Chloe Brennan

After reading the character biography, Pengilly thought the role could have been written just for her, as she and Chloe share a lot of similarities. She explained, "There are a lot of elements of my personality that are slight, but have been amped up to 100 per cent with Chloe. Sometimes my big mouth gets me into trouble like it does her, too!."[8] Pengilly described Chloe as a "well-meaning person", who sometimes does or says the wrong thing, but never intends to hurt anyone. Pengilly likened Chloe to a puppy who "stumbles into trouble!"[8] She also called her "very adventurous and very fun-loving", with "a big heart".[6] Pengilly also told Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy, "She's not a bad girl, but she wants everything to be fun. She wants to get on with everyone and she wants to live life to the fullest."[6]

The character was also described as having a good sense of humour and being "a whirlwind of creative energy" by the serial's official website. She often hides her vulnerability and worries about getting hurt.[9] The character's look is "casual feminine boho chic", a style worn by actresses Teresa Palmer and Sienna Miller.[9] Pengilly confirmed that Chloe dates both men and women, saying she was "very carefree and open to everything life has to offer. She doesn't like to set limitations on anything."[6] Chloe suffers from intimacy and "daddy issues", so she tries not to get close to her partners.[9] Pengilly hoped Chloe was living up to the audience's expectations, as they had been teased about her introduction for a long time.[8]

In her fictional backstory, Chloe was in her early teens when her parents' separated, and she was raised away from her father and brothers by her mother Fay Brennan (Zoe Bertram) in Adelaide.[8] The official show website said that Chloe did not have any contact with her father from that point and she saw her brothers very little, which left her feeling like an only child.[9] After deciding against going to university, Chloe spent her time working various jobs, including waitressing, nannying and working on a minor celebrity's yacht.[9]

The character was introduced shortly after Burns left his role as Tyler Brennan.[3] Chloe comes to Erinsborough to be with her brothers Aaron and Mark, after spending years travelling overseas on "an extended gap year".[6] After running out of money, Chloe visits her brothers to repair their fractured relationships, but Mark is aware that she could leave as suddenly as she arrived.[6][8] Pengilly felt like she had real brothers in McGregor and Wilson, as they were very welcoming towards her when she started, and she said her favourite scenes to film were set in the Brennan house.[8]

After arriving in Erinsborough, Chloe meets up with Mark and they go to the local coffee shop to catch up.[10] Mark's former girlfriend Elly Conway (Jodi Anasta) sees them together and is "curious" about the newcomer, but she is angered when she sees Chloe going through Mark's wallet after he leaves it unattended.[10] Elly comes over to confront Chloe and "a tug-of-war" ensues as she tries to take back the wallet, which results in some of her hair being pulled out.[10] When Mark returns, Elly tells him his date is stealing from him, but he reveals that Chloe is actually his younger sister. Chloe then upsets Tyler's former girlfriend Piper Willis (Mavournee Hazel) when she asks how long she plans to stay in Tyler's room, as she was hoping to move in there.[11] Pengilly commented that Chloe is not very "tactful" in the way she approaches the situation with Piper. Aaron eventually gives her his room.[6]

Chloe later meets Elly again and openly admits that she is experimental when it comes to relationships and would not mind with "experimenting" with her some day, leaving Elly "horrified by her forward attitude."[11] Aaron is happy to have his sister around, but Mark is more cautious, knowing that trouble tends to follow Chloe around.[11] When Chloe successfully applies for an executive assistant job at Lassiters Hotel, Brandon Danker (Nick Bracks) is tasked with checking her CV and it soon emerges that she has lied about her skills and previous jobs.[12] Chloe decides to seduce Brandon in a bid to keep her job, and invites him to spend time with her in the spa at Number 32. They are soon interrupted by returning character Jane Harris (Annie Jones), who disapproves of their antics.[12]

Writers soon established a casual relationship between Chloe and her boss Leo Tanaka (Tim Kano).[13] The storyline begins when Leo is ordered by Terese Willis (Rebekah Elmaloglou) to fire Chloe for incompetency, after she evicts lawyer Toadfish Rebecchi (Ryan Moloney) from his office within the Lassiters complex. Leo decides not to fire Chloe when she resolves the situation with Toadie. He then makes a romantic advance towards her.[13] A Neighbours publicist told Claire Crick of Soaplife that "Leo realises that maybe there's more to bolshy Chloe than meets the eye and he tries to seduce her."[14] Chloe turns him down, as she does not want to risk her job. However, after she reads "a mysterious" email that leaves her "shaken", Chloe returns to Leo's office and crawls across his desk to kiss him.[14] A stunt coordinator was hired to go through safety procedures for Chloe's desk crawl. Pengilly had to practice crawling across the desk, so that she was safe and that the desk did not break. Kano commented, "I did feel for her having to do that and being so new. We had to practice over and over."[15]

