Aaron Brennan

Aaron Brennan
Occupation	Fictional character
Years active	2015–2022, 2023–2025 (fictional timeline)
Known for	Character on Neighbours

Aaron Brennan is a fictional persona from the Australian soap Neighbours, brought to life by actor Matt Wilson. Although Wilson initially auditioned for the role of Tyler Brennan, he was instead cast as Aaron, a character created specifically for him. Aaron made his first appearance on 16 June 2015, arriving four months after Tyler's debut, and was elevated from a guest role to a permanent cast member due to Wilson's "charming presence." The character is introduced as the sibling of established figure Mark Brennan (Scott McGregor). For filming purposes, Wilson moved from Sydney to Melbourne.

Aaron is characterized by his self-assurance, positivity, and occasional naivety. At first, he shares a closer relationship with Tyler but later develops stronger ties with Mark following the introduction of their estranged father. Aaron’s initial storyline involved working as an exotic dancer at The Waterhole, a role for which Wilson took dance lessons. Throughout the series, Aaron has explored several professions including bodyguard, social media manager, executive assistant, and gym proprietor.

As an openly gay character, Aaron has engaged in key relationships with regulars such as Nate Kinski (Meyne Wyatt), Tom Quill (Kane Felsinger), and David Tanaka (Takaya Honda). The character has been met with positive reception from both critics and viewers, earning Wilson the Best New Male Character accolade in 2015 from Soap World. Wilson continued portraying Aaron until the series finale on 28 July 2022 and reprised the role in the Amazon Freevee revival starting 13 November 2023. Aaron’s departure is scheduled for 1 September 2025, shortly prior to the show's conclusion.

Casting

On 17 May 2015, Matt Wilson, an actor and model, joined Neighbours as Aaron Brennan, the middle sibling of Mark and Tyler Brennan. After submitting a self-taped audition, Wilson underwent an extensive casting process. During this period, he became a dedicated fan of the show, which heightened his eagerness to join the cast. Several months later, he was officially cast in the role. In 2022, Wilson disclosed that he had originally auditioned for Tyler; however, when Travis Burns secured that part, producers developed the character of Aaron expressly for him.

Wilson described his casting experience as "surreal," highlighting the show's importance during his formative years. He relocated from Sydney to Melbourne to accommodate filming at the Neighbours studios and debuted as Aaron on 16 June 2015. Although executive producer Jason Herbison initially envisioned Aaron as a guest character, Wilson’s "endearing quality" resulted in his promotion to a full-time position.

Characterisation

Within his fictional history, Aaron left his hometown of Port Lincoln soon after Mark's departure. Despite living far away, he maintained close communication with his brothers. Feeling disenchanted with mining work, Aaron made an impulsive decision to become an exotic dancer after watching a male dance performance in Perth—a career choice reminiscent of characters from the 2012 film Magic Mike.

At first arrival, Aaron shared a stronger bond with his younger brother Tyler due to their spontaneous lifestyles, whereas Mark was more pragmatic and dealt with OCD. Wilson explained that Aaron enjoys being the middle sibling and often finds himself mediating between Mark and Tyler. He described Aaron as confident, upbeat, energetic, and well-liked by others. The official Neighbours website emphasized Aaron’s generous nature and playful attitude while underscoring his deep family loyalty.

Wilson noted parallels between himself and Aaron such as optimism and selflessness but also identified Aaron’s occasional naivety and vulnerability. As an openly gay character, Aaron’s representation garnered considerable support; Wilson depicted him as "a typical Aussie gay guy," filling a notable gap in Australian television portrayals. His wardrobe choices were inspired by styles observed among his gay friends. While romantic at heart, Aaron’s career pursuits have placed strain on previous relationships. His siblings accepted his sexuality without issue; however, their father struggled with it—a challenge Aaron refused to let influence him negatively.

Introduction

Mark reached out to Aaron, concerned that Tyler had "lost his way" after being arrested. Since Aaron and Tyler were close, Mark hoped Aaron could offer assistance. Both believed Aaron was still employed in Western Australia's mining sector, but he had secretly transitioned into a career as an exotic dancer. Concurrently, Aaron was scheduled to perform at a charity bingo event organized by Sheila Canning at The Waterhole. Mark and Tyler were left "astonished" when they saw their brother performing nearly nude on stage.

Having no previous dance background, Wilson took private lessons before filming began. He remarked, "I stepped onto the stage with complete confidence, so all the preparation truly paid off!" While Mark disapproved of Aaron’s new profession, Tyler found it entertaining. Later, Aaron supported Tyler at the garage, inspiring Mark to attempt building a stronger connection with his brothers after witnessing their bond.

