Russell Brennan

One of Australia’s most accomplished theatre, television and film actors Russell Kiefel joins Neighbours in a guest role as the patriarch of the Brennan family and is the centre of one of the show’s most controversial storylines – domestic violence.

Playing Russell Brennan, the estranged father of Mark (Scott McGregor), Aaron (Matt Wilson) and Tyler (Travis Burns), doesn’t receive a warm welcome when he arrives in Ramsey Street later this Summer.

“He has a lot of ground to make up with his boys and the challenge is to convince them that he is a changed man…but is he?” said Kiefel who was a scriptwriter on Neighbours in the late nineties.

Travis Burns’ character Tyler has the most volatile relationship with his father resulting in some intensely heavy scenes with the seasoned performer.

“Such a great actor to work with, every scene you would learn something new from Russell. I've done some of the toughest emotionally driven scenes with Russell, and he has just been a great support." said Burns who joined Neighbours late last year.

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Neighbours is turning out to be "The Brennan Show' lately. After the Dad leaves Ramsay Street, who is next to arrive? Marks third cousin twice removed?

Well there is a sister so I'd imagine she will make an appearance at some point!!! But yes TaintedLove I could see that happening with some of the storylines and family members they've brought in before haha ��

Well there is a sister so I'd imagine she will make an appearance at some point!!! But yes TaintedLove I could see that happening with some of the storylines and family members they've brought in before haha 😂

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Originally Posted by TaintedLove

Neighbours is turning out to be "The Brennan Show' lately. After the Dad leaves Ramsay Street, who is next to arrive? Marks third cousin twice removed?

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hopefully mama brennan

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Originally Posted by TaintedLove

Neighbours is turning out to be "The Brennan Show' lately. After the Dad leaves Ramsay Street, who is next to arrive? Marks third cousin twice removed?

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hopefully mama brennan

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Originally Posted by lizann

hopefully mama brennan

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The mum won't be arriving yet.

There are more Brennan's to come but don't know who yet.

Russell arrives on Australian screens on July 29th and UK screens on August 12th. Russell was still filming in June, so is around for 3 months.

While things are looking up for Mark, there could soon be more trouble on the horizon for the Brennan brothers when their father Russell arrives in Ramsay Street.

Russell, played by Russell Kiefel, will be greeted with a cold reception from his sons, with Aaron particularly vocal about the fact that he doesn't want to be around his dad.

After learning that Mark was responsible for Russell's sudden arrival, Aaron is furious with his brother but Mark defends himself and explains that he didn't issue an invite, but simply asked his father for advice on dealing with Tyler.

Tyler, meanwhile, is also horrified by Russell's unexpected appearance and immediately jumps on his bike and leaves town.
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Russell Brennan arrives on Ramsay Street to visit his three sons
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Russell Brennan arrives on Ramsay Street
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Russell Brennan arrives on Ramsay Street to visit his three sons
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Russell's arrival surprises his sons
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Russell Brennan arrives on Ramsay Street to visit his three sons
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Tyler is shocked to see Russell

Later, Tyler ends up at the Men's Shed, where he is questioned by Karl on why he doesn't want to go back home. Although Karl suspects it may have something to do with Russell's arrival, Tyler remains tight-lipped.

As Mark starts to wonder whether he needs to ask his father to leave in order to appease his brothers, Russell admits to Paige that he is lonely living by himself with no family around him.

Paige insists that it will break Russell's heart if he is told to leave now, leaving Mark with a big dilemma. What will he do?

Neighbours airs these scenes on Thursday August 13 at 1.45pm and 5.30pm on Channel 5.

I'm really not warming to Russell Brennan....I wonder if he is a ticking timebomb and given the right circumstances he will once again take things out on Tyler. I mean he has a history of violence and this has been glossed over and "all is forgiven?"
I don't buy it.....I think he could become violent again. Tyler should remain cautious...Mark and Aaron are obviously unaware of their father's prior history with Tyler and somehow I think it will all come out.

