Bernie Samuels

Larry Woodhouse
Other names	Woody Woodhouse
Years active	2000 (debut 24 November), recurring until 2002 and return in 2010

Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell, portrayed by Blair Venn, made his debut on 19 January 2000. As a lawyer, Brendan was married to Teresa Bell (Krista Vendy), a high school teacher, and was frequently abusive towards her. Vendy revealed that Teresa endured both physical and psychological abuse, which drove her to seek an escape. When the Kennedy family offered Teresa a place to stay, she chose to leave the marriage. Nevertheless, Teresa's self-esteem remained fragile due to Brendan's dominance; he was older, professionally successful, and regarded her as a status symbol.

Brendan sought to mend their relationship by persuading Teresa he had reformed, attending anger management sessions and controlling his temper, which led her to trust him once more. However, Brendan's true nature was deceitful and marked by a dual personality. His possessiveness escalated dangerously when he drove recklessly in rainy conditions searching for Teresa, causing a collision that involved Libby Kennedy and Stephanie Scully.

Throughout their turbulent marriage, Brendan projected an image of normalcy, concealing Teresa’s emotional distress from others. His jealousy worsened after business trips, resulting in disputes over Teresa’s social interactions. Following the crash caused by his reckless driving, Brendan was hospitalized and faced legal charges but ultimately died from a fatal heart attack caused by an undiagnosed internal injury.

Dee Bliss

Dione "Dee" Bliss, brought to life by Madeleine West, first appeared on 3 February 2000. West, who was studying law at the time, secured the role soon after obtaining representation and paused her academic pursuits after being cast. Due to Dee's favorable reception, producers extended her role into a regular part with a new contract. Jim Schembri of The Age referred to Dee as "Ramsay Street's reigning blonde beauty." In 2001, West received a nomination for the Most Popular New Female Talent Logie Award for this character.

Sheena Wilson

Sheena Wilson, enacted by Zoe Stark, arrived on screen on 10 August 2000. Working as a nurse at Erinsborough Hospital, she was a close friend of Dee Bliss (Madeleine West) and developed a romantic relationship with Toadfish Rebecchi (Ryan Moloney). Their romance ended after Toadie disclosed that Sheena’s mother, Rhonda (Brenda Addie), had made advances toward him.

Sheena played a supportive role in medical situations involving Lou Carpenter's back injury and Lyn Scully's labor. Dee attempted to match Sheena with both Lance Wilkinson and Toadie; while initial skepticism surrounded Sheena and Toadie's relationship, it proved genuine. The couple’s trust was shattered when Rhonda flirted with Toadie, leading to their breakup.

Subsequently, Sheena accused Martin Cook (Tony Bonner) of discrimination after he refused her workshop placement, which resulted in workplace isolation and her brief departure. Her allegations were confirmed when Dee experienced similar harassment.

In later years, Sheena cared for Boyd Hoyland (Kyal Marsh) during his coma and attended her high school reunion at the Scarlet Bar. There she had conflicts with Sindi Watts (Marisa Warrington) and confrontations involving Sindi's boyfriend Stuart Parker (Blair McDonough). After being assigned to the psychiatric ward, Sheena assisted in treating Max Hoyland (Stephen Lovatt), overseeing his care until he unexpectedly left the hospital.

Gino Esposito

Gino Esposito, initially played by Claude Stevens and subsequently by Shane McNamara, made his first appearance on 11 August 2000. As a local hairdresser, Gino was openly gay and involved in a romantic relationship with Aaron Barkley (Stewart Adam). Script producer Luke Devenish described him as a humorous yet positive gay character, reminiscent of Mr Humphries from Are You Being Served?. One storyline depicted Gino briefly sharing a residence with Harold Bishop (Ian Smith), which led to a love triangle involving Lou Carpenter (Tom Oliver) that added narrative depth.

Allana Truman

Allana Truman (originally Dorothy Truman), portrayed by Josephine Clark, first appeared on 29 September 2000 for a three-month guest stint. Clark had previously appeared in 1997 as Jamie-Lee Duggan. Allana was portrayed as an eccentric student with a keen interest in science fiction, sharing this passion with her love interest Lance Wilkinson (Andrew Bibby).

Their romance began at a science fiction convention where Allana challenged Lance to complete seven tasks, such as finding a rare television episode, photographing a retired actor, creating a sci-fi film, decoding symbols, persuading journalist Libby Kennedy (Kym Valentine) to write about UFOs, and obtaining satellite debris. Lance’s inventive efforts led to the couple forming a relationship.

