In a jaw-dropping twist that has both Home and Away and Neighbours fans buzzing, beloved actress Rebecca Elmaloglou, best known for her iconic role as Sophie Simpson on Home and Away, has reemerged in the spotlight — but this time, on rival soap Neighbours! It’s been 35 years since Rebecca first graced Aussie screens as the troubled teen Sophie, a role that catapulted her to national stardom. Now at 50, she’s causing a stir again — and looking almost unrecognisable in her sophisticated new look.

Rebecca was recently spotted filming fresh scenes on the set of Neighbours, striding confidently down Ramsay Street in Melbourne alongside her co-star Jackie Woodburne, who portrays fan-favourite Susan Kennedy. Decked out in sleek business attire — a black midi dress, sharp black blazer, and pointed slip-on heels — Rebecca exuded elegance as she stepped back into the shoes of her Neighbours character, Terese Willis. Her look was completed with a stylish black handbag, signaling that Terese is back and all business.

Behind the scenes, directing duties were handled by actor-turned-director Scott Major, himself a Neighbours alum. Rebecca and Jackie shared laughs and casual conversation between takes, reminding fans of the deep camaraderie between long-time cast members. The filming session marks Rebecca’s full return to Neighbours after its shocking cancellation — and equally surprising revival.

For longtime viewers, Rebecca’s acting journey has been a rollercoaster. After exiting Home and Away in the late 1990s, she joined Neighbours in 2013, quickly becoming a central character. She remained with the show until it was canceled in 2022 after a staggering 37-year run. The cancellation rocked the soap world, making international headlines. Rebecca, expecting a permanent goodbye, packed up and moved to country New South Wales, believing it was time for a new chapter.

But in a dramatic twist that rivaled any on-screen storyline, Neighbours found a second life. Just four months after its final episode aired, Amazon stepped in to revive the cherished soap. For Rebecca, the news came as both a surprise and a challenge. She had already relocated and begun to embrace a quieter life, dabbling in independent film and enjoying a rare break from the industry.

Rebecca admitted in a recent interview that she felt “a bit annoyed” when Neighbours was brought back so soon after she’d settled into her new life. “We were just grieving,” she confessed. “I was very much like, I don’t care if I’m not working at the moment.” But despite the initial frustration, when the opportunity came to rejoin Neighbours, she couldn’t resist. The familiar set, the beloved characters, and the passionate fanbase called her back.

Now, Rebecca is embracing the reboot with fresh energy, and fans are thrilled to see her back on screen. Her character, Terese Willis, known for her complex storylines and fierce personality, is expected to be at the center of major upcoming drama. Meanwhile, her real-life transformation — from the girl-next-door Sophie Simpson to the polished, powerful Terese — has stunned fans and sparked nostalgia for her early days on Home and Away.

Whether you’ve followed her journey since Summer Bay or are meeting her anew in Erinsborough, one thing’s clear — Rebecca Elmaloglou’s star power hasn’t dimmed a bit.