Isabella Oldham

Brendan Bell
Occupation	Attorney
Years active	2000
Known for	Character on Neighbours

Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell, portrayed by Blair Venn, made his debut on 19 January 2000. Brendan, a practicing attorney, was married to Teresa Bell (Krista Vendy), a high school educator, whom he subjected to frequent physical and psychological abuse. Teresa, who was 24 and notably younger than Brendan, faced significant self-esteem challenges due to the abusive relationship but resolved to leave him after receiving support from the Kennedy family.

Although Brendan exhibited abusive tendencies, he attempted to persuade Teresa to reconcile by asserting that he was undergoing anger management and had reformed. Concern grew among Teresa’s friends when she allowed Brendan back into her life, unaware that he was exhibiting a dual personality and deceptive behavior. Brendan’s possessiveness escalated into a dangerous incident when he drove recklessly in rainy conditions while searching for Teresa, resulting in a collision involving Libby Kennedy and Stephanie Scully.

Brendan projected an image of composure, misleading others regarding Teresa’s emotional wellbeing following her mother’s passing. He sought to mend their relationship through romantic outings and thoughtful gestures such as preparing meals. However, his temper flared once more when he confronted Teresa about her social activities, which led to the crash that caused his hospitalization and legal charges for the accident. Ultimately, Brendan succumbed to a fatal heart attack triggered by an undiagnosed internal injury sustained during the collision.

Dee Bliss

Dione "Dee" Bliss, enacted by Madeleine West, first appeared on 3 February 2000. West, initially pursuing a law degree, secured this role shortly after beginning her acting pursuits and chose to pause her academic studies upon being cast. Due to Dee’s rising popularity, producers elevated her character to regular status and offered West a contract. Jim Schembri from The Age referred to Dee as "Ramsay Street's reigning blonde beauty." In 2001, West earned a nomination for the Most Popular New Female Talent Logie Award in recognition of her performance.

Sheena Wilson

Sheena Wilson, portrayed by Zoe Stark, entered the series on 10 August 2000. A nurse employed at Erinsborough Hospital, Sheena was introduced as a close associate of Dee Bliss and later became romantically involved with Toadfish Rebecchi (Ryan Moloney). Her storyline featured complications when Toadie disclosed that Sheena’s mother, Rhonda (Brenda Addie), had attempted to seduce him. Subsequently, Sheena accused Martin Cook (Tony Bonner) of unfair treatment after being excluded from his workshop, which led to her feeling isolated at work; this claim was validated when Dee also reported similar harassment.

In her nursing capacity, Sheena played a vital role in assisting with significant medical events, including supporting Lou Carpenter (Tom Oliver) following a back injury and providing care during Lyn Scully's (Janet Andrewartha) labor. Her personal journey involved developing a sincere relationship with Toadie despite initial uncertainties. Later storylines saw Sheena attend a high school reunion where she addressed bullying allegations against Sindi Watts (Marisa Warrington) and interacted with Stuart Parker (Blair McDonough). After transferring to the psychiatric ward, Sheena contributed to the treatment of Max Hoyland (Stephen Lovatt) during his mental health struggles and aided his family in managing his care.

Gino Esposito

Gino Esposito, originally played by Claude Stevens and later by Shane McNamara, made his first appearance on 11 August 2000. He was depicted as a hairdresser managing the neighborhood salon. The character was openly gay and involved romantically with Aaron Barkley (Stewart Adam). Script producer Luke Devenish characterized Gino as a humorous yet positive gay persona, reminiscent of Mr Humphries from Are You Being Served?. When Gino temporarily moved in with Harold Bishop (Ian Smith), it sparked jealousy in Lou Carpenter (Tom Oliver), adding layers to the conventional love triangle dynamic.

Allana Truman

Allana Truman (formerly Dorothy Truman), portrayed by Josephine Clark, debuted on 29 September 2000 in a guest role lasting three months. Clark had previously appeared in the series in 1997 as a different character. Allana was portrayed as an eccentric student and became a romantic interest for Lance Wilkinson (Andrew Bibby), sharing a mutual enthusiasm for science fiction.