Complications arose due to Allana’s unconventional behavior and complicated family situation. Her mother, Jeannie (Libby Stone), who was possessive because of illness, disapproved of the relationship. After succumbing to her mother’s pressure and ending things with Lance, Allana later sought his assistance to break free from her mother’s control. They planned to attend a sci-fi convention in the United States, funding the trip through Lance’s participation in a radio quiz show. When producers attempted to manipulate the contest outcome, Lance exposed the deceit live on air. The pair subsequently left Erinsborough and later organized their own science fiction convention.

Emily Hancock

Emily Hancock, played by Isabella Oldham, debuted on 11 October 2000 and returned in 2001 alongside the rest of the Hancock family, introduced to replace departing regular characters. The five-member Hancock family was depicted as "fun-loving" and typical of an Australian household. By 2002, the entire family was written out of Neighbours. A key moment for Emily involved discovering a love letter from Toadie addressed to her mother, Maggie Hancock. Jackie Brygel from the Herald Sun referred to Emily as the "cute daughter" within the family.

Emily and her brother Leo were briefly looked after by Karl and Susan Kennedy while their mother was away. The next year, they relocated to Ramsay Street. Emily faced challenges such as losing her cherished doll Lizzie, which led to a dispute with local shopkeeper Collector Bob. After confusion involving delivery boxes, Emily took a pair of earrings but later confessed to misplacing them when accused of theft.

Family tensions escalated when Leo held Emily responsible for their problems, prompting her to run away and become stranded overnight on a bus. She was eventually located following a search involving Leo and the police. Emily also suffered unexplained ear pain that was later diagnosed as dental-related. She mentioned having a new friend named Madge, which Harold Bishop interpreted as a connection to his late wife.

Before moving away due to financial hardships, Emily read a letter from Toadfish Rebecchi expressing his feelings for Maggie. On their final day in Erinsborough, Emily briefly went missing but was found saying farewell to Madge in Number 24’s garden.

Leo Hancock

Leo Hancock, brought to life by Anthony Hammer, first appeared on 11 October 2000, initially portrayed by Josh Jay before being reintroduced alongside his family in 2001. The Hancock family was introduced to compensate for the temporary absence of six main characters, representing an energetic and cheerful Australian household. By 2002, the entire Hancock family was removed from Neighbours.

While their mother was away, Leo and his sister Emily were briefly under the care of Karl and Susan Kennedy. After relocating to Ramsay Street with their family, Leo briefly went missing but was eventually found at the local pub where his brother Matt was employed. During their parents’ vacation, Leo’s friend Aleks Rama stayed with the family. Leo grappled with feelings of guilt over the death of his sister Francesca, a burden he shared with Dee Bliss, who provided emotional support.

At Erinsborough High, Leo encountered bullying from P.E. teacher Dean Hearn. After reporting the mistreatment, Dean resigned following an incident observed by principal Susan Kennedy. When Leo yelled at Emily, she disappeared for a short time, which led him to assist in locating her. His parents discovered he was selling essays to finance break-dancing lessons and initially forbade it; however, after witnessing Leo’s skill, his father Evan encouraged him to join a dance crew.

Leo and Michelle Scully discovered an undocumented immigrant named Gregori and kept his presence secret until authorities became involved. When Leo’s dance crew qualified for the finals in Adelaide, Evan refused to allow him to attend; the crew attempted to raise funds independently, creating tension within the family. Later, Leo supported Matt after a drag race accident caused Matt to flee from police; Leo kept his brother's location confidential until Matt turned himself in. Financial strain from legal expenses forced the family to sell their home and move to Albury.

A BBC commentator highlighted Leo’s significant moment as "keeping his brother's whereabouts a secret after the car accident."

Darcy Tyler

Darcy Tyler, portrayed by Mark Raffety, made his debut on 15 November 2000. He is Susan Kennedy's (Jackie Woodburne) nephew and a medical professional known for stirring conflict within the Kennedy family. Raffety described Darcy as a character with growth potential, which contributed to his three-year presence on the show. His performance earned nominations for Best Newcomer and Best Bad Boy at the Inside Soap Awards.

