As the curtain falls on another explosive year in Summer Bay, fans of Home and Away are left on the edge of their seats, desperate for answers about what lies ahead in 2026.

The season finale ended in spectacular fashion, with beloved characters battling for their lives after a catastrophic derailment on the party train en route to the Off the Rails Festival.

With drama, heartbreak, and shocking new faces, next year promises to be the darkest yet for Summer Bay.

Return Date and Anticipation

Viewers won’t have to wait long: Home and Away is set to return to Australian screens on Channel 7 at 7 PM on Monday, January 19, 2026. With tensions at an all-time high, the opening episodes are expected to dive straight into the aftermath of the season-ending tragedy, setting the tone for a year packed with peril, romance, and shocking revelations.

The Question on Everyone’s Lips: Who Won’t Survive?

While the train derailment left McKenzie, Abigail, Justin, and Remy unconscious, the fate of Summer Bay’s residents remains shrouded in mystery. Actress Madison Brown, in a recent interview with TV Week, confirmed that someone will die, though the identity of the victim remains a closely guarded secret.

All signs point to the possibility that the regular cast may survive, which has sparked speculation that new arrivals or peripheral characters could be the ones to fall. Among the prime suspects is Eddie Shepard, played by Steven Madson. Eddie, who recently proposed to Joe, has not been seen filming at Palm Beach in recent months and is listed as a guest character in the show’s credits. Could this be a cruel twist for Joe, forcing her to cope with heartbreak yet again?

Alternatively, viewers may be in for a shocking curveball: perhaps the victim is the train driver or a random festival-goer. Flirtatious newcomer Isaac, who featured prominently during the train scenes, has also caught fans’ attention. The suspense will only intensify when the show returns in January.

Rescue Mission Unfolds

Promotional footage for the 2026 premiere revealed a tense rescue operation. David and Cash are seen leaping into action, determined to save their friends and loved ones trapped in the train wreck. Meanwhile, Summer Bay residents are left anxious and powerless, witnessing the chaos unfold from a distance.

Tarn Barge makes a daring attempt to intervene, despite orders to stay back, highlighting his growing recklessness and foreshadowing trouble ahead. Inside the tunnel, the imminent danger is palpable: shouts of “The roof is collapsing!” echo as a rescue team places a sheet over a stretchered body, leaving viewers guessing who will survive the harrowing ordeal.

Sunny’s Struggle and Remy’s Diagnosis

While all main characters appear poised to survive the crash, it seems Sunny is set to face serious challenges. Actor Ryan Bone has been spotted filming in a wheelchair, indicating that Sunny will likely contend with long-term injuries following the accident. Fans have captured footage suggesting that Sunny initially resists help, struggling to accept his new reality before reluctantly agreeing to rehabilitation.

Meanwhile, Remy faces a shocking health scare, diagnosed with a brain tumor. Filming outside the former Lyric House shows tense exchanges between Remy and Sunny, revealing the emotional and psychological toll of their respective crises. Social media images hint at an intense surgical storyline for Remy, with scenes in a real hospital setting confirming the seriousness of his condition. Despite the threat to his health, insiders suggest Remy’s life will not be in immediate danger, leaving room for dramatic recovery and emotional confrontations in future episodes.

New Faces, New Drama

The season finale also introduced two intriguing new characters: Holden Dwire (Latch Miller) and Isaac. Both men make a memorable entrance during the festival-bound train party, with Isaac’s flirtatious attempts to woo McKenzie failing spectacularly. Meanwhile, Holden and Lacy share a charming, if awkward, encounter over the last mimosa, hinting at a potential romance in 2026.

Latch Miller, who previously appeared in Neighbours, has been spotted filming beach scenes with Sophia Pennington, fuelling speculation about a slow-burn romance with Lacy. Another fresh face, Roco Forester Sack, has been seen interacting with Cash, sparking rumors that he could play a new police officer—or possibly a mysterious regular whose true motives remain hidden.

Brax and Ricky Head West

Fans will also be thrilled by the return of Daryl “Brax” Braxton and Erica “Ricky” Sharp for a special Western Australia arc. Filmed in Perth and the dramatic red outback, these episodes promise action, stunning visuals, and high-stakes drama. Promotional stills show the pair in relaxed domestic moments with their son Casey, but hints of tension suggest that peace may be fleeting.

Increased pace and suspense in the teaser trailers point to possible River Boy drama, with a mysterious truck and a concerned Ricky signaling that trouble may follow Brax and Ricky back to Summer Bay. Their return is expected to air between mid-March and mid-April, depending on the Channel 7 schedule.

Tarn’s Troubled Path

Tarn Parata’s storyline is shaping up to be a key source of conflict. Rumors suggest that he has fled Summer Bay temporarily, with his gym, Summer Bay Fit, closed indefinitely. Observers have seen Sunny still navigating life in a wheelchair, while Tarn’s absence raises questions about loyalties, love, and long-standing grudges. His complicated relationship with Joe, combined with unresolved tensions with Lacy, positions him as a character whose choices could spark heartbreak and drama in the coming year.

Crime and Suspense

Summer Bay may be a sleepy seaside town, but crime is never far away. The 2026 promo teases a busy year for Yabi Creek’s finest, with Cash, David, and other officers investigating suspicious activity. Shots of handcuffed individuals in the station and hints pointing toward Tarn suggest that legal troubles and morally complex storylines will keep audiences glued to their screens.

What’s Next for Summer Bay?

As the 2026 season gears up, Home and Away promises a potent mix of tragedy, love, and suspense. With train crashes, medical emergencies, new romances, returning favorites, and shocking deaths, the residents of Summer Bay are in for their most turbulent year yet.

Fans will have to wait until January 19 to see the consequences of the festival disaster, discover who survived, and unravel the tangled webs of romance, revenge, and ambition that will dominate Summer Bay in 2026. From Sunny’s rehabilitation journey to Remy’s fight for his life, and from new faces stirring trouble to old favorites returning, the coming year will be unforgettable.