Summer Bay is bracing itself for a heart-stopping, adrenaline-fueled return in 2026 as Home and Away prepares to kick off its 39th season with one of the most perilous storylines the show

has ever attempted. According to an official announcement from Seven Network, fans can tune in to the new season starting Monday, 19th January 2026 at 7:00 p.m. on Channel 7 and 7Plus —

but what awaits viewers goes far beyond a simple homecoming episode.

Picking up immediately after last year’s cliffhanger, the 2026 premiere will thrust the Bay’s residents — and its viewers — into the devastating aftermath of the catastrophic party train derailment, a storyline that ended 2025 on a shocking and traumatic note. The derailment, which occurred during a high-energy trip to the Broken Hill music festival, trapped dozens of residents underground, leaving families anxiously waiting for news. Among those caught in the wreckage are key characters including Justin, McKenzie, Remy, Abigail, Dana, Sunny, Lacy, Joe, and Eddie, all of whom are now at the center of a tense, emotionally charged rescue operation.

The premiere promises to be a masterclass in suspense and drama. Emergency crews race against the clock to stabilize the damaged tunnel, which threatens to collapse further with every passing second. Tensions escalate as the line between professional duty and personal fear becomes impossibly blurred. David, Cash, Levi, and Tarna are on the ground, working alongside specialist teams to extract survivors, all while grappling with the horrifying possibility that their loved ones may not make it out alive.

The stakes reach a breaking point when Tarna, driven by desperation and refusing to remain on the sidelines, disobeys police orders and enters the unstable tunnel herself. Her daring — and incredibly risky — decision will become a pivotal narrative moment in the season’s opening arc, with far-reaching consequences that threaten to ripple throughout Summer Bay for weeks to come. Questions immediately arise: how far will Tarna go to save others, and what price will she ultimately pay for her bravery?

As the season unfolds, viewers will experience the chaos and urgency of the rescue operation firsthand, feeling the pulse-pounding tension of every trapped character, the heartbreak of every family watching from the sidelines, and the emotional fallout that accompanies life-or-death situations. The show promises not just action, but also deeply human moments of grief, courage, and resilience, cementing the derailment storyline as one of Home and Away’s most intense and unforgettable arcs.

But the drama doesn’t end there. In a major announcement that has fans buzzing, Seven has confirmed the highly anticipated return of two of the Bay’s most iconic characters: Brax and Ricky. Their comeback is woven into the disaster storyline, as part of a specially crafted arc set in Western Australia, in collaboration with Tourism Western Australia, making it a spectacular visual and narrative highlight. This marks the first time the beloved duo have appeared together on screen since their departure in 2016.

Actor Steve Peacock, who reprises his role as Brax, recently spoke with Media Week, admitting that stepping back into the character’s shoes brought both excitement and nerves. “I never feel completely at ease in the role, despite its popularity,” Peacock revealed, reflecting on the responsibility and expectations that come with returning to a character so loved by fans. He acknowledged that almost a decade had passed since Brax and Ricky were last seen driving away from Summer Bay, leaving fans to wonder where their lives had taken them. The 2026 episodes promise long-awaited answers, finally catching up with the duo after years away.

Peacock described the return as a “genuine homecoming,” highlighting how revisiting Brax felt like stepping back into a familiar world. “It was incredible to see the crew and the cast again,” he said. “There’s a special energy that comes with returning to a character that means so much to viewers and to me personally.” Fans can expect a seamless integration of Brax and Ricky into the high-stakes disaster narrative, combining nostalgia, suspense, and emotional storytelling in a way that only Home and Away can deliver.

The combination of a massive disaster storyline and the return of two fan favorites ensures that 2026 will be one of the show’s most talked-about seasons yet. Already, speculation is rife over how Brax and Ricky’s arrival will influence the ongoing aftermath of the train derailment. Will they play a central role in the rescue efforts? Can their experience and leadership help save trapped residents? And how will their reappearance affect the personal dynamics of Summer Bay’s long-standing characters, many of whom have had nearly a decade to evolve in their absence?

In addition to thrilling action sequences and high-stakes drama, the new season promises to deliver the emotional depth and character-driven storytelling that fans have come to expect. The trauma of the derailment will ripple through the community, testing friendships, romantic relationships, and family bonds. For characters like Levi, Eden, and Abigail’s family, the physical and emotional fallout from the disaster will be felt for weeks to come, offering opportunities for poignant storytelling and character development.

The 2026 premiere of Home and Away represents a perfect storm of excitement: suspense, action, emotion, and the long-awaited return of fan favorites. With a catastrophic train derailment, daring rescue missions, and the comeback of Brax and Ricky, the show is set to captivate both loyal viewers and a new generation of fans. The countdown is officially on, with anticipation building for Monday, 19th January 2026 at 7:00 p.m. on Channel 7 and 7Plus, when Summer Bay will return to screens with a bang.

In conclusion, Home and Away’s 2026 season promises an unforgettable blend of disaster, drama, and nostalgia. Between the harrowing consequences of the train derailment, the high-stakes rescues, and the triumphant return of two iconic characters, viewers are in for a rollercoaster ride that will dominate conversations and keep audiences glued to their screens. As Summer Bay braces for chaos, one thing is clear: the new season will set a dramatic benchmark, reminding fans why this beloved series has endured for nearly four decades.