Larry Woodhouse

Larry "Woody" Woodhouse, enacted by Andrew Curry, first appeared on 24 November 2000 and appeared intermittently until 2002, returning again in 2010. Woody was Stephanie Scully's former boyfriend who lost contact after serving time in prison. Upon release, Woody sought Steph’s assistance due to blackmail threats and later entered witness protection, inviting Steph to join him. Following a car accident that led Steph to believe Woody had died, he reemerged to warn her about another ex-prisoner, Mitch Foster, whom Steph subsequently rejected.

Woody’s narrative arc involves criminal activity, parole challenges, and witness protection themes that explore redemption and danger. His 2010 comeback provided Steph with an emotional refuge during personal difficulties without reigniting their romantic relationship.

From a business perspective, Woody’s character enriched storylines involving crime and rehabilitation, captivating audiences with complex interactions tied to central characters. His relationship with Steph emphasized the struggle between past ties and present obligations.

A BBC writer identified Woody’s dramatic return after presumed death as a standout moment. The Sunday Mercury described him as a "bad boy biker," highlighting his rebellious image within the show’s branding strategy.

Others

Date(s)	Character	Actor	Context
27 January 2000 – 7 August 2003	Cecile Bliss	Molly McCaffrey	Cecile, the younger sister of Dee Bliss, arrives on Ramsay Street in search of Joel Samuels. She intimidates Michelle Scully at school, resulting in a confrontation that leaves Michelle with a broken arm. Cecile serves as a bridesmaid at Dee’s wedding and is present at her funeral. In 2017, DNA evidence reveals that Cecile passed away a year earlier following a cycling accident, disproving an impostor’s claim to be Dee.
3–16 February	Vanessa Bradshaw	Julieanne Tait	Vanessa, a fashion designer and friend of Dee Bliss, joins Joel Samuels and Toadfish Rebecchi on a double date. The outing culminates in an unexpectedly large bill after the true identities of Joel and Toadie are uncovered.
11 February–5 April	Greg Mast	Roy Thompson	Carpenter Greg offers Billy Kennedy an apprenticeship opportunity in Queensland. Though hesitant at first, Billy accepts the position and later encounters Anne Wilkinson while collecting timber.
25 February–17 April	Ivan Hart	Erik Donnison	Ivan operates the A Good Hair Day salon but engages in questionable activities that cause Lyn Scully to cover financial shortfalls. After Ivan absconds due to gambling debts, Lyn convinces his wife Katrina to sustain the business using her savings.
2 March–6 April	Carrie Clark	Vanessa Rossini	Carrie betrays Dee Bliss by engaging in an affair with Dee's boyfriend, Joel Samuels.
3 March–2 June	Merridy Jackson	Suzi Cato	Lou Carpenter begins dating Merridy Jackson, a teacher who eventually relocates to the Northern Territory. Lou acknowledges his feelings but recognizes their uncertain future.
20 March–7 June	Simone King	Denise Briskin	Simone flirts with Paul McClain, creating friction with Tad Reeves. Their brief relationship ends, easing the tension between the two men.
22 March–21 February 2001	Minnie Kirk	Marion Heathfield	Minnie, Drew Kirk’s great aunt, encourages his fiancée Libby Kennedy and attends their wedding ceremony.
10 April 2000, 29 July–7 August 2003	Magda Bliss	Marilyn O'Donnell June Jones	Mother to Dee and Cecile Bliss; present at Dee’s wedding and funeral. In 2017, it is revealed by Dee’s husband that Magda died in a car accident ten years prior.
13–24 April	Rachel Jones	Kim Trengove	Tad Reeves encounters Rachel at an adoption support group; although not his birth mother, they share similar life experiences.
18 April–9 May	Connie O'Rourke	Val Jellay	Connie visits Lyn Scully’s family and departs after financial difficulties arise to give them space. She later suffers a stroke and passes away; the family gathers for her funeral amid revelations concerning Lyn’s adoption.
18 April–15 October 2003	Henry O'Rourke	Bud Tingwell	Connie’s husband; involved in familial conflicts over adoption disclosures but ultimately reconciles with Lyn.
27 April	Janet Kirk	Roberta Connelly	Drew Kirk’s aunt visits Libby Kennedy and shares stories about the family quilt.
5 May–6 June	Sean Edwards	Daniel Collopy	Sean engages in a secret relationship with Felicity Scully despite their age gap; parental disapproval causes tensions leading to their breakup.