Their connection began at a sci-fi convention where Allana challenged Lance to complete seven tasks to earn her affection. These included acquiring a rare TV episode, photographing a retired actor, producing a sci-fi movie with friends, decoding a mysterious symbol, persuading Libby Kennedy (Kym Valentine) to publish an article on UFOs, presenting that article dressed ceremonially, and securing a fragment of satellite debris. Lance’s ingenuity and determination won Allana’s admiration and sparked their romance.

Despite their bond, Allana’s peculiar actions caused Lance to question their relationship. It emerged that she lived under the watchful eye of her controlling mother Jeannie Truman (Libby Stone), who opposed the relationship due to fears of losing her daughter’s companionship because of illness. Succumbing to pressure, Allana ended things with Lance but soon asked for his help to break free from her mother’s dominance. They planned to attend a US sci-fi convention together but faced financial obstacles. Lance gained popularity on a radio quiz show; when producers attempted to rig the contest, he exposed the deceit live on air after Allana threatened to leave him. Eventually, the couple departed Erinsborough and later founded their own sci-fi convention.

Emily Hancock

Emily Hancock, played by Isabella Oldham, first appeared on 11 October 2000 and was reintroduced in 2001 alongside her family after six regular characters left the show. The Hancock family, consisting of five members, was created as an energetic and relatable Australian household. In 2002, the entire family was written out of Neighbours. A memorable moment for Emily involved discovering a love letter from Toadie addressed to her mother Maggie Hancock. Jackie Brygel of the Herald Sun referred to Emily as the "cute daughter" during their introduction.

Emily and her brother Leo were temporarily cared for by Karl and Susan Kennedy while their mother was away. The following year, the family relocated to Ramsay Street. Emily became distressed when her cherished doll Lizzie went missing; she and Leo found it at a local shop but were caught trying to reclaim it without permission. Their mother Maggie intervened, returning the doll but reprimanding them for secrecy. Later, when movers delivered an incorrect box, Emily took a pair of earrings but lost them, resulting in theft accusations which she admitted.

After escalating family tensions, Emily ran away and was accidentally left overnight on a bus. A police search ensued until Leo discovered her hiding nearby and brought her back home. Emily complained of ear pain that Karl eventually diagnosed as dental-related. She mentioned an imaginary friend named Madge and formed a connection with Harold Bishop, who believed she was communicating with his deceased wife. Emily also read a letter from Toadfish Rebecchi expressing his feelings for Maggie.

Facing financial hardships, the Hancock family moved away from Erinsborough. On their final day in town, Emily briefly disappeared but was found saying farewell to Madge in the garden of Number 24.

Leo Hancock

Leo Hancock, played by Anthony Hammer, made his debut on 11 October 2000, originally portrayed by Josh Jay before being reintroduced alongside his family in 2001. The Hancock family was developed to replace outgoing regular characters and was depicted as a spirited, easygoing, and typical Australian household. By 2002, the entire Hancock family was phased out of Neighbours.

During their mother's absence, Leo and his sister Emily were temporarily looked after by Karl Kennedy and Susan Kennedy. After relocating to Ramsay Street, Leo went missing but was eventually discovered at the local pub where his brother Matt was employed. While their parents were on holiday, Leo’s friend Aleks Rama stayed with the family. Leo grappled with feelings of guilt linked to his sister Francesca's passing and received comfort from Dee Bliss.

At Erinsborough High, Leo endured bullying by P.E. instructor Dean Hearn, which led to involvement from his parents and the school principal Susan Kennedy. When Emily disappeared following a disagreement, Leo played a role in locating her. The family later uncovered that Leo had been composing and selling essays to finance break-dancing lessons, which his parents initially disapproved of. Upon witnessing Leo’s skill, his father Evan permitted him to join a dance group.

Leo and Michelle Scully encountered an undocumented immigrant named Gregori, whom they agreed to keep confidential until his eventual deportation. Leo's break-dancing crew qualified for the finals in Adelaide, but Evan declined to allow him to attend. Despite fundraising efforts, Leo remained at home.

After Matt was involved in a drag racing accident, Leo concealed Matt’s location while he was evading authorities. Matt ultimately turned himself in, but the resulting legal expenses compelled the family to sell their house and move to Albury.

A BBC commentator identified Leo’s defining moment as "concealing his brother's location following the car accident."

