When Home and Away returns in January, viewers will be thrust straight back into the chaos of the catastrophic tunnel collapse that ended last season on one of the most shocking cliffhangers in the show’s recent history. With multiple characters left unconscious and trapped, and producers confirming that at least one character will die, fans are bracing for a devastating farewell that could reshape the emotional landscape of Summer Bay.

But as new behind-the-scenes observations emerge, the question is no longer whether a death occurs — it’s who the grieving will be for.

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Main Cast Expected to Survive — So Who Dies?

In the explosive season finale, viewers watched in horror as Mackenzie Booth, Abigail Stewart, Justin Morgan, and Remy Carter lay motionless in the rubble of the collapsed tunnel. Debris rained down. Screams echoed. Cars crushed. The screen faded to black on four of Summer Bay’s most beloved faces — and a season-ending pulse of uncertainty.

Yet, despite the chaos, there is growing evidence that these central figures are not the ones fans need to fear for.

All four actors have been spotted filming at Palm Beach since production resumed, strongly implying that Mackenzie, Abigail, Justin, and Remy all survive the tragedy. Their continued presence supports whispers that the series intends to preserve its core dynamics heading into 2026, at least for the first half of the year.

Even Madison Brown, who plays Mackenzie, hinted that viewers should look beyond the central group. Speaking with TV Week, Brown teased ominously:

“We know someone dies, but we don’t know who.”

Her cryptic comment sent speculation spiralling — and attention turned sharply away from the original four victims.

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Spotlight on Eddie Shepard: Missing from Set, Missing from Credits

In the weeks following the finale, insider buzz began building around newcomer Eddie Shepard, played by Steven Madson. Though introduced as part of the emotionally complex Lang family narrative, Eddie’s presence has been surprisingly muted behind the scenes, sparking theories that his story may have come to an abrupt and tragic end.

Fans have noticed two key details:

1. Madson has not been seen filming for months, while nearly all recurring cast members have returned to location shoots.

2. Eddie is only credited as a guest character, not a permanent addition — a classification that historically aligns with short-term arcs or character deaths.

These signs have left viewers uneasy, especially given Eddie’s increasing emotional significance before the crash. His budding romance with Joe Lang had grown into one of the show’s warmest and most hopeful storylines, culminating in a moving surprise proposal just episodes before the disaster. His potential death wouldn’t just shock audiences — it would shatter an already fragile fictional family.

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The Lang Family: A Legacy of Heartbreak

If Eddie does die, it would inflict yet another devastating blow to a family already marked by loss. In the last two years alone, the Langs have endured:

• The death of matriarch Christina

• The traumatic loss of Theo, Lacy’s boyfriend

• Joe’s struggle to rebuild his life after grief and identity turmoil

A third tragedy could redefine the Langs’ entire arc moving forward, forcing Joe into a new chapter of grief, abandonment, or emotional withdrawal — or potentially driving him toward unexpected conflict with those he holds responsible.

Producers have remained tight-lipped, but the narrative breadcrumbs have been difficult for fans to ignore.

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Not So Fast — The Death Could Be Someone Unexpected

Despite Eddie emerging as the prime suspect, Home and Away has a long history of misdirection. Several other characters have become subjects of speculation due to their placement in the crash sequence.

Possible alternatives include:

1. The Train Driver

Often forgotten in the panic of disaster scenes, the driver’s fate was left ambiguous. A death here would reinforce the severity of the event while sparing the main cast.

2. A Festival-Bound Passenger

The tunnel scene introduced multiple unnamed characters heading to the same music festival. A random casualty could heighten realism — collateral damage in a tragedy that no one saw coming.

3. Isaac

A charismatic guest character whose unusually generous screen time raised eyebrows in the episodes leading up to the finale. His friendly encounters with several cast members felt like the type of subtle emotional setup that often precedes a dramatic TV death.

If Home and Away intends to subvert expectations, Isaac or another secondary character may be the one to die — preserving the core ensemble while still delivering the promised heartbreak.

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What Happens Next?

Until the show’s return in January, viewers will be left in agonising suspense. Set reports reveal nothing definitive, and the production team has successfully locked down spoilers tighter than ever.

What is certain is this:

The consequences of the tunnel collapse will ripple through Summer Bay for months — reshaping relationships, spurring new rivalries, and forcing characters to confront their own fragility.

As Madison Brown put it:

“We all feel it. Something huge is coming.”

Fans now wait, speculate, and brace themselves — because when Home and Away returns, one beloved character will not return with it. Who that is remains television’s most tightly guarded secret of the summer.