Tyler Brennan

Tyler is a mechanic and the youngest of four siblings.[5] Tyler's profile on the official Neighbours website billed him as "cheeky, charming and cocky".[5] While Melissa Field from TV Week Soap Extra described him as a "badboy-with-a-heart", a "ladies' man" and a "troublesome little brother".[2] Tyler is also impulsive and suffers from "a short attention span".[5] Burns explained that Tyler was the exact opposite of his older brother Mark, branding Tyler untidy, relaxed and "a go-with-the-flow type of guy".[6] In August 2015, Burns told TV Soap's Tim Falk that Tyler's storylines had allowed him to explore many different sides of the character.[7] He explained "I feel that Tyler has not only changed but he has definitely grown from his experiences while living on Ramsay Street. I think he can be quite misunderstood, so it's been nice to watch different layers of him unfold."[7] Tyler has long hair, which he often wears in a man bun. Burns had been growing his hair long for a year prior to securing the role of Tyler, and the producers decided to keep it for the character. Burns noted that it is "a point of difference" for his character.[8]

After attending a toga party at the local university, Tyler came across a hungover Imogen Willis (Ariel Kaplan) and carried her to his motorbike.[9] Burns commented that "sparks fly" between them.[6] Tyler brought Imogen home to Ramsay Street and she hit her head, after falling from the bike. Imogen's state caused her friend Daniel Robinson (Tim Phillipps) to believe that Tyler had taken advantage of her.[9] Daniel confronted Tyler and when it escalated, Tyler was taken into police custody.[6] Tyler then had the station call his brother, who was "not overly impressed" at having to bail him out. Burns admitted that the brothers had a complicated relationship and had not been in touch with each other for a long time.[6] Tyler moved in with Mark and asked him for a job at the garage. Mark was not happy with the idea and Burns explained, "He knows Tyler never finishes anything he starts! But after reconsidering, he decides to give Tyler a second chance for once, and puts in a good word for him."[6] Burns added that Mark wanted to see if Tyler would prove him wrong.[6]

After settling in, Tyler asked Imogen to spend some time with him. She agreed, but had no intention of pursuing a relationship with him due to her feelings for Daniel.[10] However, Imogen's sister Paige Smith (Olympia Valance), believed that there could be something more between them and invited them both to a pool party.[10] Imogen tried to make it clear that Tyler was more suited to Paige. But after Paige encouraged Tyler to get to know Imogen better, they bonded.[10] Tyler's crush on Imogen faded when he realised she was in love with Daniel. Valance observed "Imogen's too smart for him. That whole thing was Imogen trying to distract herself from her love for Daniel."[11] A couple of months later, Tyler proved to be "a welcome distraction" for Imogen at a law society meeting. They went on to play a game of strip poker at the Men's Shed, while flirting heavily with each other.[12] Tyler later convinced Imogen to "embrace her wilder side" and when he asked her on a date, she took him paintballing.[13] After returning to Tyler's house, they ended up kissing and Tyler tried to take things further, but Imogen panicked and left.[13]

Imogen and Tyler's flirtation eventually developed into a romance and Imogen decided to lose her virginity to him. Kaplan explained that Imogen believed having sex with Tyler would help her to move on from her feelings for Daniel.[14] Her peers were all in relationships and she thought she should be in one too. Kaplan continued, "Tyler is fun, there's nothing offensive about him, and he's probably the distraction she needs at this time."[14] Imogen soon began having doubts about the relationship. When she and Tyler were together in his bedroom, she admitted to him that she was still in love with Daniel.[14] Kaplan said that Imogen realised that she would be losing her virginity to Tyler for all the wrong reasons, and did not want to regret it. Imogen then fled Tyler's house, leaving him alone and confused.[14]

After realising that Imogen did not reciprocate his feelings, Tyler switched his attentions to Paige, who had once dated his brother.[11] She initially told him that she would not be his second choice, but when she learned that Mark had moved on with someone else, she changed her mind. Tyler thought Paige might be using him to get back at Mark, but Paige assured him that she was genuinely interested in him.[11] After spending the day flirting, Tyler and Paige kissed, but during the moment Paige called out Mark's name.[11] Paige and Tyler then decided to just be friends.[15] When Paige and Tyler were forced to work together to pay off their debt to Michelle Kim (Ra Chapman), they became involved in a fake relationship to cover up their illegal activities.[16] To try to get out of debt, Paige and Tyler tried to raise some money by taking part in a bikini car wash. After realising that they made a good team, Tyler made a romantic advance towards Paige, but she rebuffed him.[16] However, Paige later changed her mind and returned to the garage with the intention of having sex with Tyler, but she discovered he had already moved on with a customer.[16]

