Home and Away spoilers follow.
Note: The following article contains discussion of sexual misconduct that some readers may find upsetting.
Home and Away may be over for the year on Channel 5, but it's never too early to take a look ahead to 2022 and what lies ahead next for the residents of Summer Bay.
For UK viewers, the year ended with Tane Parata's stalker carrying out a deadly gas attack at the gym, leaving lives hanging in the balance as the toxic fumes spread into the air vents and the Salt restaurant upstairs.
There's currently a gap of around nine weeks between Home and Away's UK and Australian airings, so we already know plenty of the storylines that will be hitting Channel 5 screens in early 2022 and beyond.
Here's a guide to some of the biggest moments to look forward to.
1. Who targeted Tane?
In the aftermath of the life-threatening attack on Tane, all eyes point to Felicity as the possible culprit. Tane had repeatedly accused Felicity of stalking him in the weeks leading up to the incident, and although she'd strongly denied the allegations, Tane's closest allies were unsure that she was telling the truth.
In scenes airing next year on Channel 5, Felicity is even doubted by her own brother Cash, who's involved in the initial investigation. However, matters are soon taken out of his hands anyway when federal police arrive in Summer Bay to take over the case.
2. Nikau creates a hate campaign
While Felicity protests that she's being framed by someone, plenty of people in the Bay are sceptical over her claims. This is especially true for Nikau, who can't resist taking matters into his own hands.
As Nikau still has a large social media following thanks to his short-lived modelling career, he decides to use his platform to publicly condemn Felicity's supposed crimes, starting an online hate campaign.
Bella doesn't approve of her boyfriend's actions and once again fears that she may be losing Nikau to social media.
With the culprit behind the gas attack confirmed in the early weeks of the year, fans will have to wait and see whether Felicity's name is ultimately cleared or not.
3. A whole new Marilyn
Home and Away's UK fans will see Marilyn's behaviour take an unexpected turn in early 2022, as the repercussions of the Salt incident play out for several weeks.
Logan oversees emergency treatment for Marilyn at the hospital following her involvement in the gas poisoning incident, but he later gives her the all-clear to go home.
Despite this, there's a frightening development for Marilyn when she later collapses outside and is left helpless overnight. However, when Marilyn is rushed back into hospital for tests, there are no easy answers as there appears to be nothing physically wrong with her.
The mystery coincides with startling changes in Marilyn's behaviour, as she becomes rude and abrupt towards some of her closest friends. Her loved ones are also stunned when she starts drinking and eating meat.
Emily Symons, who plays Marilyn, recently told Aussie magazine TV Week: "Apparently, when you get organophosphate poisoning, there can be changes to the brain and to behaviour as a result, whereas everything else remains normal.
"This is the most challenging thing I've ever done as Marilyn. It's a completely different Marilyn, which has been really hard to play, because she's second nature to me now."
4. Roo and Martha's transplant storyline
Martha also faces a life-or-death drama following her involvement in the gas attack, which leads to her spending several weeks in hospital due to complications.
It's later confirmed that Martha will need a kidney transplant in order to make a full recovery.
Members of Martha's family get tested and there's a ray of hope when Roo turns out to be a match, but the revelation sparks tensions and plenty of questions among the Stewarts.
5. Logan questions his abilities as a doctor
Logan is in for a tough start to the year, as Marilyn's new no-nonsense personality leads her to make a formal complaint against him at the hospital. Marilyn is convinced that Logan discharged her too quickly and refuses to believe him when he explains that her current issues could be psychological.
The complaint comes just as Dean has his own axe to grind with Logan following the bad news that he may never be able to surf again. Dean recalls how Tori suggested a different course of treatment for him after the car crash, only for Logan to overrule her.
Dean now believes that Logan made the wrong call, despite protests from everyone else that Logan deserves credit for saving his life. Can Logan prove that he still has what it takes?
