Former Home and Away favourites are stepping back into the spotlight in what is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about television events of the year. Channel Five’s gripping new drama The Imposter is not only packed with dark family secrets, betrayal, and shocking twists, but it also marks a long-awaited acting return for Dannii Minogue, more than three decades after she last appeared on Home and Away.

Billed as a psychological family thriller, The Imposter dives headfirst into the dangerous complexities of blood, loyalty, and greed, delivering a story so intense that it makes everyday family disagreements look positively tame. With a cast stacked full of soap royalty and Australian acting heavyweights, the four-part drama is already being described as “unmissable” by fans and critics alike.

A Family Torn Apart by Secrets

At the heart of The Imposter is the wealthy and deeply fractured O’Reilly family, whose carefully curated lives begin to unravel the moment a long-lost daughter resurfaces. The story centres on Helen O’Reilly, played by Neighbours legend Jackie Woodburne, a formidable hotel owner who runs a prestigious Melbourne property alongside her three adult children.

Helen is strong, controlling, and emotionally distant—until her adopted daughter Amanda suddenly reappears after years of absence. Amanda’s arrival reopens old wounds, reignites buried resentments, and triggers a chain of events that spiral from manipulation and deceit into full-blown catastrophe.

What begins as suspicion over money and inheritance quickly escalates into something far darker. As alliances shift and moral boundaries blur, the O’Reilly family finds itself on a collision course with tragedy, crime, and ultimately, murder.

Dannii Minogue’s Long-Awaited Acting Return

One of the biggest talking points surrounding The Imposter is the return of Dannii Minogue to scripted television. The younger sister of global pop icon Kylie Minogue, Dannii last appeared in an acting role more than 30 years ago, when she played Emma Jackson on Home and Away between 1989 and 1990.

Since then, Dannii has forged a hugely successful career as a pop star, TV presenter, and talent show judge, becoming a household name through programs such as The X Factor, Australia’s Got Talent, and The Masked Singer Australia. Her move back into acting has therefore generated enormous curiosity.

In The Imposter, Dannii plays Amanda, a woman adopted as a child and raised away from her biological roots. Clever, guarded, and emotionally complex, Amanda believes life owes her something—and she’s not afraid to cross moral lines to get it. Her arrival into the O’Reilly household is the spark that ignites the entire narrative, forcing each character to confront uncomfortable truths about themselves.

For many viewers, Dannii’s performance represents not just a comeback, but a reinvention—proof that she can command the screen in a dramatic role just as powerfully as she has on the judging panel.

Soap Icons and Powerhouse Performances

Leading the cast is Jackie Woodburne, best known to audiences worldwide as Susan Kennedy on Neighbours. As Helen O’Reilly, Jackie delivers a commanding performance that blends authority with vulnerability. Helen’s steely exterior begins to crack as Amanda’s return awakens a maternal softness her other children have rarely seen.

Helen’s emotional journey becomes even more complicated when a sudden health crisis forces her to reassess her past choices, her parenting, and the future of the family empire she has built.

Kim Marsh, beloved for her long-running role as Michelle Connor on Coronation Street, stars as Amanda Clare, the woman whose presence threatens to tear the family apart. Kim brings depth and intensity to a character who is both sympathetic and unsettling—never quite revealing whether her motives are rooted in pain, revenge, or pure survival.

A Dangerous Sibling Rivalry

Helen’s children are anything but united. Don Hany plays Simon O’Reilly, a deeply flawed son whose lack of self-control has already destroyed his marriage and relationship with his teenage son. Simon’s past affair comes back to haunt him in ways he never expected, and his fear of losing his share of the hotel pushes him toward increasingly reckless decisions.

Jane Harber portrays Kate O’Reilly, the hard-working, emotionally conflicted daughter caught between duty and desire. Kate struggles under the weight of her mother’s expectations while quietly watching her own marriage crumble, making her both vulnerable and dangerous as the stakes rise.

Rounding out the siblings is Jackson Gallagher as Ian, the youngest and most compassionate of the family. Ian dreams of becoming a father through surrogacy with his partner Lee, played by Kabir Singh. For Ian, the sale of the hotel represents hope and possibility—putting him directly at odds with his siblings’ greed-driven agendas.

Familiar Faces from Home and Away

Adding another layer of nostalgia, The Imposter also reunites viewers with former Home and Away star Charlie Clausen, who plays Todd, Kate’s smooth-talking real estate agent husband. While Todd appears charming and successful on the surface, cracks quickly form, suggesting that his polished exterior may hide dangerous ambitions.

With multiple Home and Away alumni appearing in key roles, fans of the long-running Australian soap are already celebrating The Imposter as a reunion of familiar faces in an entirely new, darker setting.

Twists, Betrayals, and a Shocking Finale

As the episodes unfold, The Imposter moves relentlessly toward its jaw-dropping conclusion. What starts as a dispute over inheritance descends into sabotage, medical malpractice, and ultimately, murder. Each character is forced to reveal who they truly are when everything they value is under threat.

The series finale has already been described by insiders as “devastating” and “unforgettable,” leaving little doubt that The Imposter was designed as a tightly wound, self-contained drama rather than an ongoing series.

When and Where to Watch

The Imposter airs on Channel Five at 9:00pm, from Monday 15 December to Thursday 18 December, with all four episodes available to stream on catch-up immediately after broadcast.

With its blend of soap-star power, psychological tension, and shocking storytelling, The Imposter is shaping up to be one of the most explosive TV events of the season—and a triumphant return to acting for some of Australia’s most recognisable faces.

For fans of Home and Away, Neighbours, and high-stakes family drama, this is one reunion you won’t want to miss.