Valance thought Paige was better off with Tyler's brother, commenting "I think she needs someone with a bit more maturity – Paige and Tyler are a lethal combination."[16] When Tyler and Paige became stuck in a well together, they gave into their feelings for each other and kissed. Tyler was pleased by the development in their relationship, but Paige later admitted to him that she still had feelings for Mark. Tyler was then forced to tell her that he just wanted to be friends.[17] Burns said "Tyler would keep fighting for Paige, even if she was going out with his brother!"[18] The actor believed that Tyler would respect the situation if Paige was with his brother, but he would secretly be trying to win her back, as he really liked her.[18] Tyler later learned that Paige and Mark had decided to get back together and Burns commented that it hurt Tyler to see them as a couple, as he had felt a genuine connection with Paige.[19]

Tyler becomes friends with his neighbour, and Imogen's younger sister, Piper Willis (Mavournee Hazel). She begins to idolise him and soon develops romantic feelings for him. Burns told an Inside Soap writer that Tyler and Piper were both "young, free and spirited" and that Tyler was initially "oblivious" to how she felt about him.[20] Tyler decides to let Piper down gently and is pleased with how he handled the situation, but he was unaware of how strong Piper's feelings were.[20] When Piper encourages Tyler to attend a singles' night, he hopes that he will meet someone new, while Piper wants him for herself. As they return home, Tyler is "gobsmacked" when she initiates a kiss between them.[20] Burns explained Tyler surprise: "It's fair to say that Tyler's shocked. There's a connection between them, but Tyler has never seen it in a romantic way. He's worried about the age difference, and then there's the fact that Piper's dad Brad (Kip Gamblin) is staying with the Brennans – so it could be awkward!"[20]

Tyler's brother Mark, played by Scott McGregor (pictured), ended up arresting him when he confessed to working for Dimato.

Tyler began working for businessman Dennis Dimato (David Serafin) to earn more money, but soon realised that the work he was carrying out was illegal when he was asked to strip Imogen's stolen car for parts.[10] Dimato later called in a favour from Tyler, asking him to spy on Mark and the police investigation into his business. Tyler learned that Mark's sergeant did not think the case was worth pursuing, but Mark wanted to bring Dimato down on his own.[15] When Matt Turner (Josef Brown) later saw Tyler and Dimato together, he warned Tyler to stay away from him. That same day, Paige caught Tyler checking out cars to steal and he was forced to tell her the truth about his job with Dimato.[15] When Dimato and his associates started looking for a new base to continue their illegal car parts business, Tyler tried put them off buying the garage by telling that it had an uncertain future as the owner was selling it.[21] However, Tyler realised he had made a mistake when Dimato decided to buy garage and pointed out that it provided Tyler with the perfect cover.[21]

Both Tyler and Paige were later blackmailed into selling stolen car parts to pay off their debts to Dimato and his partner Michelle.[22] When Tyler missed a meeting with Joey Dimato (Steven Sammut), who was leaving a stolen car at the garage, Paige's younger brother Bailey Turner (Calen Mackenzie) took the car.[22] Michelle told Tyler to find the car or she would make him pay. But when she overheard Paige telling Tyler that she had reported the car to the police, Michelle ordered them both to pay her the money owed or get another car.[22] A TV Soap columnist noted, "Tyler knows he's getting in way over his head, but he also knows it's far too late to back out".[22] Michelle later blackmailed Paige into taking a job at the garage selling the stolen car parts.[22]

Tyler and Paige tried to make the garage go legitimate by setting up car washes and automotive courses, but they were soon drawn back into Dimato's crime syndicate when Joey left them a bag of money and Michelle ordered them to make a drop-off.[17] When they discovered that a community fundraiser was taking place near the drop-off point, they decided to leave the money in an old well and return for it later. However, they became stuck in the well when they realised that they could not surface with the money due to a large number of people nearby.[17] Tyler and Paige later learned that there was $6000 missing from the bag and Tyler was "viciously beaten" when he asked for more time to find the money.[17]

When Tyler realised that he was in "too deep" with Dimato, he eventually admitted his involvement to Mark, believing it was the right course of action. However it resulted in his arrest.[23] Burns explained that Tyler believed that his confession would mean Mark would go easier on him, but "he's heartbroken when Mark arrests him – you don't expect that from your own brother!"[23] When the police offered him a reduced sentence, Tyler agreed to become their informant and wore a wire to a meeting with Michelle. However, before he could get any incriminating evidence, the transmitter was damaged.[24] Tyler then learned that Dimato was returning to town and he agreed to go undercover again. But Dimato got to him first and Tyler was forced to attend a meeting with Dimato and his associates.[24]