6. Theo's money-making scheme - and new romance hopes
Theo and Ryder may hate each other's guts, but in upcoming scenes, they realise that they can rely on each other to make a small fortune. The sworn enemies prove to be an unlikely double act after Theo uploads the video showing Ryder ranting at him following the prank at his 21st birthday party.
Theo and Ryder begin filming more pranks and challenges and uploading them online, where they monetise the videos through advertising. Although Ryder hates spending time with Theo, he sees this as his best way to pay back his debts to his friends and family.
By this point, Ryder and Chloe have decided to go their separate ways after their romance didn't work out. Can Ryder's new business partnership survive when he discovers that Theo has kissed Chloe, or will jealousy rear its ugly head?
7. Ryder buried alive
Home and Away's trailer for its Australian season finale, which airs on Channel 7 this Thursday, shows Theo and Ryder's pranks go a step too far. The pair decide to film a "buried alive" challenge, which appears to go badly wrong when Theo ends up unconscious and Ryder finds himself totally alone underground with nobody around to help.
Could this prank have a terrible outcome for the mischievous duo?
8. Ari and Mia receive an unwelcome visitor
There's more trouble at the Parata house when Chloe's biological father Matthew Montgomery arrives in the Bay, wanting to meet her for the first time. Mia is appalled to see him and later confides in Ari by revealing that Matthew raped her when they were younger.
Mia threatens Matthew to stay away, but he defies her wishes and introduces himself to Chloe. Before long, Chloe is won over by her father and won't hear a bad word said against him. Mia chooses not to reveal the full reasons for her anxieties, so Chloe doesn't see any problem over spending time with Matthew.
When Ari takes matters into his own hands by punching Matthew, it only works in the villain's favour. Matthew threatens to report Ari to the police, potentially getting him sent back to prison, if Mia doesn't back off over him spending time with Chloe.
9. Nikau's career takes a new direction
Nikau looks for a fresh start now that he has given up modelling. He decides to train to become a lifeguard on the beach, signing up for lessons with John.
As ever with Nikau, things don't run smoothly as he finds the theory side of the training challenging and also faces clashes with John. Can he make his new career work?
10. New faces for Summer Bay
Home and Away will also introduce some new characters in 2022, although their arrival will be a way off for Channel 5 viewers as they haven't even arrived on Australian screens yet.
Luke Van Os (the real-life younger cousin of Chris Hemsworth) has landed the role of Xander, a mysterious individual who comes to the Bay looking for answers. Xander is also the relative of an existing character.
Meanwhile, Kirsty Marillier has signed up to play new series regular Rose.
Kirsty recently said: "I am so humbled to be welcomed as a series regular on Home and Away. I remember watching this icon-of-a-show in high school and dreaming of a sunny utopia – it feels surreal to have this become my reality.
"I hope UK viewers love Rose as much as I do, and get to know her deeply in 2022, as she uncovers secrets and embraces the Bay."
Home and Away returns in the UK on January 3, airing weekdays at 1.15pm on Channel 5 and 6pm on 5STAR, with first look screenings at 6.30pm on 5STAR
Read more Home and Away spoilers on our dedicated homepage
If you've been affected by the issues raised in this story, you can access more information from Rape Crisis England and Wales, who work towards the elimination of all forms of sexual violence and sexual misconduct, on their website or by calling the National Rape Crisis Helpline on 0808 802 9999. Rape Crisis Scotland’s helpline number is 08088 01 03 02.
Readers in the US are encouraged to contact RAINN, or the National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800-656-4673.
Daniel has been writing about soaps on Digital Spy since 2004 and took over as Soaps Editor in 2010.
He has interviewed hundreds of soap stars over the years, from Bill Roache to Lacey Turner, and regularly visits the sets of Coronation Street, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks for behind-the-scenes trips and press events.
He has served as an awards judge on numerous occasions for the likes of the BAFTA TV Awards, RTS Programme Awards and British Soap Awards. In 2020, he was Highly Commended for Best Section Editor at the BSME Awards.
