The 2022 season of Neighbours began airing from 3 January,[1] following the first Christmas transmission break since 2018, and ran until the series concluded its initial run on 28 July 2022.
Sian Caton, Alana Greyson, Estelle Petrides, and Sam Young made their debuts in June, while Byron Stone appeared in July, just before the 2022 Neighbours finale.
After Amy gives her an ultimatum to get a part-time job while staying in Erinsborough, Zara reluctantly takes up Ned's offer to work at Harold's Cafe, where she meets Hendrix Greyson (Benny Turland) and learns of his past difficulties in bonding with his father and step-mother.
[12] Roberts expressed her delight about joining the cast, saying "Neighbours is such a huge part of the Australian film and TV industry, it's very exciting to be involved in something so iconic that is also so loved in the UK.
He stated that the scriptwriters had "created a fascinating character for her that is complex, mysterious and a risk taker, she's going to be a lot of fun and Phoebe has already nailed the role.
[9] Levi Canning encounters Freya breaching the security tape around the wreckage of The Flamingo Bar, which is the site of a police investigation following the storm that resulted in the death of Britney Barnes (Montana Cox).
During their date, Freya asks to see photos from Levi's cousin's wedding and she notices Ned Willis (Ben Hall) wearing the scarf she picked up.
[14] Sadie is introduced alongside mean girl Aubrey Laing (Etoile Little) in a storyline that sees Zara Selwyn (Freya Van Dyke) being bullied at school.
[20] At Erinsborough High, Sadie is introduced to Zara Selwyn by teacher Jane Harris (Annie Jones) on her first day, along with her best friend, Aubrey Laing.
When Sadie and Aubrey see Hendrix leaving Zara's house, and learn she is not moving back to Cairns, they send his girlfriend Mackenzie Hargreaves (Georgie Stone) the link to their private group chat about him.
When Zara confronts them and discloses that she will be sent back to Cairns now, Sadie is relieved that their plan to start another fire in the school will not have to go ahead; Aubrey, however, insists on continuing.
Susan (Jackie Woodburne) and Karl Kennedy (Alan Fletcher) visit the family to help manage the situation, but tell Sadie that Hendrix is not yet ready to hear her apology.
Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis) asks Sadie to spy on Leo and his girlfriend Krista Sinclair (Majella Davis) in exchange for paying her make-up course fees which she accepts.
A Neighbours publicist stated via the brand's social media accounts that Kiri's return would "cause a stir when she visits her friends and family on Ramsay Street."
In the morning, Kiri arranges a hike with Nicolette and Glen, but Ned Willis (Ben Hall) and Harlow return to tell them they heard gun shots nearby.
Kiri presumes it is rabbit hunters, so she tells her employee Bobby Long (Ben Crundwell) to go with Nicolette to get the minibus and call the police from the office, while she and Glen look for Freya Wozniak (Phoebe Roberts) and Levi Canning (Richie Morris).
Nicolette gets suspicious of Glen's attachment to Kiri, so she teams up with Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis) and speaks to Karen Constantine (Amanda LaBonte).
"[31] Sursok's guest appearance coincided with the announcement that Neighbours would be ending that year, and she praised the cast and crew for their positive attitudes on set.
"[28] Montana visits Lassiters Hotel with her assistant Mick Allsop to hear Terese Willis and Chloe Brennan's pitch for her Fashion Week event.
[39] Reacting to her casting, Holden said that she grew up watching Neighbours and stated "To now have the opportunity to be a part of such an iconic Australian show is simply fabulous.
[38] The show's executive producer, Jason Herbison, said Harriet and Harlow would be reunited as part of a big storyline in which they "solve a family mystery relating to Prue.
A woman from The Restoration Order, a cult Prue was involved in, offered Harriet £10,000 for the diary and she needs the money because she has lost her job and her partner has left her.
[41] Iona Rowan of Digital Spy speculated that Asher might end up working at the local café, after an official photograph featuring Ebbs on the set was released by the show.
Weeks later, Jane invites Asher to be Nicolette's date at Hendrix Greyson (Ben Turland) and Mackenzie Hargreaves' (Georgie Stone) wedding reception.
[43] Dr Sian Caton is introduced as part of a major storyline for Hendrix Greyson (Benny Turland), who visits Erinsborough Hospital as a precaution after suffering from a coughing fit.
[47] She makes her debut in a special episode written by the show's executive producer Jason Herbison, which is set and filmed entirely in Sydney, and focuses entirely on Hendrix's storyline.
"[47] Alana finds her brother Hendrix and his girlfriend Mackenzie Hargreaves (Georgie Stone) in central Sydney, after tracking them through his social media posts.
[51] The character was originally announced as Sam Ellis, but was later revealed to be the daughter of Mike Young (Guy Pearce), who returned for the series' final episodes.
Sam receives help from the hotel's former manager, Terese Willis (Rebekah Elmaloglou), while doing jobs for the owner, Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis).
After identifying Yorokobi Vineyard's financial struggles given the wine poisoning, Vic makes an offer to Leo that would result in Byron and Nicolette being business partners.