Summer Bay fans, brace yourselves. One of the Bay’s most vibrant and unforgettable stars may not be gone for good. Jacqui Purvis, the talented actress who brought life,

spunk, and emotional depth to Felicity Newman, recently opened up about the possibility of returning to Home and Away, and her words are sending shockwaves through

the soap world. “I’d go back in a heartbeat,” Purvis revealed in a candid interview, and for fans still reeling from Felicity’s heartbreaking exit, that statement might just be

the spark of hope they’ve been waiting for. For context, Jacqui Purvis left the show in August 2024, when her character Felicity Newman tragically suffered

a brain aneurysm and died. It was a devastating moment for the show’s fans, leaving many in tears as the spunky, feisty, and sometimes stubborn Felicity took her final bow. But while the storyline ended with a death, the character’s narrative threads weren’t entirely severed. Felicity left behind deep connections in Summer Bay, particularly with her ex-husband, Tane Parata, and her protective brother, Cash Newman. These unresolved relationships have fueled endless speculation among fans: could Felicity return, in one form or another?

And now, Jacqui Purvis herself is dropping hints that nothing is truly off the table. Speaking to Chatter, the actress expressed immense fondness for her time in Summer Bay. “I love that job and I love that character, so who knows what could happen. Never say never. That’s a good motto,” Purvis said with a laugh. Her enthusiasm was palpable, and it’s clear that the affection goes both ways. For Jacqui, Home and Away was not just a stepping stone—it was a formative, life-changing experience.

Purvis went on to reflect on the bonds she forged while on set. “I will always have the friendships that I made there. I’ll never forget the work we did. It truly was incredible, and I loved every second of it,” she said. Unlike many actors, Jacqui didn’t attend formal acting school, so stepping into Summer Bay was a crash course in performance, collaboration, and the relentless pace of soap storytelling. “That was pretty much my uni,” she explained. “I didn’t go to acting school. I’m just so grateful because I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for that.”

Her sentiments about leaving Summer Bay are heartfelt and nostalgic. Jacqui maintains close ties with her on-screen family, keeping in touch with stars such as Stephanie Ponazo, Julia Godwin, and Ethan. “We really were—or are still—a family. You make these bonds, and it’s so hard to walk away from that. So yeah, I’m always messaging, being like, ‘What’s going on?’” Her words highlight just how much the Bay wasn’t simply a workplace; it was a home, a creative hub, and a community of deeply connected actors.

But Jacqui has been anything but idle since leaving the Bay. In fact, she is embracing new challenges that demonstrate her versatility and ambition. She’s set to star in her first professional play, produced by her own production company, Knickknack Productions, showcasing her growth not just as an actress but as a producer. And 2026 promises to be another pivotal year: Jacqui is slated to film Fear is the Rider, a feature packed with talent, including Star Wars: Rogue One’s Ben Mendelsohn, The Bike Riders’ Toby Wallace, and Baby Teeth’s Saliza Scandlin.

Her ambitions don’t stop there. Jacqui plans to head to Los Angeles to explore new roles and opportunities in the international arena. Her approach to this next phase of her career reflects both maturity and self-awareness. She admits that navigating the industry can be overwhelming, with countless voices offering advice—sometimes contradictory, sometimes daunting. “Honestly, the biggest piece of advice is to follow your gut. There’s so many things that happen in this industry, so many voices, so many people telling you what to do and what not to do,” she said. “I think the strongest thing is to just keep coming back to your gut and what you think is the right thing to do and trust that.”

And it is that same instinct, that deep connection to her heart and craft, that could ultimately open the door for Felicity Newman’s return. While the character is technically deceased, Home and Away has a long history of defying finality. Soap operas are notorious for resurrecting characters, whether through mistaken identity, secret twins, dream sequences, or even fake deaths. Given Felicity’s unresolved connections to key characters like Tane Parata and her brother Cash, the writers have ample narrative hooks to bring her back in some compelling form.

Fans have been theorizing about Felicity’s possible comeback ever since her death aired. Could it be a classic soap twist—perhaps she survived the aneurysm and was secretly recovering in a secluded location? Or might the show introduce a hidden twin or doppelgänger scenario, a device that has become a staple in Summer Bay storytelling? Jacqui’s willingness to entertain the idea only fuels the speculation. “I’d go back in a heartbeat,” she said. Those three words are powerful—especially in the soap world, where doors never truly close and storylines are perpetually fluid.

There’s also a more emotional layer to this potential return. Felicity was never just a plot device; she was a character who resonated with audiences because of her complexity, her courage, and her vulnerability. Bringing her back could create dramatic tension with Tane Parata, spark new storylines for Cash Newman, and even impact other Bay residents who were affected by her passing. It’s the perfect storm for a narrative goldmine: unresolved love, lingering family dynamics, and the ever-present threat of secrets coming to light.

Moreover, Jacqui’s return would be a ratings event. Viewers who remember her energy and charisma would likely tune in en masse, and the media buzz surrounding her comeback could drive conversations online, boosting engagement across platforms. In an era where soap operas compete with streaming series and reality TV, reviving a beloved character like Felicity Newman is a masterstroke of both storytelling and marketing.

For Jacqui, the possibility of returning isn’t just about nostalgia; it’s about creative fulfillment. Her experiences since leaving Home and Away—from producing her own play to starring alongside acclaimed actors in high-profile projects—have expanded her artistic repertoire, making her an even stronger performer. Bringing that experience back to Summer Bay could elevate the show’s storytelling, adding depth and nuance to one of its most iconic characters.

Ultimately, the story of Felicity Newman is far from over. Jacqui Purvis’ heartfelt words, combined with the character’s unresolved arcs and the soap’s history of creative twists, leave the door wide open for a triumphant return. Whether it happens next season or further down the line, fans can rest assured that Felicity’s legacy in Summer Bay remains alive, vibrant, and full of potential.

So, Summer Bay viewers, keep your eyes peeled. Watch for the subtle hints, the media teasers, and perhaps even Jacqui Purvis herself popping back into the headlines. Felicity Newman may have left the Bay once, but in the world of Home and Away, endings are rarely permanent. And as Jacqui herself says, she would go back in a heartbeat—a promise that has fans holding their breath, imagining what could be, and waiting for the day Felicity might ride back into Summer Bay once more.

In a town where secrets, love, and drama collide at every turn, the return of Jacqui Purvis as Felicity Newman would be nothing short of explosive. And for those who have loved, laughed, and cried with her over the years, the possibility is electrifying. Summer Bay isn’t done with her yet—and with Jacqui ready to step back into the fray, the next chapter of Felicity Newman’s story may be just around the corner.