Kano thought it was a classic rebound storyline for his character, who broke up with his girlfriend shortly beforehand. He also thought that Leo and Chloe "definitely have great chemistry".[15] He also admitted that some of the scenes between the characters may not have made it past the censor, and he was interested to see how much would have to be edited for the show's early evening time slot.[15] In a later interview, Kano said Leo was capable of developing genuine feelings for Chloe despite the initial fun and casual nature of their relationship.[16] He also pointed out that their affair could have consequences for them professionally, as Lassiters has a policy asking staff members not to date one another. He commented, "So I think it's destined for failure, but that's what makes it so exciting. The possibility of getting caught creates a thrill."[16]

Chloe and Leo are caught kissing in his office by Chloe's mother Fay, who comes to Erinsborough unannounced.[17] Fay is "not impressed" with Chloe, and later reveals that she is being forced to sell her house to cover Chloe's debts.[17] The couple are also blackmailed by Brandon after he discovers their affair, but they continue to sneak around.[18] They are eventually found out when they are late for Aaron and David Tanaka's (Takaya Honda) engagement party. They become trapped in the loft of the Backpackers' hostel when Terese arrives. Both Mark and Leo's father Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis) realise that they are together and come to confront them. Paul then demotes Leo for being "unprofessional".[18] Leo later asks Chloe to continue their relationship now it is out in the open, but she turns him down, saying that it was only fun for her when they were trying to keep it a secret.[18]

Karl Kennedy, played by Alan Fletcher (pictured), gives Chloe her diagnosis and becomes her confidant.

In August 2018, an issue-led storyline for the character began when she is diagnosed with Huntington's disease.[19] Prior to the diagnosis, Chloe receives several letters and emails from a clinic in the United States, where she underwent some genetic medical trials in return for money.[20] Pengilly explained that Chloe puts off getting her results, as she fears getting bad news and she is worried that the frequency of the letters means there is something seriously wrong.[19] Chloe eventually speaks with Doctor Karl Kennedy (Alan Fletcher) about the trials. He later informs her that the results show that she has Huntington's disease, a hereditary condition which results in the death of brain cells.[20] Pengilly said Chloe is "stunned" by the news and she feels helpless because there is no cure. Karl later explains that her mother and brothers could have the condition too, which concerns her more than her own diagnosis.[19]

Speaking to Charlie Milward of the Daily Express, Pengilly stated that she had not heard of Huntington's disease before the storyline.[20] She was initially shocked upon receiving it, but she was "grateful" to be given the opportunity to raise awareness among the show's viewers.[20] Pengilly spoke with the writers,[19] and carried out her own research, so she could "sensitively and accurately" portray someone with the condition.[21] Chloe chooses to keep her diagnosis a secret until after Aaron and David's wedding, as she does not want to ruin their moment. Pengilly commented, "She thinks she should keep carrying the burden alone."[20] She later said that Chloe thinks telling them would be "selfish".[21] Karl begs Chloe to tell her family, as they need to be tested for the gene too.[20] Pengilly enjoyed working with Fletcher on the storyline, calling the opportunity "a dream".[21] Pengilly also enjoyed exploring another side to her character, but she preferred the lighter scenes where Chloe is the comic relief, saying "comedy is my jam".[19]

Chloe struggles in the wake of her diagnosis and takes a sick day from work, before inviting Amy Williams (Zoe Cramond) on a girls night out.[22] She steals some money from the family fund for alcohol. Chloe and Amy are joined by Chloe's friend Danielle Southgate (Annie Lumsden) and the women proceed to get drunk. After Amy goes home early, Chloe and Danielle steal the Ramsay Street sign, resulting in Chloe's arrest.[22] Mark has to bail his sister out and tells her that the money she took was for their mother's food shopping. In an effort to pay her mother back, Chloe organises a games room at Lassiters where she earns tips.[22] The storyline was revisited in November 2018 when Chloe finally tells her siblings about her diagnosis.[23] Chloe is forced to reveal her secret when Aaron and David plan to have a child using Aaron's sperm. After failing to persuade the couple to let David be the donor, she tells Mark and Aaron that she has the Huntington's gene and they could have it too.[23] Mark decides to get tested straight away, but Aaron refuses, saying that he would rather not know.[23]

