When we farewelled our favourite coastal town for 2018, we did so on the edge of our seats!
The heart-stopping Home and Away season finale concluded with a cliffhanger to top them all. In a truly shocking development, Chelsea (Ashleigh Brewer) and Colby’s (Tim Franklin) fairytale nuptials ended in a deadly kidnapping.
Colby’s evil stepfather Ross (Justin Rosniak) – a man who had already committed murder – was waiting when the elated bridal party returned to the Bay from the wedding venue. “Colby had no idea that Ross was in town,” says Tim.
“It’s the last thing he was expecting. I think Colby’s completely caught up in the joyous aftermath of his wedding. He’s planned a surprise honeymoon and life is finally exactly where it should be.”
However, with Colby enjoying a last-minute morning surf with Dean (Patrick O’Connor), an excited Chelsea – packed and ready for the honeymoon – was picked up in a huge limousine with best friend Willow (Sarah Roberts) and Colby’s younger sister Bella (Courtney Miller).
But the girls were in for the shock of their lives when they discovered the man behind the wheel was none other than a gun-wielding Ross.
“This was the last thing they were expecting,” says Sarah.
“They were so excited to be collected in a fancy limo with the intention of dropping Chelsea off for her first day of married life. And then it was revealed it was actually Ross who was driving – he had hijacked the car. They all know how dangerous he is and once they saw it was him they knew it couldn’t be good.”
Demanding they hand over their phones, Ross made his intentions clear as the girls tried in vain to escape.
“Ross thought it was just going to be Chelsea and Bella in the car, but he got lucky with all three,” says Tim.
And now we see the girls are indeed in grave danger. For at least one of the trio will be shot – and there’s every chance she may not survive. As Sarah says: “The year literally begins with a bang!”
Sarah admits she was shocked – and “really excited” – when she read the scripts for the hugely dramatic plot development. “It’s definitely the biggest storyline I’ve had in my time on the show,” she says.
As for Colby, Tim reveals this much: “He will face the hardest decision he’s ever had put in front of him.”