I'm really not warming to Russell Brennan....I wonder if he is a ticking timebomb and given the right circumstances he will once again take things out on Tyler. I mean he has a history of violence and this has been glossed over and "all is forgiven?"
I don't buy it.....I think he could become violent again. Tyler should remain cautious...Mark and Aaron are obviously unaware of their father's prior history with Tyler and somehow I think it will all come out.

Russell´s bad side will surface again soon :(

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Originally Posted by Perdita

Russell´s bad side will surface again soon :(

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It happens pn 2nd September.

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Originally Posted by melindakw1969

I'm really not warming to Russell Brennan....I wonder if he is a ticking timebomb and given the right circumstances he will once again take things out on Tyler. I mean he has a history of violence and this has been glossed over and "all is forgiven?"
I don't buy it.....I think he could become violent again. Tyler should remain cautious...Mark and Aaron are obviously unaware of their father's prior history with Tyler and somehow I think it will all come out.

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I think when the truth comes out, Mark will realise he was beginning to follow in his father's footsteps by being so hard on Tyler. Hopefully that'll give him a wake-up call and soften him up a bit.

I don't want him to hurt Tyler or Sheila

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Originally Posted by Dazzle

I think when the truth comes out, Mark will realise he was beginning to follow in his father's footsteps by being so hard on Tyler. Hopefully that'll give him a wake-up call and soften him up a bit.

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Mark wasn't following in his dad's footsteps.

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Originally Posted by gillyH1981

Mark wasn't following in his dad's footsteps.

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He is because he's so hard on Tyler. Obviously he doesn't hit him - and would be unlikely to start doing so - but his attitude to Tyler has been that he's never good enough. The hurt caused by Mark has been written plainly on Tyler's face in several of their scenes.

I hope learning the truth about Russell will make Mark reassess his own attitude.

Also ahead on Ramsay Street, romance is budding for Sheila Canning and Russell Brennan as they declare their feelings for each other.

The pair's new relationship will step up a gear in upcoming episodes, but they are met with some reservations from Sheila's grandson Kyle.

While Sheila is full of optimism about her new romance, Kyle is concerned that she is simply setting herself up for a fall and asks a reluctant Mark to find out the truth about his father's intentions.
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Russ opens up to Sheila, telling her he would like to see where their relationship goes
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Russ opens up to Sheila

Although Mark sticks to his word, the conversation is confronting to Russ and he subsequently goes cold on Sheila, leaving her feeling hurt and rejected.

After having some time to reflect, Russ returns to Sheila and decides to be honest about his earlier behaviour. While Russ declares that he can't make promises for the future, he admits that he would like to see where their romance leads.

Sheila is delighted by Russ's honesty and is only too happy to agree, but is she setting herself up for heartbreak?
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Sheila is happy with Russ's feelings and the pair kiss
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Sheila is happy with Russ's feelings
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Sheila is happy with Russ's feelings and the pair kiss
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Sheila is happy with Russ's feelings

Neighbours airs these scenes on Tuesday, September 1 at 1.45pm and 5.30pm on Channel 5.


Read more: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s1...#ixzz3jVvEjmbu

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Originally Posted by Dazzle

He is because he's so hard on Tyler. Obviously he doesn't hit him - and would be unlikely to start doing so - but his attitude to Tyler has been that he's never good enough. The hurt caused by Mark has been written plainly on Tyler's face in several of their scenes.

I hope learning the truth about Russell will make Mark reassess his own attitude.

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I think Mark's attitude to Tyler has been valid.. and he doesn't need to reassess it. Tyler was untrustworthy. Things have improved but I wouldn't compare being hard with hands on violence. That being said I would expect Mark to stand by his brother.

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Originally Posted by Dazzle

He is because he's so hard on Tyler. Obviously he doesn't hit him - and would be unlikely to start doing so - but his attitude to Tyler has been that he's never good enough. The hurt caused by Mark has been written plainly on Tyler's face in several of their scenes.

I hope learning the truth about Russell will make Mark reassess his own attitude.

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I think Mark's attitude to Tyler has been valid.. and he doesn't need to reassess it. Tyler was untrustworthy. Things have improved but I wouldn't compare being hard with hands on violence. That being said I would expect Mark to stand by his brother.

