Hendrix Greyson

Hendrix Greyson
Occupation	Fictional character
Years active	2019–2022
Known for	Neighbours

Hendrix Greyson is a fictional persona featured in the Australian soap Neighbours, brought to life by actor Ben Turland. After submitting a self-recorded audition tape, Turland was invited to Melbourne for a chemistry test and secured the role just three days later. His first appearance aired on 13 September 2019, portraying the estranged son of Pierce Greyson (Tim Robards), which added new layers to Pierce’s history and broadened the Greyson family narrative.

At the outset, Hendrix was characterized as a self-assured, privileged 17-year-old with a defiant attitude, shaped by his feelings of abandonment due to his father’s absence. Turland skillfully combined Hendrix’s bratty tendencies with charm as the character evolved, taking responsibility for his errors and unveiling a softer, more sensitive side. Early plots centered on Hendrix’s strained relationship with Pierce, including romantic tension involving Pierce’s partner Chloe Brennan (April Rose Pengilly) and reckless acts such as a car crash that endangered Harlow Robinson (Jemma Donovan). Feeling overshadowed by Pierce and Chloe’s engagement, Hendrix grappled with envy and ultimately left town on their wedding day. The arrival of his mother Lisa Rowsthorn (Jane Allsop) further enriched the Greyson family storyline and marked Hendrix’s progression into maturity.

In early 2020, the narrative explored Hendrix’s chemistry with Harlow, casting him as a dependable partner during her familial struggles. Their romance encountered resistance from Harlow’s grandfather Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis). Hendrix’s first major individual storyline in 2021 tackled his battle with gambling addiction, which led to debts owed to local criminal Kane Jones (Barry Conrad) and possession of a firearm for self-defense. This arc culminated in the end of his relationship with Harlow and initiated a downward trajectory.

Hendrix’s subsequent key relationship was with Mackenzie Hargreaves (Georgie Stone), notable for featuring the show’s inaugural transgender kiss. Their friendship blossomed into romance, offering Mackenzie a "safe place" and showcasing Hendrix’s playful nature. Nevertheless, their connection faced challenges when Hendrix developed a friendship with teenager Zara Selwyn (Freya Van Dyke), who later kissed him.

In early 2022, Turland decided to depart from Neighbours to explore acting opportunities abroad. The producers chose to conclude Hendrix’s storyline by having the character succumb to pulmonary fibrosis, a condition resulting from rescuing Mackenzie from a fire. A dedicated episode highlighted their relationship, ending with Hendrix making an impromptu marriage proposal. Following an unsuccessful lung transplant, Hendrix passed away surrounded by family and friends. Turland briefly returned for the series finale aired on 28 July 2022. Additionally, Hendrix appeared in the spin-off series Erinsborough High (2019). Initially met with criticism due to his flawed behavior, the character eventually earned Turland a nomination for Best Daytime Star at the 2022 Inside Soap Awards.

Casting

On 1 September 2019, Daniel Kilkelly from Digital Spy announced that Neighbours would be adding Pierce Greyson's (Tim Robards) teenage son, Hendrix, as a regular character. At 20 years old, Ben Turland was cast in this role, marking his first ongoing television part following a guest stint on Australian soap Home and Away. Unaware he was the frontrunner when submitting his self-tape, Turland later auditioned in Melbourne alongside Tim Robards and Jemma Donovan (Harlow Robinson) and was offered the part within three days. Having been a longtime viewer of Neighbours, Turland described collaborating with such iconic actors as "surreal". He made his debut as Hendrix on 13 September 2019.

Characterisation

Hendrix is presented as a 17-year-old possessing "a significant ego and a chip on his shoulder." At first, he appears entitled and disrespectful, displaying a "bad attitude" and excessive confidence, perceiving himself as a "ladies' man." Actor Benny Turland enjoyed portraying Hendrix's bratty traits, finding the role enjoyable because it allowed him to express rebelliousness without repercussions. While his intention was to depict Hendrix as an irritating privileged youth, Turland also aimed to make the character "endearing and relatable." Hendrix’s conduct is rooted in the pain caused by his father Pierce’s absence and prioritization of business over family; he yearns for his father’s affection and attention. Turland acknowledged that Hendrix's early negative behavior led to considerable fan criticism, which he found reasonable.

As the storyline progresses, Hendrix begins to mature, taking responsibility for errors such as inappropriate actions toward women. Turland attributed much of Hendrix’s initial behavior to the absence of a paternal figure and being spoiled, which caused him to act out in order to gain attention. He predicted that Hendrix would experience a "complete turnaround" in 2020, shedding his privileged persona to reveal a more compassionate and vulnerable nature. Although Turland finds few personal similarities with Hendrix, they share emotional connections; he observed that Hendrix often acts impulsively, whereas he tries to be more deliberate in his choices.

