Neighbours recasts key character 16 years after exit from Ramsay Street

 She may just have one more scheme to run before the soap bows out.

Neighbours is recasting a classic character in time for the grand finale.

The Australian soap is expected to bow out with a new final episode airing later this year and has just announced an exciting return.

Taking to Instagram, Neighbours has shared that Paul Robinson's daughter Elle is returning to Ramsay Street – 16 years after she first left Erinsborough.

Previously played by Pippa Black, who cameoed in 2019 and 2022, the character will now be portrayed by Elise Jansen.

"Elle Robinson returns!" Neighbours' Instagram post shared earlier today.

"Now played by Elise Jansen, Paul's daughter will soon be arriving on Ramsay Street, but what's brought her back after all this time?" the caption continues, teasing some serious twists in store for the finale.

Elle's dramatic storyline is set to take us right up to our nailbiting finale..." the post concludes.

The daughter of Gail Robinson, who divorced Paul while pregnant, Elle made her Erinsborough debut with siblings Cameron and Robert in 2005.

Elle has been known to run a scheme or two during her time on Ramsay Street. A talent for manipulation, Elle wreaked havoc on the street with her plotting, which included faking a terminal illness to get her own way.

Played by Black, Elle departed Ramsay Street in 2009. She then returned in guest appearances in 2019 and 2022.

Last week, the cast of Neighbours shared their emotional reactions to filming for the last time.

The Aussie soap first ended in 2022 before being revived by Amazon's ad-supported service Freevee. As the show has been cancelled once again, the actors are going into their final weeks on set.

Jane Harris actor Annie Jones shared a selfie to her Instagram, showing herself and her on-screen daughter Hannah Monson (Nicolette) going to set.

While production will stop soon, the last episode is set to air in December.

"I am ending it in a way that sets up future chapters," boss Jason Herbison recently told The Age. "It'll be very hopeful and optimistic, but it will be different [from] last time. Most importantly, it absolutely leaves the door open for a few different ways the show could come back in the future.