The Australian television world is buzzing as several familiar faces from Home and Away reunite in a gripping new drama that promises betrayal, buried secrets,

and devastating family fallout. The Imposter, Five’s highly anticipated psychological thriller, marks a major return for beloved soap alumni and signals a bold new chapter

for stars fans thought they might never see on screen again. At the center of the excitement is Dannii Minogue, making her long-awaited acting comeback more than three decades after

her Home and Away exit. Her return alone would have been enough to spark nostalgia—but The Imposter delivers far more than a reunion. It offers a dark, tightly wound story about family loyalty, greed, and how far people will go when they believe their inheritance is under threat.

A Family Drama Turned Dangerous

The Imposter revolves around the powerful O’Reilly family, proprietors of a successful Melbourne hotel empire. On the surface, the family appears stable—wealthy, respected, and united. But beneath that polished exterior lies resentment, unresolved trauma, and desperation waiting to ignite.

Matriarch Helen O’Reilly (played with steely authority by Neighbours icon Jackie Woodburn) has ruled her family and business with an iron will for decades. Her three adult children—reckless Simon, quietly suffering Kate, and gentle, idealistic Ian—have grown accustomed to living in her shadow.

That fragile equilibrium is shattered when Amanda Clare suddenly appears, claiming to be Helen’s long-lost adopted daughter.

Her arrival is anything but welcome.

The Imposter Arrives—and Everything Changes

Amanda’s return instantly destabilizes the O’Reilly siblings. To Simon and Kate, her timing feels suspicious—especially with the hotel poised for a lucrative sale. Fear quickly morphs into paranoia as they begin to suspect Amanda is not searching for family, but money.

Played by Kim Marsh, Amanda is complex, sharp-edged, and impossible to read. She carries herself like someone who has survived hardship and learned to fight for every advantage. Whether she is truly Helen’s daughter—or something far more dangerous—becomes the driving mystery of the series.

As tensions escalate, the O’Reilly household descends into chaos. Manipulation turns into sabotage. Ethical boundaries erode. What begins as whispered accusations soon escalates into medical misconduct, emotional blackmail, and ultimately, murder.

Jackie Woodburn’s Career-Defining Turn

For Jackie Woodburn, The Imposter represents her first major television role outside Neighbours in decades—and she seizes it with remarkable intensity. Helen is not merely a controlling mother; she is a woman forced to confront the consequences of her past decisions.

Amanda’s arrival cracks Helen’s emotional armor, revealing vulnerability her children have never witnessed. As her health deteriorates, Helen is pushed to reevaluate her legacy, her loyalties, and whether blood truly defines family.

Woodburn’s performance anchors the series, transforming Helen into both victim and architect of her family’s unraveling.

Dannii Minogue’s Long-Awaited Acting Return

Perhaps the most talked-about aspect of The Imposter is Dannii Minogue’s return to scripted drama. Best known in recent decades as a television host and talent show judge, Minogue last acted during her Home and Away stint in the late 1980s.

In The Imposter, she delivers a restrained yet emotionally loaded performance as Amanda’s biological mother—a woman whose long-buried decisions ripple through every storyline. Her presence adds emotional weight and symbolic significance, bridging Australian TV’s past and present.

For longtime fans, Minogue’s return feels both nostalgic and revelatory—a reminder of her dramatic potential and an unexpected highlight of the series.

A Cast Fueled by Conflict

The ensemble cast elevates the story’s intensity at every turn:

• Don Hany delivers a volatile performance as Simon, a man undone by his own impulses. His infidelity, estrangement from his son, and obsession with control make him dangerously unpredictable.
• Jane Harber shines as Kate, portraying a woman torn between loyalty and survival, trapped in a marriage and a family that demand constant compromise.
• Charlie Clausen, another Home and Away alum, plays Todd, whose glossy real estate persona masks unsettling truths.
• Jackson Gallagher brings warmth and quiet heartbreak to Ian, whose dreams of fatherhood hinge on the very inheritance now under threat.
• Kabir Singh rounds out the cast as Lee, Ian’s partner and the rare voice of calm in a household addicted to chaos.

Each character’s desperation feeds the central question: Who deserves to belong—and who will destroy everything to prove it?

A Dark, Finite Story With Lasting Impact

Unlike long-running soaps, The Imposter is designed as a limited event. Its four tightly written episodes build relentlessly toward a finale that leaves little room for continuation. The conclusion is bold, brutal, and emotionally final—cementing the show as a standout thriller rather than a franchise-in-the-making.

This narrative decisiveness only heightens its impact, forcing characters and viewers alike to confront irreversible consequences.

When and Where to Watch

The Imposter airs on Channel 5 at 9:00 PM, running from Monday, December 15 to Thursday, December 18, with all episodes available for streaming immediately afterward.

Why This Reunion Matters

Beyond its gripping plot, The Imposter represents a broader trend in television—where former soap stars return in darker, more complex roles that challenge audience expectations. It proves that nostalgia can coexist with risk-taking, and that familiar faces can still surprise.

For fans of Home and Away, Neighbours, and character-driven drama, The Imposter is not just a reunion—it’s a reckoning.