Introduction and early storylines

Hendrix's arrival in Erinsborough expanded Pierce Greyson's narrative and introduced a fresh family dynamic. After being expelled from boarding school, Hendrix visits his father during the time Pierce and Chloe Brennan (April Rose Pengilly) are rekindling their relationship. Neither Chloe nor the audience were aware that Pierce had children; he explains his limited role in raising Hendrix and his sister, causing friction with his resentful son. Actor Turland noted strong chemistry with Tim Robards on screen. Hendrix also makes a subtle romantic move toward Chloe. Shortly thereafter, he openly flirts with Mackenzie Hargreaves (Georgie Stone) at a party, leading her to disclose she is transgender before they share the show's first transgender kiss. Turland described being part of this storyline as "a privilege and an honour!"

Early plots highlighted Hendrix's rebellious streak and tense relationship with Pierce. One storyline involves Hendrix crashing a car and facing possible jail time. To motivate him, Pierce promises future control over his business, but when Pierce shifts focus to Chloe, Hendrix feels neglected. Feeling overshadowed, Hendrix steals Pierce's car for a joyride, crashing into a Lassiters marquee and trapping Harlow Robinson (Jemma Donovan). Although Pierce initially threatens police action, he ultimately takes responsibility for the incident. This leads to a sincere apology from Hendrix and an improved bond between father and son.

Hendrix experiences difficulty when Pierce and Chloe become engaged and move in together. Turland explained that Hendrix feels excluded and conflicted due to his feelings for Chloe while craving his father's attention. Discovering Chloe has Huntington's disease shocks Hendrix, prompting him to reflect deeply and mature their relationship.

Tensions reach a climax when Hendrix kisses Chloe during a wedding rehearsal, leaving her stunned and Pierce reeling from Hendrix’s genuine emotions. Embarrassed by the situation, Hendrix moves in with Karl Kennedy (Alan Fletcher) and Susan Kennedy (Jackie Woodburne). On the wedding day, Hendrix attempts to escape using Pierce’s credit card; however, Pierce intervenes, emphasizing their connection. Despite frustration over his absence, Chloe offers her support to Hendrix. Initially hesitant about returning, Hendrix confronts his troubled history with Pierce but ultimately reconciles before the ceremony proceeds.

In early 2020, the introduction of Hendrix's mother Lisa Rowsthorn (Jane Allsop) further delves into the Greyson family background. Her arrival coincides with low points in Hendrix and Pierce's relationship; during this time, Hendrix chooses to reside with Karl and Susan. Pierce confesses to Chloe that he was essentially a sperm donor for Lisa and agreed to maintain distance from their children. Turland emphasized this revelation as crucial for Hendrix’s transition from "brat to adult" and cited it as one of his favorite moments for the character.

Connection with Harlow Robinson

In early 2020, the writers delved into the dynamic between Hendrix and Harlow. Although Harlow experiences turmoil over her attraction to Hendrix, she is put off by his demeanor. Hendrix picks up on her feelings and decides to test her interest by showing up shirtless and doing push-ups. After several weeks of flirtatious tension, they finally succumb to their attraction during a Mardi Gras celebration. Their interaction involves unusual eye contact, but both hesitate until Harlow turns to Hendrix for support following distressing news about her mother, Prue Wallace. Hendrix becomes anxious when Harlow stops reaching out and confides in Pierce, who suggests he might be overanalyzing the situation. Hendrix later discovers that Harlow’s attention has been consumed by her mother’s return.

The pair embarks on a romantic getaway to Pierce's island for Elly Conway’s birthday festivities. Although Harlow finds it difficult to unwind due to her mother’s deceit, Hendrix helps her relax, and they nearly take their relationship further before an awkward moment causes Harlow to leave abruptly. The following day, Harlow goes missing after falling into a mineshaft and suffering a snake bite. Hendrix supports her throughout her recovery, and their relationship continues into the next year. Actor Donovan highlighted their deep bond, stating "they love each other!" Nevertheless, Turland cautioned that upcoming plots might lead to a breakup, pointing out complications from Harlow’s grandfather Paul Robinson. Despite these obstacles, both actors remain hopeful that the couple could eventually reunite.

Gambling and downward spiral

Following Pierce’s exit, Hendrix moves in with Karl and Susan and briefly takes a job at Lassiters Hotel. Frustrated by being relegated to laundry work, he accidentally traps Terese Willis in a hot room, which results in his resignation. Struggling financially to cover rent, Hendrix begins playing blackjack with his friend Jay Rebecchi and soon joins an exclusive game run by Kane Jones, who applies intense pressure. Attracted by the excitement and quick money, Hendrix quickly develops a gambling addiction.

