1 at 7pm on Channel 7 (Australia).
Digital Spy now has a newsletter – sign up to get it sent straight to your inbox.
Read more Home and Away spoilers on our dedicated homepage
Want up-to-the-minute soaps news, spoilers and gossip on your social feeds? Just hit 'Like' on our Digital Spy Soaps Facebook page and 'Follow' on our @soapscoop Twitter account.
You Might Also Like