Darcy Tyler

Darcy Tyler, portrayed by Mark Raffety, first appeared on 15 November 2000. He is the nephew of Susan Kennedy (Jackie Woodburne) and a medical professional characterized as a "villain" who frequently stirred difficulties for the Kennedy family. Raffety noted that Darcy was a role with room for growth, which sustained his interest over three years. His performance garnered nominations for Best Newcomer and Best Bad Boy at the Inside Soap Awards.

Larry Woodhouse

Larry "Woody" Woodhouse, enacted by Andrew Curry, debuted on 24 November 2000 and appeared recurrently until 2002, with a brief return in 2010. Woody, working as a mechanic and bouncer, was Stephanie Scully's former partner who lost touch following imprisonment. He reconnected with Steph under blackmail circumstances and later entered witness protection, inviting Steph to join him. After a car accident presumed fatal, Woody resurfaced to caution Steph about Mitch Foster, an ex-convict she had dated.

Woody’s narrative encompassed criminal involvement, witness protection challenges, and complex dynamics with Steph. His 2010 return acted as an emotional reprieve for Steph amid postnatal depression, offering her a connection to her past lifestyle and generating friction within her family.

A BBC writer noted Woody’s standout moment as his unexpected comeback after being thought dead. The Sunday Mercury described him as a "bad boy biker," emphasizing his edgy persona within the storyline.