Hendrix accrues debt with Kane, who issues threats that lead Hendrix to obtain a firearm for self-defense. After Chloe nearly discovers the weapon, Hendrix and Jay hide it inside the Kennedy family’s pizza oven—only for it to explode when Bea uses it, injuring Jay’s father Shane. Terrified by the consequences, Hendrix admits the truth. When Harlow is kidnapped—suspected to be Kane’s doing—Hendrix is distraught but relieved when she is rescued. However, Harlow ends their relationship, leaving Hendrix devastated.

Turland remarked that the breakup would surprise viewers but understood Harlow’s reasons given Hendrix’s errors. He described these moments as emotionally charged and suggested there remains potential for reconciliation since Harlow continues to hold significance for Hendrix. The separation plunges Hendrix into an emotional decline marked by self-doubt and forces him to face his mistakes before he can recover.

Returning to high school after previously dropping out, Hendrix battles low self-esteem amid ongoing issues with Kane. His situation deteriorates further when Harlow discovers he sold her Christmas present to settle debts. Feeling isolated, Hendrix has a public meltdown and contemplates quitting school again until teacher Curtis Perkins persuades him to stay. Meanwhile, Harlow starts dating Brent Colefax, heightening tensions due to past conflicts between him and Hendrix.

Connection with Mackenzie Hargreaves

In 2021, the relationship between Hendrix and Mackenzie was revisited, developing into a romantic involvement. Laura Masia from TV Week emphasized their longstanding friendship, with Stone mentioning that they discovered a secure place to find happiness despite previous turmoil. Their interaction transformed following an almost-kiss moment while attempting to catch a spider, reigniting an attraction Stone described as a long-dormant spark that required some Neighbours plot twists to surface. Initially, they feared their friendship might be "destroyed," but after reconciling, Hendrix’s reaction to Mackenzie’s canceled plans suggested deeper emotions.

Stone confessed she initially hesitated about the pairing due to Mackenzie’s earlier relationship with Richie Amblin but recognized that Hendrix brought out a more fun and grounded aspect of Mackenzie. She explained that Mackenzie was unaware of her romantic feelings, which she attributed to the new closeness formed after previous heartbreaks. To prevent upsetting Harlow, Hendrix and Mackenzie postponed disclosing their romance, adding complexity to their connection.

Their secret was revealed when Harlow witnessed them sharing an intense moment, leading to accusations and the deterioration of her friendship with Mackenzie. Stone pointed out that the conflict between choosing either Harlow or Hendrix would generate engaging drama. Later on, Hendrix’s plans for a romantic dinner were interrupted by a fire caused by a candle mishap.

Towards the end of 2021, actor Benny Turland hinted at difficulties for Hendrix following the arrival of teenager Zara Selwyn (Freya Van Dyke), whom Hendrix takes under his wing. This mentorship placed strain on his relationship with Mackenzie as Zara misread his kindness for romantic interest and kissed him, causing pain and feelings of betrayal for Mackenzie. Simultaneously, Mackenzie discovered inconsistencies in Zara’s suspected arson case; during another fire set by other characters, Hendrix saved Mackenzie from harm.

After the fire incident, Hendrix received a diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis, leading to a trip to Sydney where he impulsively proposed to Mackenzie. Turland explained that Mackenzie provided stability in Hendrix’s turbulent life, making the proposal logical despite their young age.

Their wedding took place weeks later before Hendrix’s lung transplant surgery, fulfilling a long-held dream for Mackenzie. Stone described Hendrix as the love of her character’s life and believed the wedding completed their narrative journey. Turland expressed enthusiasm about filming the show’s first transgender character wedding and stressed the significance of their nurturing relationship and the positive themes portrayed through their storyline. Stone jokingly mentioned feeling envious over the mortgage-free apartment gifted to the couple as they began their new life together. Turland referred to the wedding as Hendrix’s "happy ending."

Pulmonary fibrosis and exit

The school fire storyline introduced a significant new plot for Hendrix, depicting him experiencing severe coughing episodes before being diagnosed with autoimmune disease sarcoidosis, which progresses into pulmonary fibrosis, necessitating a lung transplant. Turland described this narrative as "a worthwhile challenge" and valued exploring it alongside the cast. Hendrix’s diagnosis also affected characters such as Mackenzie, Karl, Susan, and Chloe, providing opportunities for Turland and Stone to delve into their relationships amid fear and concern. The lung transplant offered Hendrix a chance at survival; however, the storyline remained "an emotional rollercoaster." To ensure authenticity, Turland consulted family members impacted by pulmonary fibrosis.

