Brax Returns—and Tane Joins Him?

Home and Away fans were already buzzing about the long-awaited return of Darryl “Brax” Braxton and Ricky Sharpe in early 2026. But now, the excitement has exploded with the unexpected sighting of Ethan Browne—aka Tane Parata—filming alongside Stephen Peacocke in Perth, Western Australia.

Photos from on-location shoots at Elizabeth Quay and The Bell Tower show the pair together with the Home and Away crew, confirming that Tane and Brax will indeed share scenes in the upcoming episodes. But with Tane having no prior connection to Brax or Ricky, fans are left scrambling for answers: What brings these two powerful forces together?

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A Link Through the River Boys

While Tane and Brax have never met onscreen, Tane does have ties to the extended River Boy family. Back in 2021, Tane and his late brother Ari found themselves in serious trouble with a rival gang. It was then that Dean Thompson called in the cavalry, bringing in Heath Braxton and the River Boys to help smooth things over.

Though brief, that connection to the Braxton legacy may be what leads Tane to seek out Brax—especially now that Dean and Ziggy are tied up caring for their baby daughter, Daniella, and likely unavailable to jump into action.

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Trouble Brewing in the West?

The 2026 promo trailer includes a split-second shot of Brax in silhouette, walking alongside a mysterious figure—whose stance and build strongly resemble Tane. That moment, paired with the behind-the-scenes footage from Perth, suggests that the two men are teaming up for something big.

Given Tane’s history with criminal entanglements and Brax’s iconic past as the River Boy leader, fans are already speculating that another gang storyline is looming. Could Tane have found himself in hot water again? Is Brax stepping in to offer the kind of help only a Braxton can provide?

Or is this something even more personal?

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Fan Frenzy and Theories

The Home and Away community has erupted with theories on forums and social media. Some believe Tane may be recruiting Brax for help, while others wonder if Brax has unfinished business in Summer Bay—and Tane’s presence in WA is the beginning of a multi-character crossover event.

Whatever the reason, one thing is clear: this unexpected alliance is set to shake things up in a major way as Home and Away kicks off 2026 with blockbuster energy.

Why do you think Tane has sought out Brax—and what storm are they about to unleash together?