In the wake of her Huntington's diagnosis, Chloe launches a new business venture, Cash4Company which sees her charging men for dates.[24] Pengilly told Sarah Ellis of Inside Soap that she did not see the storyline coming, but she understood that her character was desperate to pay back her mother.[24] She explained, "Chloe loves meeting new people anyway and she sets a lot of ground rules with the business. It's absolutely platonic – it's being friendly to people who are lonely, while also finding a way to pay her mum back. So Chloe thinks it's win-win, really."[25] The storyline begins with Chloe accepting a lunch date with rich widower Orion Ibraheim (Simon Barbaro), who gives her $300 at the end of the date. Chloe realises that she can build a business and improve her financial situation.[26] Orion's friend Harrison Keller (Chris Hanrahan) asks her out,[25] which brings Chloe into conflict with Mark, who disapproves of her meeting up with men for money.[26] Mark researches Chloe's client on social media to see if he can be trusted, before interrupting the date to tell Chloe that Harrison is married, however, Chloe reveals that she already knows and Harrison leaves. Chloe then confronts her brother for ruining the date.[26] Pengilly branded Mark "the disapproving father figure".[25]

Chloe's business also brings her into conflict with neighbour Dipi Rebecchi (Sharon Johal), who hears that her husband Shane Rebecchi (Nicholas Coghlan) has been using Chloe's services.[27] Speaking to Johnathon Hughes of the Radio Times, Pengilly explained that Shane actually asks Chloe for some information about her latest client, as he wants to do business with him. When Dipi later sees Chloe and Shane talking, she confronts them, leading Chloe to fall back onto some rubbish.[27] Pengilly commented that Chloe "had the best intentions and was trying to help Shane and his family, unfortunately the wires are definitely crossed..."[27] Both Pengilly and Johal admitted that they were opposed to how the scene was originally written, which saw their characters engage in "a classic cat fight" and had Dipi slut shame Chloe for her choices.[28] The actresses changed their characters' dialogue as much as they could, and the finished scene moved the blame onto Shane instead of Chloe.[28] Pengilly later wrote that she and Johal thought it was "inappropriate" for Dipi to pin the blame on Chloe, while keeping Shane out of it, despite initially believing that he was cheating on her.[28]

The incident with Dipi exposes Chloe's business and Paul fears that it will have an effect on Lassiters, so he wants her fired. But when Chloe catches Leo and Terese together and realises they are dating, she blackmails them into helping her keep her job.[27] When Hughes questioned if that was somewhat harsh, Pengilly replied "I think Chloe is indignant because Terese is very judgemental about Cash4Company and doesn't stand up for her at first. When Chloe and Leo were caught together in the office that time Terese deemed it inappropriate and Chloe was practically forced into ending things with him. It's double standards and very hypocritical now Terese is sneaking around and Chloe is quite annoyed."[27] The actress said Chloe takes "a moral standpoint" for being told off for something Terese is also doing.[27] Chloe later finds herself in an awkward situation when a mother asks her to take her son's virginity on his 21st birthday in return for payment.[24]

Tim Robards (pictured) portrayed businessman Pierce Greyson, Chloe's client and later lover.

When Hughes (Radio Times) asked Pengilly if Chloe would find romance through her business, she told him that it was possible, but Chloe had closed herself off to starting a long-term relationship because of her Huntington's diagnosis.[27] Not long after, producers introduced multi-millionaire businessman Pierce Greyson (Tim Robards) to Chloe's storyline.[29] Pierce is "a charming multi-millionaire", who comes to Erinsborough to complete a deal with the Lassiters brand. After discovering Chloe's business, Pierce asks to become one of her clients, but is rejected as Chloe does not want to jeopardise the deal.[29] However, Pierce persists and books Chloe's services using a pseudonym. Their date goes well, and leads to another during which Chloe tells him about her brother Tyler's upcoming release from prison.[29] At the end of the night, Pierce asks Chloe to spend the night with him in return for payment, but Chloe decides not to go. She later admits to Elly that she may reconsider, and after rejecting Elly's "well-meaning advice", Chloe goes to Pierce's room and he gives her a necklace, but she turns down his proposition.[29]

While helping Pierce organise a wine tasting event, Chloe hugs him upon hearing that Tyler is being released, which leads to them having sex.[30] Chloe is left "confused" when Pierce sends her the necklace and a bottle of wine afterwards, as she thought that they had had sex for "fun", but she realises that Pierce may see it as a transaction instead.[30] She confides in Elly, who encourages her to speak to Pierce about their relationship, but Chloe chooses to keep the gifts and focus her attention on Tyler's imminent return.[30] Speaking to the Metro's Katie Baillie, Pengilly said "Initially Chloe does really like Pierce and she initiates taking the relationship further, but she's not up for anything serious or long term which she's quite clear about, and he agrees."[31]

Pierce is also brought into Terese's storyline when she plots a takeover of Lassiters from Paul. He joins forces with her, but she is unaware that he does not really care for the hotel and all of his focus is on Chloe, who is starting to feel "overwhelmed" especially when Pierce presents her with a ring.[32] Of Pierce's feelings towards Chloe, Robards commented "He sees her business almost as a challenge to get her to fall a bit deeper. He wasn't expecting it, but he realises he has feelings for this girl."[32] Chloe wants to end the relationship, but worries that Pierce will pull out of the takeover plans, something which he later confirms.[32]

