Home and Away is entering 2026 on the heels of one of the most devastating finales in its long history—and the fallout is set to reshape Summer Bay forever.

The show closed out 2025 with a catastrophic train derailment that left multiple beloved characters unconscious in a dark, smoke-filled tunnel, their fates hanging

in the balance. Now, as the series returns in January, viewers are bracing themselves for emotional reckonings, permanent goodbyes, and at least one long-awaited comeback

that promises to change everything. The new season doesn’t ease audiences back in gently. Instead, it plunges straight into the chaos, grief, and unanswered questions left behind by the crash. Survival is no longer guaranteed, loyalties will be tested, and the future of several key characters hangs by a thread.

Eddie had proposed to Jo before the crash.

Picking Up From the Wreckage

Home and Away returns at 7pm on Monday, January 19, 2026, airing on Seven and 7plus, and the premiere begins exactly where the explosive finale ended. According to the network, the opening episode is “relentless” in its intensity, offering no time for recovery as emergency crews race against the clock.

Inside the tunnel, Justin Morgan, Mackenzie Booth, Remi Carter, and Abigail Fowler were all left unconscious following the derailment. Early reports suggest they survive the initial phase of the disaster, but survival does not mean escape unscathed. The show has confirmed that at least one character will not make it out alive, and the uncertainty surrounding who that will be has sent fans into a frenzy.

Actress Maddison Brown previously hinted that a major death was coming, and viewers have been scrutinizing every detail ever since. One name drawing particular concern is Eddie Shepherd, who proposed to Jo Langham just moments before the crash. Eddie’s noticeable absence from recent filming schedules has fueled speculation that his storyline may be nearing a tragic end.

The Shadow of Loss Over Summer Bay

If Eddie’s story does end here, it would mark another devastating blow for the Langham family, who are still grieving the losses of Kristina and Theo. The idea of yet another tragedy threatens to reopen old wounds and deepen the show’s exploration of generational grief.

The premiere promo teases frantic rescue efforts as David and Cash race toward the tunnel, while in Summer Bay itself, panic spreads quickly. Tane pushes past Leah in a desperate attempt to reach the site, refusing to accept that he can do nothing. Levi and Tane plead with police and emergency crews to let them help, but safety concerns force authorities to shut the tunnel down completely. No one is allowed inside.

That helplessness—watching loved ones trapped while being told to stand back—becomes one of the defining emotional beats of the season’s opening chapters.

Viewers will see Sonny struggling.

Sonny’s Life-Changing Struggle

While the immediate aftermath of the crash dominates early episodes, behind-the-scenes glimpses reveal that the consequences stretch far beyond the initial rescue. One of the most heartbreaking arcs involves Sonny, whose life is permanently altered by the disaster.

Months after the crash, Sonny is seen using a wheelchair, grappling with the reality of a future he never imagined. Fan footage from filming shows him resisting help, lashing out in frustration before slowly, reluctantly agreeing to begin rehabilitation. These scenes, shot outside Cash and Eden’s home, promise a raw and deeply human portrayal of grief, anger, and reluctant acceptance.

Sonny’s emotional turmoil intensifies when he discovers that Remi has been keeping something from him—something significant enough to fracture their friendship. Feeling abandoned and betrayed, Sonny accuses Remi of pulling away now that he can no longer “support” him in the same way. It’s a painful confrontation that exposes how trauma can corrode even the strongest bonds.

Remi’s Dangerous Secret

As Sonny struggles with his physical recovery, Remi faces a crisis of his own. Hints dropped in upcoming storylines suggest Remi may be dealing with a serious medical condition—possibly a brain tumour. While details remain tightly guarded, the implication adds a new layer of urgency and tragedy to his secrecy.

Remi’s silence, once framed as self-protection, begins to look like denial, and the ripple effects of his condition threaten to destabilize multiple relationships. As guilt, fear, and unresolved tension collide, the show leans into one of its core strengths: exploring how people cope when strength is no longer an option.

Who’s Leaving—and Who Might Not Return

With one confirmed death looming and several characters facing uncertain futures, 2026 is shaping up to be a year of major cast changes. Eddie Shepherd remains the biggest question mark, but he may not be the only departure.

The crash acts as a narrative reset, allowing the show to close some chapters while opening others. Characters who survive may still choose to leave Summer Bay, unable to reconcile who they were before the disaster with who they’ve become after it. Others may be forced out by circumstances beyond their control.

What’s clear is that no one walks away unchanged.

Familiar Faces Make a Comeback

Amid the chaos and loss, Home and Away offers fans a dose of nostalgia. The new season will feature the return of fan favorites Brax and Ricky, reintroducing characters who carry deep emotional history with the Bay.

Stephen Peacocke, who reprises his role as Brax, has shared that returning to the show felt surreal, admitting it had been a decade since he last stepped into the character’s boots. His comeback is expected to resonate strongly with long-time viewers, bridging the past and present in a season defined by reflection and reckoning.

Ricky’s return similarly promises to stir old emotions and unresolved storylines, reminding viewers that in Summer Bay, the past is never truly buried.

A Season That Changes Everything

The cast changes of 2026 are not just about who leaves or returns—they’re about transformation. The train crash serves as a catalyst, forcing characters to confront mortality, guilt, and the fragility of the lives they’ve built.

Some relationships will deepen under pressure. Others will fracture beyond repair. Grief will take center stage, but so will resilience, hope, and the possibility of rebuilding after devastation.

As Home and Away steps into this bold new chapter, one thing is certain: Summer Bay will never be the same again. And for viewers, the journey through loss, survival, and unexpected returns promises to be one of the most emotionally charged eras the show has ever delivered.