9 May	Shanti Pandya	Menik Gooneratne	Traveller residing temporarily at the hostel managed by Toadfish Rebecchi and others; admires Joel Samuels but becomes confused when the hostel closes.
15 May–7 July	Rachel Bailey	Carolyn Bock	Tad Reeves’ biological mother; they meet but struggle to build a connection before Rachel passes away months later.
16 May–25 July	Glenda Ryan	Bronwyn Di Cecco	Maurie Ryan’s wife; misdiagnosed with cancer leading to a malpractice lawsuit against Karl Kennedy which is eventually withdrawn.
29 May–30 November	Stephen Bailey	Dean Murphy Kevin Hopkins	'Rachel Bailey’s husband informs Tad Reeves about Rachel's death and their son Tim's need for a bone marrow transplant; Tad helps facilitate Tim's recovery.
29 May–24 October	' Jasmine Bailey	' Chantelle Davies Chloe Ellison	' Daughter of Rachel and Stephen Bailey; supports her brother Tim throughout his illness.
29 May–26 January 2001	' Tim Bailey	' Carl Lennie Darcy Bonser	' Son of Rachel and Stephen Bailey; requires bone marrow transplantation successfully assisted by Tad Reeves.
12 June	' Dylan Ryan	' Nicholas Colla	' Child of Maurie and Glenda Ryan; appears when dropped off at school.
14–29 June	' Bernie Samuels	' Sean Scully	' Joel Samuels’ father who attempts reconciliation but ultimately departs after acknowledging previous neglect.
29 June–17 July	' Wendy Baker	' Patsy Martin	' Arrives accusing Harold Bishop of theft; blackmails him until truth is revealed clearing Harold’s name.
6 July–4 August	' Damon Gaffney	' Richard Morgan	' Former educator suffering from agoraphobia who bonds with Michelle Scully through window cleaning work and email exchanges; begins healing through counseling.
6 July–7 August	' Pete Redman	' Frank Raco	' Postal worker unintentionally becomes object of Felicity Scully’s affection which ends upon learning he is married.
11 July–2 August	' Max Crawford	' Simon Gleeson	' Ex-boyfriend of Dee Bliss returns causing friction with Joel Samuels before departing for new career opportunities.
24 July–24 November	' Cheyenne Rivers	' Angelique Meunier	' Dates Paul McClain while undermining Felicity Scully; relationship ends after shoplifting incident leads to her father Gareth sending her away.
4 August–13 June 2002	' Doula Tsobanopoulos	' Katherine Halliday	' Nightclub proprietor employing Tad Reeves as DJ; involved in identity theft using Tad’s passport.
7 August	' Ari Tsobanopoulos	' Campbell Smith	' Brother of Doula Tsobanopoulos; delivers goods to Tad Reeves.
15 August–11 September	' Lisa Ryan	' Tania Lunson	' Daughter of Maurie Ryan; expresses interest in Lance Wilkinson who admits his limits when challenged to skydive.
25 August	' Dorothy Rivers	' Marita Wilcox	' Mother of Cheyenne Rivers; active community fundraiser hosting charity events involving locals.
28 August–12 September	' Gareth Rivers	' Serge De Nardo	' Father of Cheyenne Rivers; P&C committee member attempting to influence school policies through funding threats; sends Cheyenne away following shoplifting incident.
29 September–25 October	' Patsy Edis	' Anne Maloney	' Nanny employed by Lou Carpenter who attempts theft but is stopped by Joe Scully.
31 October–27 March 2001	' Colin Rogers	' John Tarle	' Student obsessed with Felicity Scully who commits school bombing to impress her; arrested after stalking disrupts relationships.
1–24 November	' Mick Scully	' Andy Anderson	' Joe Scully’s brother struggling with unemployment and personal issues before trying to reconcile with family.
3 November–5 October 2001	' Pat Miller	' Matt Norman	' Football coach involved in steroid distribution and bullying players; confronted by Karl Kennedy and Paul McClain leading to resolution of conflicts.
24 November–22 January 2001	' Tina Nguyen	' Kim Nguyen	' Pregnant woman delivered by Joe Scully during bushfire emergency; names son Joseph and appoints Joe as godfather.
"27 November–22 January 2001"	' Joseph Nguyen	' Joshua Ten	-	28 November	Hunq Nguyen	Ferdinand Hoang	-	5 December–12 February 2001	Clementine Truman	Melanie Lockman	Encourages Toadfish Rebecchi to contest his radio job loss after restarting a banned segment promoting student financial advice.	-	6 December–13 February2001	Kev Kelly	Frank Kennedy	Jewel thief incarcerated who coerces Larry Woodhouse into assisting thefts; killed during robbery attempt involving drug dealers.