Episode 8851

The episode was written by the serial's executive producer Jason Herbison and directed by Eugenie Muggleton and Kate Kendall.

The plot focuses on Hendrix Greyson's (Ben Turland) trip to Sydney, where he intends to tell his family that he has been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis.

Hendrix is accompanied by his girlfriend Mackenzie Hargreaves (Georgie Stone) and the pair tour his favourite childhood locations around the city, furthering the exploration of the character's background.

Kilkelly found that the focus on only one storyline allowed time for a number of character-based scenes and a more relaxed pace.

Hendrix and Mackenzie drive over the Sydney Harbour Bridge in a rented Ferrari California, before stopping at Mrs Macquarie's Point.

On 24 April 2022, Neighbours confirmed regular character Hendrix Greyson, played by Ben Turland, would be diagnosed with sarcoidosis, an autoimmune disease.

"[3] He explained that Hendrix's condition developed after he saved his girlfriend Mackenzie Hargreaves (Georgie Stone) from a fire at the local high school.

[5] The plot helps further exploration of the character's backstory, as Hendrix takes Mackenzie around his favourite places in Sydney, before he is reunited with his family.

[4] Turland told Alice Penwill of Inside Soap that Hendrix's family are shocked by the news, as his condition seems to have come out of nowhere, and it has been a long time since he last spoke with them.

Turland called the scenes "confronting" and said that his family "need to get their heads around it", but Hendrix's parents are keen to help him.

[6] Turland said filming the episode was a lot of fun, but described it as "a pretty tough shoot" due to bad weather.

[7] Producer and director Kate Kendall revealed on her social media in the same month that Tim Robards and Jane Allsop would be reprising their roles as Hendrix's parents Pierce Greyson and Lisa Rowsthorn for the episode.

[6] Robards had played Pierce from his introduction in 2018, but he was forced to leave the show early in 2020 due to COVID-19 travel restrictions in Australia.

"[9] Turland was also glad to have Robards back, pointing out that he had started the show with him and they had formed a good friendship off-screen.

"[7] Lisa's young daughter and Hendrix's half-sister, Maeve Rowsthorn, played by Beatrix Van Vliet, is also introduced in the episode.

[1] He praised Turland and Stone's performances and Herbison's script, calling it "an incredible episode that earned a place in the show's history books.

"[1] Kilkelly was glad to see Turland at the forefront of a big storyline, and believed that the story needed "the extra effort" involved.

With the focus on one plot, Kilkelly explained that there was time for "character-based scenes, exploration of backstory and a slower pace".

[1] Stephen Patterson from British newspaper Metro noted that Pierce was "incredibly supportive" of his son and said their moment together was "emotional".

"[14] The proposal between Hendrix and Mackenzie was included in a Radio Times poll to find "the best Neighbours moment in the show's history.

Tim Robards ( pictured ) reprised his role of Pierce Greyson, two years after the part had to be recast.