Relationship with Nate Kinski

After settling on Ramsay Street, Aaron's single status became known to Tyler, who tried to match him with his friend Nate Kinski (Meyne Wyatt) in an effort to mend a fractured friendship between Nate and himself caused by a stolen prescription pad. Their initial encounter was unsuccessful; Aaron and Nate clashed on every point and recognized they shared little common ground. Despite Tyler’s matchmaking attempts, both men informed him that nothing would develop between them. Nevertheless, Tyler’s plan succeeded in repairing his relationship with Nate.

At first, Nate kept his distance from Aaron but soon became embroiled in a dispute with Alistair Hall, which Aaron attempted to mediate. Nate disliked what he perceived as Aaron’s manipulative behavior. Sheila assigned Nate the task of persuading Aaron to sign an employment contract for The Waterhole. After Nate made disparaging comments about Aaron’s profession, Aaron refused to sign until Sheila intervened and compelled Nate to apologize. Aaron agreed on the condition that Nate communicate only through Sheila. Later, when Sheila experienced lockjaw, Aaron and Nate were forced to collaborate and resisted teasing one another. Nate playfully admitted an attraction to Aaron, who tried to kiss him but quickly withdrew. A TV Soap commentator suggested there might be a hidden mutual attraction beneath their guarded demeanors.

Their interactions increased when Naomi Canning trapped them together in an outdoor hotel room as part of a Lassiter's Hotel campaign promoting same-sex relationships. Naomi hired Aaron and a female model to pose as a couple; when the model failed to appear, she locked Nate inside with Aaron instead. Initially attempting to irritate Aaron, Nate eventually relaxed and surprised him. Naomi’s plan worked when Nate spontaneously kissed Aaron, revealing deep feelings. Wyatt described their dynamic as balanced but uncertain if they could fully be themselves around each other.

Aaron played wingman for his friend Josh Willis but clashed with Josh’s partner Evan Shields. After Evan assaulted Aaron, Nate intervened and rescued him but left before Aaron could express gratitude. Neither acknowledged their romantic feelings; Nate assumed Aaron was uninterested despite subtle flirtations. When confronted, Aaron admitted his feelings but faced rejection; Tyler then disclosed his brother’s attraction toward Nate.

Eventually, Aaron and Nate entered into a relationship. Following a fight that led Nate to leave town without contact, Aaron felt "angry and upset" upon his return. Wilson explained they had "many issues to resolve," both wanting to be together yet uncertain if it would succeed. He noted their frequent arguments stemmed from contrasting personalities: "Nate is quite reserved, while Aaron is more open and cheerful." When Nate came back, he struggled to reconnect after discovering that Aaron had moved on. Wilson added that past hurt caused Aaron to resist reconciliation efforts.

Career transitions and Tom Quill

Following his departure from exotic dancing, Aaron briefly worked in coffee sales before taking on a role as a bodyguard for the notorious Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis). Nevertheless, Aaron found it challenging to navigate Paul's manipulative tactics. In March 2016, Wilson hinted at a more intense narrative arc for Aaron. Subsequently, Aaron secured a position as executive assistant to the newly appointed mayor Sonya Rebecchi (Eve Morey), which allowed Wilson to don formal attire instead of the minimal costumes from earlier scenes.

Aaron soon caught the eye of Tom Quill (Kane Felsinger), who served as development manager at Lassiter's Hotel. After accepting a bottle of champagne from Tom, Aaron recognized this created a conflict since Tom was seeking Sonya's approval for Lassiter's expansion plans. Aaron promptly returned the gift, yet Tom pursued him romantically. Feeling vulnerable due to Nate's silence, Aaron consented to a date with Tom. Following their second outing, Tom convinced Aaron to share a list of individuals opposing the expansion. When Aaron realized the opposition had been quietly removed, he understood Tom had breached ethical boundaries.

Tom then manipulated an environmental impact assessment using Aaron's laptop, which led the council to approve the project. Upon recognizing he had been used, Aaron alerted Sonya, resulting in his dismissal. Shortly thereafter, an explosion at Lassiter's Hotel became a pivotal plot point; Aaron was depicted as burdened by guilt. He grew increasingly anxious about Tom’s well-being after learning that Tom’s identification was discovered in the debris and feared culpability if Tom had perished.