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Originally Posted by DiamondHeart

I think Mark's attitude to Tyler has been valid.. and he doesn't need to reassess it. Tyler was untrustworthy. Things have improved but I wouldn't compare being hard with hands on violence. That being said I would expect Mark to stand by his brother.

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Obviously Mark wouldn't get violent with Tyler, but I think his attitude towards his brother compares with their father's. Mark seems to me to be carrying on the family tradition of treating Tyler as if he's not good enough. It was obvious from Tyler's first episode that he was desperate not to disappoint Mark, and this led him directly into getting involved with Dimato. Cause and effect.

Don't get me wrong, I really like Mark, but he's always been a perfectionist and that means that others often fail to live up to impossibly high standards. I like the fact that Mark is a layered character and not one-dimensional, as is Tyler because he's a nice guy who's made some very bad decisions rather than being a bad boy.

Welcome to Soapboards btw DiamondHeart! :)

Russell's true colours
His explosive temper is revealed for all to see.

Everyone comes to Erinsborough hiding a dark past. The time has come for Russell's to be revealed.

When Tyler (Travis Burns) and Ben (Felix Mallard) find themselves bored, they decide to kill time working on a dirt bike.

When Tyler's dad Russell (Russell Kiefel) elbows in on their plans, the boys reluctantly include him.

Tyler remains worried about Russell's capacity to lose his temper.

"Ever since what happened to Tyler in the past, he's hesitant," Travis, 24, explains.

"No-one else knows what happened to him in his teen years, though."

After just a few minutes, Tyler is pleasantly surprised to see Russell have the time of his life. Relishing the moment, Tyler and Russell decide to team up and play a practical joke on Ben.

When the prank goes off without a hitch, Tyler and Russell bond over the joke.

The laughs stop when Ben attempts to get them both back. Russell explodes and physically threatens both boys, forcing Karl (Alan Fletcher) to step in.

A panicked Tyler flashes back to his teens as history seems to be repeating.

"When Tyler's alone with his dad, he fears the worst - that anything could go wrong at any second," Travis says.

Credit: Soap Extra 20th August 2015

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Originally Posted by Dazzle

Obviously Mark wouldn't get violent with Tyler, but I think his attitude towards his brother compares with their father's. Mark seems to me to be carrying on the family tradition of treating Tyler as if he's not good enough. It was obvious from Tyler's first episode that he was desperate not to disappoint Mark, and this led him directly into getting involved with Dimato. Cause and effect.

Don't get me wrong, I really like Mark, but he's always been a perfectionist and that means that others often fail to live up to impossibly high standards. I like the fact that Mark is a layered character and not one-dimensional, as is Tyler because he's a nice guy who's made some very bad decisions rather than being a bad boy.

Welcome to Soapboards btw DiamondHeart! :)

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Thank you for the welcome, Dazzle.

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Originally Posted by Dazzle

Obviously Mark wouldn't get violent with Tyler, but I think his attitude towards his brother compares with their father's. Mark seems to me to be carrying on the family tradition of treating Tyler as if he's not good enough. It was obvious from Tyler's first episode that he was desperate not to disappoint Mark, and this led him directly into getting involved with Dimato. Cause and effect.

Don't get me wrong, I really like Mark, but he's always been a perfectionist and that means that others often fail to live up to impossibly high standards. I like the fact that Mark is a layered character and not one-dimensional, as is Tyler because he's a nice guy who's made some very bad decisions rather than being a bad boy.

Welcome to Soapboards btw DiamondHeart! :)

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Thank you for the welcome, Dazzle.

Neighbours' Russell Brennan will leave Ramsay Street under a cloud later this month after his abusive past is revealed.

Russell's dark secret is finally exposed by Tyler, who reaches breaking point as the family prepare to buy Fitzgerald Motors together.

Although Russell (Russell Kiefel) is excited about the new business, Tyler's unhappiness over the situation threatens to ruin his father's dream of working with his boys.

