australian television information archive

How Can You Mend A Broken Heart?

Episode 1
Thursday, January 01, 2026 (Stan, all eps)
Written by Robyn Butler and Wayne Hope
Directed by Robyn Butler and Wayne Hope

In Ballarat, a young doctor is attacked at work by an ice addict; hours later, his fiancée turns off his life support. At the same time, somewhere else, a man crushed by a motorbike is told he’s receiving a new heart. Eight months on, Lillian Vandenberg is struggling to stay afloat after Ash’s death. Her cousin Hamish and his wife Mary are rapidly losing patience because they’re grieving too — especially Mary, who was working with Ash in the ED the night he died and is now battling her own trauma. Lillian is at rock bottom when she receives an anonymous letter — from the man crushed by the motorbike, saying thank you for his new heart. Suddenly, Lillian feels better and unwisely tracks down the recipient. Her surprise visit to see Andrew Schneider, a winemaker from the Barossa Valley, doesn’t go well. When she leaves in distress, Andrew’s wife Kelly tries to convince him to make amends.

Starring: Brooke Satchwell as Lillian Vandenberg, Eleanor Matsuura as Mary Matsumoto, Ryan Johnson as Hamish Vandenberg, Ben Lawson as Andrew Schneider

Guest Cast: Annie Maynard as Kelly Schneider, Daniel Henshall as Jack Gardener, Deborah Mailman as Susan Sinclair, Krisraw Jones-Shukoor as Ash Dost, Ra Champman as Detective Sergeant Fiona Kitchener, Heidi Arena as Sharon Natoli, Kevin Hofbauer as Rick George Jason Agius as Sam Harvey, Kate Cote as Dr Elizabeth Anderson, Zac Taylor as Dr Tommy Carroll, Juan Fernando Monge as Dr James Collie, Jake O'Brien as Toby, Duke Lee Daou as Lewis, Katerina Daskalakis as Astrid

With: Marniesa Martinez as Paramedic Katie, Alana-Paige Conte as Fiona's Wife, Georgia Balloch as Jack's Girlfriend, Tia Plummer as Mathilde Schneider, Dash Maxwell as Dom Schneider, Tim Potter as Darren, Julian Weeks as Henry, Em Svarnias as Receptionist, Natalie Walker as Pilot Thomson, Tom Marchant as Sovereign Hill Teenager, Elias Anton as Travis Sharpe, Jayden Denke as Boyfriend, Hayden Stewart as Andrew's Paramedic, James Huang as Andrew's ICU Doctor,

Stunts: Cody Riley as Stunt Cyclist, Kevin Willie as Stunt Food Delivery Driver, Monique Dawes as Stunt Young Woman, Philli Anderson as Lillian Stunt Double, Grady Ferricks-Rosevear as Andrew Stunt Double, Gavin Coleman as Stunt Truck Driver, Kate Angus as Precision Driver 1, Christine "Lexy" Ong as Precision Driver 2, Gavin Coleman as Precision Driver 3, Zev Eleftheriou as Precision Driver 4, Michael Saliba as Precision Driver 5, Alex Yakimov as Precision Driver 6, Dave Mondon as Precision Driver 7, Madi Anderson as Precision Driver 8, Chris Weir as Precision Driver 9, Graham Jahne as Precision Driver 10, Katherine Clarke as Crash Onlooker, Brian Reberger as Crash Onlooker, Jack Stone as Male Passerby

The Price You Pay

Episode 2
Written by Robyn Butler and Wayne Hope
Directed by Robyn Butler and Wayne Hope

While Hamish is freaked out that Lillian has invited Andrew and Kelly to dinner, Lillian is upset to receive a debt collection notice for $35,000 owing for Ash’s funeral. Ash’s mother Janet organised the funeral and has devised a way to make Lillian pay for it. Mary is devastated to be told that Jordan, who killed Ash, is trying to change his plea from Guilty to Not Guilty, which means the case might go to trial, and he might get off. Hamish tries his hardest at dinner with Andrew and Kelly, which is challenging because Mary is uncharacteristically getting drunk. When she blurts the news about the plea change, Hamish is shocked, more so when Andrew offers to help.

Guest Cast: Annie Maynard as Kelly Schneider, Daniel Henshall as Jack Gardener, Deborah Mailman as Susan Sinclair, Kerry Armstrong as Michelle Vandenberg, Linda Cropper as Janet Dost, Christopher Stollery as Phillip Vandenberg, Khisraw Jones-Shukoor as Ash Dost, Ra Chapman as Detective Sergeant Fiona Kitchener, Heidi Arena as Sharon Natoli, Kevin Hofbauer as Rick George, Jason Agius as Sam Harvey, Coco Jack Gillies as Brooke Sorrenti, Luke J. Morgan as Jordan Bancroft, Lucy Durack as Mrs Hollyoake, Duke Lee Daou as Lewis

With: Priscilla Castel as Sasha, Nicolette Minster as Lauren, Sinead Fernandes as Emma, Sam Eade as Stan Clarendon, Sol Feldman as Noah, Tim Potter as Darren, Adam McConvell as Kristo, Rebecca O'Callaghan as Polly, Ashleigh Coleman as VFO Dental Patient, Narissa Wheatley as Dental Assistant, Sam Oconnor as Gay Couple #1, Darryl Bell as Gay Couple #2, Wesley Scott as Musket Firer

Three Sentences

Episode 3
Written by
Directed by

Lillian’s parents, Michelle and Phillip, have agreed to cover the funeral debt if Lillian pays them back by working in their orthodontic clinic in Melbourne. Desperate to curb her panic attacks, Mary threatens Jordan’s girlfriend. After the interaction is filmed, Mary is stood down from work. When Lillian discovers the recipient of Ash’s lungs is a young mother, Taylor, from the outer suburbs of Melbourne, she watches the house from her car. Terrified of a possible trial, Mary takes Andrew up on his offer to help. Lillian’s consoling visits to Taylor’s house come to an abrupt halt when she makes a terrible discovery.

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Hearts and Minds

Episode 4
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After Lillian takes Taylor to hospital, claiming to be her sister, she flees in distress. Hamish is hurt to discover that Mary is working with Andrew to try and get her job back. Michelle calls Hamish to find Lillian is missing and he finds her on a massive bender. He nurses her back to sobriety, but when Susan from the Organ Donation Authority turns up demanding to know why Lillian has been stalking Taylor, his patience runs out. Lillian is deeply apologetic and reassures Susan she doesn’t want to see Taylor again, which is unfortunate because now Taylor wants to meet her.

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Grit

Episode 5
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When Jordan’s application for a plea change is denied, Mary is devastated to find that her panic attacks haven’t abated. Andrew is thrilled with the outcome of his PR campaign but feels oddly at sea when he has to go home. Lillian reluctantly drives to Melbourne to meet Taylor and her husband, Brendan. Taylor is desperate to please Lillian, but Brendan reveals his fury about Lillian stalking their family, making Lillian feel deeply ashamed. With Mary’s PTSD spiralling, she is forced to admit to Hamish the trauma she’s been suffering.

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Circles

Episode 6
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Ash’s mother, Janet, still struggles with Lillian’s decision to donate Ash’s organs, so her sister, Caroline, turns to Lillian to try and make things right with her; Lillian refuses. In the Barossa, Kelly is shocked to learn that Andrew plans to open a winery in Ballarat. Mary has been diagnosed with delayed onset PTSD and, while she and Hamish have been closer than ever, she struggles to confide in Lillian. Lillian receives an unusual thank you letter from another recipient, and it’s a joyful, painful reminder that her journey to healing is not over.

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