For decades, Home and Away has built an unbreakable bond with its audience, which is exactly why losing beloved characters hurts so deeply. Saying goodbye in Summer Bay is never easy, and as the show heads into 2026, emotions are running higher than ever. While many Australians are still enjoying their summer break, fans know they won’t be without drama for long. Channel 7 has confirmed the soap’s return early in the new year, and the latest trailer suggests the series is about to deliver one of its most emotionally charged chapters yet.

New episodes resume on Monday, January 19, airing at 7:00 p.m. on Channel 7 and streaming on 7Plus. The wait has felt agonising, especially after the explosive triple-episode finale on November 19, 2025. That finale left viewers stunned when a party train bound for the Off the Rails music festival derailed inside a tunnel near Broken Hill. Several Summer Bay locals were on board, including Justin, McKenzie, Remy, Abigail, Dana, Sonny, Lacy, Jo, and Eddie. True to Home and Away tradition, the episode ended without confirming who survived. The final image of Remy and McKenzie unconscious as the screen faded to black remains haunting.

The emotional impact was heightened by Eddie’s heartfelt proposal to Jo just moments before the crash. Jo’s hesitation sparked discussion among fans, particularly those rooting for Tane, but romance was instantly eclipsed by fear and uncertainty. As 2026 begins, it’s clear the fallout from the crash will dominate the opening episodes, with rescue efforts, devastating consequences, and the very real possibility that not everyone makes it home.

The trailer teases intense scenes as Levi Fowler and Tane Parata risk everything to help those trapped in the tunnel. Levi clashes with Constable Cash Newman over access, while Tane ultimately ignores police orders and charges inside. Other chilling images include Sergeant David Langham surveying the wreckage and an ambulance receiving what appears to be a body concealed beneath a white sheet—an image that has left fans terrified about who might be lost.

Adding a bittersweet layer to the tension is the return of two iconic characters, Brax and Ricky, played by Steve Peacocke and Bonnie Sveen. Their comeback marks a powerful moment for long-term viewers who followed their story closely in the 2010s. Alongside them, familiar faces such as Alf, Roo, Leah, Marilyn, and John Palmer reinforce the show’s sense of legacy. Yet even here, unease lingers, especially after cryptic hints about Alf’s future and concerns over his ability to keep driving.

Online reaction has been explosive. Fans admit they’ve been counting down the days, desperate for answers after one of the show’s most brutal cliffhangers. Many describe the train disaster as one of Home and Away’s darkest endings, while others praise the heroic choices made by characters like Tane and Levi. At the same time, the possibility of another death has reignited discussions about the show’s long history of heartbreaking losses.

From iconic tragedies of earlier decades to more recent shocks, fans and critics alike continue to debate whether the series is honouring its emotional roots or relying too heavily on devastating twists. Still, most agree on one thing: Home and Away remains powerful because it makes viewers feel deeply. If audiences are still grieving, arguing, and holding their breath after all these years, Summer Bay is very much alive—and heartbreak is still part of what makes it unforgettable.