Shortly thereafter, the Rodwell family moved nearby, causing discomfort for Hendrix as it reminded him of his illness while he sought normalcy with Mackenzie. Executive producer Jason Herbison crafted a special episode centered on Hendrix’s storyline that included his family in Sydney and introduced his sisters Alana Greyson (Molly Broadstock) and Maeve Rowsthorn (Beatrix Van Vliet). Turland enjoyed expanding on Hendrix’s relationship with Alana, revealing a new facet of his character as an older sibling.

The storyline concluded with Hendrix’s death after his lung transplant failed due to organ rejection. Turland described filming his farewell scenes as "extremely intense" and among his most demanding acting experiences. The episode, written by longtime writer Sarah Mayberry, was emotionally poignant throughout.

Turland had intended to leave Neighbours to pursue international roles before the series’ cancellation in early 2022. Producers decided to write off Hendrix by killing him off—a decision that initially surprised Turland but one he appreciated for showcasing Hendrix’s development from self-centeredness to valuing family and love. His final weeks filming were emotionally taxing; nonetheless, he hoped for a cameo in the finale and made a brief appearance in the last episode aired on 28 July 2022.

Other appearances

Hendrix also features in the inaugural Neighbours spin-off titled Erinsborough High, which premiered in November 2019. This series is set within the local secondary school and tackles themes such as bullying, mental wellness, sexual identity, and peer influence. Turland valued his involvement in the show's debut spin-off, highlighting its timely subject matter and authentic depiction of adolescent struggles. He characterized the series as more intense and intimate compared to the original, emphasizing the depth of character exploration throughout its five episodes.

The narrative centers on the stress surrounding exam week and various challenges students encounter, unveiling previously unseen dimensions of Hendrix's character that differ from his portrayal in Neighbours. Each student records a video diary, offering a window into Hendrix’s genuine emotions beneath his "cool guy" exterior. Turland pointed out that this storytelling approach distinguished the spin-off from the main series.

Matthew Myers from DNA magazine described the show as "a turning point" for Hendrix. Turland concurred, explaining that Hendrix evolves from a confident popular figure to someone more vulnerable, coming to terms with his lack of authentic friendships and feeling accountable for his classmate Jeremiah Annan (Darius Amarfio Jefferson). He found Hendrix’s journey engaging and expressed hope that Jeremiah would be integrated into the primary series to further develop their relationship.

Reception

Turland earned a nomination for Best Daytime Star at the 2022 Inside Soap Awards for his role as Hendrix.

He acknowledged that viewers reacted negatively to some of Hendrix’s questionable behavior, mentioning that fans were "quite horrified" and urged that "Hendrix needs to pull his head in." Early portrayals of Hendrix’s attitude toward women also drew criticism.

When Hendrix contemplated leaving school, Bridget McManus of The Sydney Morning Herald referred to him as a "school-refuser" who received "a wake-up call from Australia’s nicest principal, Susan (Jackie Woodburne)." Madison Hockey from TV Week labeled him a "troublesome teen," while Briannah Devlin of Southern Highland News described him as "a troubled, wealthy, impulsive teenager" carrying a "chip on his shoulder," who ultimately shed his bad boy image. Likewise, a commentator from 10Play observed that Hendrix "oozed teen angst," frequently landed in trouble but had since grown up.

Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy praised Turland’s acting in the Sydney-based special episode, noting that he was finally given a prominent role in his most significant storyline as the series neared its conclusion.

Laura Denby from Yahoo! Entertainment complimented the chemistry between Hendrix and Mackenzie throughout the pulmonary fibrosis storyline, noting their initially heartwarming interactions and how Hendrix’s illness produced "stunning moments" for the soap. She stated that Hendrix’s death felt credible following Turland’s decision to depart prior to cancellation, avoiding stereotypical exits and solidifying their relationship as one of Neighbours' most memorable romances.

Sarah Ellis of Inside Soap described Hendrix's "tear-jerking death" as among the most heartbreaking moments in the show’s history. Conversely, Helen Daly of Radio Times reported fan discontent over Hendrix’s demise, particularly because Mackenzie is a prominent transgender character who has faced ongoing adversity. Actress Annie Wallace criticized this plotline for reinforcing a "tragic trans trope," questioning why the couple could not have experienced a happy ending. Story editor Shane Isheev clarified that this storyline was devised before cancellation following Turland’s exit and that Stone desired her character to undergo "the full soap experience."

The episode featuring Hendrix’s death won an Australian Director's Guild Award, with writer Sarah Mayberry receiving recognition for her work.

External links

• Hendrix Greyson on 10Play