Wilson explained that prior to the blast, Aaron confronted Tom in the hotel’s boiler room, leading to a physical altercation where Aaron left Tom semi-conscious. The boiler room subsequently exploded, and Aaron believed he was responsible for Tom’s death.

Following this, Aaron began receiving threatening messages from an anonymous individual aware of his involvement in Tom’s condition. He kept this secret out of fear of facing manslaughter or murder charges. Nate suspected Tom’s mother Julie Quill (Gail Easdale), but after she was ruled out, Aaron contemplated reporting to the authorities. The blackmailer demanded $10,000; Nate devised a plan by placing money near an old well and successfully apprehended the culprit—Tom himself.

Wilson remarked on Aaron’s "complex feelings" upon discovering Tom alive after fearing imprisonment. Although Aaron wished to stop Tom and considered confiding in Mark, Nate cautioned him about possible legal consequences for assaulting Tom.

David Tanaka

In 2016, producers introduced twins David (Takaya Honda) and Leo (Tim Kano), who relocated to Erinsborough. Initially, Aaron found himself attracted to Leo, while Amy Williams (Zoe Cramond) showed interest in David. During a night out organized by Aaron, he realized Leo was heterosexual and interested in Amy. After pairing Amy with David on a date, Aaron shared an intense moment with David that led him to believe David might be gay. Despite David affirming his attraction to Amy, Aaron assisted him in connecting with his great-grandmother Kazuko Sano and encouraged exploring his heritage.

David misunderstood Aaron’s apology as a romantic gesture and responded by questioning Aaron’s sexuality but later reconciled with him. As David embraced his identity, he visited Aaron to express his feelings but left abruptly upon finding Aaron with another man. David eventually came out and acknowledged his affection for Aaron. They spent ANZAC Day together; however, when David attempted to kiss Aaron, he was rejected because Aaron was preoccupied with thoughts of someone else. This moment highlighted their differing approaches—Aaron tends to confront challenges directly whereas David often avoids them.

Wilson praised their pairing as "an excellent couple" with potential for marriage.

Both Wilson and Honda encouraged writers to develop their relationship earlier but recognized the value of gradual progression. Several months later, Aaron and David officially began dating. Wilson noted that it became increasingly difficult for Aaron to be apart from David, whom he deeply loved, while others saw their compatibility clearly. Eventually, Leo encouraged Aaron to confess his feelings during a karaoke night at The Waterhole.

Wilson emphasized the relationship’s strong potential for future storylines by highlighting their contrasting personalities—David as an introvert who prefers quiet evenings and Aaron who enjoys nightlife—which would maintain an engaging dynamic between them.

Family introductions

Approximately one month following Aaron's arrival, the Brennan family expanded with the introduction of their father, Russell Brennan (portrayed by Russell Kiefel), anchoring a "controversial" storyline centered on domestic violence. Russell had subjected his sons to abuse during their childhood, resulting in a fractured relationship. While Mark was open to reconnecting with their father, Tyler deliberately distanced himself, and Aaron harbored concerns about how Russell would respond to his sexuality. Russell intended to purchase the local garage alongside his sons; however, after Tyler confronted him physically and disclosed the history of abuse, both Aaron and Mark sided with Tyler and requested that Russell leave.

Although producers planned to reintroduce Russell later on, Kiefel’s unforeseen passing necessitated a revision of the narrative. Consequently, in 2017, the brothers' mother Fay Brennan (Zoe Bertram) was brought into the storyline instead. Wilson remarked that the brothers had unresolved tensions with Fay, and Aaron’s atypical conduct toward her provided a means to delve into intricate family relationships. Aaron confessed feelings of bitterness toward Fay for abandoning him at age thirteen and for difficulties he faced related to his sexuality. Motivated by his partner David’s encouragement, Aaron began addressing these familial conflicts.

In 2018, Aaron, Mark, and Tyler’s younger sister Chloe Brennan (April Rose Pengilly) was introduced. Chloe’s background reveals that following Russell and Fay’s separation, she remained with their mother while her brothers lived with Russell, leading to limited contact between them except during holidays. Chloe arrived in Erinsborough with the intention of reestablishing connections with Aaron and Mark. Later that year, she disclosed her diagnosis of Huntington's disease after learning about Aaron and David’s plans to have a child using Aaron’s sperm. Initially, Chloe encouraged them to select David as the donor but ultimately revealed she carries the Huntington's gene herself—a condition that could also impact Mark and Aaron. Mark chose to undergo immediate genetic testing; meanwhile, Aaron decided against finding out.

