The 39th season of Neighbours commenced with Episode 8904 on 18 September 2023, following a 14-month hiatus prompted by the withdrawal of the show's previous UK broadcaster, Channel 5.
Eden Shaw (Costa D'Angelo) arrived in October and Reece's younger half-sister, Krista Sinclair (Majella Davis), in November.
He was joined by his parents Cara (Sara West) and Remi (Naomi Rukavina), with the addition of his brother, Dex (Marley Williams).
[1] Rukavina revealed that the Varga-Murphys had formed a "special bond" both on and off screen, while West was happy the family would represent the "beautiful LGBTQIA+ community".
JJ later reveals to Dex that he recommended Ramsay Street as he believes that Andrew is his biological father, rather than an American donor as his mum, Cara, claims.
Cara was introduced alongside her wife Remi (Naomi Rukavina) and their children JJ (Riley Bryant) and Dex (Marley Williams).
[1] Laura Jane Turner and Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy selected the Varga-Murphys' arrival as one of the 16 best LGBTQ+ television moments of the year.
They praised how the characters had highlighted shifting attitudes towards rainbow families, and stated that Cara and Remi had "the potential to become all-time Ramsay Street greats".
Remi was introduced with her wife Cara (Sara West) and their two children JJ (Riley Bryant) and Dex (Marley Williams).
She meets the neighbours and then helps Mary Ryan (Carissa McPherson) when she chokes, which allows Remi to introduce herself to Karl Kennedy (Alan Fletcher) as a nurse.
The character was introduced with his parents Cara (Sara West) and Remi (Naomi Rukavina), with the addition of his brother JJ (Riley Bryant).
[6] Of her casting, Barton stated: "I'm excited to be part of this iconic show's next chapter, and I'm really looking forward to being back in Australia, a place I know and love!
"[6] Executive producer Jason Herbison described Reece as "dynamic and unpredictable" and believed the show's viewers in Australia and around the world would love her.
[13] In the backstage video series Ramsay Street Revelations, Stone revealed that it was an "incredibly big deal" for Mackenzie to be exploring romance again.
Trevor chews on and destroys Mackenzie Hargreaves (Georgie Stone) pillows, which were bought for her by Sadie Rodwell (Emerald Chan).
Trevor's presence at the café causes problems for Haz when dog hairs are found in food and drinks purchased onsite.
He continues to struggle when left alone and chews up a jumper belonging to Haz's girlfriend, Billie Alessio (Georgia Walters).
Writers played his introduction as a surprise reveal after it becomes apparent that he is Eden, the ex-boyfriend of Holly Hoyland (Lucinda Armstrong Hall), who had discussed the character in various scenes detailing their difficult break-up.
[25]`She added that Holly wanted Eden to meet her parents Karl Kennedy (Alan Fletcher) and Izzy Hoyland (Natalie Bassingthwaighte).
Eden knocks out Nell Rebecchi (Ayisha Salem-Towner) when she enters a house that she believes her stepmother Melanie Pearson (Lucinda Cowden) is staying at.
When Melanie pushed Krista in the pool and she hit her head, Eden blackmailed Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis) into keeping her death a secret.
[29] After Krista was revealed to have survived her apparent death on-screen on 21 November, official Neighbours social media accounts confirmed that Davis was continuing in the role.
[33][34] It was later revealed that Krista is friends with the characters Holly Hoyland (Lucinda Armstrong Hall) and Eden Shaw (Costa D'Angelo).
[35] Armstrong Hall told Sarah Ellis from Inside Soap that Krista meets Holly and Eden, who are in a relationship in Erinsborough.
[37] On her return to Erinsborough, Melanie Pearson (Lucinda Cowden) reveals that she had spotted Krista prior to her wedding to Toadie Rebecchi (Ryan Moloney).
Krista begins experiencing withdrawal symptoms and fails to eat sufficiently, so Byron organizes help from former doctor David Tanaka (Takaya Honda).
She can be seen alone in her hotel room taking women's health drug medication, and the next day, she reveals to David's twin brother Leo Tanaka (Tim Kano) that she is pregnant with her and Eden's child.
Krista agrees to look after Leo's daughter, Abigail Tanaka (Nikita Kato) after her babysitter, Sadie Rodwell (Emerald Chan) needs to leave her.
Leo explains he is highly protective of his daughter due to Abigail's mother, Britney Barnes (Montana Cox) dying.
She is later found by Paul and taken to the hospital, where doctor Remi Varga-Murphy (Naomi Rukavina) informs her that her baby had died, and that she would need to give birth immediately.