Others

Date(s)	Character	Actor	Context
27 January 2000 – 7 August 2003	Cecile Bliss	Molly McCaffrey	Cecile, the younger sibling of Dee Bliss, arrives in Ramsay Street in search of Joel Samuels. She intimidates Michelle Scully at school, resulting in a conflict where Michelle suffers a broken arm. Cecile participates as a bridesmaid at Dee's wedding and is present at her funeral. In 2017, DNA testing confirms Cecile passed away a year earlier due to a bicycle 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 Dee on a double date with Joel Samuels and Toadfish Rebecchi, leading to an unexpectedly high bill after the men’s true identities are revealed.
11 February–5 April	Greg Mast	Roy Thompson	Carpenter Greg offers Billy Kennedy an apprenticeship opportunity in Queensland. After some initial reluctance, Greg employs Billy and later sends him to collect cedar wood, where Billy meets Anne Wilkinson.
25 February–17 April	Ivan Hart	Erik Donnison	Ivan operates the 'A Good Hair Day' salon but engages in questionable business activities, causing Lyn Scully to cover employee wages. When Ivan flees due to gambling debts, Lyn convinces his wife Katrina to continue running the salon.
2 March–6 April	Carrie Clark	Vanessa Rossini	Carrie betrays Dee Bliss by engaging in an affair with her boyfriend Joel Samuels.
3 March–2 June	Merridy Jackson	Suzi Cato	Teacher Merridy dates Lou Carpenter; although they share mutual feelings and plan to reunite, Lou ends the relationship realizing they lack a future together.
20 March–7 June	Simone King	Denise Briskin	Simone flirts with Paul McClain and dates Tad Reeves; conflicts arise which lead Paul to terminate the relationship.
22 March–21 February 2001	Minnie Kirk	Marion Heathfield	Drew Kirk’s great aunt Minnie supports his relationship with 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; involved in significant family milestones including weddings and funerals. Magda and her husband died in a car accident ten years before 2017.
13–24 April	Rachel Jones	Kim Trengove	Tad Reeves meets Rachel through an adoption support group; she is not his biological mother but shares similar experiences of loss.
18 April–9 May	Connie O'Rourke	Val Jellay	Connie visits her daughter Lyn Scully’s household during financial difficulties; later suffers a stroke and passes away, leading to family reconciliation over adoption revelations.
18 April–15 October 2003	Henry O'Rourke	Bud Tingwell
27 April	Janet Kirk	Roberta Connelly	Aunt Janet supports Libby Kennedy with family traditions prior to Drew and Libby’s wedding.
5 May–6 June	Sean Edwards	Daniel Collopy	Sean secretly dates Felicity Scully due to age differences; their relationship faces parental disapproval and ends after disputes arise.
9 May	Shanti Pandya	Menik Gooneratne	Traveller Shanti stays at a hostel managed by Toadfish Rebecchi and others; she admires Joel Samuels but is uncertain about the hostel’s status.
15 May–7 July	Rachel Bailey	Carolyn Bock	Tad Reeves's birth mother who initially struggles to bond with him; her death profoundly affects Tad emotionally.
16 May–25 July	Glenda Ryan	Bronwyn Di Cecco	Glenda fights cancer and initiates a malpractice lawsuit against Karl Kennedy, which she ultimately withdraws due to its impact on the community.
29 May–30 November	Stephen Bailey	Dean Murphy Kevin Hopkins	Husband of Rachel Bailey who informs Tad Reeves of Rachel’s passing and seeks assistance for their son Tim’s bone marrow transplant.
29 May–24 October	' Jasmine Bailey	' Chantelle Davies Chloe Ellison
29 May–26 January 2001	' Tim Bailey	' Carl Lennie Darcy Bonser
12 June	' Dylan Ryan	' Nicholas Colla	' Son of Maurie and Glenda Ryan; appears briefly when dropped off at school.
14–29 June	' Bernie Samuels	' Sean Scully	' Bernie reconnects with his son Joel but ultimately acknowledges their imperfect relationship without committing fully.
29 June–17 July	' Wendy Baker	' Patsy Martin	' Blackmails Harold Bishop over mistaken involvement in an armed robbery but vanishes after threats; later clears Harold’s name.
6 July–4 August	' Damon Gaffney	' Richard Morgan	' Former teacher suffering from agoraphobia who bonds with Michelle Scully through window cleaning jobs and email correspondence.
6 July–7 August	' Pete Redman	' Frank Raco	' Postman who becomes the object of Felicity Scully’s crush until his wife’s arrival ends the interest.
11 July–2 August	' Max Crawford	' Simon Gleeson	' Dee Bliss’s ex-boyfriend returns, causing jealousy for Joel Samuels before pursuing other professional and romantic opportunities.
24 July–24 November	' Cheyenne Rivers	' Angelique Meunier	' Dates Paul McClain while undermining Felicity Scully; relationship ends following a shoplifting incident resulting in her being sent away.
4 August–13 June 2002	' Doula Tsobanopoulos	' Katherine Halliday	' Nightclub owner underpaying employee Tad Reeves; involved in identity theft using Tad’s passport.
7 August	' Ari Tsobanopoulos	' Campbell Smith	' Doula’s brother who delivers promotional T-shirts to Tad Reeves.
15 August–11 September	' Lisa Ryan	' Tania Lunson	' Daughter of Maurie Ryan; interested in Lance Wilkinson who struggles to meet her adventurous nature.
25 August	' Dorothy Rivers	' Marita Wilcox	' Mother of Cheyenne Rivers; active community fundraiser organizing charity events involving local youth.
28 August–12 September	' Gareth Rivers	' Serge De Nardo	' Cheyenne’s father and school committee member opposing controversial curriculum content; blackmails principal Susan Kennedy over funding issues.
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; plants a bomb at school to impress her and is arrested following stalking incidents.
1–24 November	' Mick Scully	' Andy Anderson	' Brother of Joe Scully who struggles with responsibility but eventually reconciles with family after personal setbacks.
3 November–5 October 2001	' Pat Miller	' Matt Norman	" Football coach involved in bullying and steroid distribution; confronted by Karl Kennedy and players leading to removal from coaching role."
24 November–22 January 2001	" Tina Nguyen	" Kim Nguyen	" Gives birth in Joe Scully's taxi during emergency situation; names son Joseph with Joe as godfather."
"27 November–22 January 2001"	" Joseph Nguyen	" Joshua Ten	" Infant son of Tina Nguyen."
28 November	" Hunq Nguyen	" Ferdinand Hoang	" Husband of Tina Nguyen."
5 December–12 February 2001	" "Clementine Truman"	" Melanie Lockman	" Older sister of Allana Truman who encourages Toadfish Rebecchi's radio activism that leads to his dismissal."
6 December–13 February 2001	" Kev Kelly	" Frank Kennedy	" Jewel thief imprisoned at Warrinor Prison; coerces Larry Woodhouse into aiding criminal acts before being killed during a drug deal robbery."