Other storylines

When Josh discovers that Aaron is searching for a new member to join his dance troupe, he auditions in order to raise funds for his daughter’s medical treatment. Together, Aaron and Josh form an exotic dance duo called The Heat, securing their first engagement at a 50th birthday celebration. Although their initial performance encounters some difficulties, it ultimately receives positive feedback, enhancing Aaron’s self-assurance while Josh encounters an unexpected offer. Both Bonner and Wilson undertook dance training in preparation for these scenes.

In mid-2016, Aaron reinvented himself professionally as a social media manager. He developed a friendship with neighbour Xanthe Canning and provided guidance as she dealt with cyberbullying and concerns about body image. Subsequently, Aaron launched a brand management enterprise with financial backing from Nate. When Paul Robinson faced legal charges related to the Lassiter's explosion, he recruited Aaron to assist in shaping public perception through social media channels rather than conventional media outlets. As part of this effort, Aaron arranged for Piper Willis to conduct an interview with Paul on her vlog.

By 2017, Aaron joined forces with Mishti Sharma to acquire and operate a local gym named The Shed. Although initially disappointed when another buyer appeared interested in purchasing the gym, they capitalized on the opportunity when that deal collapsed. Mishti submitted an offer that was accepted despite Aaron’s initial reluctance. Sonya encouraged him by emphasizing how his enthusiasm for fitness and approachable personality made him well-suited for gym ownership. Vas observed that their friendship deepened due to shared fitness interests, while Wilson regarded this career change as significant and fitting for his character’s development.

Conclusion and comeback

After the announcement of Neighbours' cancellation in March 2023, plans were made to provide a satisfying conclusion for Aaron and David’s storyline. This required reworking the original plot, which had intended to conclude with David’s exit following Honda's decision to leave the show. Initially, Aaron’s return for 2023 was not confirmed; however, in September 2023, Wilson appeared in a behind-the-scenes segment, and reports surfaced about Aaron’s comeback. Both Aaron and David reappeared permanently on 13 November 2023, although David was tragically killed off three months afterward.

In the aftermath of David’s passing, Aaron faces intense grief, leading him to excessive drinking and neglecting their daughter Isla, which causes friction with Nicolette. When the Drinks Divas vehicle is vandalized, Aaron confronts Slade but receives a caution from Andrew against resorting to violence. Nicolette, upset by Aaron’s drug use during a holiday with Krista—who is also mourning—prohibits him from seeing Isla.

As Aaron begins to heal, he develops a friendship with Logan Shembri, a friend of Melanie. Despite Logan’s questionable conduct and fixation on David, Aaron values his companionship. Aaron donates David’s clothes to charity but soon regrets this decision when it appears Logan has bought them, arousing Melanie’s suspicions.

Romantic involvement with Rhett Norman and exit

In 2025, Aaron embarks on a relationship with Rhett Norman (portrayed by Liam Maguire). On 4 August, it was revealed that Aaron would depart the series alongside Rhett in episodes scheduled for 1 September. Wilson's presence during the final week of filming hints at a possible return later in December.

Critical response

Wilson remarked on the favorable audience reaction towards Aaron, highlighting his generous and thoughtful nature. He earned a nomination for Best Daytime Star at the 2018 Inside Soap Awards and was longlisted for the same accolade in 2024. Additionally, Aaron and David were contenders for Best Soap Couple at the 2018 Digital Spy Reader Awards.

Critics lauded Aaron’s memorable introduction and character traits. Inside Soap praised his impactful debut; Anthony D. Langford from TheBacklot.com recognized the importance of introducing a gay character within the Brennan family. Claire Crick of All About Soap characterized Aaron as an appealing mix of his brothers’ qualities. Daniel Kilkelly from Digital Spy described him as "Erinsborough's nice guy," while Attitude magazine dubbed him "Ramsay Street’s striking new resident."

Langford critiqued Aaron’s relationship with Nate, citing a lack of chemistry between them. Soap World awarded Aaron Best New Male Character in 2015, commending his playful demeanor and breaking stereotypes by portraying a masculine gay man.

Ben Fenlon of the Daily Express highlighted one of Aaron’s storylines—a striptease involving a solar-powered lawnmower—as among Neighbours' most unusual moments. Conor McMullan from Digital Spy observed Aaron's various career shifts, ultimately finding his role as a personal trainer most credible. In 2022, Sam Strutt of The Guardian ranked the wedding of Aaron and David as the eighth most unforgettable event in Neighbours history and its most significant wedding since that of Scott Robinson and Charlene Mitchell.

External links

• Official Neighbours page for Aaron Brennan