Next week on Neighbours, Nicolette Stone returns to Erinsborough to confront the consequences of the recent baby exchange in a series of riveting episodes.
Following the entrance of a newcomer, Nicolette is compelled to come out of hiding. Britney Barnes, the mother of the child being raised by David Tanaka and Aaron Brennan, arrives in Erinsborough to return the child.
As David, Aaron, and their loved ones learn the horrifying reality about what has been going on for the previous several weeks, all hell appears to be breaking loose.
Charlotte Chimes, who portrays Nicolette, was recently interviewed by Digital Spy to learn more about the upcoming season. Look away now if you’re afraid of spoilers.
What are your thoughts on all of the fan conjecture about your future on the show?
“It’s been fantastic, in my opinion. ‘Oh well, she’s not leaving!’ said the majority. Then the evenings went by and I didn’t return. I wasn’t back after a few more nights, and I wasn’t even in the opening titles.
“I’d just respond, ‘Sorry!’ when people asked me about it on social media. Maybe she’ll return someday. ‘I’m not sure.’ I was squeezing every last drop out of it!
“It was lovely, especially when people said things like, ‘We despise her, but life would be so dull without her!’”
Have you come across any compelling fan theories?
“Yes, people were speculating about what was going on, and many of them were quite astute. Many people assumed Nicolette had given birth to twins, but I told them, “I don’t know whether you saw my size, but I definitely wasn’t pregnant with twins!”
“Another nice one was Nicolette’s involvement with the other mother she’d made friends with during the birthing class. People assumed Nicolette had given up her child. ‘That’s very, very similar to what occurred!’ I thought.
“However, every time I was asked, I would just pretend that I didn’t know, despite the fact that I had known for a year.”
How did you feel about Neighbours’ decision to leave you out of the opening titles in order to keep viewers guessing?
“It was amusing because one of the producers, with whom I am quite close, summoned me to his office. He was a little uncomfortable about asking for my opinion, but he said they were considering removing me from the opening titles.
“‘That’s fantastic, you have to do it,’ I responded. I should be removed from the titles the night after I leave. Then, when I return, keep me off for a few nights so no one knows how long I’ll be gone.’
“I believe it succeeded because the next day, everyone assumed Nicolette had vanished completely. I think it’s fantastic that they went ahead and accomplished it. It’s also wonderful to know that this is the first time Neighbours has done so in support of a major narrative.”
What information do you have regarding Nicolette’s return?
“It takes up the whole opening portion of the show in my comeback appearance. It was 17 pages long and included a seven-minute scenario in which Nicolette entered the room cradling a baby and said hello.
“Aaron, David, Chloe, Jane, and Paul are all present and accounted for. They’re on their way to the hospital after discovering Britney with the baby they believed was Isla, but it’s really Abigail.
“After that, Nicolette tells them the narrative of what happened.”
What does Nicolette reveal about herself?
“Nicolette went for a stroll to clear her thoughts before leaving. Britney, a new acquaintance from prenatal courses, was also weeping as she ran into her.
“Britney told Nicolette that she had come to town to inform her ex-boyfriend that she was expecting a child. They’d broken up before she even realised it, and now he wouldn’t answer her phone calls.
“Britney was referring to Leo Tanaka, and Nicolette figured it out. After that, Nicolette and Britney decided to leave together to Canberra. Britney was worried that Leo wouldn’t help her with the pregnancy, and Nicolette didn’t want to be around Chloe, Aaron, or David after the recent betrayal.”
Was it their intention to depart for good?
“They chose to travel to Canberra together in order to assist each other through childbirth, but they always intended to return. Nicolette, in particular, has always intended to return.
“Nicolette simply wanted some alone time to clear her mind, breathe, and give birth without the distractions of others.”
What happened as time progressed?
“When Paul hunted down Nicolette and offered $1 million for the baby, everything changed. Britney was suffering from severe postpartum depression at the time. Because Britney’s kid has David’s DNA, Nicolette chose to give Paul the baby while keeping Isla for herself.
“Nicolette believed it would be a win-win situation for everyone.” Nicolette was always planning to go back to Aaron and David before the $1 million.
“Eventually, Nicolette learns that Britney is in Erinsborough and that a baby has gone missing. She realises she now needs to go back and explain everything that occurred.”
It appears that there will be fireworks…
“Nicolette comes back in and tells them the whole tale, but Paul doesn’t want her to mention the money and keeps trying to cut her off.
“Paul is the sole reason they’re in this terrible situation now.” He should have merely returned to Erinsborough and said that he’d discovered Nicolette and that she’d given birth. Then Jane, Aaron, and David might have arrived and worked things out.”
Do you believe Nicolette can be saved?
“I am convinced that Nicolette can be saved. The tale was initially relayed to us a year ago. We had to shoot the sequences in Canberra so far ahead of time in case the borders were blocked again.
“In the boardroom, the producers sat us down and told us the full tale. It’s weird because Matt [Wilson, who portrays Aaron] and Takaya [Honda, who plays David] weren’t as enthusiastic about it as I was, I suppose because it made Nicolette look less like the dreadful, awful, baddie baby thief she was.
“Nicolette is simply a human being – a new mother who is hormonally charged and distraught. She was depressed, disappointed, and rejected. Anyone would be cruel to take her on in this position.”
Do you think Nicolette has any regrets?
“She is deeply regretful about the baby swap when she returns. She truly believed that was the best decision for everyone at the time. She kept repeating what she had planned.
“A huge incident happens a few weeks later, and she has the opportunity to declare, ‘This is the proof.’ I was always returning’.
“They would have figured it out months ago if Paul hadn’t pushed the knife in. Nicolette simply desired to be a part of a family. ‘Well, this is my family now,’ she thought as her life came tumbling down and she delivered the baby.”
For Nicolette and Chloe, things are still tight. Do you believe they’ll ever be able to work things out?
“I believe Nicolette will always love Chloe, but the betrayal is simply too big at this point for her to ever consider allowing herself to be wounded again.
“Chloe previously stated that she desired Nicolette. Because Nicolette was carrying the baby for David and Aaron and they were in a nice position as friends, Nicolette suggested it would be in everyone’s best interests if they didn’t pursue it.
Are you here to stay?
“Yes, I’ll be returning on opening titles till my contract expires or is renewed! I believe Nicolette has a lot more to look forward to in the future.”
Fans are predicting that Nicolette, David, and Aaron will be involved in something big for Neighbours at the end of the year. Is that correct?“Everyone is involved, but we aren’t in the thick of things. But it’s actually rather large…”
