mini-series. Weekly series (1986) Such was the enormous success of the mini-series that Return to Eden returned as a regular weekly series. Produced in 1985 and screened on TV in 1986, the weekly series had a budget of AUS$8 million. The events of the series take place seven years after the end of the original mini-series, with Stephanie now married to Dr. Dan Marshall and living at New Eden, a mansion in Sydney. Stephanie's children, Sarah and Dennis, both teenagers in the mini-series, are now adults, played by Nicki Paull and Peter Cousens. The opening episode featured Jilly's release from prison and the discovery that she is Stephanie's half-sister. Ongoing storylines dealt with her bitter jealousy and rivalry with Stephanie as she strives to take what she believes should rightfully be hers. The most prominent storyline was Stephanie's continued attempts to keep control of the family company, Harper Mining, which ruthless businessman Jake Sanders (Daniel Abineri) was trying to take away from her. It was revealed that Jake was in fact the brother of the late Greg Marsden, out to avenge his death. He eventually teamed up with Jilly to achieve his goal. Rebecca Gilling and James Smillie both reprised their roles from the original mini-series, while Peta Toppano replaced Wendy Hughes as Jilly Stewart, playing her as a glamorous, scheming "superbitch", much in the style of Dynasty's Alexis Colby. Ending The final episode screened in Australia on 8 July 1986 concluded with a cliffhanger ending in anticipation of a second season. Closing scenes featured Dennis being knocked unconscious and kidnapped by an unseen assailant, meanwhile, upstairs at Stephanie's mansion while a party went on downstairs, Jilly pulls a gun on Stephanie in yet another attempt to kill her. Jake attempts to wrest the gun from Jilly but the gun goes off in the struggle, fatally wounding him and splattering Stephanie with his blood. Stephanie grabs the gun away from Jilly, while Jake careens down the hallway before falling down the stairs where he dies in full view of the shocked party guests. A horrified Stephanie, with blood on her face and clothes and still holding the gun in her hand, appears at the stairway. Jilly then descends the stairs, claiming to have seen Stephanie shoot him. The show's ratings had not been high enough in Australia to justify a renewal so this cliffhanger was never initially resolved for Australian