When Mark felt that Tyler had "gone off the rails", he invited their brother Aaron (Matt Wilson) to help, as he knew Aaron and Tyler were close.[18] Wilson explained that it had been six years since the brothers had seen each other. He described Aaron as an opportunist like Tyler and said he often acted as a mediator between Tyler and Mark.[25] Burns told Inside Soap's Sarah Ellis that Aaron's arrival changed the dynamic between Tyler and Mark. He continued, "One of us will always take the other's side and we end up teaming up against each other."[18] Shortly after Aaron's arrival, Tyler tries to set him up with his friend Nate Kinski (Meyne Wyatt), but they quickly realise that they have nothing in common.[25] Following Tyler's arrest, Aaron bails him out of jail. This makes Mark "furious", as he believes that they are teaming up against him. He then throws Tyler out of his house.[23] Burns said Tyler initially believes Mark is joking, but he is forced to stay in the Men's Shed for a few nights. An Inside Soap reporter observed that Tyler and Mark's relationship was at "an all-time low".[23]

The Brennan family was expanded again following the introduction of the brothers' father Russell (Russell Kiefel) in August 2015, and the family became the centre of "a controversial" domestic violence storyline.[26] When Tyler saw his father on Ramsay Street, he packs up his belongings and leaves. Burns explained that Tyler initially feels "pain and fear" upon seeing his father and decides to avoid him, as he is worried that what happened between them would happen again.[19] After leaving the street, Tyler stays at the Men's Shed. Karl finds him and Tyler opens up about the physical abuse he suffered at Russell's hands.[19] Burns said, "Tyler feels he can trust Karl, so he opens up and tells him everything. The relationship between Tyler and Russell is obviously very damaged – but it's been great for me as an actor to be able to bring it to life on screen."[19] Falk (TV Soap) observed that the abuse Tyler suffered had "a huge influence" on the type of man that he had become. Falk branded it "a compelling storyline" and said that it helped to explore the Brennan's complex family relationships.[7]

When Tyler invites Karl's grandson Ben Kirk (Felix Mallard) to work on a bike, Russell also invites himself along. Burns told Alana Wulff of TV Week Soap Extra that Tyler is initially hesitant because of what happened between them in the past.[27] However, he is surprised when he and Russell bond and play practical jokes on Ben. But when Ben gets his own back on Russell, he loses his temper and threatens them both, forcing Karl to step in.[27] Tyler suffers flashbacks to his teenage years with his father. Burns said "When Tyler's alone with his dad, he fears the worst – that anything could go wrong at any second."[27] Russell plans to purchase Fitzgerald Motors with Mark and Aaron's support.[28] Tyler's lack of enthusiasm leads Russell to confront him. Tyler begs his father to apologise for the way he treated him when he was growing up, but Russell refuses.[28] Tyler is "overcome" by his anger and he punches his father. Burns explained that Tyler stands up for himself, and to Russell, for the first time.[28] Mark intervenes and Tyler reveals that their father used to beat him. Mark initially thinks that Tyler is lying, but he and Aaron soon learn the truth from Russell.[28] They both feel that they have let their younger brother down. Russell finally apologises to Tyler, before he leaves town.[28]

Producers planned for Kiefel to reprise his role as Russell Brennan, but when he died in November 2016, the storyline was changed. On-screen, the family are informed that Russell has died. Shortly after, Tyler learns that Russell is not his biological father.[29] Tyler does not expect his real father to turn up in Erinsborough, but while he is playing pool at The Waterhole, an older man begins talking to him. The man, Hamish Roche (Sean Taylor), later turns up at the Brennans' house and introduces himself as Tyler's father.[29] Burns commented that "it's a massive shock" for Tyler, who initially does not want anything to do with Hamish. Burns said he would tell his character to get to know Hamish, explaining "There's a huge void in Tyler's life because he never got to make amends with Russell before he died – and now he has chance to connect with Hamish."[29] Hamish is the father Tyler's always wanted, as he is caring and interested in Tyler's life.[29]

In November 2017, Burns initially confirmed via social media that he was not leaving Neighbours in the near future.[30] However, during the following month, Fiona Byrne of the Herald Sun reported that Burns was leaving the show to pursue other roles in United States.[31] His departure was confirmed on 14 February 2018,[32] and Tyler's exit scenes aired on 27 February.[33]

On 8 October 2018, Kilkelly (Digital Spy) confirmed that the character would be returning on 16 October, following his release from prison, where he was serving a twenty year sentence for Hamish's murder.[34] After Tyler's charges are downgraded to assault, he is reunited with his brothers and sister Chloe (April Rose Pengilly). He initially refuses to see Piper, but they eventually talk about everything that has happened.[34] Burns filmed his scenes earlier in the year, and they helped to "tie up all of the loose ends" in Tyler's storylines.[34] Burns made a brief appearance on 3 April 2019 for Piper's exit storyline.[35]