Her relationship with Hendrix Greyson (Ben Turland) leads to marriage after he is diagnosed with a life-threatening condition; he dies shortly after the wedding, leaving Mackenzie a widow.

[2][1] Following an audition, Stone was cast as Mackenzie and she worked with the producers for eight months to ensure that parts of her own story would be included in the character's storyline.

"[1] She described the aim of the character as "educational and hopefully beneficial for the trans community but, at the end of the day, remain[ing] an exciting and compelling story that fits in with the wider world of Neighbours.

"[4] Shortly before her introduction, Stone gave more details on Mackenzie's fictional background, explaining that her father rejected her from a young age and her mother, who was supportive, died a few years ago.

"[6] Stone stated that Mackenzie "is a fully realised human; her desire for love and safety, and her fear of rejection and isolation generate a very interesting dichotomy.

[8] Subsequently, Mackenzie is bullied and threatened not to use the school's girls' toilets and principal Susan Kennedy (Jackie Woodburne) asks her to use the disabled bathroom until the situation is resolved.

[9] Mackenzie is also searching for her estranged father, Grant Hargreaves (Paul Mercurio), who failed to make contact after her mother died, upon her arrival in Erinsborough, and enlists Shane's help to find him.

[12] Shortly after her introduction, Mackenzie shares a flirtation with Hendrix Greyson (Ben Turland) when they both attend a party, after which she wonders whether to tell him she is transgender.

Feeling unable to ask Shane and Dipi Rebecchi (Sharon Johal) following the death of their friend Gary Canning (Damien Richardson), Mackenzie schemes with Roxy Willis (Zima Anderson) to trick Trish into leaving her alone in her flat.

[18] After struggling with living alone, Mackenzie invites Mannix Foster (Sam Webb) to rent her spare room, unaware of his criminal nature, leading to a police raid on the flat.

Grant returns to Erinsborough claiming to want to spend time with Mackenzie, though he actually intended to ask Toadie Rebecchi (Ryan Moloney) for legal advice after suffering an injury.

Richie is initially portrayed as an ignorant bully, but displays a more understanding side when he supports Mackenzie in the protest around the school's toilet facilities.

[26] Shortly after, it transpires that Richie has rated Mackenzie's sexual performance on an app ranking female Erisnborough High students, seeking to defend her from circulating rumours.

[29] Speaking to Radio Times, Stone discussed the importance of the support Mackenzie receives from the Rebecchis, Richie and Harlow Robinson (Jemma Donovan).

Stone called it a complicated situation and told Sarah Ellis of Inside Soap: "Mackenzie and Hendrix are leaning in for a kiss – they're holding hands, and it's a really charged moment.

[31] She thought her character would be angry if Harlow made her choose, especially as their whole friendship group would fall apart, but it would make for good drama to play out.

Stone called Hendrix the love of Mackenzie's life and she thought the wedding brought both characters' story arc "full circle".

[46] Harold Bishop (Ian Smith), who was reintroduced as part of the show's final weeks, eventually provides Mackenzie with support by sharing his own experience of grief.

[48] When Neighbours returned in September 2023, Mackenzie was living in a share house with Byron Stone (Xavier Molyneux) and Haz Devkar (Shiv Palekar).

Comparing Mackenzie to her situation upon Hendrix's death, two narrative years prior, Stone stated that "she is in a much better place... she's making the choice now whether she's ready to move forward and get back out there in terms of dating and relationships".

[49] Mackenzie later decides she is not ready for another relationship and gives her friend Holly Hoyland (Lucinda Armstrong Hall) permission to date Haz, before herself growing closer to Byron.

[53] Mackenzie later catches Haz attempting to return stolen money to Holly and then discovers a hard drive with files used to perpetrate a number of deepfakes across the neighbourhood.

[54] It is revealed that Haz and his associates in IT had a history of using their skills to produce deepfakes and hacks against targets, including Wade Fernsby (Stephen Phillips).

[57] The storyline saw Mackenzie and Haz follow Holly to a remote cattle station after she absconded for Erinsborough with Heath Royce (Ethan Panizza).

Stone decided not to continue in the role, having viewed the opportunity to return with the series as a chance to conclude Mackenzie's story on a more positive note.

[60] She was "surprised" by her character's second wedding, but opined that "after everything she has been through Mack wants to hold on tight to what she has", and appreciated that the Neighbours producers had acceded to her request for a happy ending.

[59] Stone also reflected positively that "Mackenzie never compromised her integrity" despite the traumatic events of her five years on screen, highlighting the character's "empathy, her kindness and her strong sense of justice" as "inspiring".

[25] Academics Damien John O'Meara and Whitney Monaghan identified Mackenzie's introduction as part of a trend in Australian scripted television towards queer "narratives focused on self-identity and authenticity", along with the casting of transgender and non-binary actors.

[67] Lisa Woolford of The Advertiser described the character as "sweet, kind, compassionate and intelligent", whilst also noting that "her defences are up and she doesn't trust people".

[68] Stone's performance was praised by Bridget McManus of The Sydney Morning Herald, who noted that she was making "a sterling go of her debut acting gig", while also commending the storyline as "a landmark step in the right direction for Australian television".