Neighbours spoilers follow.
Neighbours' 40th anniversary week takes an explosive twist in Wednesday's episode (March 19) as a split-second decision from Byron Stone has devastating consequences for his girlfriend Sadie Rodwell.
As a fire tears through the local garage, Sadie finds herself surrounded by flames alongside Byron's sister Nicolette.
With no time to wait for the emergency services, Byron plays the hero but chooses to save Nicolette first. Sadie, who's left abandoned for a moment, then suffers terrible injuries as part of the burning building falls on her.
Xavier Molyneux, who plays Byron, recently caught up with Digital Spy for an exclusive chat about the storyline and where his character's relationship goes from here.
How did it feel to get such a big story for the 40th anniversary week?
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"I was amazed to be a part of it all. The writers did a great job of entwining all these characters and stories into such a crescendo of events.
"When it's a big stunt like this, we hear whispers of it probably six weeks before and you start to think: 'How great!' Then on the day you realise that it's shot in a way that you're nowhere near the actual fire and the stunt team have got it all sorted. (Laughs.)
"So it's pretty funny like that but safety first and hats off to our team at Neighbours for keeping us intact."
Can you share any behind-the-scenes secrets from the filming?
"Our DOP Heath, who was behind the camera, was getting the shots very close to the flames, taking it for the team. Thankfully his preferred haircut is shaved, because otherwise who knows what would have happened?"
Does Byron realise the significance of the moment where he has to choose whether to save Nicolette or Sadie first?
"The fire happens so suddenly that Byron doesn't have time to think, he just goes. Byron's reacting on impulse and he believes that he can get everyone out in time."
Why does Byron choose to save Nicolette first?
"At the end of the day he does make a choice, whether he realises it or not. He can argue that Nicolette is in a worse way than Sadie at the time. She is closer to his escape route. Nicolette is a mother. Rock beats scissors and sister beats girlfriend. He loves his sister more."
How does Byron feel afterwards?
"Byron feels terrible for Sadie. He feels he could have done more."
How will this affect Byron and Sadie's relationship in the weeks to come?
"It will challenge everything about their relationship. Something horrible has happened and it has brought to light some terrible things and there isn't a real road map for the two on how to navigate everything."
Will Byron give Sadie some space?
"Byron feels giving space is the last thing he wants to do. He sees Sadie needs help and wants to be the person of support. It's just in his nature."
They make a great couple – would you be sad if they broke up?
"Very much so. It's been a huge part of Byron in the last year and to see it end in such an event would be devastating."
Will Byron continue to blame Max for causing this mess?
"I think Byron doesn't have time for the blame game – he'd rather look to fix than point fingers. His attention is purely Sadie focused."
In less serious news, you have a new short haircut in these episodes! Why did you make the change?
"I would say in equal serious news! (Laughs.) Honestly it was more for me, I was tired of having my hair set into place every scene and it felt right.
"I had to ask everyone at Neighbours first – I had been asking for a while. There was a pitch going around that his hair gets caught on fire during this event."
How did you feel when you heard the news that Neighbours will be ending this year?
"Gutted for everyone working and for all the people who could have worked on Neighbours. It's given me so much, so I'm sad to think other people won't get the opportunity."
What do you hope the show explores with Byron in the final few months? Is there anyone you'd like to bring back?
"I think being one of the newer cast members I want to take a step back and let the originals of the show finish it with a bang! In saying that, I would love for Nat Bass to come back. She's a badass."
We hardly ever see Byron at work! Do you hope he follows up with his plans to become a lawyer again? Could he be the next Toadie?
"I think Byron's got bigger fish to fry – pardon the wording – in his next little era than to worry about being a lawyer…"
What are your future ambitions beyond the show?
"Ah, jeez Louise, I don't know, it's scary to think about. I'd like to be in a Jackie Chan movie, he's the coolest."
Neighbours releases new episodes from Mondays to Thursdays for free on Amazon Freevee and Prime Video in the UK and US. In Australia, the show airs from Mondays to Thursdays at 4pm on Channel 10, with a 6.30pm repeat screening on 10 Peach Comedy.
