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Home and Away's Alex Neilson - story and character details

Photo credit: George Pimentel / Contributor / WireImage - Getty Images
Photo credit: George Pimentel / Contributor / WireImage - Getty Images

From Digital Spy

Home and Away introduced a key new character on Australian screens this week, as new doctor Alex Neilson made her presence felt at the Summer Bay Hospital.

Zoe Ventoura has been cast in the role of Alex, who's expected to take centre stage in some big storylines over the coming weeks and months.

Who is this new arrival and what can fans expect from her? Here's the lowdown.

Who is Alex Neilson?

Photo credit: Don Arnold / Contributor / WireImage - Getty Images
Photo credit: Don Arnold / Contributor / WireImage - Getty Images

Alex Neilson is first introduced in Episode 7192 of Home and Away, which aired in Australia on August 22. This episode will be screened on Channel 5 for UK fans on October 8.

Alex is a doctor who takes on the position of Head Of Emergency at the local hospital, stepping in to replace Tori Morgan while she's on maternity leave (and hiding out in a safe house, of course).

The new addition is billed as a "capable, strong and intelligent" individual, who'll be a good boss to those who pull their weight but waste no time pulling troublemakers or shirkers into line.

Alex also has a unique approach to her job, mixing traditional with alternative treatments. Her official character biography teases: "Don't expect her to just write out a prescription for you. She'll want to know the 'whole' you before she makes a diagnosis."

Photo credit: Jeffrey Mayer / Contributor / WireImage - Getty Images
Photo credit: Jeffrey Mayer / Contributor / WireImage - Getty Images

Revealing what fans can expect from Alex, Zoe Ventoura – who plays her – told New Idea: "Alex is very good at her job, she's very competent and she has a confidence. She's taken this position at the hospital to cover Tori's maternity leave.

"She arrives in what seems to be a beautiful and quiet little beachside town. Alex is really looking forward to starting afresh in a new place, and particularly in this setting. She's certainly ready to go and run the department."

Zoe also told TV Week: "She's really strong, confident and competent. She also has a lovely sense of humour and is very relaxed. She's an absolute delight to play, I'm having a really great time with her."

What are Alex's upcoming storylines?

Photo credit: David Crotty / Contributor - Getty Images
Photo credit: David Crotty / Contributor - Getty Images

Alex's first episode saw her thrown straight in at the deep end, becoming embroiled in Robbo Shaw and Jasmine Delaney's sinister situation.

Robbo is currently facing threats from a criminal gang who want him to find Dylan Carter, and when the scary drama caught up with her at work, Jasmine was forced to 'fess up to Alex about how she currently needs police protection.

Alex will soon start to question the wisdom of having Jasmine as part of her team while she remains a target, fearing that it could jeopardise the safety of the patients and other staff members.

Despite this frosty start, Alex could also become a useful ally for Robbo when she suggests putting him under hypnosis to unlock his lost memories of his fateful showdown with Dylan in 2017.

Photo credit: Channel 5
Photo credit: Channel 5

Robbo suffered amnesia after getting a blow to the head in an altercation with Dylan. This has prevented him from satisfying the demands of the dangerous gangsters who want him to hand Dylan over to them, but could Alex help to bring his crucial memories back?

Even further ahead into the future, Alex is expected to feature in an LGBTQ+ storyline with established Home and Away character Willow Harris. Zoe and co-star Sarah Roberts, who plays Willow, were pictured filming kissing scenes on location back in June.

Home and Away has yet to confirm any details of the plot, but it seems that the show is now taking steps to address criticism over a lack of diversity in its on-screen relationships.

Photo credit: Channel 5
Photo credit: Channel 5

Hinting at what's ahead in a recent interview with Australia's Daily Telegraph, Zoe commented: "There's stuff that happens down in the storyline that I'm not supposed to be talking about just yet, but is part of the reason why this role was so interesting to me and that's part of that push forward.

"It certainly feels like things such as diversity and representation on screen are a little bit overdue but also really wonderful."

What is Alex's backstory?

Photo credit: Scott Barbour / Stringer - Getty Images
Photo credit: Scott Barbour / Stringer - Getty Images

While little is known about Alex's history right now, it's thought that she has an intriguing past which will start to unravel.

Her official character biography also hints at past heartbreak, explaining: "Alex has only had one real relationship in her life – one person who 'got her'. They were together for almost a decade but a year ago, it all fell apart.

"It wasn't either's fault – they were simply heading in different directions. But the break-up hit Alex hard. So the last thing she's expecting is to find love in Summer Bay."

Who is Zoe Ventoura?

Photo credit: Greg Doherty / Stringer - Getty Images
Photo credit: Greg Doherty / Stringer - Getty Images

Zoe is best known for playing Melissa Bannon in Australian comedy-drama Packed to the Rafters. Her Home and Away role means reuniting with former Rafters co-star James Stewart, who plays Summer Bay's Justin Morgan.

The actress's other screen credits include roles in Kick and Wild Boys.

Zoe, who married former Neighbours actor Daniel MacPherson (Joel Samuels) in 2015, was based in Los Angeles when her Home and Away role came up and has relocated for the part.

Home and Away airs weekdays at 1.15pm and 6pm on Channel 5 (UK) and Mondays to Thursdays at 7pm on Channel 7 (Australia).


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