Yahoo News Neighbours star Texas Watterston explains Brent's heartbreaking return
Neighbours spoilers follow for UK viewers.
Neighbours has brought Brent Colefax back to Erinsborough, but he'll be getting more than he bargained for now that he's back.
This week's episodes on Channel 5 see Brent reconnect with his girlfriend Harlow Robinson (Jemma Donovan) while on a brief break from the army, but he's alarmed to realise how much she has changed in his absence.
When Brent discovers that Harlow has adopted a new ruthless approach to life, he notices her obvious similarities to Paul (Stefan Dennis) and decides that it may be time to break up.
Digital Spy recently caught up with Texas Watterston, who plays Brent, to hear more about what's in store.
When Brent left for the army, did you always know that he'd be back?
"Yes and no! I did speak to the producers, because I felt like there was an opening for Brent to come back. It could either be in a big way or a small way, but I do think that him arriving back from the army was the perfect way for him to come back to Erinsborough."
Is it still exciting to get the call from Neighbours over coming back?
"Yeah, it always is. When I first joined the show, I was only supposed to be in eight episodes, so to keep coming back is mind-blowing for me.
"In Australia, you always put on the TV at 6.30pm and watch Neighbours, so it's always fantastic working with the cast members and I'm good friends with them now too, so it's great. It's always exciting."
Why is Brent back so soon?
"At the moment he's finished basic training for the army. He's come back to Erinsborough to see everybody – Aaron, David and especially Harlow. Harlow is the main person he definitely wants to see. But later on, he realises that she's a completely different person.
"Harlow hasn't mentioned anything about Chloe and their recent clashes, so Brent thinks everything is fine. It's only when he comes home that Harlow blurts out everything that has happened. He's confused about why she hasn't said anything to him."
What are the main differences that Brent notices in Harlow?
"The main thing is that Harlow is pretty much Paul! She's lying to Terese and everyone around her. She has started scheming, so Brent comes in and sees that.
"Brent is totally shocked. He's not expecting any of it. That's when he has to take a step back and reconsider his relationship with Harlow, even though it crushes him."
The truth also comes out about Paul trying to frame Brent for crimes he didn't commit…
"Yes, that's a massive shock for Brent. Terese just blurts it out and it's not something that Brent was expecting. Harlow then defends Paul, which is the icing on the cake, really.
"Brent expects Harlow to defend him rather than Paul, especially over something as big as this. At the end of the day, Brent could have been in jail for things he didn't do. It's an eye-opener for him."
Why does Brent decide to break things off with Harlow?
"It's a massive choice for him to make. He's not there for long as well, so he's got to figure that out within a couple of days. I feel like they're both on different levels and Brent has to do what's good for him, for the first time ever.
"Brent just has to end it. Even though Harlow has been there for him through his whole journey, he's got to do what's best for him. I really do like that he's turned over a new leaf. He realises that he can stand up for himself, be himself and make his own decisions."
How does Harlow react?
"She's really confused. She doesn't show him any sympathy, because she's very upset and broken and doesn't believe that Brent has done the right thing. That's fair enough from her perspective, but she acts out, gives him the cold shoulder and doesn't want to talk to him."
Does Brent have any scenes with David and Aaron this time around?
"There are a couple of scenes with them, not as many as I had before, but it was great getting to work with them again and fantastic to see them. Brent wants to show that he's a different person and he's on the path to becoming a mature young adult."
Has there ever been any talk of you becoming a Neighbours regular, or do the producers want to keep you as a guest?
"Just a guest at the moment. I'm happy with that because it enables me to do other things, as much as I love Neighbours so much. I think at the moment Brent's a perfect guest role character. He comes in and out when he wants and he makes his impact on screen."
Would you consider joining permanently if they offered the opportunity?
"I'd consider it, of course. I'd like to see what other things Brent holds and what the writers have in store for him. I think that'd be really interesting – what relationships he has, who his enemies are. Never say never. Anything can happen. If it comes up, I'd definitely consider it."
How do you feel about the journey Brent has gone on?
"I was just so happy with Brent, I got really lucky with him. I came on for eight episodes and he wasn't the nicest character, then he came back and even though he made mistakes and messed up, people still found a soft spot for him.
"That all comes down to the writing and working alongside Jemma, Matt [Wilson, who plays Aaron] and Takaya [Honda, who plays David]. It was so easy to work with them and our chemistry is great on screen, so it was easy to bounce off them."
Who else were you close to on set?
"I learned from so many people on set, especially Stefan Dennis. I'm friends with Ben Turland [who plays Hendrix] as well, we get on really well and have fun in the green room.
"Working with Ezra Justin [who played Emmett] was so much fun too. He's extremely talented at such a young age. Coming onto set at 15 or 16 on the biggest Australian TV show out there, it'd have to be pretty daunting. I can't wait to see what he does later on in his career. Ezra and I definitely had an off-screen bond that you could see on the screen."
How did you get into acting?
"When I was about 11 or 12, my passion really started with watching the classics – Marlon Brando films, James Dean. Some of my favourite directors are Quentin Tarantino, Martin Scorsese. One of the films that I vividly remember is Pulp Fiction. I saw that film when I was very young and that's when I realised that this was the career path I wanted to go down.
"I've never done any acting school or professional training. I've had accent coaching and that's about it, really. I think you have all the material in front of you – you have books and you have movies, so I really don't think you need to go to school to do acting.
"Being on set has helped at such a young age. My first film was when I was 14. You learn on the spot, you make mistakes and that's part of life. You watch yourself, you see where you could have done better and you implement that. You also practice with auditions, that's the main thing that I do all the time."
What does the future hold for you?
"I definitely want to work overseas. I'd love to go to America and work over there. I'd love to work in England as well. I'd love to work everywhere, anywhere I can resonate with scripts. That's my goal, to get overseas."
Neighbours airs weekdays at 1.45pm and 5.30pm on Channel 5 (UK) and Mondays to Thursdays at 6.30pm on 10 Peach (Australia).
Read more Neighbours spoilers on our dedicated homepage
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