Pierce and Chloe's storyline comes to a conclusion when he takes her to a ski resort. Chloe is initially surprised by the offer to accompany him on a business trip, as she has just told him that she is uncomfortable with how their relationship has been progressing.[33] But Chloe thinks she will be able to convince Pierce to finalise the Lassiters deal during the trip, so she can be free. However, Pierce does not want to do business once they reach the resort, leaving Chloe feeling "trapped".[31] In an attempt to put him off pursuing a long-term relationship with her, Chloe tells Pierce about her Huntington's diagnosis, but he vows to care for her as the disease progresses, so Chloe decides to run away and leaves their cabin in the middle of the night.[33] Chloe asks Elly to bring her passport to her, so she can leave the country, but Elly convinces her to stay and continue repairing her relationships with her brothers.[31]

Chloe develops a crush on her brother's partner Elly Conway, played by Jodi Anasta (pictured), leading to exploration of her bisexuality.

Towards the end of 2018, producers decided to explore Chloe's bisexuality and began a "long-term story of unrequited love" as Chloe develops a crush on Elly, her friend and Mark's girlfriend.[34] After Elly loses her job at the local high school, she confides in Chloe about her feelings of loss and devastation. In an effort to cheer Elly up, Chloe arranges for them to spend a fun afternoon at home together.[35] As they drink wine and discuss their recent problems, they admit how much they care for one another and Chloe kisses Elly.[34] Anasta said that for Elly the kiss is "very unexpected" and "obviously awkward", as she is in a relationship with Chloe's brother. Anasta supported her character's decision not to tell Mark, saying "She doesn't tell Mark because she doesn't want it to ruin their relationship, and she also wants to protect Chloe. I think she's doing the right thing, as she doesn't want to mess with that family dynamic."[35]

When asked if the storyline came as a surprise, Pengilly referred to her character's impulsive nature and commented that the kiss was "classic Chloe".[34] She also pointed out that Chloe's bisexuality has been mentioned on a few occasions and she has flirted with Elly in the past, but it had largely been left unexplored. Pengilly and the writers made sure that Chloe's sexuality was not "the defining aspect of her personality" and the storyline was not "exploitative".[34] Following the kiss, Elly is keen to talk about it and make sure Chloe is okay, but Chloe would rather forget it happened. However, her feelings for Elly become stronger and she struggles to keep them to herself.[34] Elly and Mark get engaged shortly afterwards, leaving Chloe "heartbroken".[35] During Elly and Mark's engagement party, Chloe gets drunk and reveals her Huntington's diagnosis during a spontaneous toast. As Elly is attending to her outside, Chloe tells her she loves her.[36]

Chloe later writes Elly a Christmas card in which she reveals exactly how she is feeling and ends up declaring her love for her. Elly is "touched" by the gesture, but remains committed to her relationship with Mark.[37] Elly and Chloe's bond grows after they are involved in a siege at the local cafe and they turn to each other for support. Aaron notices their closeness and when he encourages Chloe to open up to him, she admits that she is in love with Elly.[38] Pengilly explained to an Inside Soap columnist, "It's bittersweet for Chloe, being so close to Elly, yet so far. She can't take the pressure any more, and she ends up telling Aaron in a moment of desperation."[38] The actress also revealed that she actually suggested that Elly and Chloe should get together when she joined the cast, but she was "basically laughed out of the room!" However, some viewers noticed chemistry between the characters and asked for the story.[38]

Producers soon introduced Chloe's former girlfriend Melissa "Mel" Lohan (Jacqui Purvis), leading to further exploration of Chloe's background.[39] Aaron contacts Mel and invites her to Erinsborough in an effort to cheer Chloe up, but he "instantly regrets" his actions when their mother Fay tells him that Chloe would probably not want to see Mel.[39] Aaron also angers Chloe with his attempts to "supervise" her and Elly when they spend time together.[39] There is initial tension between the former couple, as Mel left Chloe in "a dangerous situation" when the relationship came to an end. Mel apologises to Chloe, explaining that she has changed, and Chloe accepts the apology.[37] In a bid to suppress her feelings for Elly, Chloe finds Mel during Elly's hen night and kisses her. When Elly returns home, she finds Chloe and Mel together on the couch.[40] Chloe and Mel decide to give their relationship another go. Pengilly said that Chloe hopes it will work out between them, as she does have feelings for Mel. However, Pengilly confirmed that "it is a bit too good to be true" and Mel betrays Chloe yet again.[37]