When Neighbours returns in September, the character of Byron Stone will be recast, with Xavier Molyneux replacing Joe Klocek.
On the social media accounts for the programme, Neighbours posted the following statement: “We’re very excited to announce that Xavier Molyneux will be playing the part of Byron Stone.
When Neighbours returns in September, Byron Harris, Jane Harris’ son, will be catapulted into the centre of the Ramsay Street drama.
As for Byron Stone, Xavier Molyneux is now in charge. Amazon/Fremantle Freevee
Prior to the show’s cancellation in July of last year, Byron Stone, the brother of Nicolette Stone (Charlotte Chimes) and the daughter of Jane Harris (Annie Jones), appeared on the show briefly.
In the newly revived series, he makes a comeback and meets Mischa Barton’s Reece Sinclair, a new character.
It’s hard to put into words what joining Neighbours has meant to me after growing up watching it with my sisters huddled around our television, said Xavier of his new role, according to 10play. It was always The Simpsons and Neighbours at night. Although it has been a significant difference in pace from my paramedic career with NSW Ambulance, I have been supported along the way by some wonderful people.
“My real-life mother Annie Jones and I acted in my first scene. Along with helping me establish my footing alongside Mischa Barton, Annie has been an incredible sounding board as I observe and learn from how she moves through sequences with ease.
Saying “See you on Ramsay Street!”
Annie Jones and Xavier Molyneux. Amazon/Fremantle Freevee
UK viewers first saw Byron, who was then played by Joe Klocek, on Friday, June 25, while Australian viewers first saw him on Monday, July 11. A few weeks later, on July 28 in Australia and July 29 in the UK, what was then thought to be the show’s last-ever episode aired.
No. 32 had a dismal atmosphere in the last weeks of the series as Aaron (Matt Wilson), Jane, and Nicolette awaited word of David’s (Takaya Honda) police interrogation following an incident at sea that nearly caused him to miss his bail check-in.
Byron was portrayed by Joe Klocek in June and July 2022.
The suspense was released while they waited when Aaron glanced out the window and noticed a stranger using their pool!
He headed outside expecting to engage the mystery man, but he was shocked to see that he ignored him and headed straight for Jane.
It turned out that the charming newcomer was Jane’s son Byron, who couldn’t help but cool off in the pool before making an introduction.
Despite only being around for a few weeks, Byron had a significant influence on Jane’s life since he learned that her then-boyfriend Clive Gibbons (Geoff Paine) was having meetings with an unknown woman.
While working as a gigolo on the side, Byron discovered that Clive was connected to Danielle Pendlebury (Christine Stephen-Daly), one of his clients. The argumentative siblings Byron and Nicolette joined forces to solve the mystery.
Danielle turned out to be a lady from Clive’s past with whom he had a sexual relationship while she was his patient, rather than the cheating Jane suspected.
He hid this from her, and Jane ended their relationship because of it. This freed her up to restart her relationship with Mike Young (Guy Pearce) when he appeared in Erinsborough in the last week of the show.
A blast from Harold’s (Ian Smith) hose also served to end Mike and Clive’s final Ramsay Street brawl, which they engaged in after engaging in a comic battle of egos.
Now that Jane was aware of the truth about Clive, Byron was forced to tell her about his extracurricular activities. Jane was very clear about her sentiments in this regard.
Soon later, Byron informed Jane that a client had invited him to visit her in Cape Town before departing for South Africa.
Jane pleaded with him to stay and expressed regret for how she had perceived him, but he said that some distance would be beneficial.
Byron Stone is played by Xavier Molyneux. Amazon/Fremantle Freevee
We are now prepared for Byron’s return, although he will be played by a different actor.
Byron’s original actor Joe Klocek used social media to reassure fans that he was “in good hands” a few days after it was revealed that Xavier Molyneux would assume the part.
A fan questioned Klocek about why he wasn’t returning to Neighbours after seeing a recent photo of him in the Castle Farm Lavender Fields in Kent, and Klocek replied, “Work and life has taken me elsewhere but Byron Stone is in good hands!”
When we visit Ramsay Street later in the year, not just Byron will appear a little different.
According to Charlotte Chimes, who appeared to corroborate the recasting during an Instagram Live earlier this year, his sister Nicolette has also reportedly been replaced.
Nicolette and Jane (Annie Harris and Charlotte Chimes)
On April 1, Charlotte appeared to announce in a live broadcast that while the character of Nicolette will be back, Charlotte herself will not.
Nell and Hugo, two of Toadie’s offspring, have also had their roles recast and are now being played by older actors who have not yet been named.
Hugo (John Turner) and Nell (Scarlett Anderson) have both had casting changes.
Hugo’s recasting was announced and confirmed on John Turner’s Instagram. Words cannot describe how fortunate I am to have had the opportunity to portray Hugo for 4 years, according to a post made on the anniversary of the final episode of Neighbours’ production. Even though my time at Neighbours has ended, I have no doubt that Hugo 2.0 will do a fantastic job.
John’s account responded to a fan comment by adding: “So happy to pass the baton to the new Hugo.”
In an Instagram reply to a fan question, Scarlett Anderson’s account stated: “No they recast Nell,” which served as another confirmation of her departure.