When Russell confronts him, Tyler demands an apology from Russell but when none is forthcoming, Tyler finally cracks and knocks Russell to the ground with a punch.
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Russell says goodbye to Sheila
© Channel 5
Russell says goodbye to Sheila

When Mark reacts to this, Tyler finally reveals his father's past violence towards him. Mark is initially disbelieving but after talking with Aaron, he later realises that it could be true.

Later, Mark and Aaron confront Russell together but they are stunned when he doesn't deny the accusations, prompting Mark to realise just how badly he has let his brother down.

As the reveal reverberates through the Brennan clan, Russ finally apologises to Tyler but it is apparent that he doesn't seem to understand the implications of what he's done.

After receiving some frank words from Sheila, Russell realises the true damage of his actions but his heartfelt apology is too little too late and Mark and Aaron support Tyler as they send Russ back to Port Lincoln. What does the future hold now for Sheila and the Brennan brothers?
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As the sons rally around Tyler, Russell heads back to Port Lincoln
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Russell leaves Ramsay Street
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Sheila is devastated to see Russell go
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Sheila is devastated to see Russell go

Neighbours airs these scenes on Tuesday, September 22 and Wednesday, September 23 at 1.45pm and 5.30pm on Channel 5.


Read more: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s1...#ixzz3lUjxPOpQ

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Originally Posted by Perdita

Sheila is devastated to see Russell go

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I understand it's a complex situation because Sheila's fallen for Russell, and it does sounds like she has a massive go at him, but I really would have thought she'd be glad to see the back of him after discovering the truth...

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Originally Posted by Dazzle

I understand it's a complex situation because Sheila's fallen for Russell, and it does sounds like she has a massive go at him, but I really would have thought she'd be glad to see the back of him after discovering the truth...

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I'm really looking forward to these episodes! So glad the truth is finally coming out about Russell....and Tyler confronting his father - and punching him!....and Mark and Aaron being supportive to Tyler.

Poor Sheila :( I agree you'd think she'd be glad to see him leave once she knows what he did to Tyler. I guess she's just devastated because fell for someone she thought was a really nice guy - but who turned out to have a history of violence.

Former Neighbours star Russell Kiefel died over the weekend after being taken ill during a theatre performance.

The actor played Russell - the abusive father of the Brennan brothers - for a brief stint in the soap last year. He passed away last night after becoming unwell while performing in the play And I'm the Queen of Sheba at Brown's Mart Theatre in Australia.

The theatre has cancelled the rest of the season out of respect for Kiefel, with executive director Sean Pardy calling it a tragic and emotional time for the actor's family and everyone involved in the production.

Kiefel's co-stars - both old and new - have all rallied round to pay tribute to him, with Neighbours actress Colette Mann leading the way with an emotional Instagram post.


Colette, who plays Sheila Canning in the Aussie soap, said: "I am very very sad to say that the wonderful actor, Russell Kiefel who played Russell Brennan in 2015 on @neighbours passed away yesterday.

"All our prayers and thoughts are with his wife Katrina and his beloved boys #gonetoosoon #russellbrennan#vale"

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Travis Burns ✔ @mrtravisburns
So sad to hear the passing of Russell Kiefel today. It was an absolute honour to work with you. Rest in peace.
9:45 AM - 21 Nov 2016
22 22 Retweets 112 112 likes
Travis Burns, who plays Tyler, added: "So sad to hear the passing of Russell Kiefel today. It was an absolute honour to work with you. Rest in peace."

Several others also took to social media to express their sadness:

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Alana Wulff @laniwulff
Very sad to hear Russell Kiefel has passed. I interviewed him for @TVWEEKmag when he as on @neighbours ❤️ TALENT!
8:25 AM - 21 Nov 2016
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Daisy H @officialdaisyh
Oh, Russell Kiefel. My heart is broken, but there's a bright light shining somewhere else tonight.
8:28 AM - 21 Nov 2016
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Belvoir @BelvoirSt
We are deeply saddened by the recent passing of actor and dear friend Russell Kiefel http://ow.ly/6KTm306myLo


Digital Spy

RIP Russell :(

Very sad news. :(

It would have been nice to see him back for Sheila's love life - very sad

RIP Russell